Seeking spaouse of P/O Wilson and information on Airwoman Van Buskirk

[Paul Squires]

Hi All,

Last of these requests.

I would like to find the given names of the widow of:

P/O John Cayley Wilson J5224 lost 408 Sqn. November 9, 1941.


Finally, would there be any information on the service career of Mrs. Lilias Evva Van Buskirk CWAAF (later RCAF (WD)), who enlisted after the death of her husband F/O Douglas Byrd Van Buskirk RCAF(USA), lost 7 Sqn. RAF, November 8, 1941. From the evidence on the internet she seems to be a very decisive young woman, and F/O Van Buskirk had a very interesting life as well. Although listed from Houston, Texas, that seems to be the later residence of his mother, and he might be more accurately described as a resident of New York City, where before the war he worked as a ticket agent for several airlines, including Canadian Colonial Airways.

Again, there is no rush for this material. I do this for fun, and I hope the other members of this board do as well.

All the Best,

Paul Squires
Wetaskiwin, Alberta

[Temujin]

I would like to find the given names of the widow of:

P/O John Cayley Wilson J5224 lost 408 Sqn. November 9, 1941.

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[Temujin]

Finally, would there be any information on the service career of Mrs. Lilias Evva Van Buskirk CWAAF (later RCAF (WD)), who enlisted after the death of her husband F/O Douglas Byrd Van Buskirk RCAF(USA), lost 7 Sqn. RAF, November 8, 1941. From the evidence on the internet she seems to be a very decisive young woman, and F/O Van Buskirk had a very interesting life as well. Although listed from Houston, Texas, that seems to be the later residence of his mother, and he might be more accurately described as a resident of New York City, where before the war he worked as a ticket agent for several airlines, including Canadian Colonial Airways.

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[Paul Squires]

Oh Wow.

Good to find the details of Valerie Francis Wilson.

But I had no idea that Mrs. Van Buskirk became Chatelaine of Rideau Hall!

She even has a wikipedia page.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilias_Massey

I thought she sounded like a pretty resolute young woman!

This entry will now read:

VAN BUSKIRK, DOUGLAS BYRD F/O(P) J3254. From Houston, Texas, USA [see below]. Killed in Action Nov. 8/41 age 22. #7 Squadron (Per Diem Per Noctum). Stirling aircraft #N3677 was carrying 5 x 1000 and 4 x 500 lb. general purpose bombs when it was shot down <at Düsseldorf> near Duisburg, Germany on an operation to Berlin [losses.internationalbcc.co.uk]. <Six of the crew, not Canadians, were also killed.> Six RAF members of the crew, Sgt.s J.E. Chadwick, S.J. Fenson, C. Murch, D.G. Pack, and P/O G.E. <Sweeny> Sweeney were also killed [TSGNO Addendum #2]. Flying Officer Pilot Van Buskirk was buried in the North Cemetery at Düsseldorf, exhumed, and reburied in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve, Germany. Husband of Lilias Evva Van Buskirk, of Ottawa. Ms. Van Buskirk joined the Canadian Womans Auxiliary Air Force (later RCAF Women's Division) as a driver in February, 1942, after her husbands death. She later remarried Captain Lionel Massey in 1946, son of Governor General of Canada Charles Vincent Massey, and acted as host or Châtelaine of Rideau Hall during his time in office [CWGC; www.veterans.gc.ca; Temujin at wartimes.ca; wikipedia]. F/O Van Buskirk is listed from many locations including Houston (home of his mother), New York City, Brooklyn, Richmond Virginia where he attended University, and Washington. He also worked for airlines on the ground in the USA before enlisting, and piloted an aircraft over the Atlantic on secondment to Ferry Command before assignment to bombers [www.veterans.gc.ca; www.findagrave.com].

(it looks better in colour)

Isn't it interesting where these threads take us when we pull on them.

Many thanks, and All the Best,

Paul Squires
Wetaskwin, Alberta