Ernst, William Burton
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | William Burton |
Surname | Ernst |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 24-05-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of William Gordon Ernst and Dorothea Ernst (née Popplestone), of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington X |
Serial Number | HE462 |
Markings | JM-U |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 246. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 33 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/36843 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 91 |
Squadron | 20 OTU |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Rural location, Bogs O'Mayne, Morayshire, Scotland |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone, Mural & Inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | Erected on the site of RAF Elgin (Bogs of Mayne) a satellite airfield for No 20 OTU Lossiemouth between 1940 and 1945. |
Miscellaneous Information
William was born at Bridgewater, Nova Scotia on 4 May 1924. His father, shown as a lawyer, was born at Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia and his mother was born in London, England. His father was the Minister of Marine & Fisheries Dominion Government and his grandfather was the Honourable William G. Ernst, former member of the Canadian Parliament. He had two sisters, Mary Patricia Ernst and a married sister Ann Ross living in Scotland. Ann was William’s twin sister. He attended Bridgewater School, Nova Scotia between 1929-1937, Bridgewater High between 1937-1939 and Glebe Collegiate, Ottawa, from 1939 to 1941. William enjoyed many sports including hockey, tennis and skiing and photography was his hobby. He worked for the Dominion Government, Radio Branch in Ottawa as a clerk, from 1941 until enlistment on 4 May 1942. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 24-05-1944 |
End Date | 24-05-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Lossiemouth |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Navigation exercise |
Reason for Loss | Last known position in the Darlington area. Lost without trace |