Looking for information re Squadron 418 and Wing Commander J.C. Wickett - RCAF

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by Holly Smith Pashniak, Apr 30, 2017.

  1. This is my Grampa, would love ANY information.

    Thanks so much!
    Holly
     
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  2. HERITAGE PLUS

    HERITAGE PLUS Active Member

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  3. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    22 February 1945

    418 Squadron
    Mosquito VI PZ397 'X'
    Op. Patrol Osnabruck, pm

    W/C. J C. Wickett. PoW
    F/O. W. Jessop. PoW

    Source - RAF Fighter Command Losses Vol.3 - N L R. Franks
     
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  4. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Last edited: Apr 30, 2017
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  5. alieneyes

    alieneyes Senior Member

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  6. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    John Cameron Wickett
    Born: 11 March 1910
    Place: Oneida Township, Haldimand, Ontario
    Father: Frederick Wickett (dob June 1874)
    Mother: Alice Maud Davidson (March 1874)
    Siblings:
    Frederick (June 1899)
    Elizabeth (Feb 1907)
     
  7. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

  8. Margaret Landis

    Margaret Landis New Member

    My husband and I had the honor of knowing your grandfather when he served as a liason medical officer from the RCAF at Randolph AFB in San Antonio, Texas in 1956. My husband was a Captain in USAF attending Flight Surgeon School at that time. Commander Wickett (he used his nickname "Jack") was indeed a fine gentleman. If you would like to contact me, I would be glad to share my memories of him.

    Margaret Landis
    chiques@comcast.net
     
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  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi Margaret

    Just for safety - its not a good idea to post your email address in a public area, perhaps replace with

    chiquesATcomcastDOTnet

    that way Bots etc will not pick it up. If you select Inbox from top tight hand corner then you can start a conversation with other member(s) which are private

    TD
     
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  10. David Winterbottom

    David Winterbottom Junior Member

    Holly - Perhaps you are aware of this:
    418 (City of Edmonton) Squadron Association President FA Johnson, TedMar Farm, RR#4, Stirling, ON K0K 3E0, tel; 613 395 3990
    Mr R B Irwin, 4105 - 2829 Arbutus Road, Victoria, BC, V8N 5X5

    Hope it helps.
     
  11. Jaap Vermeer

    Jaap Vermeer Active Member

    W/C Wickett articles,

    Jaap Vermeer MDE
     

    Attached Files:

  12. Ian G

    Ian G New Member

    Hi Holly. Just seen your post. My father joined the squadron on Christmas 1944. Your grandpa was his commanding officer. We have a photograph of your grandpa taken on No 21 Mosquito course A Squad. He is sitting next to my father's pilot, Flt Lt Drake and my father is standing behind him, P/O Gunning. Your grandpa's navigator is also on the photograph, second from the left, P/O Jessop. Both Jessop and my father were Yorkshire lads best of friends. My father is still with us at 94 and loves to talk about his air force days. He was still in contact with P/O Jessop until about 10 years ago. Not sure if he still around. If you would like we can scan and send you a copy of the photo. Best regards
    Ian and Marian
     
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  13. Hi Margaret, I don't know how I missed this year's ago! I would love to talk to you! hspashniak@gmail.com
     
  14. Hi Ian and marian! I don't know how I missed this years ago! I just discovered in when on my second attempt to discover more information about my grandfather. I would love to have this photo and any information you have. I sincerely hope your father is still with us, and if not may he rest in incredible peace. Thank you, Holly
     
  15. dp_burke

    dp_burke Junior Member

    Hi Holly.

    Did you get his service records from Ottowa since 2017 as directed above?
     
  16. Hi, I tried, but it kept saying no information available...?? I now have my friend James Ferris who is in RCAF currently looking into this for me. But, here's what I have so far - thanks!:

    JOHN CAMERON WICKETT:
    30 Aug 1915 - 22 May 1976 (aged 60)
    BURIAL Aurora Cemetery, Aurora, York Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada

    · Call name might be ‘Handsome Jack’ or ‘Smiling Jack’ or ‘Smilin Jack’

    · Wing Commander (W/C) J.C. ‘Jack’ Wickett, 23 Nov 44 -22 Feb 45, 418 Squadron [Shot down by Hitler Youth on Feb 22, 1945 with First Officer William Jessop – both POW’s]

    o Aircraft: De Havilland Mosquito, VI PZ397 'X' [Flight of Mosquito VI PZ397 and Wing Commander J C Wickett on 1945-02-22]

    o Departure airport: RAF Hartford Bridge, Hampshire, England [AKA RAF Blackbushe]

    o Op. Patrol Osnabruck, pm.

    · Awarded the AIR FORCE CROSS in 1946


    I’m looking for any pictures, stories, info about his time in a POW camp….

    THANKS!
     
  17. dp_burke

    dp_burke Junior Member

    When you say "Hi, I tried, but it kept saying no information available.??"

    Are you referring to searching some database?

    Did you not contact tge LAC in Ottowa with his name, serial number and date of death? Is it the LAC office that replied saying they had no service record for him?

    Details are now here on their site

    Online requests and forms - Library and Archives Canada
     
  18. alieneyes

    alieneyes Senior Member

    The RCAF of today have nothing to do with the service files of veterans. Library and Archives Canada hold those. You have everything you need to apply.

    Your grandfather was a unique individual. He was one of the first 1,000 men to join the RCAF. His file would be living history.

    I will correct one point raised and that is the rank and first name of his navigator. He was 165086 F/O Wilfred Jessop. He was a Flying Officer. As today's RCAF chose to retain army ranks, he was the equivalent of a First Lieutenant.

    Anyway, here's your grand dad's story......or at least what he could tell the media in 1945.

    Regards,

    Dave

    wickett montreal gazette 5 may 1945 pg 16.png
     
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