F/L J.R.B. Firth RAF

[Paul Squires]

Hi All,

Another airmen with a question of a Canadian connection

F/L John Robert Browning Firth 62009 RAF was killed in the crash of a 406 Squadron Beaufighter X8222 attempting a single engine landing in poor visibility after shooting down a Do 217 bomber. In They Shall Grow Not Old he is listed as from Winnipeg, Manitoba, but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site lists his parents from Sussex, and other sites indicate he was born in London, and his father was killed in the First World War. He also held an MA from Canterbury University and was cited as a schoolmaster in England, and married, before he enlisted in the RAF.

Of note he is not listed on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial, which might indicate his inclusion in TSGNO may be in error, which is not unknown. One source notes he was on original member of 406 Sqn., which might have led to an error.

But there is no source I have found that connects this airman to Canada.

As a member of the RAF he does not have any record in the Second World War Service Files – War Dead, 1939 to 1947 at Library and Archives Canada.

Can anyone provide any information on this? Might he, like many, have emigrated to Canada and then returned to England at one time?

All the Best,

Paul Squires
Wetaskiwin