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Newsletter No. 8

Spring 2015

Prairie Motor Brigade Maintaining Military History

The Prairie Motor Brigade is the Alberta and Saskatchewan affiliate of the MVPA

Cover Photo: Cenotaph at Olds, Alberta See Page 6

Photo Credits: Donna Geekie, Jim Hodgson, Bob Brown

Members are encouraged to submit pictures and articles for inclusion in upcoming issues of this newsletter. This newsletter is published quarterly, please forward all submissions or inquiries to the editor: Jim Hodgson jhodgson11@shaw.ca

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Upcoming Events

Recent Events

Gun Show

Olds Legion

Henry McIver’s Last Mission

Minutes of the Last Meeting

Buy and Sell

Contacts

Websites

Membership Information

Contents

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S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 6 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

6 Olds Legion Convoy Centennial Park, Olds

13-14 Summer Skirmish At the Military Museums, Calgary

19-21 Wings and Wheels At the Aerospace Museum, Calgary

27 Beer & Hotdogs

At Arlon Bauers’

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

17-19 Wings Over Springbank Airshow At Springbank airport setup July 17 (8 am – 6 pm)

show July 18-19 (10 am – 5 pm)

JUNE JULY AUGUST

S M T W T F S 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

8 Breakfast at Airdrie Co-Op

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Airdrie Summer Classic Car Show

At Nose Creek Park, Airdrie Registration: 8 am- noon $10.00

Show time: 10 am – 4 pm

UPCOMING EVENTS

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A.A.C.C.A Gun Show BY JIM HODGSON

Next to us, the Historical Vehicle Troop of the Lord Strathcona’s set up their display along with a Ferret, one of many of their restored vehicles.

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This years’ annual Gun Show was held on Easter Weekend at the BMO Centre at the Stampede Grounds in Calgary. The Alberta Arms and Cartridge Collectors Association has the largest gun show in Canada and it has been an annual gathering of gun and militaria enthusiasts for years.

The PMB had its’ display setup with items such as radio equipment, a field office and numerous other items under the camo net to attract the crowds. Wayne had his M37 and Rick brought along the 45MM anti-tank gun which got plenty of attention. The vendors at the show had displays of guns, ammo, books, military collectables and clothing. Something for just about everyone and a great time to meet old friends and make new contacts.

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Waynes’ M37 attracted the crowds

over to our booth

Historical Vehicle Troop

ehicle Troop

Setting things up the

day before the show

opened to the public.

Ricks’ 45 mm anti-tank gun

was a popular item

The Prairie Motor Brigade set up

next to the Historic Vehicle Troop

of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse

(Royal Canadians)

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Cenotaph at Olds, ALberta

71st Anniversary of D-Day

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Olds Legion

Olds, Alberta

June 6th marked the 71st anniversary of D-Day. We all met a couple of miles east of Olds and parked our trucks and trailers in an empty field to prepare for the convoy to town for the ceremony at the cenotaph at Centennial Park. After a brief meeting with the safety officer we headed out and met at the cenotaph. Most of us made it without incident however one vehicle succumbed to vapour lock and was quickly rescued by the convoy leader and towed to the destination. We set up the vehicles next to the cenotaph and shortly after arrival the ceremony began. Although the crowds were not large we had a number of people come by to view the vehicles. Linda Anderson, President of the Royal Canadian Legion #105, invited us to lunch at the Legion. We parked our vehicles in front of the Legion’s building where they could be seen by the traffic along the main street then went inside to have lunch and a chance to relax. We later went outside to have a group photo taken in front of the tank on display at the Legion then headed back to our trucks and trailers to load them up and head home.

We climbed aboard Archie for a group photo

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Jims’ 1943 GPW

Stus’ latest acquisition

1952 M38

Donnas’ 1942

MB

Waynes’ 1952 M37

Ricks’ 1986 IIltis

Steves’ 1952 M38CDN Stus’ 1952 M38

Henry McIver’s Last Mission Submitted by Rick DeBruyn

Henry McIver was my grandfather's brother, my grand uncle. Uncle Henry was long gone by the time I was born but his memory was very much alive within our extended family. His medals, photos, log book, etc. were kept at my grandparents’ house and as a child I recall on many occasions opening the drawer where these items were kept then flipping through the photos, reading the log book and holding his medals. My grandfather was rather proud of Henry so of course he would tell of his heroics and how he piloted the damaged Lancaster away from the nearby town as they were going down. I am pleased that I am now the custodian of Uncle Henrys’ keepsakes and hope to keep his war time deeds alive with the next generations. The story attached was written by a lady from Great Britain, Henry billeted with her family during the war. The story traveled from GB to our family through some genealogy channels in the 1990's, it is rather amazing that it made it to our family at all, this before email and intranet that make present day around the world exchanges so easy. The story is much appreciated by my family, a very nice tribute to our Uncle Henry.

