Name: Rank: Service No: Service: Date of Death: Age at Death: Cemetery: Reference:

Sources Veterans Affairs Canada

Nelson Leslie Gordon Flying Officer J/88818 Royal Canadian Air Force 440 Squadron #56 Operational Training Unit RCAF February 1, 1945 20 Aberdeen Springbank Cemetery, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom Sec. T. Grave 106. Commemorated on page 519 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on August 4 Commemorated on Page 164 of the Newfoundland Book of Remembrance. Pilot Officer Gordon, born in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland on July 10, 1924, was the son of Alexander and Violet Lillian Gordon, of Canso, Guysborough Co., Nova Scotia. He was the brother of Captain John Abraham Gordon (RCA, 4th Canadian Armoured Division), Margaret, and Frances Gordon. Nelson lived in Canso, NS from the age of two weeks, attended the Canso School from 1928, obtaining his Grade XI Certificate in 1941. Prior to his enlistment he was employed as a junior bank clerk with the Bank of Montreal in Halifax, NS. He enlisted with the 2nd Battalion Halifax Rifles on April 28, 1942 and served until June 23, 1942. He was discharged on July 9, 1942 in order to join the Royal Canadian Air Force in Halifax on July 11, 1942. Having trained in Canada he went overseas, disembarking in the United Kingdom on November 9, 1943. He served with 440 Squadron between September 19, 1944 and December 17, 1944 and was assigned to #56 Operational Training Unit at RAF Milford on January 3, 1945. At 5:05 pm on February 1, 1945 Pilot Officer Gordon, flying Typhoon IB RB343, departed on a non-operational flight from RAF Milford. The engine of the Typhoon failed immediately after take off and during an attempt to regain the airfield, the aircraft crashed. Pilot Officer Gordon was killed in the crash. The funeral took place at Aberdeen on February 9, 1945.