Operation: Training

Date: 10th January 1943 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School (2 Training Command)

Type: Bollingbroke IVT (1)

Serial: 1000

Code: -

Base: RCAF Dafoe, Saskatchewan, Canada

Location: Quill Lake, Saskatchewan

Pilot: Sgt. Terry John Sugrue NZ/415428 RNZAF Age 22. Killed

Pilot 2: Sgt. Raymond Charles Chappell NZ/414959 RNZAF Age 23. Killed

Air/Bmr: LAC William Raymond Moisley NZ/421982 RNZAF Age 23. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Cpl. James Alexander Meneilly R/62202 RCAF Age 26. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

While returning from an exercise in a Bolingbroke IVT the plane crashed 4 miles northeast of the village of Quill Lake, about 30 miles NE of the base at Dafoe, Saskatchewan, Canada.

All four crew were killed instantly, but owing to the snowed-in roads it was impossible to reach the wreckage until late in the afternoon.

(1) Bollingbroke IVT: Multi-purpose trainer aircraft. Powered by Mercury XV engines. Built by Fairchild-Canada, it was a license-built version of the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV.

Burial and other details:

Sgt. Terry John Sugrue. Humboldt Cemetery. (Municipal). Soldiers' Plot. Row 2. Grave 8. Born on the 30th of September 1920 in Greytown. A labourer for Fred Gray in Greytown. Enlisted at Levin as a pilot under training on the 28th of September 1941. With No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School on the 08th November 1941. Embarked for Canada on the 28th of December 1941. 13 Service Flying Training School 23rd January 1942. Pilot badge awarded on the 08th May 1942 and promoted to sergeant. With 5 Bombing and Gunnery School as staff pilot on the 27th May 1942. A total of 669 flying hours logged.

Son of John Michael and Clara Ann Sugrue (née Terry, of Greytown, Wellington, New Zealand.

Sgt. Raymond Charles Chappell. Humboldt Cemetery. (Municipal). Soldiers' Plot. Row 2. Grave 7. Born on the 13th April 1919 in Auckland. A printer for NZ Cutters Academy. enlisted at Levin as a pilot under training on the 07th September 1941. With No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School on the 18th October 1941. Embarked for Canada on the 28th of December 1941. 13 Service Flying Training School 24th January 1942. Pilot badge awarded on the 08th May 1942 and promoted to sergeant. With 5 Bombing and Gunnery School as staff pilot on the 18th May 1942.

Son of Robert Lovell Chappell (died 31st July 1952, age 90) and of Kathrine Chappell (née Reid), Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand.

LAC William Raymond Moisley. Humboldt Cemetery. (St. Augustine). Lot 82. Div. 1. Grave 1. Born on the 17th of February 1919 in Auckland. A mechanic for Bond and Bond Ltd in Auckland. Enlisted at Rotorua as wireless operator/air gunner on the 21st March 1942. Embarked for Canada on the 27th of April 1942. With No. 2 Wireless school on the 23rd May 1942. Wireless operator badge awarded on the 01st December 1942. With 5 Bombing and Gunnery School around the 05th January 1943.

Son of William and Christina Mary Moisley (née Kenny - died 04th March 1961, age 75) brother of Eileen Vera, Lesley Gordon Raymond, Doreen Eunice and Eileen Elizabeth of 10 Prime Road, Grey Lynn. Auckland, New Zealand.

Cpl. James Alexander Meneilly. Buried on the 11th January 1941 at Biggar Memorial Gardens. Lot 24. Block 18. Born on the 25th of August 1916 in Biggar. A store clerk for Golden Rule department store. Enlisted on the 22nd June 1940 in Saskatoon. He had been previously injured on August 30, 1941, in a gas explosion in the Airmen’s Canteen at No.2 Equipment Depot, Calgary, Alberta.

Son of James and Mary Meneilly (née Ross - died 10th September 1963,), brother of Agnes, Ross and Graham of 315 Fifth Avenue, Biggar, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot, thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, other sources as quoted below:

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