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THE QUEST

The impressionable schoolgirl worshipped the young Canadian airman who was billeted at her

parent's manse. When he was killed over France, the light went out of her life. Years later, when

she had ceased to wonder why, she found herself increasingly wondering where and how it

happened...and whether any trace of the fateful mission remained. MARGARET SHEPPARD tells

a remarkable, true story.

____________________

Did the hot sun shine brightly down out of a

cloudless English sky on June 13, 1944, as Henry

lay relaxing, waiting for the destined take-off time of

yet another mission across the English Channel with

his crew? The letter he wrote that afternoon before

his last raid over France is still read from time to time.

My sister and I, who never had any brothers,

welcomed Ed and Henry, as billeted Royal Canadian

Air Force Officers, to the Presbyterian Manse, our

family home in Cheltenham in that year of 1941.

Very soon they ceased to be the "officers" and

became family.

Ed already had Peg, his fiancée, and after the war

they were married. Many years later, when I married,

I found their address on a Christmas card, and called

to see them and their two children, taking our two

children with us. After that, silence.

Henry had no close friend, only Ed. He was what you

might call a loner. A country boy from

Saskatchewan, he wrote to his Mother whenever he

could and spoke of her with affection. His leaves

were spent with us, cycling or walking the

Gloucestershire lanes, picking fruit for jam, and

generally fooling about as brothers and sisters do.

That top attic bedroom became the "boys' room.

Mum cooked for them, Dad counseled them. Meals were taken in the kitchen, no ceremony

needed. Even washing up ceased to be a chore whilst Henry was about. I believe he was on the

receiving end also when Dad clouted me for "being silly".

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A visit to a local aerodrome was arranged for my sister and I, two very excited young girls were

allowed to don Henry's flying jacket, gloves and head-gear. My, were they heavy! The parachute

harness proved much too big for either of us, but I

insisted on trying it on. Being a gentleman, Henry

was a bit bothered about the "under the legs bit"

and the release buckle was in an awkward place!

We were then taken to look at the towering mass

of a Lancaster bomber. Duly awed, Henry then

opened up the cockpit and we were able to sit

inside, goggle-eyed at all those instruments and

controls. Heads would have rolled had we been

spotted, but I suspect that the rules were bent a

good deal in order to please us girls.

Often I'd run up the short flight of stairs to the attic

room when the boys were out, just to be amongst

Henry's things. As you may have guessed, I

adored him with all the fervor a 15 year-old can

muster. We'd no brother, you see, we knew

nothing about men in that Victorian establishment.

Socks were all about, trousers not hung up;

Henry's Bible lay well thumbed and underlined in

favorite places, another new experience, even for

a manse child.

I read and re-read those marked places, until I

found a new light shed on the well-known

passages. This man really did love his Lord. He

was, as a staunch Presbyterian, delighted to share

many long hours of talk with Dad. There were

times when I came across Henry so deeply in prayer on his knees by his bedside that he was quite

unaware I was there. His earnest prayers, observed by me, unknown to him, reminded me of the

Gethsemane story. Henry needed help from his Lord to go on those terrifying raids over Germany.

We spent happy hours around the piano, as Mum played well-known ballads, songs and hymns.

Henry sang out with gusto, Ed was shy and unmusical, but quietly joined in. Henry wrote in my

autograph book, just as he sang it: "Sunset and Evening Star, Are one clear call for me. May there

be no moaning at the bar, When I put out to sea." A fitting epitaph as it turned out to be.

During those five years the boys were inevitably moved around the country to different stations, and

other officers occupied the attic room. But Henry continued to pop in whenever his leaves allowed.

It was grand to have his strong arm to grip on an icy-under-foot Sunday morning on the way to

church.

Then one day the telegraph boy called bearing the telegram we half expected. I saw the boy first,

coming up the flight of steps to our green front door, and my heart lurched in fear. There was an

inevitability about it, even before Dad opened the yellow envelope. "The Air Ministry regrets to inform

you Flying Officer Lt. Henry McIver is missing, presumed killed in action over France on the night of

June 13, 1944." (Henry had given Dad's name as his next of kin). I could not cry. Would God be so

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cruel? Sitting on the stairs, I read and re-read that short, drastic statement. The sun had ceased to

shine on my world.

Somehow one never quite gives up hope when news of this sort arrives. There is always a small

glimmer of hope. He could be a

P.O.W. or be lying in a French

hospital unable to give his name.

As the years mounted, 20, 30, 40,

it seemed he really must be dead,

and I must resign myself to never

seeing him again. But his

infectious laughter and big grin

remained as a clear picture.

No further information was

uncovered until 1980 when my

mother died. I was surprised to find

among her papers the name of the

French village where Henry rested.

They had known all along.

