Name: Rank: Service No: Service: Date of Birth: Place of Birth: Date of Enlistment: Place of Enlistment: Address At Enlistment: Age at Enlistment: Height: Complexion: Eyes: Hair: Trade: Marital Status: Religion: Next of Kin: Date of Death: Age at Death: Memorial: Reference:

Charles Stuart O'Brien

Sources Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Charles Stuart O'Brien Flight Sergeant R/65254 Royal Canadian Air Force 76 RAF Squadron January 9, 1918 Moncton, NB July 18, 1940 Halifax, NS Lakeside Inn, Yarmouth NS 22 5 feet, 9 inches Fair Blue Dark Brown University Student Single Baptist Allen Roy O’Brien (Father) Moncton, NB October 31, 1941 23 Runnymede Memorial Panel 60. Commemorated on page 40 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on January 31 Flight Sergeant O’Brien was the son of Allen Roy O’Brien and Laviva (Patriqiun) O’Brien of Moncton, NB. He was the brother of Robert, Hugene, and Doris O’Brien. Between 1934 and 1936 Charles completed a commercial course at Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown, Pince Edward Island. In 1936 he was employed as a stenographer with Canadian National Express in Charlottetown and in 1937 as a cutter with Island Furriers. Prior to his enrolment at Acadia University as a arts student in 1938 he was employed as a stock-man with A Horner Company in Charlottetown. He enlisted with the RCAF in July 1940. While at university in Wolville, NS he was a Sergeant with the Officers Training Corps. He played basketball and tennis and enjoyed swimming. Having completed initial training in Canada, Flight Sergeant O’Brien went overseas to the United Kingdom in April 1941. He served in the UK with 19 Operational Training Unit, from April 21, 1941 until July 8, 1941 when he transferred to 10 RAF Squadron, serving with that squadron until October 7, 1941. He then moved to 76 RAF Squadron. On the night of October 31, 1941, Flight Sergeant was the pilot of the plane that left base at 7:15 pm to attack a target in Dunkirk and failed to return to base. With no known grave, Flight Sergeant O’Brien is listed on the Runnymede Memorial.

Lakeside Inn, Yarmouth, 1941. © Wartime Heritage Assoc.