Boivin, John Louis
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | John Louis |
Surname | Boivin |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 01-02-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of George Napoleon Boivin and Marguerite Elisabeth Boivin (née McGurgan), of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Husband of Angela Boivin (née Churchill), whom he married on 12 December 1942 at Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham, England. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | BB275 |
Markings | -S |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Holyhead (St. Mary) RC Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Grave 117. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 132 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/123477 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 1659 HCU |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Roman Rd, Leeming, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brass plaque set into a stone plinth into which is carved with the Canadian maple leaf and the Yorkshire rose. |
Memorial Text | This memorial is dedicated to those men and women who served at RAF Leeming during World War II, including those from the Royal Canadian Air Force Squadrons, whose members came from all parts of the Commonwealth from 1942 to 1945; 405 Vancouver, 408 Goose |
Location | Opposite old Main Guardroom, RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial & Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In commemoration of those men and women of many nations who served at RAF Leeming during the second world war. |
Miscellaneous Information
John was born on 25 October 1919 at Ottawa, Ontario. His father (who was deceased by the time of John's enlistment), was born in Ottawa and had worked as a special messenger and his mother had been born in Belfast, Ireland. His father was on the staff of the House of Commons where he was principal translator. He had two brothers, Warrant Officer George E. Boivin, R.C.O.C., Ottawa and Corporal C.B. Boivin R.C.M.P. in Cornwall. There were also three sisters. He attended Breboeuf Separate school 1927-1934 (entrance) and De La Salle Academy 1935-1939, Ottawa. Between 1940-1941 John also took a secretarial course at Willis Business College. The sports he enjoyed were hockey, rugby, softball, boxing and wrestling. John worked for the Government /P.W.D. as a stenographer, typist and translator for about six months from October 1940 into April 1941. He enlisted on 11 August 1941. |
After enlistment and initial training, John was posted to the U.K. and embarked from Canada on 7 August 1942 arriving at 3PRC on 19 August 1942. He was then at 23 OTU on 22 September 1942, 1659 CU in December 1942. His wife was an A.C.W. 2 stationed at 23 OTU, Pershore, Worcestershire, England. Sadly, John was to lose his life on 1 February 1943. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 01-02-1943 |
End Date | 01-02-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Leeming |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Training- cross-country flying exercise |
Reason for Loss | Dived into the ground near Anglesey |