Colpitts, John William
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | John William |
Surname | Colpitts |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 03-01-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of Alan Bruce Colpitts and Myrtle Ivy Colpitts (née Soper), of Elgin, New Brunswick, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington IC |
Serial Number | R1519 |
Markings | LN-Q |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 103. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 147 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/64727 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 99 (Madras Presidency) |
Trade | WOp/AG |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Newmarket Heath Racecourse, Newmarket, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Marble Tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of comrades who fell in battle during WW11 1939-1945 and all ranks who served on 99 Squadron Royal Air Force, the Squadron was based here from September 1939 until March 1941 |
Miscellaneous Information
John was born on 28 November 1920 at Mapleton, Elgin, New Brunswick. His father, a farmer, was born at Mapleton and his mother at Carsonville, New Brunswick. He had a brother Charles Freeman and a sister Margaret. He attended Mapleton School 1926-1935, followed by Elgin Superior 1936-1939 (High School Course, grade XI). He then attended Normal School 1939-1940 (First Class Superior). John joined in most of the usual sports including hockey, softball and basketball and his hobbies were woodworking and making model aircraft. As he was still a student he had no occupation but worked on his father’s farm during the holidays. |
He enlisted on 21 June 1940 and after training was posted from Canada to the U.K. on 15 February 1941. He arrived at 1 S.S. on 3 April 1941, 20 OTU 17 May 1941, 115 Sqn 16 July 1941, and 99 Squadron on 10 August 1941. John lost his life the following year on 3 January 1942. |
Casualty Pack Number Find Out More
AIR 81/11355 (P365119/42) |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/790/2 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/790/1 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 03-01-1942 |
End Date | 04-01-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Waterbeach |
Day/Night Raid | Night (98% moon) |
Operation | Brest |
Reason for Loss | Crashed into the sea off Portland Bill |