McMICHAEL Edward Kitchener

NAME                  McMICHAEL      Edward Kitchener                                                                                                RANK                  Leading Aircraftman      78654                                                                                                                                    RCAF Group 4 - Canadian Western Command                                                                                                          "Y" Wing                                                                                                                                        Squadron:            No. 115 "Lynx" Squadron
                            “beware”
                             Annette Island Airfield in Alaska                                                                                          Residence            Sarnia - Ontario                                                                                                                        Birth                     October 3, 1915 - Seaforth - McKillop / Tuckersmith Townships - County of Huron - Ontario Death                   March 26, 1943      27 years   5 months                                                                              Memorial              Ottawa Memorial - Green Island - Ottawa - Ontario
                             Panel 2 Column 5
Wife                     Mrs. Hazel A. McMichael - Goderich                                                                                          Son                      Gerald living in Goderich
Parents                Mr. Garfield and Louise McMichael - Clinton / Goderich                                                    Brothers               Reginald was living in Windsor and worked at the Imperial Bank of Commerce                                                        Thomas was in Sarnia                                                                                                                                                Franklin was in Clinton                                                                                                                                                Arthur was serving overseas with the Canadian Army overseas.                                                   Sisters                Mrs. Lucy Lu of Goderich                                                                                                                                            Mrs. Ruby Willis of Sarnia.

Edward was born on October 3, 1915 in Seaforth, and growing up he liked hockey, baseball and hunting. He took his public schooling at SS No. 10 and SS No. 1 from 1921-31. He then attended Continuation School at SS No. 7 in Colborne Township from 1921-32. After his schooling he was a machine mechanic and worked at the Holmes Foundry in Sarnia for prior to enlisting. The family would have attended Benmiller United Church.

Canada

He went to London and enlisted into the Royal Canadian Air Force in October of 1940 in London with the rank of Air Craftsman 2nd class. When he enlisted he was 5' 9" and he weighed 152 pounds. He had a dark complexion with hazel eyes and brown hair. That same day he was posted to No. 2 Manning Depot based at Brandon - Manitoba and here he took a Standard Aero Engine Mechanic Course. He then was posted back to Ontario to No. 1 Manning Depot in Toronto on December 1st where he stayed for two weeks before being posted to No. 1 Technical Training School in St. Thomas - Ontario on December 13th. While here he completed the "C" Class Aero Engine Mechanical Course.                                                                                                    He was in St. Thomas until May 8, 1941 at which time he was posted to No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School based at Mossbank - Saskatchewan where he would learn the techniques of bomb aiming and aerial machine gunnery. The procedure for a man to get married required the permission of his Commanding Officer but Air Craftsman McMichael did not follow this route and on July 21, 1941 he got married without permission. He did complete the Aero Engine Mechanics Course Class "B" on October 1st. On December 12th he was Taken on Strength at Patricia Bay and posted to the West Camp where the bombers and fighters were based.                In early April of 1942 he completed his 'A" Class Aero Engine Mechanics Course. He was then attached to No. 115 Squadron on April 25, 1942. In May No. 115 Squadron went north and would be based at Annette Island - Alaska which was 60 miles north of Price Rupert - British Columbia and be involved in anti submarine patrols along the British Columbia and Alaska coasts. It was part of "Y" Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force - Canadian Western Command and the squadron was a reinforcement squadron to the USAAF. During the summer of 1942 No. 115 was re-designated Bomber Reconnaissance and the squadron returned to southern British Columbia and re-equipped with Ventura aircraft. At this time he was Struck off Service of No. 115 Squadron. The agreement was that RCAF Personnel were on Annette Island to service the American aircraft while the Americans took care of everything else so he stayed on Annette Island..
engine mechanic.
On March 26, 1943 Leading Aircraftsman McMichael was on board Norseman 2481 that had flown to Prince Rupert to pick up USO entertainers who were going to Annette Island to entertain. There was a total of 8 people on the aircraft. While on the way back to base they encountered sudden and heavy snow squalls and the Norseman crashed at Metlakatla Harbour – Warburton Island which was located 6 miles north-west of Annette Island while attempting to land. The aircraft struck the water with either the starboard float or wing before cartwheeling on the starboard wing and came to rest on its nose in 10' - 12' of water. When the aircraft was recovered there was a gaping hole in the starboard side of the fuselage. 
The remains of LAC McMichael were never found. 

Edward's wife Hazel and his wife Louise received the Memorial Cross in March of 1944. The medals awarded to Edward were received by his wife and included the Defence and War Medals along with the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp.

Edward is honoured and remembered on the Goderich - Ontario Cenotaph and on the Ottawa Memorial - Green Island in Ottawa. He is also remembered on the Memorial Plaque of Benmiller United Church. He is honoured and remembered on the Virtual Canadian War Memorial.
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