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I am the great-niece of LAC John Harold Beverly (\"Jack\") Argue (1920-1974). Jack Argue was born in Stittsville, Goulbourn Township, Carleton County, Ontario, Canada, the youngest of ten children born to Albert and Lina Argue and served with 408 Bomber Squadron. I would be most grateful to hear from any one at this site with respect to further documentation/photos that might reference Jack\'s history, as I would like to incorporate more of his service information within family research. Local Newspaper Clipping, Stittsville News \"LAC. Jack Argue, 22, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Argue, Stittsville, has arrived overseas according to word received by his parents. He joined the R.C.A.F. in May 1941 as a radio technician, and trained at Toronto and Kingston. In September 1942 he remustered as an electrician and was stationed at Trenton. A brother, Cpl. Jerry Argue, is also with the armed forces.\" The following poem was written by L.A.C. Jack Argue, R.C.A.F., while serving overseas in Bomber SQD 408. \"Take Flight (1941-42) \"At dark the boys are busy on the field; Tis \"take off\" time on one of England\'s airdromes, For they must fly, or perhaps forever yield To those who would destroy our happy homes. One last smoke before they take their places, The ground-crew chat; each has his favourite crew, The flyers turn and seek these friendly faces; It\'s nice to talk \'fore taking to the blue. Each has his thoughts of those so far away; Their mothers, sweethearts, those they love so dear; with mirthless laughter, they try hard to be gay, Lest those who watch might guess their hidden fear. One last farewell, and each into his kite, Then \'contact\' comes the shout, and the engines roar Like thunder breaking the stillness of the night, Then down the runway, leaders to the fore. Up, they go into the darkness of the night, And quickly disappear like huge birds set free, To distant lands they will carry on the fight, Brave lads who fly to guard our liberty.\" The following Armed Forces Air Letter postmarked Jan 12.44 at Stittsville, Ont., was written to Miss Helen Bradley, niece of LAC Jack Argue. R-95995 (CAN) LAC Argue, Jack #62 Base, Elect. Bomber Command RCAF Overseas Dec. 29th.43. Miss Helen Bradley Stittsville, Ont. Canada \"Dear Helen: I received your welcome letter of Dec. 11th yesterday & also one from Abb, & Aunt Velma. Well Helen I suppose by this time you have tried out those new skis that Santa brought you. We had a very good time at Xmas even if we were on the station. The boys in our room decorated our room with holly, which grows around our station; and strung all our Xmas cards across the room & used coloured paper for light decorations. Xmas Eve there was a dance in the Y.M.C.A. Santa had brought us a present in the form of 75 Canadian Waafs who were posted to our station. It sure is great to see Canadian girls again. We had some turkey & a lot of ham for Xmas dinner & a bottle of beer to wash it down. It was a very good meal but can’t compare with what we get at home. There was a show in camp Xmas afternoon and a dance that night again. I expect to go out New Year’s Eve as I m planning on meeting Ray McCaffrey that night. You can let your mother know I haven’t received the parcel yet so can’t say how those precious eggs are. However a lot of the Xmas presents are not in yet so she need not worry about it... ...By the way I have been posted to #62 Base, Bomber Command so notice my address on the back of this letter. I have not moved off my present station however as the two units are both here. Well Helen I wish you a Happy New Year & thanks a lot for writing. Here is a big New Years kiss for you X. Love to all - Jack\" Obituary, Goulbourn Mirror, 28 November 1974 \"...Jack Argue received his elementary education in Stittsville schools and went on to Nepean High School. In 1941 he enlisted in the R.C.A.F. and went overseas as a member of 408 Bomber Squadron. In England his unit was attached to the 6th Group of the Royal Air Force. After VE Day in 1945 his Squadron was sent back to Canada en route to duty in the Far East but hostilities there ended while his group was still in Canada. He was a charter member of the Stittsville Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was very active in its affairs until shortly before his death. After the War, in the autumn of 1945, he accepted a position with the Dominion Government\'s Forest Research Branch as a photographer. Always an enthusiastic conservationist and outdoors man he enjoyed his work with the Forest Research Branch until ill health forced his retirement earlier this year. He was also a charter member of the George Lake Hunt Club. Although he had lived in Ottawa for several years, Jack Argue always maintained close ties with his native village. His passing leaves a big gap on the Stittsville sports scene. He was an active supporter of all aspects of sport and recreation but his main interest lay in baseball, softball and fastball. His first connection with the spot came when he served as bat boy for the Stittsville Monarchs in 1934. The next year, at the age of 15, he pitched his first ball game - against a team from the Royal Mint in Ottawa. After the War, he resumed his participation in the game. Later on, he was the playing manager of a completely local team that went on to win the All Ontario Eastern Championship. Not content with an active role as a player and coach, Jack Argue worked tirelessly all his life to promote the game. He was one of the moving forces that enabled the Stittsville Young Britons to acquire Alexander\'s Grove and construct there one of the finest ball diamonds in the area. This diamond was the first in the Ottawa Valley to be equipped with lights for night ball. All told, his connection with the game in Stittsville covered a span of more than 40 years. Jack Argue was unmarried. He is survived by three sisters; Mary (Mrs. S. Bradley), Stittsville; Mildred (Mrs. C. Cathcart) and Marjorie (Mrs. J. Brownlee), both of Ottawa, and one brother, Gerald, of Stittsville; predeceased by Velma (Mrs. L. Black), Leitha (Mrs. W. Wilson), Howard, Bert and Ernest.\"

