Senecal, Joseph Hector Gaeten
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Joseph Hector Gaeten |
Surname | Senecal |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 15-03-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Alexandre Senecal and Marie Senecal (née de Montigny), of Treadwell, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | LW690 |
Markings | AL-T |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Choloy War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 2A. C. 18. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 239 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/85536 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 429 (Bison) |
Trade | Air Bomber |
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
Joseph was born on 3 October 1920 at Treadwell, Ontario. His father (who was deceased by the time of Jospeh's enlistment) was a motor mechanic in his own garage, born Treadwell, and his mother was born in Macon. He had two brothers Bernard and Irenee and sisters Yolanda, Lucile. Liliane, Hortense and Gisella. The schools he attended were Public School No.6, Plantagenet, Ontario, 1928- 1933, Plantagenet High School, 1933 -1938 and he also did a correspondence course at Shaw School, Toronto 1938 - 1939. He worked at the Royal Bank of Canada in Plantagenet from 1938 until enlisting on 29 August 1941. He was a Teller /accountant and Ledger Keeper. |
After training he was posted to the U.K. and embarked from New York on 9 March 1943 arriving at 3PRC on 18 March 1943. He then went to 6 AOS 18 May 1943, 23 OTU 22 June 1943, RAF Dalton 15 September 1943, 1659 CU 28 September 1943, 429 Squadron 26 October 1943, 1659 Squadron again on 22 December and ending up back at 429 Squadron on 29 December 1943. Sadly Joseph then lost his life on 15 March 1944. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1853/6 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1853/5 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 15-03-1944 |
End Date | 16-03-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Leeming |
Day/Night Raid | Night (69% moon) |
Operation | Stuttgart. 863 aircraft, 37 losses (4.3%). The bomber stream made its approach through France, crossing the German border as late as possible, delaying the point at which the German fighters were able to enter the stream. PFF marking was well short of the target, possibly due to the strong winds as the conditions were clear. Although some of the early bombing fell in the city, much of the later bombing fell outside. Damage was light- 88 deaths and 203 injuries. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down east of Vesoul, France by night fighter flown by Lt. Kurt Matzak of 12./NJG 1. |