139 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca McNABB, Arthur Clarke WWII Arthur Clarke McNabb was the eldest son of Arthur and Margaret (Thompson), born on March 23, 1919, on the family farm in Minto Municipality. He received his education at Cameron and Minnedosa schools. During Clarke’s school years, he took an active part in all sports and showed a great interest in playing soccer. He received his diploma in agriculture at the University of Manitoba in the spring of 1939 and hoped to farm. Early in 1940, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He took his basic training at Manning Depot in Brandon. He was then posted to I.T.S. where he received his Initial Training School for aircrew. Following his graduation from I.T.S. as Leading Air Craftsman, he began training as a pilot at Elementary Flying Training School (E.F.T.S.) in Edmonton, flying single engine Tiger Moth aircraft. He took his Service Flying at the Service Flying Training School (S.F.T.S.) in Claresholm, Alberta, where he flew twin engine Cessna aircraft. Upon graduation from S.F.T.S. in 1941 as Sgt Pilot, he was awarded his wings. In 1942, he was selected for coastal command duty and spent approximately six months training in Summerside, PEI before going overseas. On arrival to the United Kingdom, he was posted to the Royal Canadian Air Force holding unit at Bournemouth in southern England. One of Clarke’s last letters home told of an enjoyable leave he and a friend had in London. They stayed in a private home about which he commented was the best “home away from home” that anyone could wish for. They did a lot of sightseeing, and this family taught them many new card games, puzzles, and tricks which he said he would show his brother at home. He was attached to #407 Demon Squadron (To Hold on High). Early in 1943, the Squadron converted from twin motor Hudson to twin motor Wellington aircraft. The Squadron received the first Wellington on January 29, 1943, and a move was made to Skitten, Caithness to continue conversion training. On March 17, 1943, operational flying with the new aircraft was first completed. By the end of March, the Squadron had moved to the R.A.F. Station, Chivenor, North Devon, from where they were to operate during the greater part of the next two years. Operations against enemy submarines from this station were quite successful. Enemy shipping was successfully attacked in addition to attacks on German u-boats. The Squadron chalked up an enviable record with respect to its accomplishments and was commended by the Air Council and the Air Officer Commanding of Coastal Command. “Since the reforming of the Squadron on April 1, 1943, 12 crews were lost – in all 50 persons either killed or missing. Furthermore, on every major operation, at least two or three aircraft were so badly damaged that they were of no further use.” (407 Squadron History) The Wellington Coastal Command aircraft of 407 Squadron were not equipped with fire power, and for that reason were very easy targets when confronted by enemy aircraft. They carried depth charged to be dropped on enemy submarines and Leigh lights which facilitated the spotting of U boats very easily. The U boat positions were pinpointed, and the information relayed back to Coastal Command H.Q. at the time of their being spotted and subsequently attacked. The night of May 31, 1943, Clarke’s Wellington aircraft failed to return from an anti-sub patrol over the Bay of Biscay. The C.A.T.P. Museum Book “They Shall Not Grow Old” records these words of memoriam on P.510: “McNabb, Arthur Clarke FS (P) R116358. From Minnedosa, Manitoba. Killed in action May 31, 1943, age 24. #407 Demon Squadron (To Hold on High) Wellington Aircraft was lost. Please see Harrison, J.C. for casualty list and flight detail. Flight Sergeant Pilot McNabb has no known grave; his name is inscribed on the Runnymede War Memorial, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, England.” Following the notification to Clarke’s parents of his death, they received this communication: “To Mr. and Mrs. John Arthur McNabb. This commemorates the gratitude of the Government and the people of Canada for the life of a brave man freely given in the service of his Country. Flight Sergeant Pilot Arthur Clarke McNabb, RCAF, May 31, 1943 (signed) Charles Power Minister of National Defence for Air” He was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, Defence of Britain Medal, 1939-1945 Star, War Medal 1939-1945. The 407 Squadron Roll Honor lists the names and home addresses of 257 RCAF personnel who were casualties. In addition to Flight Sergeant Arthur Clarke McNabb are the names of two other Minnedosa airmen: F/O (P/N) Ernest Leslie Shuttleworth and F/O (P/N) James Raymond Cornwall.
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