89 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca CORNWALL, James Raymond WWII Ray was born, raised, and educated in Minnedosa, Manitoba. His date of birth was June 5, 1920. He served continuously with the 12th Manitoba Dragoons at Camp Shilo, Manitoba, from July 25, 1940, to July 8, 1941. He then enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force in September 1941, and took his flight training at the following locations: Initial Training School, Saskatoon, SK; Bombing and Gunnery School, Macdonald, MB; Elementary Flying Training School No. 19, Virden, MB (flying Tiger Moths, March 1 - April 26, 1942); Service Flying Training School No. 12, Brandon, MB (flying Cessna Cranes, May 10 - Aug 28, 1942) Ray received his wings in Brandon on August 27, 1942 and was commissioned as a pilot officer. From September 28 to November 28, he attended the Advanced Navigation Course at the General Reconnaissance School No. 31 in Charlottetown, P.E.I., where training was on Anson aircraft. He was then recognized as a pilot-navigator. From December 15 to 31, 1942, he was stationed at “Y” Depot in Halifax, NS, awaiting transport overseas. No flights were taken during this period. On December 31, he embarked on the freighter Beaverhill of 10,000 tons, which sailed in a convoy of 40 - 50 ships across the Atlantic, arriving off Liverpool on January 14, 1943. His group then travelled by train through London to Bournemouth, Dorset on the English Channel. The stay in Bournemouth lasted from January 15 to February 16, 1943, during which time additional briefings and other training took place, although no flights were involved. On February 14, 1943, he received notice of his posting to R.C.A.F. Squadron 407, the “Demon Squadron,” then stationed in Scotland. The squadron had been formed on March 8, 1941, as a part of the R.A.F.’s Coastal Command. Two other Minnedosa airmen, Clark McNabb and Les Shuttleworth, were also attached to the “Demon Squadron.” The trip by train to this assignment took place over February 16 to 17. The 407 was stationed at Skitten, Caithness near R.A.F. base at Wick, and had been opened only 48 hours before they arrived. The squadron was equipped with Wellington X and XI bombers. The next month and a half was dedicated to additional briefings and exercises in low level strafing, bombing and night flying. On April 1, the Squadron was transferred to Chivenor, North Devon. Training involved submarine engagement tactics, including the use of the Leigh Light. Operations were antisubmarine patrols in the Bay of Biscay, between France and Spain. During the night and early morning hours of April 28 and 29, 1943, Ray was the second pilot of an antisubmarine flight in Wellington “H” (for Harry). The crew reported engine trouble while on their final approach to the air strip at Chivenor and crashed into the sea off Baggy Point. All members of the crew were killed. Flying Officer Cornwall’s body was not recovered, and he was considered “missing in action” for some time after the tragic end of their mission. He was 22 years of age. Ray was posthumously awarded his Operational Wings on June 24, 1943. The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for 19391945 was given to his parents on his behalf. His memory is commemorated on Panel 173 of the War Memorial at Runnymede, England as well as on the Cenotaph in Minnedosa. An island in northern Manitoba was named in his honour. The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum Inc. Book “They Shall Not Grow Old” records this memorial, page 143: “CORNWALL, JAMES RAYMOND F/O (P) J13599/R119754. From Minnedosa, Manitoba. Killed in Action Apr. 29/43 age 22. #407 Demon Squadron. (To Hold On High). Wellington aircraft #MP 618 failed to return from an anti-sub patrol. F/L G. Low, F/O.s A.A. Flemington, J.P. Wheeler, P/O J.D. Ferguson, and FS F.C. Summers were also killed. Flying Officer Pilot Cornwall has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Runnymede War Memorial, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, England.” His medals include the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, Defence of Britain Medal, 1939-1945 Star, and War Medal 1939-1945. (Information courtesy of C. R.Tippet, nephew; the C.A.T.P.M. Inc. book “They Shall Not Grow Old” and the Minnedosa Tribune d/d Nov. 10, 1992.)
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