Rae, Harold Oliver
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Harold Oliver |
Surname | Rae |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 25-06-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Elmer Clarke Rae and Olive Margaret Rae (née Roadhouse), of Grande Prairie, Alberta. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | LL970 |
Markings | WS-Y |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Plot 8. Row B. Coll. grave 12-15. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 88 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/85912 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 9 (IX) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Green, Bardney, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial, Propeller and Plaque |
Memorial Text | In memory of the killed or missing of IX Sqd. 1939 - 1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
Harold was born 1 November 1922 at Grande Prairie, Alberta. His father worked as a machinist, was born in Wawanesa, Manitoba and and pre-deceased Harold. His mother was born in Pembina, North Dakota, USA. He had two brothers, Albert Thomas in Royal Canadian Navy and Leslie Elmer who was also in the RCAF. He attended both Calgary school, Alberta and Chemainus school, B.C 1928- 1937, Ladysmith, B.C. 1937 -1939, then carried out general duties at home 1939-1940. He then went to pre-enlistment school, November 1941-April 1942, when he enlisted. The sports he played were basketball ,hockey, baseball, swimming and skating. Harold was a skilled labourer and worked as a Grain Elevator for C.P.R. St. John, New Brunswick, 1940-1941. |
After enlisting on 11 April 1942 and initial training, Harold embarked from Halifax on 16 May 1943, reaching 3 PRC 24 May 1943. He went on to 18 (P) AFU 15 June 1943, 16 OTU 24 August 1943, 51 Base 19 January 1944, 1660 CU 26 February 1944, 51 Base 20 May 1944 and 9 Squadron 6 June 1944. He was to lose his life a little over two weeks later. |
His brother J/95546 P/O Leslie Elmer Rae, was also to lose his life the following year on 16 March 1945 whilst serving with No. 12 Squadron as a Navigator |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/128/12 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/128/11 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 24-06-1944 |
End Date | 25-06-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Bardney |
Day/Night Raid | Night (17% moon) |
Operation | Prouville V1 Site |
Reason for Loss | Exploded and crashed at Rougefay (Pas-de-Calais) |