Scott, William Earl Died
Personal Information
| Rank | F/O |
| Forename(s) | William Earl |
| Surname | Scott |
| Gender | M |
| Age | 33 |
| Date of Death | 23-05-1944 |
| Next of Kin | Son of a William Stuart Scott and Grace Scott (née Mason), of Campbelton, New Brunswick, Camada. |
Aircraft Information
| Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
| Serial Number | LV989 |
| Markings | AL-R |
Memorial Information
| Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
| Burial/Memorial Place | Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery |
| Grave Reference | Sec. B. Row D. Grave 5. |
IBCC Memorial Information
| Phase | 2 |
| Panel Number | 239 |
Enlistment Information
| Service Number | J/29485 |
| Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Group | 6 |
| Squadron | 429 (Bison) |
| Squadron Motto | Fortunae nihil (Nothing to chance) |
| 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, 419 Moose, 427 Lion, 429 Bison. Also, to the many Civilians who supported them during their term of duty in North Yorkshire. We remember too the RAF Squadrons who preceded the Canadians from 1940 - 1942; 7 - 10 - 35 -77 - 102 - 219. To those who paid the supreme sacrifice, we will remember them. Dedicated June 19, 1993 |
| Location | Allerton Park Castle, Allerton, North Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
| Memorial Text | Memorial Garden dedicated to the 4272 personnel of 6 (RCAF) Gp based at Allerton Castle who gave the ultimate sacrifice during WWII to preserve our freedom |
Miscellaneous Information
| Incredibly, F/O Swordy the Wireless Operator, managed to bale out and landed safely |
| William was born at Campbelton, New Brunswick on 27 November 1910. His father was born at Hopeton, Québec and was a Lumbering Contractor and his mother was born at Shigawake, Quebec. William had three sisters, Gladys, Grace and Eleanor, all married, and brothers Winston and John. There were three other siblings: Albert died 1919, Harry 1927 and Sarah who also died 1919. William attended Richardsville Public School, New Brunswick 1918-1926. He then went to Kingston School to study Drafting 1940- 1941 and home study for mechanics 1939-1942. Between 1926-1931 William worked as a labourer and between 1936-1938 he was a Line man. He then became a Rigger Foreman at a gold mine. The sport he enjoyed was boxing and his hobby was mechanics. William then enlisted on 23 September 1942. |
| After training. He embarked from New York on 8 October 1943. arriving at 3 PRC on 17 October 1943. He then progressed through 24 OTU on 2 November 1943, 61 Base 28 February 1944, 1666 CU on 13 March 1944 and 429 Squadron on 15 April 1944. Sadly William then lost his life on 23 May 1944. |
The National Archives
| Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1853/10 |
| Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1853/10 |
Fellow Servicemen
Please note that this list gives all the losses aboard the quoted aircraft and occasionally these may have occurred on an earlier date when the aircraft was not itself lost. Please check the dates of death carefully.
| Name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Brown A F (F/O) | Died |
| Hunter W G (F/O) | Died |
| Leitch J W (F/O) | Died |
| Morris L E (Sgt) | Died |
| Vose P (Sgt) | Died |
Last Operation Information
| Start Date | 22-05-1944 |
| End Date | 23-05-1944 |
| Takeoff Station | Leeming |
| Day/Night Raid | Night (1% moon) |
| Operation | Le Mans- to bomb railway installations. 133 aircraft, 3 Halifaxes Lost (2.3%). Bombing was accurate with much damage caused to the railways and, as a 'bonus' to the nearby Gnome and Rhone factory. Casualties were mercifully light. |
| Reason for Aircraft Loss | Presumed to have stalled while climbing away from the airfield. Spun and crashed SW of Snape. A fire engine attended the scene just as the bomb load exploded, injuring all the tender's crew |