PO William Edmond Dubroy and SGMN Joseph Leonard Dubroy (Courtsey of Find a Grave)
11 February 1944 saw the loss of two of the Dubroy brothers, tragically in one fateful accident.
PO William Dubroy was born in Ottawa, Canada on 15 January 1917, brother Joseph followed in 1922. Sons of Louis and Mary Dubroy, they were two of 14 siblings. Three other brothers served during World War II, and survived.
William felt it was his duty and enlisted in 1940, training as a Wireless Operator before joining 425 (Alouette) Squadron, RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force). Joseph, like his brother, enlisted in 1942 and joined the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals.
On 11 February, Joseph was on leave from his unit and joined William for some time together. He was given permission join his brother on, what should be, a training flight. The Halifax aircraft took off RAF Tholthorpe, North Yorkshire, on a “Bulls Eye Exercise” over the English Midlands.
During the flight, the port outer engine failed, and despite the best efforts of the crew crashed on farmland near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. Debris was scattered over four miles, as the aircraft fell on its back and caught fire. All on board were killed instantly.
William and Joseph are both buried in Persephone Cemetery, Worcestershire and are remembered on a memorial in St Marys Church, near Hanbury. Both their names are cut into IBCC panel 157.
CREW OF HALIFAX LW395:
PO Joseph Albert (RCAF) J/88332 Bomb Aimer Panel 121
PO Joseph Aubin (RCAF) J/85928 Pilot Panel 125
SGMN Joseph Dubroy C/100506 Signaller Panel 157
PO William Dubroy (RCAF) J/85409 Wireless Op Panel 157
PO Joseph Fleury (RCAF) J/98477 Air Gunner Panel 165
SGT Joseph Mayville (RCAF) J/141896 Air Gunner Panel 206
FS Harold Mitton (RAFVR) 1319639 Navigator Panel 213
SGT John Shannon (RAFVR) 1801992 Flight Engineer Panel 239
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