Lafontaine, Theodore
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Theodore |
Surname | Lafontaine |
Gender | M |
Age | 28 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 05-05-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of John Lafontaine and Florina Lafontaine (née Charette), of North Bay, Ontario. Husband of Jean Lafontaine (née Nichol) - marriage 26 September 1942 at Mount Dennis, where they made their home. Father of Paul John Lafontaine. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington X |
Serial Number | HE244 |
Markings | AS-D |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Werkendam Protestant Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Row 8. Grave 11. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 61 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/10542 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 1 |
Squadron | 166 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Terminal Building, Humberside Airport, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Air Ministry WWII Bell & Inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | To commemorate the aircrew of 166 Sqn RAF who were killed in action flying from RAF Kirmington during WW2 |
Location | Adjacent to Terminal Building, Humberside Airport, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Info Board & Inscribed Stone Monument |
Memorial Text | In memory of the aircrew from many nations who flew with 166 Sqn RAF who were killed in action flying from RAF Kirmington during WW2 |
Location | Memorial Gardens, Kirmington, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Plaques |
Memorial Text | Memorials to those who served on 166 Sqn flying from RAF Kirminton during WW2, including those who flew on Op MANNA |
Location | St. Helena's Church, Kirmington, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window, Inscribed Metal Plaque & Roll of Honour |
Memorial Text | In memory of the members of 166 Sqn RAF who flew from RAF Kirmington during WW2 and did not return |
Miscellaneous Information
Theodore was born in North Bay, Ontario on 8 February 1915. His father worked as a labourer. He was from a large family and had three brothers and six sisters. One brother, Homer was shown as an LAC in the RCAF London (presumably London, Ontario). He attended both St. Paul and St.Francis Separate Schools for eight years (Elementary), then North Bay Technical School for night classes for eighteen months and the Aviation Institute of America’s Ground course, for another eighteen months (Aviation and Aeronautics). The sports he enjoyed were hockey and swimming, as well as boxing, running and gym work. Before enlisting he had spent several years working as a highway labourer and also, diamond drilling in the mines. |
He enlisted on 18 September 1939 and after training was posted to the U.K. where he arrived on 5 November 1942. He then went on to 22 OTU 6 January 1943, 427 Sqn.25 March 1943 and 166 Squadron 21 April 1943. About two weeks later, Theodore sadly lost his life on 5 May 1943. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1089/11 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1089/10 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 04-05-1943 |
End Date | 05-05-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Kirmington |
Day/Night Raid | Night (1% moon) |
Operation | Dortmund |
Reason for Loss | Shot down over Holland, crashing at Werkendam |