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Harris, John Michael (Sergeant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1941-April-07

Birth Date: 1913-January-08 (age 28)

Son of Michael George and Rosamond Harris, of Sarnia; husband of Stella Harris, of Sarnia.

Husband of Stella Harris, of Sarnia.

Home: Sarnia, Ontario

Service
RCAF
Unit
1 WS- Wireless School
Base
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Rank
Sergeant
Marshal
Air Chief MarshalA/C/M
Air MarshalA/M
Air Vice MarshalA/V/M
Air CommodoreA/C
Group CaptainG/C
Wing CommanderW/C
Squadron LeaderS/L
Flight LieutenantF/L
Flying OfficerF/O
Pilot OfficerP/O
Warrant Officer 1st ClassWO1
Warrant Officer 2nd ClassWO2
Flight SergeantFS
SergeantSGT
CorporalCPL
Senior AircraftmanSAC
Leading AircraftmanLAC
Aircraftman 1st ClassAC1
Aircraftman 2nd ClassAC2
Position
Wireless Air Gunner
Service Numbers
R/63612
1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec. Sgt Harris was engaged in a wireless exercise and was killed when Menasco Moth aircraft 4824 crashed near Chateauguay, Quebec.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Find-A-Grave.com

Canada Primary Source Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

de Havilland Menasco Moth DH82-C4

(DND Archives Photo, PCN-4631)(Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page)
de Havilland DH 82C2 Menasco Moth Mk. I (Serial No. 4861),
preserved with the Canada Air and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario.

In the event that U-boat attacks caused a break in supply of British-made engines to Canada, American-built Menasco engines were installed in some Canadian-built Tiger Moths. This is the major difference between the Menasco and de Havilland Tiger Moths. Because this engine could drive a large generator, most Menasco Moths were used for radio training.

The Menasco engine was not as powerful as the Gypsy engine, resulting in a somewhat reduced performance. This loss of power made the Menasco Moth a less than ideal pilot-training airplane and contributed to the Menasco Moth being used almost exclusively for radio training.

YouTube Features Menasco engined Tiger Moth

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (136), Canadian Aircraft Losses (6)
last update: 2023-06-12 18:03:35

Moth, Menasco II 4824

Category A damage on 7 April 1941 while with No. 1 Wireless School at Montreal, Quebec.
1941-01-23 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-April-07 Accident: 1 Wireless School Loc: Caughnawaga Indian Reserve Names: Harris | Orchard
1941-06-04 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

1 WS- Wireless School (1 Wireless School)

Trainees in the "Wireless Air Gunner" (WAG) stream spent 24 weeks at a Wireless Schoo learning the theory and application of wireless communications. This included signalling with lights and flags as well as radio. Their "WAG" training was completed with four weeks at a Bombing & Gunnery School.

  • RCAF Roundel RCAF.info - RCAF Station Montreal QC - 1 WS

  • General Canada 150 Vignette

    • 1940-02-16 Primary Location Montreal Canada Currently the home the Nazareth School For The Blind Montreal PQ

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