During 1985, we as a family took a holiday in France for the first time. I resolved to discover exactly

where I could find dear Henry's grave or memorial. We found the village. By then our holiday was

over, but in 1986 here I was again, on this occasion with time to seek, and hopefully find.

Out of Cambrai a short way we found the village of Avesnes-les-

Aubert. We looked for the parish church as instructed, not

realizing that most people in France are Catholics. After

wandering around the village in vain, almost near to tears at

being so near and yet still not finding the grave, we spotted the

local butcher's window open to the street. There was not another

soul around, so I sat in the car and, with the aid of a dictionary,

wrote down my questions. "Je voudrai trouver le memorial de la

guerre aux Canadian Air Force, qui tomb pendant la guerre sur

Cambrai Juin 13, 1944. Il est dans la cementiere d'eglise dans

Avesnes-les-Aubert. Aidez moi, s'il vous plait." Approaching

nervously, I thrust the note at him and waited. He read it and then

said: "Non, je..." I did not catch all he said, it was so fast. Two

girls were just leaving his shop and he said something to them.

They offered a suggestion which seemed to jog his memory.

He directed us, pointing down the street. I thanked him gratefully.

We passed the cemetery once before we realized, then parked

the car and went in. The catholic church had no burial ground,

hence this plot a mile away. We wandered up and down rows of

the elaborate gravestones of French families for more than half

an hour. Just as we were going out of the gate, giving up sadly,

my husband spotted five tombstones near the wall in a small

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enclosure of their own. There, glinting in the evening sun, I read the dear name at last.

"Flight Lieutenant Henry McIver, Pilot, Royal Canadian Air Force, June 13, 1944. Age 31." And below

the inscription his Mother would have requested for him: "Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the

Life." St. John 1:25. The tears fell then.

Later I saw the other four stones. The rest of his crew. They died, one supposed, as they had lived

and worked -- together. Probably shot down by the Germans, blown up and killed instantly. After

dwelling on this for a while, questions came running into my head. Why were they here, in a Catholic

cemetery, with the village people, and not in the Commonwealth Cemetery with the thousands of

their friends?

Henry and two others of the crew were Canadian, another two were RAF, a gunner and a flight

engineer. I removed weeds and pruned the two rose bushes, then stood back, wondering if the wives

of the other men had been able to visit. This arthritic biddy, I reflected, knocking on 60 years, had at

last found the beloved name and her quest had ended after more than 40 years. But was it the end

of the story?

Back home, I decided to send a copy of the story of my quest to the butcher who had guided me at

last to the place where Henry rested. Three years later I was amazed to receive an invitation from

the Mayor of the village asking me to take part in their annual Liberation Day celebrations. How

could I refuse?

We reached

Avesnes-les-

Aubert late

afternoon on

the day before

Liberation Day.

My feelings

were mixed.

Sadness at

having to re-

open an old

wound and fear

as to what

might be

expected of

me. I only

hoped my

schoolgirl

French would

be enough to

see me

through.

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At the Town Hall we were greeted by the Mayor and his deputy at an exhibition solely to honor

Henry. We were shown round as honored guests and toasted with champagne. Apparently, I had

unwittingly provided a theme relevant to the village by sending my story to the butcher, who had

kept it for three years before handing it to the Mayor. Pinned to the wall were photos I had sent, and

the letters Henry had written to Dad and myself between 1940 and 1944. First-hand accounts of the

crash were also displayed, each one telling of Henry's bravery as a pilot, in avoiding crashing on the

village, thus averting much loss of life.

Old photos showed the villagers attending the funeral which the Germans had tried to prevent. The

people had risen before

dawn to follow the horse-

drawn cortege on its

journey to the cemetery.

No petrol in those dark

days. One photo showed

three young girls carrying

flowers for the graves.

One of the girls, now an

elderly lady, pushed

towards us, anxious to

tell her own story.

On display were pieces

of the Lancaster bomber,

gear box still with moving

parts intact. And one

young man had made a

scale model of the

bomber which brought to

mind more vividly what

had really happened. A

brass plaque had been mounted on a pillar in the hall, bearing an inscription to Henry. This was

temporarily covered with an enlarged picture of him until the unveiling, to be carried out by me next

morning. The Mayor presented me with a pewter plate bearing the village coat of arms. It was then

I realized that I would have to make a speech the next day. I would be up into the small hours with

my faithful dictionary.

Christella, a local schoolteacher, was on hand to help her non-English speaking Mayor and myself

to translate what we were trying to say to each other. We were shown the field where the plane had

come down, near the station. A loaded ammunition train had been waiting just outside, delayed by

an engine fault. Had the train been on time the whole village would have been wiped out. I learned

that no vegetation grew on the field for more than 20 years due to fuel contamination. The plane had

been split apart after being hit by German night fighters. All seven crew were killed. The two Belgians

aboard were flown home for burial after the war at the request of their relatives.

