Name: Neil Maxwell Dalton Rank: Warrant Officer Class I Service Number: R/88035 Service: 410 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force Date of Birth: August 4, 1918 Place of Birth: Yarmouth, Yarmouth Co., Nova Scotia Date of Enlistment: February 1, 1941 Place of Enlistment: Halifax, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia Address at Enlistment: Kentville, Kings Co., Nova Scotia Age at Enlistment: 22 Height: 5 feet, 8 inches Complexion: Fair Eye Colour: Grey Hair Colour: Blonde Occupation: Electric Welding Marital Status: Single Religion: Baptist Next of Kin: Herman Dalton (Father) Date of Death: August 27, 1943 Age: 25 Cemetery: St. Matthew's Churchyard, Sutton Bridge, South Holland District, Lincolnshire, England Grave: Section S, Grave 37 Inscription: Peace, Perfect Peace Commemorated on Page 151 of Canada's Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on March 30 Neil Maxwell Dalton was the son of Herman Cann Dalton (1889-19431) and Etta Frye (Moses) Dalton (1886-1956) of Kentville, Kings Co., Nova Scotia, and the brother of Frances Lee Dalton (1912-1923). His father was born in Chegoggin, Yarmouth Co., NS, and his mother was born in Brenton, also in Yarmouth Co. His father was employed as a bridge and building foreman with the Dominion Atlantic Railway (DAR). Neil attended Kentville public school from 1923-1933, completing grade 7, and the Kentville Academy from 1933-1937, completing grade 10. He enjoyed football, hockey and baseball. Prior to enlistment, Neil also worked for the DAR with the stores department from 1937-1939, bridge and building from 1939-1940, and electric welding and grinding from 1940 until he enlisted. After enlisting in February of 1941, Neil trained at the No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School at Jarvis, Ontario (Course No. 20) from November 10 to December 8, 1941, earning his Air Gunner’s Badge. His training record notes he was a good student, reliable, well-liked, and that he carried out his work quietly and thoroughly. On April 20, 1943, he joined Operational Training Unit No. 62 (62 OTU). On May 18, 1943, he was transferred from 62 to 54 OTU. On July 15, 1943, he was attached to RAF Winfield near Paxton, Scottish Borders, Scotland and west of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, England. On August 8, 1943, he ceased to be attached to RAF Winfield and returned to 54 OTU. He was next posted to 410 Squadron at RAF Coleby Grange between the villages of Coleby and Nocton Heath and lying 12 kms due south of the county town Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England, on August 17, 1943. 10 days later, Neil was killed in action on August 27, 1943, serving as Navigator / Observer aboard a de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito NF Mk II aircraft DZ305. Neil and Pilot Sergeant William Thomas Cheropita (Service Number R/123904), RCAF, were killed flying from RAF Coleby Grange in Lincolnshire, England when they crashed in The Wash Bay 6 miles north of Sutton Bridge on a practice flight. Neil is interred at the St. Matthew's Churchyard in Sutton Bridge, South Holland District, Lincolnshire, England, and is also remembered on a family grave monument in the Chegoggin Cemetery in Chegoggin, Yarmouth Co., Nova Scotia.

Sources: Library and Archives Canada Canadian Virtual War Memorial findagrave Commonwealth War Graves Commission de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito NF Mk II, aircraft DZ305 background photo: St. Matthew's Churchyard, Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire, England