I am an ex-RAF Sqn Ldr of 38 years service and volunteer history researcher for the British National Trust at Beningbrough Hall near York, England. Beningbrough Hall was used by SNCO Aircrew of No 408 Sqn RCAF during WW2 as a billet. A Room was opened this year as a Memorial to those SNCO aircrew of No 35 and 76 Sqn RAF and No 408 Sqn RCAF who resided in the Hall between April 1941 and VE-DAY 1945. In 2013 a special exhibition is being mounted to celebrate the 70th anniversary of members of No 408 Sqn RCAF taking up occupation Beningbrough Hall from their base at nearby RAF Linton on Ouse. I have had fantastic assistance from sqn veterans such as Ron Butcher, Wally Kasper, George McKillop and Larry Motiuk. However, I would appreciate any assistance from ex-Sqn Members [aircrew or ground crew] and NOK in order to enhance the information available so that full justice can be given to those who aided my country in the grim days of WW2.

I am very interested in 408 sqn and bomber command in general. My Uncle was KIA on 17th April 1943 with 61 sqn RAF. I have published a book entitled \'A shaky do-The Skoda works raid 16/17th April 1943.\' 408 sqn and 419 sqn were heavily involved on this raid. I am dedicated to the memory of all bomber command air and ground crew. Peter Cunliffe

I am looking for any info. on my uncle F/Sgt. James Wilson. He was the only member of RAF who flew with F/Lt. Donald Sanderson\'s crew RCAF 408 squadron . They were all killed when Halifax V11 NP-711 EQ-O went missing on an attack at Worms on 21/22nd. Feb., 1945. They are all buried at Rheinberg War Cemetery. Crew members :- F/O William Jas. Gilmore, F/O William Wallace Wagner, P/O Nels Paul Anderson ,P/O Donald Edison Sherman , F/O Reginald Bertram Smith . I am Scottish and an uncle of mine remembered the crew spending short leave at his farm in Scotland. I would appreciate any info.

Hi My father was a Flt/Eng on Halifax Bombers with 408 squadron at RAF Leaming during the war. His pilot was Sgt Wright. I have photos of his flying log if they will be of help to anyone.

Looking for any information that may be available about F/O James Kent Stanely RCAF J/42259. Served with 408 Sqdn in WWII which at the time was based out of Linton on Ouse I believe. He lost his life on April 25 , 1945 while flying in a Lancaster bomber over the North Sea.

My Dad, Allan James Smith was stationed at Rockcliffe in the 50\'s. I have log books of his flights to and from 408 with crew members listed as well. I would love to share the knowledge and find out more about what my dad did during his time with the 408. Perhaps someone here knew or worked with him. I would love to hear from you. Thank you. Respectfully, Doug Smith