He and Rita split up in the late 1960's, she stayed in Ottawa and became a successful business woman & he moved to Vancouver. Nothing is known of him past that point and his family is very interested in finding out what happened to him. (It is believed that he lived with a woman for some years while there). He may have died on the streets (PTSD?) and be buried in an unmarked grave. Any info would be greatly appreciated. |
||||||||
_________________________________________________
MITCHELL, P/O Harry Thorne (41447) - Distinguished
Flying Cross - No.87 Sq.
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 11 February 1941
No published citation other than "for gallantly and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations" Attached to RCAF in Canada, 8 January 1941. Specifically listed in AFRO 1292/41 dated 7 November 1941 as a Canadian in the RAF who had been decorated as of that date; AFRO 464/42 dated 27 March 1942 reported his promotion to Flight Lieutenant, effective 6 January 1942, while still with a RAF school in Canada. Air Ministry Bulletin 2957 refers. Public Records Office Air 2/8888 has recommendation dated 14 September 1940:
This officer served with the squadron in France and during engagements against large numbers of enemy aircraft displayed great courage and devotion to duty and destroyed three enemy aircraft.
He was a member of a formation that attacked a large enemy formation of bombers and escort fighters over Portland on the 25th August 1940. In this action the squadron destroyed ten enemy bomber aircraft and turned the enemy away.
This officer has always given his utmost support to his section leader and his devotion to duty is of the highest order. He has destroyed three enemy aircraft during action over England making six victories in all.
The same file has a refined citation for presentation to Air Ministry Honours and Awards Committee:
This officer served with the squadron in France and destroyed three enemy aircraft. On 25th August 1940 he was member of a formation which attacked a large enemy formation of bombers and escort fighters over Portland. In this action the squadron destroyed ten enemy bombers. He has always given his utmost support to his section leaders and his devotion to duty has been of the highest order. Pilot Officer Mitchell has destroyed 16 [should read 6] enemy aircraft.
_________________________________________________
MITCHELL, F/O Harry Thorne (41447) - Mention in
Dispatches
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 17 March 1941
No citation
_________________________________________________
CANADIAN AIRMEN EAGER TO FIGHT
Veterans of Present War Anxious to Return to Air Battle
A West Coast Canadian Port, May 4, 1942 — Action-hungry fighter pilots, some of whom fought with distinction in the Battle of Britain, are manning a Pacific coast defence station of the Royal Canadian Air Force with itching trigger fingers.
"It rather gets you, this game," said Flight Lieutenant H.T. Mitchell, DFC, of Port Hope, a member of the "Thunderbird" squadron stationed here. "We'd like to go anywhere for action. If it ever comes here we are ready and the boys will give a good account of themselves. They are a grand bunch and rarin' to go — and they can go, believe me."
F/L Mitchell, who has spent most of his 22 years in England, joined the RAF in 1933 and flew Hurricanes in France before Dunkirk, being credited with downing three Nazi planes before the blitz. When it came he was credited with 4 more. He received the DFC a year ago.
The squadron is commanded by Squadron Leader A.D. Nesbitt, DFC, 27, Montreal-born investment dealer who joined the RCAF in 1939 and went overseas in June, 1940, just in time for the Nazi air blitz on the British Isles.
Another veteran of the Battle of Britain is F/L J.W. Kerwin, 23, of Toronto, credited with three Nazi planes before he was shot down himself in September, 1940. F/L Kerwin joined the RCAF in January, 1939, and went overseas in June, 1940. On September 1st his gas tank was riddled and his plane caught fire at 17,000 feet, but he bailed out safely.
Pilot Officer Harold Orville Gooding, 22-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Gooding, 19 Morris Street, a well-known figure throughout the city as a hockey player.
He is a graduate of Glebe Collegiate and was a member of the junior hockey team and later played for the Hull Volants and the Montagnards. For several years he was a Citizen paper boy. Following his education he was employed with the Department of Transport, and enlisted last May. Pilot Officer Gooding was among the first group of airmen to receive wings from a woman.
P/O Walter H. David "Dave" Hanchet is the 21-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Hanchet, 139 Fentiman Avenue.
Born in Ottawa, he was educated at the local schools and Glebe Collegiate. Following his third year of mechanical engineering at McGill University, he enlisted in April, 1940. In December he graduated from a flying training school at St. Hubert. Que., as a sergeant pilot and the next day he was made a pilot officer.
The fighter squadron is named after the Thunderbird, which in the mythology of the coast Indians was regarded as ruler of the skies. Its pilots average 22 years of age and hail from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the United States.
Other members of the squadron include H.C. Stiles, Cornwall; Sgt. Pilots A.E. Clarke, North Bay, Ont.; F.J. Crowley, Brockville, Ont.; S.R.J. McLeod, Alexandria; G.T. Schwalm, Toronto, and F.R.F. Skelly, Kirkland Lake.
_________________________________________________
Victories Include :
| 10 May 1940 11 May 1940 14 Aug 1940 25 Aug 1940 |
one Do17 one Do17 one Ju87 1/2 Do17 one Ju87 one Me110 one Me110 one Me109 |
destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed damaged destroyed |
SW of Senon & NW of Thionville & near Brussels & Portland Portland |
6.5 / 0 / 1
_________________________________________________
Related Sites : |
_________________________________________________
Thanks go out to
Valerie Malthouse for the photos & additional info courtesy Jon & Bob Cross !
On these pages I use Hugh Halliday's extensive research which includes info from numerous sources; newspaper articles via the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC); the Google News Archives; the London Gazette Archives and other sources both published and private.
|
Some content on this site is probably the property of acesofww2.com unless otherwise noted.
