LEST WE FORGET 211 MAINPRIZE, GrahamWilliam WWII A Veteran’s Story submitted by George Willard The Harold, Herbert, Saskatchewan November 9, 2021 WILLIAM GRAHAM MAINPRIZE Born 1888 in Ontario, loyally served as doctor in Midale, Saskatchewan for 54 years. Mainprize Regional Park and Golf Course in the Midale area on the Souris River is named in his honour. GRAHAMWILLIAM MAINPRIZE Son of William and Helen. Born May 13, 1922, Midale, Saskatchewan. Studied medicine at University of Saskatchewan and the University of Toronto. He came to Central Butte 1954 and was the area doctor until 1989. He passed away on August 16, 2004. The Ivermain Place Care Home is named in honour of Doctor Graham Mainprize and Doctor Arthur Iverson. Before becoming a doctor - this is the amazing story of Graham Mainprize’s experience in World War II. Graham’s daughter Laura Mainprize writes: I found notes that Dad had written up later in life. I couldn’t find when he originally enlisted but he joined the RCAF on June 16, 1941, at 19 years old and trained as a navigator in Canada. He was sent to England in June of 1942 and became part of Squadron 405 which was on coastal command until February, 1943. In April, 1943 - 405 Squadron, became pathfinders for the British Bomber Command. Dad and his crew members participated in several raids until August 2,1943 when their plane was struck by lightening. Fortunately, the crew were able to land safely via parachute in Sweden where they were interned for six months. Dad landed in a potato patch near a house. Two men came out with a pitchfork but once they understood that he was a Canadian he was treated very well. He was also able to spend Christmas in Sweden with relatives on his mother’s side. After six months in the Swedish internment camp Dad was flown to England where he participated in training other navigators, then was based in Abbotsford, BC from April, 1944 to the end of the war. Flight Sergeant G.W. Mainprize, J 18185, (RCAF) Navigator Pathfinder Squadron 405 Halifax bomber HR871 Bombing mission, northern Germany August 2 and 3, 1943. Thunderstorm and heavy ice on the wings, two engines out plus some instruments. Decided to fly to neutral Sweden, ditched in the sea. THE AIRCRAFT The Crew and story of the HR281 info from google. A Royal Canadian Air Force heavy bomber, Halifax HR871 served with No. 405 Pathfinder Squadron. Piloted by F/S John Philips, the Halifax was returning from a raid to Hamburg on Aug. 3, 1943, when it was struck by lightning, and lost two engines and vital flight controls. The crew diverted to neutral Sweden and bailed out of the aircraft. They survived and returned to the UK after being interned for several months. continued
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