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Crash at Sea, Goose Bay Yarmouth Co., NS On the afternoon of Thursday July 16, 1942 several Wedgeport and Comeau’s Hill fisherman were in their boats gathering Irish moss near Goose Bay located approximately 2.5 miles from Wedgeport, close to the entrance of Tusket Bay and to the reef called "Black Ledge" between the shores of Comeau's Hill, and Lower Wedgeport. In 1942, seeing an aircraft flying along the coast of Nova Scotia was not uncommon. On this occasion it was Lysander No.466 of 121 Composite Squadron [Dartmouth] out of RCAF Station Yarmouth, NS on a coastal patrol. Sergeant Leslie Walter Kerr, aged 23 was piloting the aircraft and was accompanied by Leading Air-craftsman Charles Ernest Wright, aged 22. Leslie Kerr, although born in Edmonton, Alberta, was a native of Spirit River, Alberta where he attended Spirit River Rural High School until 1939. He enlisted with the RCAF on August 17, 1940. On May 22, 1942 he joined 121 Squadron at Dartmouth, NS. Charles Ernest Wright was born in Jasper, Ontario on November 2, 1920. He attended Jasper Public School until 1936 and prior to his military service was employed as a salesman and manager with Wm. Connerty and Son General Store in Jasper, Ontario. He enlisted with the RCAF on June 28, 1941. On June 5, 1942 he joined No. 6 Canadian Army Cooperation detachment at RCAF Station, Yarmouth, NS. On July 16, Leading Aircraftman Wright was a passenger on the flight. At 4:30 pm the fisherman heard the aircraft overhead and watched as it crashed in the sea. The fisherman attempted to reach the aircraft; however, before they could reach the area the plane disappeared. The depth of the water was thirty-five feet at low tide. RCAF Station Yarmouth was contacted and marine and air craft rushed to the scene to no avail. Grappling operations were started but were unsuccessful in raising the aircraft until Saturday, July 18. The body of Sergeant Pilot Kerr was removed from the wreckage and brought to Yarmouth. No trace of Leading Aircraftman Wright was found despite an extensive search. It was presumed that he was able to escape the aircraft as it was going under but drowned. On Monday evening, July 20 RCAF Station Yarmouth Chaplain, Flight Lieutenant J. R. Davies, officiated at a service for Sergeant Pilot Kerr. The body was then taken to the railway station by a guard of honour and shipped to his parents’ home in Vancouver, BC.
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Crash at Sea, Goose Bay Yarmouth Co., NS
Sergeant Pilot Leslie Walter Kerr  121 Squadron  Royal Canadian Air Force  Service Number: 	R/61046   Son of John Chipman Kerr, V.C., and Clarissa Gertrude Kerr, of Vancouver, BC Commemorated on Page 86 of the  Second World War Book of Remembrance  Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa  on February 24  Date of Death: 		July 16, 1942 Cemetery:  			Vancouver Mountain View Cemetery, British Columbia Grave Reference:		Block 5. Plot 6. Lot 9. Leading Aircraftman Charles Ernest Wright  121 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force  Service Number: 	R/111267   Son of Charles J. Wright and Elizabeth H. Wright, of Jasper, Ontario. Commemorated on Page 126 of the  Second World War Book of Remembrance  Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa  on March 16  Date of Death: 		July 16, 1942 Monument:  		Ottawa Memorial, Ontario	  Panel Reference:		Panel 2. Column 1