Name; Eric Crowe Loughead Rank: Pilot Officer Service No: J/16312 Service: Royal Canadian Air Force Date of Birth: July 24, 1921 Place of Birth: Old Barns, Colchester Co., NS Date of Enlistment: October 23, 1940 Place of Enlistment: Halifax Address At Enlistment: Old Barns, Colchester Co., NS Age at Enlistment: 19 Trade: Student Marital Status: Single Religion: United Church Next of Kin: Robert Kent Loughead (Father) RR#1 Truro Date of Death: December 12, 1942 Age At Death: 21 Cemetery: Burton-On-The-Wolds Burial Ground, Leicestershire, UK Cemetery Reference: Row F. Grave 2. Commemorated on Page 91 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on February 27 Pilot Officer Loughead was the son of Robert Kent Loughead and Mildred Crowe Loughead, of Truro, NS and the brother of Frank Kent Loughead. Old Barns is located near Truro, NS. Completing training in Canada until July 20, 1941, he went overseas to the United Kingdom where he served with No. 23 Operational Training Unit and with 115 Squadron. At the time of his death he was serving with No. 28 OTU. On December 11, 1942 Pilot Officer Loughead was in a Wellington aircraft (T2896) detailed for a night flying exercise, consisting of curcuits and landings. The aircraft took off at 11:15 pm and during the time the aircraft was airborne in the air base circuit a violent downpour of rain occurred. This was unexpected and was considered to be a local shower; however, turned out to persistent. The aircraft was given permission to land but no reply was received from the aircraft and it was presumed that it had lost the flare path. At 11:30 pm a message was received that the aircraft had crashed into trees between Six Hills and Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Pilot Officer Loughead was injured and suffered severe burns. He died at 11:10 am the following day. Sources and Information: Veterans Affairs Canada findagrave.com

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