Wartime Heritage
ASSOCIATION
Name:
Elmor William Werry
Rank:
Corporal
Service No:
R/51871
Service:
Royal Canadian Air Force
116 Squadron, RCAF
Date of Birth:
July 9, 1908
Place of Birth:
Brandon, Manitoba
Date of Enlistment:
June 10, 1940
Place of Enlistment:
Sudbury, Ontario
Address At Enlistment:
Reward, Saskatchewan
Age at Enlistment:
31
Trade:
General Mechanic
Marital Status:
Single at Enlistment/Married to Annie Shea August 29, 1941
Religion:
United Church
Next of Kin:
Franklin E. Werry (Father) Reward, Saskatchewan
Date of Death:
December 9, 1942
Age At Death:
34
Cemetery:
Salvador Protestant Cemetery, Saskatchewan, Canada
Cemetery Reference:
Plot 116
Citation(s):
Air Force Medal, No.116 Squadron (Canada) -
Award effective 1 January 1943 as per Canada Gazette
dated 9 January 1943, "Corporal Werry has been with the squadron since its formation and has
shown keen devotion to his duties at all times. His work during operational flights, both as
engineer and gunner, is highly commendable, and the initiative taken on his part has been a fine
example to younger members of the crew. He has a total of 817 flying hours, 657 of which have
been on operational flights."
Commemorated on Page 123 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance
Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on March 15
Elmor William Werry was the son of Franklin Ernest Werry (1880-1961) and Mary Ethelwyn (Ross)
Werry (1884-1961), of Reward, Saskatchewan and the husband of Ann “Annie” Angeline (Shay)
Werry (1910-2004), of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
He previously served with the 18th Canadian Light Horse as Acting Sergeant from July 1, 1928
until the unit was disbanded (approximately 1936).
At enlistment he was working as a driver and mechanic for Johnson Cartage Company, a trucking
contractor, in Sudbury, Ontario. His enlistment records indicate he was very handy with all sorts
of tools, a former carpenter and an amateur photographer. He enjoyed hockey, badminton,
tennis, baseball, swimming, sailing, running and bowling. He qualified as an Aero Engine Mechanic
during training.
Elmor Werry served as a
Flight Engineer
with 116 Bomber
Reconnaissance Squadron
at Dartmouth, NS (as a
detachment of 116
Squadron that was based
in Shelburne, NS) from
July 2, 1941 until the
time of his death in
December 1942.
He married Annie Angeline
Shay (1910-2004) in
Windsor, NS on August 29,
1941. Annie was born in
Wentworth, Hants County,
NS (some records record
Annie’s surname as “Shea”).
Elmor William Werry was fatally injured when the Catalina
Mark I (Serial Number Z2136) aircraft crashed while taking
off from RCAF Seaplane Base, Dartmouth, NS at 06:00 am
on December 9, 1942. One crewman, Corporal G. G.
Lawrence, survived the crash.
The other five crew that were killed were:
Pilot Officer Edward Salter Corbett (Service Number
J/14070)
Born January 3, 1921, in Ganges, British Columbia, he was
the son of Stewart Percival Corbett (1891–1976), born in
Springfield, Manitoba, and Mona Gertrude (Tolpett) Corbett
(1891–1967), born in Folkestone, Kent, England. His
parents were living in Pender Island, BC at the time of his
enlistment. Edward was laid to rest in the Halifax (Fort
Massey) Cemetery, Sec. E. Grave 196. He was awarded the
Air Force Medal.
Citation: “Flight Sergeant Corbett is an outstanding
NCO in his trade. He has completed 1,028 hours
flying, of which 723 hours were on operational
duties and has made 66 coastal operational flights.
During a period of intense enemy activity, he
cheerfully accepted more than his share of the extra
duties imposed on his squadron. His example has
been an inspiration to other aircrew personnel.”
Edward’s brother Flight Lieutenant William David Corbett (Service Number (J/88248) also served
in the RCAF with 425 Squadron and died March 8, 1945. Remembered on the Runnymede
Memorial, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Sergeant Fawcett Calvert Dayton (Service Number R/130023)
Born November 24, 1921, in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, he was the son of Earnest C. Dayton and
Rose Pearl Dayton of North Bay, Ontario. He was laid to rest in the North Bay (St. John's)
Cemetery, Plot 1. Grave 2.
Flying Officer John Glenn MacMaster (Service Number J/9116)
Born April 27, 1922, in Port Perry, ON, he was the son of James Dougald MacMaster (1937) and
Donalda (McGillivray) MacMaster (1889-1983). He was laid to rest in the Prince Albert (Pine Grove)
Cemetery Plot V.T. Lot 87. Grave 3.
Sergeant Jack Richardson (Service Number R/109085)
Born August 23, 1918, in Perth, Scotland, he was the son of John and Mary (Cameron) Richardson.
His wife Vanda Gudren Richardson of Camrose, AB, was living in Shelburne, NS. They had one son;
Wallace C Richardson born May 15, 1941. Jack was the pilot on the day of the crash. He was laid
to rest in the Camrose (Valley View) Cemetery, Lot 55. Block C.
Flying Officer Robert Arthur Sharman (Service Number J/6135)
Born June 11, 1917, in St James, MB, he was the son of Bertram Crossley Sharman and Nellie Mary
Sharman of Winnipeg, MB; husband of Joyce M Sharman of Winnipeg. She was living in
Elmor William Werry
Sources and Information:
Veterans Affairs Canada
Remembering World War II
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