The following day the young airmen were truly honored. The Mayor gave a speech, most of it lost

on me, I replied, in halting French, thanking them for their tribute and for tending the graves for all

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those years. Then came a procession through the village, after which the Mayor laid wreaths to the

fallen of two world wars. The National Anthem was played, followed by the Marseillaise and Last

Post. I was reminded of wartime news bulletins, which used to be preceded by the playing of the

anthems of all the occupied countries. A one-minute silence was observed. I had stood by those five

graves several times but was still moved to tears at the wastage of the young lives.

We returned to the hall where

several people still wanted to

speak to me. From one man I

learned that Henry's body was

the only one not blown to bits.

The others were, "mere

shreds of humanity" as he put

it. Another lady, of about fifty,

told me that the plane had

fallen in her father's field. He

had been a woodworker and

was on night shift yards from

the scene. She wanted to offer

me a tiny compass which she

said had been clenched in

Henry's teeth when he was

found. This unleashed my

tears. "Oui" was all I could

manage. She hurried home to

get is, and handed it to me

with obvious pleasure. We

shook hands. How staid are

we Brits.

There were handshakes all

round. The Mayor kissed me

on both cheeks and we left the

hall and our new friends with

an Au Revoir sincerely meant.

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Henry McIver’s missions RCAF 408 GOOSE Squadron.

OPERATIONS No. 1 Henry 2nd pilot, Lancaster II aircraft no. DS730

March 15/16, 1944 29 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 101 Halifaxes

from 420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 432, and 433 squadron on an attack at Stuttgart. The crews were

over the target at between 18,000 and 24,000 feet, releasing 64,000 lbs of high explosives and

402,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, some damage was caused.

OPERATIONS No. 2 Henry 2nd pilot, Lancaster II aircraft no. DS722

March 22/23, 1944 27 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadrons were joined by 73 Halifaxes from

420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 432, and 433 Squadrons on an attack at Frankfurt. The crews were over

the target at between 20,000 and 25,000 feet, releasing 54,000 lbs of high explosives and 408,000

lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused.

OPERATIONS No. 3 Henry 1st pilot, Lancaster II aircraft no. DS730

March 30/31 1944, 25 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadrons were joined by 93 Halifaxes from

420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 432, and 433 Squadrons on an attack at Nurnberg. The crews were over

the target at between 18,000 and 23,000 feet, releasing 98,000 lbs of high explosives and 396,000

lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was scattered due to many fighter attacks and

some bombing fell on Schweinfurt due to a wind. This was a most terrible night for bomber command,

as 108 aircraft were missing or destroyed in crashes This number was never exceeded.

LL725 Henry flew this Lancaster

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OPERATIONS No. 4 Henry 1st pilot,

Lancaster II aircraft no. LL725

April 9/10 1944, 9 Lancasters from 408 and 426

squadrons were joined by 100 Halifaxes from 420,

424, 425, 427, 429, 432, and 433 squadrons on an

attack on the rail yards at Villeneuve St.Georges.

The crews were over the target at between 13,000

and 17,000 feet, releasing 1,051,000 lbs of high

explosives. According to reports, the rail yards were

damaged with bombing creeping into the residential

area.

OPERATIONS not competed Henry 1st pilot,

Lancaster II aircraft no. DX770

April 10/11 1944, 24 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadrons were ordered on an attack of the rail yards at Laon. The crews were over the target at between 10,000 and 12,000 feet, releasing 276,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the rail yards were not seriously damaged. F/Lt H. McIver from 408 Squadron returned early as the stbd inner

lost oil and u/s. They landed safely at base on 3 engines. OPERATIONS No. 5 Henry 1st pilot, Lancaster II aircraft no. DS726

April 22/23 1944, 23 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 114 Halifaxes from

420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 431, 432, and 433 squadrons on an attack at Dusseldorf. The crews were

over the target at between 16,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 284,000 lbs of high explosives and

469,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was

caused. F/Lt H. McIver was coned by search lights. They were then damaged by flak. There were

holes in both wings, stbd flap, tail fin, and rear turret.

OPERATIONS No. 6 Henry 1st pilot, Lancaster II aircraft no. DS688

April 24/25 1944, 21 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 116 Halifaxes from

420, 424, 425, 427, 429, 431, 432, and 433 Squadrons on an attack at Karlsruhe. The crews were

over the target at between 15,000 and 23,000 feet, releasing 248,000 lbs of high explosives and

401,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing was

scattered. All crews commented on the severe icing to this target.

OPERATIONS No. 7 Henry 1st pilot, Lancaster II aircraft no. LL643

April 26/27 1944, 24 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 94 Halifaxes from

420, 424, 425, 429, 431, 432, and 433 Squadrons on an attack at Essen. The crews were over the

target at between 20,000 and 24,000 feet, releasing 71,000 lbs of high explosives and 500,000 lbs

of incendiaries. According to reports, the weather was clear and severe damage was caused.

