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Wartime Heritage
ASSOCIATION
Remembering World War II
Yarmouth Connections
Name:
Stanley Evan Sutherland
Service Number:
J/15455
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Regiment/Service:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner
Date of Birth:
January 8, 1921
Place of Birth:
Forest Glen, Colchester Co., NS
Date of Enlistment:
October 24, 1940
Place of Enlistment:
Halifax, NS
Age at Enlistment:
19
Height:
5 feet, 10 inches
Complexion:
Fair
Eye Colour:
Blue
Hair Colour:
Blond
Trade:
Lumber
Martial Status:
Married
Religion:
Baptist
Next of Kin:
Gwendolyn Mildred Sutherland (Wife)
℅ Mrs. Allen, William St. Yarmouth, NS
Date of Death:
November 20, 1942
Age at Death:
21
Cemetery:
Brookfield Cemetery, Nova Scotia
(Plot 3, Row 3)
Commemorated on Page 118 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance
Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on March 12
Stanley Evan Sutherland was the son of George R. Sutherland and Carletta Ellis Sutherland, Brookfield,
Colchester Co., NS, and the husband of Gwendolyn Mildred (Carter) Sutherland.
Stanley Evan Sutherland trained in Canada, obtained his Air Gunners Badge on May 26, 1941 and
embarked in the United Kingdom on June 19, 1941. He served with 23 Operational Training Unit, 101st
RAF Squadron, and 156th RAF Squadron in England and with 40th RAF Squadron in Malta. He returned to
Canada on September 5, 1942 and was assigned to 34 Operational Training Unit, stationed at Yarmouth,
Nova Scotia.
On November 20, 1942 the Ventura aircraft (#AE932), crewed by three airmen, took off from RAF #34
Operational Training Unit in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, The aircraft experienced engine failure and crashed
four miles north-est of Caledonia, Nova Scotia, killing all three air crewmen. They were RAF Aircraftman
1st Class Thomas Frederick Sargeant, RAF Pilot Officer Harold Otho Male and RCAF Pilot Officer Stanley
Evan Sutherland.
Aircraft AE932 flew to Dartmouth, NS, to collect hydraulic oil and to land two passengers, F/L Charles
Shelley Turner (C/2144) and Cpl. Hubley at Dartmouth.
The aircraft arrived at Dartmouth at 1640 hrs. The two passengers remained there and at 17:40 hrs. the
aircraft took off on its return journey. Messages were received from the aircraft at 18:03 hrs. and 18:23
hrs. The last message was to the effect that the pilot had nothing to communicate. No difficulty
whatsoever was had in exchanging signals with the aircraft. At 1828 hrs. the signals officer at base called
the aircraft to tell the pilot he had a message for him, there was no reply. At 1830 hrs. the signals officer
asked pilot for his estimated time of arrival and received no acknowledgement, and calls were continued
until 1940 hrs., but with no reply. Then word came that the aircraft had crashed.
Residents of the districts of Westfield and Caledonia in Queens Co., NS, heard the aircraft at about
18:20 hrs. as it flew in a south westerly direction. About 3 minutes later the aircraft was heard circling
from the south east to north east; then at about 18:25 hrs. the sound of the engines ceased and within a
minute there was a large flash of light followed by a loud explosion. The aircraft was totally destroyed
and the occupants were killed instantaneously.
The bodies of the crew were returned to Yarmouth, NS. On
November 22 the body of P/O. Sutherland was escorted to
the Yarmouth Railway Station by S/Ldr. Burbridge, O.C.
Detachment, and all Officers of the Detachment. P/O. Kay
accompanied the Body as representative of the Station
Commander.
Pilot Officer Stanley Evan Sutherland was buried in the
Brookfield Cemetery, Colchester Co., Nova Scotia.
Stanley Evan Sutherland