Mennie, Oliver Hanton
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Oliver Hanton |
Surname | Mennie |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 21-07-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Robert Armstrong Mennie and Jessie Mennie (née Harmond), of Toronto, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Fairey Albacore |
Serial Number | X9281 |
Markings | NH-H |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 247. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 211 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/24256 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 415 (Swordfish) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United States of America |
Miscellaneous Information
Transferred from Coastal to Bomber Command on 12th July. This sortie is clearly one pertaining to Coastal Comment even though it occurred after the transfer date |
Oliver was born in Michigan, USA on 20 June 1923. Both parents were born in Aberdeen, Scotland and his father worked as an Insurance Company Manager. He had two brothers, David and Sidney, and also sisters Ruby and Flora. A third sister, Dolly, sadly died in August 1942. The schools he attended were R.H. Mac Gregor 1930-1936, Toronto, followed by Danforth Technical school 1936-1940 (Industrial Course). His hobby was model aeroplanes, and sports were golf, baseball and swimming. Oliver worked as a fitter's helper and later as a Draftsman for Bennett & Wright and then as a Draftsman for Link-Belt Ltd., Toronto from 1941 onwards. |
He enlisted on 23 January 1942 (he took an oath to the King). After training he was posted to the U.K. and embarked from Canada on 23 June 1943, arriving at 3PRC on 2July 1943. He was then at 14(P) AFU 27 July 1943, 7(C) OTU 7 September 1943, and 415 Squadron on 24 January 1944. Sadly Oliver went missing on 21 July 1944. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1813/4 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1813/3 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 21-07-1944 |
End Date | 21-07-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Manston |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Smoke deployment over an Allied convoy, followed by anti-shipping patrol |
Reason for Loss | Ditched in the English Channel. Air Sea Rescue only found an empty dinghy |