LL725 Henry flew this Lancaster

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OPERATIONS No. 8 Henry 1st pilot,

Lancaster II aircraft no. DS722

May 8/9 1944, 13 Lancasters

from 408 squadron were joined

by 59 Halifaxes from 420, 425,

426, 431, and 432 squadron

on an attack of the rail yards at

Haine St. Pierre. The crews

were over the target at

between 6,000 and 8,500 feet,

releasing 717,000 lbs of high

explosives. According to

reports the bombing was

concentrated and severe

damage was caused to the rail

yards and locomotive shops.

OPERATIONS No. 9 Henry 1st pilot,

Lancaster II aircraft no. DS722

May10/11 1944, 24 Lancasters

from 408 and 419 squadrons

were joined by 90 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 426, 428, 429, and 433 squadrons on an attack of the

rail yard at Ghent. The crews were over the target at between 9,000 and 11,000 feet, releasing

957,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, this attack was successful.

OPERATIONS No.10 Henry 1st pilot, Lancaster II aircraft no. DS722 (not sure if Henry on this

one, his log book says he had ops. To Caen?)

May 19/20 1944, 15 Lancasters from 408 Squadron were joined by 42 Halifaxes from 420, 425,

and 426 Squadrons on an attack of the coastal guns at Merville-Franceville. The crews were over

the target at between 7,000 and 8,500 feet, releasing 318,000 lbs of high explosives. According to

reports there was haze over the target and bombing was scattered.

OPERATIONS No. 11 Henry 1st pilot, Lancaster II aircraft no. DS722

May 24/25 1944, 30 Lancasters from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 60 Halifaxes from

424, 427, 429, and 433 Squadrons on an attack of the 2 railyards at Aachen. The crews were over

the target at between 16,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 810,000 lbs of high explosives. According

to reports, one rail yard was severely damaged with some damage to the others.

Photo from Henrys 8th mission

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OPERATIONS No. 12 Henry 1st pilot, Lancaster II aircraft no. DS722

May 27/28 1944, 32 Lancasters from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 117 Halifaxes from

420, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, and 432 Squadrons on an attack of the military camp at Bourg Leopold.

The crews were over the target at between 8,000 and 12,000 feet, releasing 1,191,000 lbs of high

explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate. F/Sgt C. Reid, P/O W. McIntyre, F/Lt H.

McIver, F/O A. Quinlan, and F/O J. Faulder landed at Croft on return due to fog at base.

OPERATIONS No. 13 Henry 1st pilot, Lancaster II aircraft no. DS722

June 12/13, 1944, 32 Lancaster from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 60 Halifaxes from

420, 425, 426, and 432 Squadrons on an attack of the rail yards at Cambrai. The crews were over

the target at between 4,000 and 6,000 feet, releasing 745,000 lbs of high explosives. According to

reports, this attack was accurate with serious damage being done.

F/Lt H. McIver RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster II DS-772 coded EQ-T, failed to return from this

operation. All were killed after being shot down by a Night fighter.

In memory of

HENRY CARBEE MCIVER

Flight Lieutenant

who died on June 13, 1944.

Service No.J/8169

Age: 31

Force: Air Force

Regiment: Royal Canadian Air Force

Unit: 408 Sqdn.

Citation: N/A

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Henry McIver Service Postings

May 1 - June 7, 1941 Initial Training Schools (I.T.S.) No. 2 Regina, Saskatchewan

June 9 - July 27, 1941 Elementary Flying Training Schools (E.F.T.S.) No. 8 Vancouver, B.C.

July 28 - Oct 14, 1941 Service Flying Training Schools (S.F.T.S.) No. 3 Calgary, Alberta

November 13, 1941 Leaves Canada for Great Britain

Jan 1- June 9, 1942 Air Operation Squadron (A.O.S.) # 6 Staverton Gloucestershire

June 10 - July 12, 1942 Royal Air Force, Cark, Lancashire

July 12 - Sept 22, 1942 Air Operation Squadron (A.O.S.) #6 Moreton Yalence, Gloucestershire

Sept 22 - Oct 5, 1942 Beam Approach School RAF Watchfield No. 1

Oct 5 - Nov 14, 1942 Special Pilot Training Unit (S.P.T.U.) Cark

Nov 14 1942 - Oct 18, 1943 #2 (O)AFU Millom, Cumberland

Oct 19, 1943 - Jan 27, 1944 RAF No.22 Operational Training Unit (OTU) Wellsbourne, Mountford

Jan 28 - Mar 9, 1944 Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) # 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit

(HCU) Wombleton, Yorkshire

Mar 9 - June 13, 1944 Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) # 408 squadron

