Dutch historian piecing story together
A Dutch historian who wanted information on two Manitoba airman buried in his small village now has half his answers.
Lieuwe Boonstra wrote to the Free Press a month ago, wanting to know more about RCAF Warrant Officer Class II Albert George Makay and RCAF Flight Sgt. Charles Reginald Patton.
The two young men -- Makay was 20 and Patton was 23 -- died in a plane crash on Oct. 31, 1942.
Here's what Boonstra knew:
Mackay was the son of Mrs. Jerry Makay, then living on Side Street in Winnipeg. Patton was born Feb. 22, 1919. He was the son of Mr. George Edward Sr. and Margaret Hannah Bird, originally of Petersfield.
Patton's brother, Lance Cpl. Victor Edwin Patton, was 21 when he was killed in 1944. He is buried in France.
Makay went to St Paul's College. He received his air force training in Portage la Prairie, Fort Ontario and Yorkton, Sask. He was sent overseas in 1941.
Makay had six brothers: William, Louis, James, Laddie, Ernest and Steve.
Patton enlisted in the air force in 1941. He had two brothers serving overseas. One was a member of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. As well, he had a brother-in-law serving. He had three sisters.
But Boonstra wanted more details. He said he wanted to pay proper tribute to men who had sacrificed their lives.
In 1992, he was responsible for the unveiling of a monument commemorating dead soldiers. Twenty relatives of the dead men came from England, Wales and New Zealand for the solemn ceremony.
He hoped to find photos of the local dead airmen...
Read entire article at Winnipeg Free Press
Lieuwe Boonstra wrote to the Free Press a month ago, wanting to know more about RCAF Warrant Officer Class II Albert George Makay and RCAF Flight Sgt. Charles Reginald Patton.
The two young men -- Makay was 20 and Patton was 23 -- died in a plane crash on Oct. 31, 1942.
Here's what Boonstra knew:
Mackay was the son of Mrs. Jerry Makay, then living on Side Street in Winnipeg. Patton was born Feb. 22, 1919. He was the son of Mr. George Edward Sr. and Margaret Hannah Bird, originally of Petersfield.
Patton's brother, Lance Cpl. Victor Edwin Patton, was 21 when he was killed in 1944. He is buried in France.
Makay went to St Paul's College. He received his air force training in Portage la Prairie, Fort Ontario and Yorkton, Sask. He was sent overseas in 1941.
Makay had six brothers: William, Louis, James, Laddie, Ernest and Steve.
Patton enlisted in the air force in 1941. He had two brothers serving overseas. One was a member of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. As well, he had a brother-in-law serving. He had three sisters.
But Boonstra wanted more details. He said he wanted to pay proper tribute to men who had sacrificed their lives.
In 1992, he was responsible for the unveiling of a monument commemorating dead soldiers. Twenty relatives of the dead men came from England, Wales and New Zealand for the solemn ceremony.
He hoped to find photos of the local dead airmen...