Wartime Heritage ASSOCIATION
Remembering World War II John Harold Whalen Royal Canadian Air Force
John Harold Whalen Leading Aircraftman R/53924 Royal Canadian Air Force December 28, 1921 Ottawa, Ontario June 4, 194 No. 12 RCAF Recruiting Centre, Ottawa, Ontario Summerside Ave, Ottawa, Ontario 18 6 feet, 2 ¾ inches Medium Hazel Brown Dark Brown Single Electrician, Clerk Anglican Doris M. Whalen (Mother) November 19, 1940 18 Pinecrest Cemetery, Ottawa, Ontario Plot 8, Section H, Grave 4
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: Eye Colour: Hair Colour: Marital Status: Trade: Religion: Next of Kin: Date of Death: Age at Death: Cemetery: Grave Reference:
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John Harold Whalen was the son of Son of Thomas John Whalen and Doris Margaret ‘Maggie’ (Davie) Whalen, of Ottawa, Ontario and the brother of Gladys Winnifred Whalen, June Margaret Whalen, and Doris May Whalen.  John’s elementary education took place at the Creighton Street, the Mutchmor, and the Hopewell Avenue Schools. He attended Ottawa Technical High School and from September 1935 until June 1939 including an industrial course specialized in electrical theory and construction. While still in school, he also enlisted with the Militia (Reserves), serving as a Trooper with the 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards beginning February 13, 1936.  His interests included woodworking and blueprint reading, and he enjoyed badminton, swimming, skating, basketball, rugby, and horseback riding. He worked as a clerk for The Gazette from December 1939 until he enlisted in the RCAF.  At enlistment he indicated he had been offered the rank of Sergeant in the Army, and that his choice, if he was to serve in the Air Force, was to be a pilot. He did not want to be an observer or an air gunner. It was noted he had above average ability, and good on aerobatics.  He was training at the No. 1 Service Flying Training School (1 SFTS) at Camp Borden, Ontario in November of 1940.  Leading Aircraftman Whalen lost his life in the crash of #1 SFTS's GAF (Government Aircraft Factories) Nomad training aircraft #3491 which was on a reconnaissance flight, two miles north of Thornton, Ontario. Leading Aircraftman Robert Samuel Watt also perished in the aircraft accident.