Additional information on Henry can be attained from Rick DeBruyn (Henrys Nephew) , Box 1064, Three Hills, AB T0M 2A0, P: 403-443-2213, Email: rick@aztecinspection.com

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Bill Gracie 26 Stirling Road

Kilsyth Glasgow G65 OHX

SCOTLAND 29th September 03

Dear Rick

Earlier this month I attended the annual reunion at the former RAF MILLOM, Cumbria as I

have done since reunions were first started some twelve years ago. I was interested to learn

that you visited our museum when you were in UK earlier in the year. I was shown the copy

of your book which you kindly left at the museum and which covers the RCAF career of

Henry C McIver. I spent a long time looking over the photographs and in particular the copies

of the logbook pages relating to flying at Millom. I was sorry indeed to learn later in the book

that after leaving Millom Henry became one of Bomber Command's 55,000 casualties. I

understand he was a relative of yours. After completing my training as a wireless operator/air

gunner I was posted to Millom in the second half of 1941 to join the permanent flying staff

and there I remained helping to train others until September 1943 when I left with one of the

staff pilots to join 216 Squadron in Middle East. My service at Millom therefore overlapped

with that of Henry and I do remember him well. We were never in the same flight so I never

flew with him according to my log book but we did share the same mess, part of which now

houses the museum. I have checked through the photographs I took at Millom but

unfortunately he does not appear in any of them. Sixty years have no doubt dulled my

memory so I hope some of the following recollections are not too far off the mark:- I

remember Henry as a quiet living chap who was never conspicuous even on the nights we

found an excuse to let our hair down a bit. That was when the extroverts came to the fore. I

may be wrong but I think he could have been closer to religion than most of us. We had a

sort of rambling club on the camp when all ranks would take to the Lakeland countryside,

usually at weekends, and I do recall one such outing when a pal and I accompanied two

WAAFS alongside Lake Coniston. We acted as thorough gentlemen at all times but must

have dilly dallied a bit because we were late in reaching the tearoom in Coniston where food

had been arranged. On making our appearance we were subjected to some good natured

banter which embarrassed the two girls while my pal and I received a tongue in cheek mild

rebuke from Henry who was, I think, responsible for organizing the outing.

One day we lost an aircraft at Snaefell on the Isle of Man in very poor flying conditions,

fortunately with no casualties. My memories of the incident are that the pilot had a glimpse

of land just as they were about to crash but reacted so quickly he was able to dip one wing

and so absorb much of the impact. I am almost certain that pilot was Henry. I recall his

wireless operator, a short Scottish lad like myself, relating his experience when they got back

to base, with shaking hands I might add. He said "We were flying along when suddenly we

stopped! I looked down to find the floor of the Anson gone and my feet in the heather." I am

sure he settled his nerves with some of the amber liquid for which Scotland is famous.

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Well that is all I can recall meantime and I do hope I have been reasonably accurate. Other

Canadian pilots who served at Millom with us were Weicker,Tobias, George Major and

McDiarmid but I have no idea whether or not they made it through to the end. It was a matter

of luck. For some years I have had contact with a lady who was a WAAF at Millom during

part of my time there, who later married a Canadian flyer, became Mrs Audrey Renton and

who now lives at Briardene Farm, RR#1, Kars, Ontario K0A 2E0. She does military research

at Rideau Township Archives in nearby North Gower, Ontario and one day browsing through

the RAF Association magazine AIRMAIL which someone had left with her, she spotted the

notice for the annual Millom reunion which I insert each year. She immediately made contact

with me and the following year she and her husband came over for the reunion. She made

big efforts to contact men who bad either served at Millom or who had been there on a

navigator's training course and of these there were hundreds from Canada. She had good

contacts with RCAF associations and contributed regularly to their magazines. If you are

interested in further research it could be worthwhile contacting her. I got such a kick out of

going through your book which you so kindly left for the museum but was sad to learn of

Henry's fate. It will be cherished and well looked after and, hopefully. I will be able to look

through it again next September. I am 83 so must accept there will not likely be many more

reunions as my former colleagues are all of the same age group. I felt I had a duty to write

to you.

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Additional details on DS772 & June 12/13, 1944

Notes: 12/13-6-44: Take off 2201 Linton-on-Ouse. Part of a force of 671 aircraft - 285 Lancasters,

348 Halifaxes, 38 Mosquitoes, tasked to attack various communications targets at Amiens/St-Roch,

Amiens/Longueau, Arras, Caen, Cambrai and Poitiers. Post raid reports state that both Amiens raids

and the attack on Arras were reasonable accurate. While 5 Group's attack on Caen appears to have

been only partially successful with bombing being reported as scattered. Bombs did hit the aiming

point at Cambrai however the main weight of the bombing appears to have fallen on the town itself.

