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Wartime Heritage
ASSOCIATION
Remembering World War II
Yarmouth Connections
Name:
Warren Alvin Duffy
Rank:
Flight Lieutenant
Service Number:
J7073
Service:
Royal Canadian Air Force
617 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded:
Distinguished Flying Cross
(617 Squadron) August 1944.
Place of Birth:
Pubnico, Yarmouth Co., NS
Date of Birth:
August 25, 1922
Date of Enlistment:
November 16, 1940
Place of Enlistment:
Moncton, New Brunswick
Address at Enlistment:
Moncton, New Brunswick
Age at Enlistment:
18
Height:
5 feet, 9 inches
Previous Military:
2nd Battalion New Brunswick Rangers
(July 7, 1940 - November, 1940)
Martial Status:
Single
Trade:
Chauffeur
Religion:
Baptist
Next of Kin:
Leon Levett Duffy (Father) Fair Vale, Kings Co., NB
Date of Death:
August 7, 1944
Age at Death:
21
Cemetery:
Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Grave Reference:
Sec. E. Row A. Grave 11.
Commemorated on Page 296 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
This page is displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on June 24
Listed on the Fredericton War Memorial
Warren Alvin Duffy was the only son of Leon Levett Duffy (1885-1968) and Gertrude Lois (McLaughlin)
Duffy (1889-1993) and the brother of Robert W (1919-1920) and Lois Gertrude (1927-2006). At the time
of his birth the family was living in Pubnico, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia where his father was a Baptist
Minister. When Warren was ten months of age the family moved to New Brunswick. Prior to his
enlistment Warren acted as a chauffeur for his father who was blind.
Warren was educated in New Brunswick and joined the RCAF on November 16, 1940 enlisted in Moncton,
NB. He trained at No.1 ITS and graduated May 4, 1941; at No.3 EFTS and graduated June 21, 1941; and at
No.5 SFTS graduating September 1, 1941.
He arrived in the United Kingdom on October 14, 1941 and was assigned to No.20 OTU on November 4,
1941. He served with 214 Squadron between April 29, 1942 and May 3, 1942 when he transferred to 214
Squadron.
He joined No. 57 Squadron on May 3, 1942 and remained with that unit until September 19, 1942. He
flew 33 sorties, 26 to Germany, 1 to France and 6 minelaying.
He served with No. 22 OTU and remained there until January 4, 1944 before joining 617 Squadron until
he completed his tour of duty on July 6, 1944. He then re-mustered and converted to Mosquito Bombers.
He served two tours of duty.
At his own request he carried out four additional missions, two on Lancasters (July 17 and 20) and two on
Mosquitos (July 31 and August 4, 1944). On the morning of August 7, 1944, he was killed while flying
Mosquito NT202 from RAF Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire.
The plane completed three runs over the Wainfleet bombing range and at 11:12 am whilst pulling up in a
climbing turn to port, the starboard engine failed, followed immediately by structural failure of the
starboard wing. Out of control, the Mosquito plunged into shallow water by the foreshore. Flight
Lieutenant Duffy was instantly killed in the crash.
Warren Alvin Duffy
Flight Lieutenant Duffy (second from left)