Remembering World War II

Ewen Cameron Currie

Name: Ewen Cameron Currie Rank: Warrant Officer Class II Service Number: R/124726 Service: 160 RAF Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force Date of Birth: January 22, 1919 Place of Birth: Sydney, Nova Scotia Date of Enlistment: August 30, 1941 Age at Enlistment: 22 Place of Enlistment: Halifax, Nova Scotia Address at Enlistment: Sydney, Nova Scotia Height: 5 feet, 7 ½ inches Complexion: Fair Eyes: Hazel Hair: Red - brown Trade: Steelworker Marital Status: Single Religion: Roman Catholic Next of Kin: Hammond Joseph Currie, father Date of Death: December 7, 1943 Age: 25 Cemetery: Kandy War Cemetery, Sri Lanka (Ceylon) Grave: 1. B. 4. Commemorated on Page 150 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on March 29 Ewen Cameron Currie was the adopted son of Hammond Joseph Currie and Marion (Cameron) Currie, of Montreal, Province of Quebec. His father was born in Peakes Station, Prince Edward Island. His mother was born in Mabou, Inverness County, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. He enjoyed hockey, football, basketball, volleyball and tennis. Ewen initially served as a Lance Corporal with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. He trained at Camp 61 in New Glasgow, NS, from January 10 to February 10, 1941. He transferred to the RCAF, and completed training in the Tiger Moth, Fairey Battle, and Bolingbroke aircraft. He served in England, North Africa, Bahamas, and India. On December 7, 1943, while serving with 160 RAF Squadron, Warrant Officer Currie was the Wireless Air Gunner in Consolidated Liberator Mark V (BZ885). He was killed when the aircraft suddenly dove to the ground, at Sigerya, Ceylon. It had taken off normally at 05:20 am on an anti- submarine patrol, but at 600 feet, while in a starboard turn, dived and crashed into the jungle. A full load of depth charges exploded on impact, and there were no survivors. His burial took place on December 8, 1943.