The most successful raid of the night, was carried out by separate 5 Group force who accurately

bombed Pointers. 23 aircraft, 3.42 percent of the

force were lost - 6 Lancasters, 17 Halifaxes. Cause

of the aircraft's loss is not recorded. The aircraft

crashed cause not recorded, at Avesnes-les-Aubert

(Nord) approximately 11 km's ENE of Cambrai. F/L

McIver, RCAF; Sgt. Russell; F/O Wyatt; F/Sgt.

Goodwin, RCAF and F/O Pledger, DFC, RCAF are

buried in the Avesnes-les-Aubert Communal

Cemetery. While F/O Hangar and F/O Dulait, who

were Belgians serving in the RAF, are buried in the

Pelouse d'Honneur Brussels Town Cemetery and the

Mont-sur-Marchienne Communal Cemetery

respectively. F/O Pledger, RCAF was the squadron's

Signals Leader. At the time of its loss the aircraft had

accumulated a total of 362 hours on its airframe.

DS772 of 408 squadron, and therefore a MkII and

fitted with radials (all Mk IIs were), was shot down by

Heinz Schnaufer (the top scoring Nachtjagd pilot) of

Stab IV/NJG 1 based at St Trond at 00.27 hrs at an

altitude of 1.500m over Avesnes les Aubert, east of

Cambrai. Schnaufer took a heavy toll of 408

Lancasters that night, shooting down 3 in 7 minutes

and using just 18 rounds of his twin MK108 3cm

cannons. This was also the night of course when

Mynnarski won his VC for his selfless act of heroism.

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Minutes of the Last Meeting April 11

Meeting called to order at Smitty’s Pancake House Airdrie 9:30 am.

Members in attendance: Arlon Bauer, Bob Brown, Cathy Brown, Mike Lemmer, Jim Mercer, Stu Geekie,

Donna Geekie, Rick Debruyn, Jim Hodgson, Wayne Anderson

World of Wheels debrief:

Rick congratulated the club members for the World of Wheels for the great display and the many

awards won.

1st prize: Special Interest Motorized- 1959 Ferret – Arlon Bauer

2nd prize: Special Interest Motorized-1943 Ford Universal Carrier- Jim Mercer

1st prize: Truck- 1991 Reynolds Boughton RB44- Steve Johnson

2nd prize: Restored 49-57- 53 Dodge M37- Wayne Anderson

1st prize: Restored 35-48- Ford GPW- Jim Hodgson

1st prize Restored Bike- 1952TriumphTRW (military) – Wayne Anderson

3rd prize: Club Display winning $500.00

Newsletter Report: Jim Hodgson reported that the newsletter would be out by the end of the weekend.

Needs more input

Financial Report: Donna Geekie

As of April 10, 2015the bank balance was $3302.58.

19 paid up members.

2 outstanding: Larry Weatherhead, Shaun Barnet

1 unable to contact Brenda Gillanders.

Major expenses since last meeting:

SVAA membership $194.00

World of Wheels $315.00

Jim Hodgson $78.75 Brochures

Major Income

Competition Insurance $250.00 World of Wheels

Prize money World of wheels $500.00

Safety Report: Nothing to report.

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New Business:

Bob Brown has been working on a simple website for the club. It has 5 pages and is hosted by Net Firms. Cost 3years $86.00 that also includes 999 email addresses. Club member @ prairie motor brigade.com Two domain names registered: prairiemotorbrigade.org and prairiemotorbrigade.com as the second choice. The 5 pages are:

1. About the club

2. Club events

3. Sale and Wants

4. Club member submitted vehicle photos

5. Question page

Bob brown has volunteered to host the website. It was also decided no photos of vehicles to be posted on the vehicle page except those submitted by the vehicle owner. Site will have links to other related and military sites. Rick suggested that the newsletter also be available via a link. Jim Hodgson says the newsletter can be much bigger and easier to send out with the link. There has been so much demand for our club this summer a motion was put forward by Stu Geekie as a way to prioritize the events that will be attended as a sanctioned club events. For Insurance reasons the club has to approve the events so that Donna can have the SVAA sanction the event so that we have liability insurance. Motion 1: Stu Geekie To set a club code to help choose and prioritize the events before us.

Order of priority:

1. Veterans and Legions 2. Museums and commemorative military events 3. Show casing our vehicles at public events Seconder: Arlon Bauer Vote: All in favour

Motion 2: Rick Debruyn

Form a small committee to sanction to decide on events report to Donna so she can send the info

to the SVAA Steve Johnson, Stu Geekie and Rick Debruyn are to be the committee members and

to report back to the club as soon as possible.

