Norman Willard Crawford

Air Gunner – Norman Willard Crawford – Rank: Sergeant. Service No. R190343.

1922: Birth on 29th August, at New Brunswick. Parents: Walter Raymond Crawford and Ada Mae Crawford (neé Wilson). Address on enlistment: 68, Murray Street, Saint John, New Brunswick. Marital status: single.

1929: Attending school, until 1937. Education Grade VII, N. B.

1936: Working as a truck driver for Smiles Beverages in Saint John, until 1937.

1937: Working as a truck driver for Charles Gurd, in Saint John, until 1938.

1938: Working as a Gas Station Attendant for White Rose Service Station in Saint John, until 1941.

1941: Working at electrical work for E.S. Stevenson, in Saint John, until 1942.

1942: Application for Aircrew on 2nd November. Compensating factors: Some mechanical experience. Suitable for Aircrew Trade: standard aircrew.

Civil experience: Smiles Beverages, Saint John, N.B.: Truck Driver.
Charles Gurd, Saint John, N.B.: Truck Driver.
White Rose Service Station, Saint John, N.B. E.S. Stevenson, Saint John, N.B.: Electrical work.
Hobbies and sports: Hunting and fishing. Other qualifications: Fair mechanical knowledge also electrical. Age: 20. Height: 68, 1/2 inches. Weight: 154 lbs. Visual acuity: 2/20 E.E. Colour vision: N I sh. Medical category: A3B v&t. Fit A1B (x). A3B (Turret) (x). A3B (x). A3B (vision) (x). Ground Duties (x). MO’s assessment: Good Physical condition. Signed: W. Amodeo, Flt Lt. Interviewing officer’s assessment: Average appearance and manner. Clear response. No sports history. Fond of hunting and fishing, likes using his hands. Eager to fly. Recommended for: Standard (Aircrew). Signature: J. Taylor F/O. Found suitable for: Standard (Aircrew). Signed (illegible) Commanding officer No. 15 Recruiting Centre, Moncton, N.B. Stamped RCAF Records Office Nov 6 1942.

Rank progression for Airmen and Airwomen:
Course or trade | GRP  | %  | PF  | Date     |
Std (Aircrew)     | Std    |      | P     | 3.11.42 |
Rank | Date      | Auth             | Trade                   | Date      | Auth             |
AC2   | 3.11.42  | 1162 5.6.42 | AIRCREW A.G. | 25.3.43 | DRO 49/43 |
LAC   | 24.7.43 | DRO 204    | Air Gunner         | 3.9.43   | DRO 211A    |
T/Sgt | 3.9.43   | DRO 211A  | (spec group)       |                |                       |

1944: Whilst serving at 82 O.T.U., he was killed as crew of Wellington Bomber BK387, on a training flight which crashed at Tewitt Hall Wood, Oakworth Yorkshire, on 2nd January, killing all those aboard. Buried at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery on 8th January. He was 21 years of age.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone for Norman Crawford.