163 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca OLSTEAD, George James WWII George was born in Oberon, Manitoba on April 13, 1916, the son of James M. and Mary A. S. Olstead of Sidney, British Columbia. He enlisted in 1938 after graduating from the University of Manitoba with a degree in science. He was one of six Manitobans chosen that year to train pilots overseas. Pilot Officer George Olstead was accidentally killed on October 14, 1939, at the age of 23, while flying a Fairy Battle Aircraft (No 1304). The plane crashed into Sharbot Lake, four miles northwest of Snow Road, Ontario while they were taking part in a navigation exercise. It is unclear whether his aircraft crashed or exploded north of Kingston, Ontario. His commanding officer suggested the mishap may have been due to a snowstorm or sabotage. Olstead Lake (64 O/11) southeast of Nueltin Lake was named after him in 1975. and is commemorated at Riverside Cemetery in Neepawa. George was the first casualty of World War II from Neepawa and district. Shortly before his death, George had been promoted to Flying Officer. PARKER, John Allen WWII John Allen Parker, born in 1920, enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Brandon, Manitoba, on September 20, 1941. He was 21 years old, living in Minnedosa and working at Burgess’ Meat Market. He was the son of Lewis “Lou” Allen Parker, World War I Veteran, and the former May Laver. Allen Parker’s first posting was to Manning Pool in Brandon, where he was issued Air Force clothing, etc. and initiated into the RCAF life. He was then posted to Initial Training School (I.T.S.) in Edmonton as aircrew trainee. Upon graduation from I.T.S. as Leading Aircraftsman (L.A.C.), he was posted to 319 Elementary Flying Training School (E.F.T.S.) Virden, where he flew single engine Tiger Moth aircraft. He survived a plane crash on one of his first night flights in which his instructor was killed. After graduation from E.F.T.S., Allen was posted to Service Flying Training School (S.F.T.S.) in Saskatoon where he took training on twin engine aircraft. He graduated and was awarded his pilot wings on November 6, 1942. Following graduation from S.F.T.S. with the rank of Sergeant, he took further training and was posted to the United Kingdom for overseas duty with #6 RCAF Bomber Command. He took operational training in England. Flying four-engine Halifax bomber aircraft attached to #419 Moose Squadron, he took part in nine successful operations over enemy territory. The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum Inc. Book of Remembrance “They Shall Not Grow Old” gives these accounts of P/O Parker’s tenth mission: “Parker, John Allen P.O. (P) J19583. From Minnedosa, Manitoba. Killed in Action on February 15, 1944, age 23. #419 Moose Squadron (Moose Aswayita). Target – Berlin, Germany. Please see Hartnett F. for casualty list and flight detail. Pilot Officer Parker has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the RunnymedeWar Memorial, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, England.” p.583 “Hartnett, Frederick F/O (N) J14198. From Oshawa, Ontario. Killed in Action February 15, 1944, age 23. #419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Halifax aircraft #JD 456 was shot down in the Baltic Sea off Denmark during a trip to Berlin, Germany. P.O.’s J. A. Parker, J. L. Donald, M. A. Fournier, Sgt. H. T. Raine and two RAF members of the crew were also killed. This was the tenth operation of the entire crew and theirs was one of 42 Allied aircraft lost on this night. Flight Officer Navigator Harnett has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Runnymede War Memorial, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, England”. p.307 John received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, Defence Medal, 1939-1945 Star and War Medal 1939-1945.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==