Seconder: Jim Hodgson Vote: All In favour Motion 3: Jim Hodgson Call an end to meeting. Seconder: Arlon Bauer Vote: All in favour. Meeting Adjourned 10:55am

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For Sale

Cdn mills bomb $225 CDN bomb cannister for making (tin) practice bombs, POR WW2 portable man pack radio, c/w antenna, no phones, POR 19 set radio tubes and repair kits, hard to find, POR 19 set grille and misc radio parts, hard to find, POR 2 Artillery binocs and case, $125.00 WW2 binocular case $45.00 WW2 German offices hats, repro $60.00 ea Telephone switchboard $80.00 Pith helmets $45.00 up Case of bren ammo pouches in original box, POR WW 1 American Doughboy bronze statue, POR Sten T shoulder stock $50.00 Wooden Enfield rifle carry box $80.00 NOS ENFIELD UNFIRED MATCHING RIFLE, BAYONET ETC In rifle carry box $990.00 NOS postwar Geiger counter and test module $60.00 Signal flags RED/ Yellow $40.00 Vehicle antennas hard to find, POR Jeep antenna mount and base $120.00 Nos gas masks, CDN $45.00 ea NOS 19 set telegraph set, POR Provo Corps web belt and round buckle, POR Antique hat stretcher Works well $65.00 MP3 Player, WW2 chatter and period music in mil metal phone box $65.00 Stack of WW2 mil manuals POR NOS CMP wooden steering wheel $150.00 Frequency testers for 19 set as new POR Web belts P14 Eddystone dewats WW1 Kaiser miniature helmet with an eagle on top Artillery fuse vg WW2 POW handmade wooden escape pistol, OFFERS

Derek Young

flatfenderparts@hotmail.com

If you are looking for something or have something to sell you can advertise here

For Sale

Thompson Airsoft, all metal, real wood stocks added, antiqued, OFFERS German MP 40 Airsoft, all metal, OFFERS Sten, CDN broad arrow, cocks and clicks $650.00 WW2 CDN custom made officers’ tunic, Three pips $125.00 Sam Browne $75.00 NOS Pastors arm band $35.00 Helmets, CDN, German, American, British, POR Para helmet altered movie prop in Bridge too far, POR Vietnam, early American backpack radio, complete, should work with battery $375.00 Pair of field phones, POR DC 3 / B17 radio, POR 42 Cdn radio set, c/w boom mic on headset extra mic, Has vehicle mount a rare find Has 110 volt base power supply, should work, $700 Mannequin, no head $80.00 USA repro campaign hat $60.00 WW2 Cdn officers hat c/w badge $125.00 Cdn post war officers hat, minty $85.00 German class i and 2 medals and some repro, POR North Africa Corps Pith helmet, MINTY $550.00 Thompson triple mag pouches x 2 $45.00 ea. Sten 7 pouch mag $85.00 Sten mags, pinned, $40.00 ea 19 Set antenna repair bag, leather, one strap missing, good, $85.00 Cdn uniforms, One large, fits me and lots of tunics and pants., POR Jeep coat, fits me, POR WW2 leather ankle boots, real leather soles, $125.00 Webley holsters, backpacks, etc German Helmets, some battlfield pickups also, POR Bren parts wallet, and barrel bag, POR USA pineapple grenades, POR

Derek Young

flatfenderparts@hotmail.com

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Wanted

Wheel & Tire for M100 trailer

Wheel: 16 inch – 5 bolt Tire: 7.00x16 6 ply NDT

Jim Hodgson jhodgson11@shaw.ca

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PRAIRIE MOTOR BRIGADE

MILITARY VEHICLE PRESERVATION

ASSOCIATION

MVPA Headquarters

PO Box 520378

Independence, Missouri 64052

USA

Phone: (816) 833-6872 Fax: (816) 833-5115 www.mvpa.org

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President: Secretary: Treasurer:

Newsletter: Safety & Convoy:

Rick DeBruyn Arlon Bauer Donna Geekie Jim Hodgson Stu Geekie Steve Johnson

403-443-2213 403-932-3940

403-946-5286

403-818-3193 403-946-5286 403-282-7977

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For further information

regarding the Prairie

Motor Brigade or the

MVPA contact any of

the following:

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Membership in the Prairie Motor Brigade is as follows:

Regular: 25.00 Family: 30.00 Corporate: 100.00

Please send payment to the Treasurer:

Donna Geekie, RR#2, Crossfield, Alberta T0M 0S0

Payments to be made payable to: Prairie Motor Brigade

THE MILITARY MUSEUMS www.themilitarymuseums.ca

THE AERO SPACE MUSEUM OF CALGARY www.asmac.ab.ca

CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM www.warmuseum.ca

THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION www.legion.ca

We encourage all members to also join the MVPA and receive the Army Motors and Supply Line publications and all the benefits of membership in this international organization.

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□ Regular $25.00 □ Family $30.00 □ Corporate $100.00

Prairie Motor Brigade

2015 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM

Make cheque payable to: Prairie Motor Brigade

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