GRIFF Milton Eric
NAME GRIFF Milton Eric
DIVISIONAL UNIT Royal Canadian Air Force Eastern Command
No. 1 Group No. 145 Squadron
Torbray - Newfoundland
SERVICE NUMBER J35972
RESIDENCE Listowel - Ontario
DATE OF BIRTH October 27, 1915 - London - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH August 5, 1943
PARENTS Harry & Hattie Griff - Stratford - Ontario
BROTHERS Stewart Hunter Griff - Hamilton - Ontario
John Ralph Griff - Canadian Army - overseas
Allan Ross Griff - Stratford - Ontario
CEMETERY Gander Cenotaph - Gander - Newfoundland
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Occupation Manager with Dominion Grocery Stores
Milton was born in London and was raised in the Baptist Church. Prior to his attending school the family moved to Goderich. He attended Goderich Public School from 1921-1929 and then attended Goderich Collegiate Institute from 1929-1935 where he obtained his Senior Matriculation. Growing up he played hockey and softball as well as tennis, golf, swimming, hunting and fishing. Following his graduation he worked at the Dominion Stores from 1935-37. He was a Private in the Huron Middlesex Regiment from 1935-36. Growing up he has the measles and mumps and at some point fractured his wrist. He continued to work with Dominion Stores until May of 1941 when he enlisted into the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Canada
Milton travelled to London during May 1941. At the time of enlistment he was 5' 8" tall and weighed 146 pounds. He had a medium complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. It was the opinion of the Medical Officers that he was a good candidate for air crew duties. Upon enlistment he was given the rank of Aircraftsman 2nd Class, In November of 1941 he obtained the rank of Leading Aircraftsman. Then in April of 1942 he achieved the rank of Sergeant and received his Observer Badge which was followed by the rank of Flight Sergeant in November of 1942 and received his Navigator Badge. Then in May of 1943 he achieved the rank of Warrant Officer Second Class. His postings sent him to No. 4a Manning Depot in St Hubert - Quebec. Then it was a move to No 3 Initial Training School based at Victoriaville - Quebec. His next posting was to No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School based at Mont-Loli - Quebec. Then he received a posting to No. 2 Air Navigation School based at Pennfield Ridge - New Brunswick. Then it was a posting to No. 8 Air Observer Course based at L'Ancienne-Lorette - Quebec.
Overseas
Warrant Officer Griff was then posted to Royal Canadian Air Force Eastern Command No. 1 Group with RCAF No. 145 Squadron which was a Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron which flew Lockheed Hudson aircraft and Lockheed Ventura aircraft. Their main role was anti submarine patrols over the North Atlantic.
On August 5, 1943 Lockheed Ventura G.R. Mk V 2169 with a crew of 4 on board was departing Torbray - Newfoundland on August 5, 1943. The weather was extremely poor and the aircraft barely rose into the air before hitting high ground, sliding into the ground and exploding. None of the crew survived the accident. The Ventura was a twin engine medium bomber / patrol aircraft. They could have a patrol range of 1,700 miles with a payload of depth charges.
He is honoured and remembered on the Newfoundland Airmen's Memorial in Gander - Newfoundland. His name should be named on the Listowel Cenotaph, the Stratford Cenotaph, and on the Goderich Cenotaph..
The medals he was awarded included the 1939-45 Star, the Atlantic Star, the General Service Medal and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal which the family received in July 1945.
