Name: Rank: Service Number: Service: Date of Birth: Place of Birth: Date of Enlistment: Place of Enlistment: Address at Enlistment: Age at Enlistment: Height: Complexion: Eye Colour: Hair Colour: Martial Status: Trade: Religion: Next of Kin: Date of Death: Age at Death: Cemetery: Reference:

Alexander Sutherland

Sources Veterans Affairs Canada

Alexander Sutherland Pilot Officer/Wireless Air Gunner J/95519 Royal Canadian Air Force 419 Squadron May 26, 1922 Sydney Mines, Cape Breton, NS May 14, 1941 Halifax, NS (RCAF Recruiting Centre) Sydney Mines, Cape Breton, NS 18 5 feet 7½ inches Medium Blue Dark Brown Single Labourer/Coal Miner Roman Catholic John Leo Sutherland (Father) Sydney Mines March 15, 1945 22 Nederweert War Cemetery IV. B. 8. Commemorated on page 568 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on November 27 Alexander (Sandy) Sutherland was the son of John Leo Sutherland and Anne Sutherland, of Sydney Mines, NS. He completed grade nine at Notre Dame Public School in 1939 and was employed as a clerk in a book store until September, 1940. He then obtained employment in the Princess Coal Mine, Sidney Mines, where he was employed until his enlistment at age 18. Having enlisted in May 1941, he trained and served in Canada until May 25, 1944. He went overseas to the United Kingdom, disembarking there on July 2, 1944. He joined 419 Squadron on October 10, 1944. On March 15, Lancaster KB.870 of 419 Squadron with a crew of seven were listed as missing after an attack on Hagen, Germany. On its return flight, the aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter. When the air gunner was killed, Pilot Officer Sutherland replaced him. Four of the crew escaped the aircraft over France and were taken under care by American soldiers. Three of the crew, including Pilot Officer Sutherland, died in the attack. They were first buried in the Margraten American Cemetery and in 1947 reburied in the Nederweert War Cemetery. Pilot Officer Sutherland had completed one tour of duty and had started his second tour with 419 Squadron taking part in seventeen attacks on the enemy against the main German industrial centers and in support of land forces.

Alexander Sutherland at home in Sydney Mines with his mother Ann (Matheson) Sutherland and his brother Leonard in 1942.