Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Temporary grave marker – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Temporary grave marker – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Document – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Attestation paper (1) – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Attestation paper (2) – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Document – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Document – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Photo of Jean Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge – Flight Sergeant, RCAF (1941)

Newspaper clipping – Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge holding a coffee cup at the mess hall of RCAF #4 Manning Depot (Quebec City). Detail of a magazine illustration entitled "Air Trails to Victory".

Group Photo – Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge (first on the right, first row) with his Flight (training group) at #1 AOS (Air Observers School) - Malton, Ont. (Aug. 17, 1941)

Graduates of the 14th Air Observers Course (AOC) – at # 1 Air Observer School (AOS) - Malton, Ont. Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge is seated in the first row, 8th from the right. (Aug. 17, 1941)

Grave marker – Becklingen War Cemetery … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Program – Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge's Graduation Dinner Programme (front & rear panels): RCAF No. 1 Air Observer School - Aug. 8, 1941

Program – Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge's Graduation Dinner Programme (interior foldout): RCAF No. 1 Air Observer School - Aug. 8, 1941

Newspaper clipping – Newspaper clippings announcing names of graduates from #1 B&GS (Bombing and Gunnery School) at Jarvis, Ont. Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge received his sergeant stripes and observer badge at a ceremony which took place on Saturday, Sept. 27, 1941. (publication date: Sept. 29, 1941)

Log Book – Log Book entry: summary and details of Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge's course at #1 AOS (Air Observers School) -Malton, Ont. (May 26 to Aug. 17, 1941)

Log Book – Log Book entry: summary and details of Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge's course at #1 B&GS (Bombing & Gunnery School) - Jarvis, Ont. (Aug. 18 to Sept. 27, 1941)

Group Photo – Flight Sergeant Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge with his sister (Madeleine) prior to leaving for his last posting in Canada (#2 Air Navigation School - Pennfield Ridge, New Brunswick) and his subsequent departure overseas. This is probably the last photograph of the both of them together - Montreal (Sept. 28, 1941)

Log Book – Log Book entry: summary of Flight Sergeant Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge's course at #2 ANS (Air Navigation School) - Pennfield Ridge, NB (Sept. 29 to Oct. 27, 1941)

Photo of Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge – Flight Sergeant Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge (R) working on an air navigation exercise at #2 ANS (Air Navigation School) - Pennfield Ridge, NB (Oct. 1941)

Photo of Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge – Flight Sergeant Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge equipped for a mission in the UK. Log Book entries record the following postings: Mar. 20 to Apr 14, 1942: #22 OTU (Operational Training Unit) at Wellesbourne; Apr. 26 to June 1, 1942: #22 OTU at Aetherstone on Stour; June 5 to July 28, 1942: RAF 156 Squadron at Alconbury.

Log Book – Log Book entries: Flight Sergeant Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge's last log book entries from his service record with RAF 156 Squadron, ending with a "missing" entry for July 28, 1942.

Telegram – Telegram from the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), RCAF, confirming that Flight Sergeant Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge had been reported missing "...as the result of air operations on 28 July 1942". The RCAF's Roll of Honour contains the names of 17,100 personnel who gave their lives in the service of Canada. Of these fatalities 14,544 occurred overseas - among them 12,266 on operations and 1,906 in training accidents.

Letter – Letter from RAF 156 Squadron Leader to the father of Flight Sergeant Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge (dated July 30, 1942). Pertinent passages include: "Unfortunately there is little I can add to the bare statement reporting him as 'Missing'. I am sure that (the crew) would take advantage of any opportunity that arose to abandon their aircraft by parachute. It is hoped that we may have some news of their safety at an early date. News of this nature reaches us only through the International Red Cross Society, and normally takes from two to six weeks to reach us."

Letter – Letter from the RCAF Casualties Officer (Ottawa) to the father of Flight Sergeant Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge (dated Aug. 7, 1942). Partial transcript: "Advice has been received from the Royal Canadian Air Force Casualties Officer, Overseas, that your son was a member of the crew of an aircraft which failed to return to its base after air operations on the night of July 28th, 1942. There were three other members of the Royal Canadian Air Force in the crew and they have also been reported missing: Sergeant I.B. Caryll, Sergeant G.M. Clark, Sergeant David Fenton."

Letter – Letter from RCAF Casualties Officer, Ottawa (dated Dec. 11, 1943) identifying Oldenburg Cemetery (Germany) as the first burial site of Flight Sergeant Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge. His remains were reburied at the Becklingen War Cemetery (Soltau, Germany) after cessation of hostilities.

Award Citation – Citation: RCAF Air Operations Emblem awarded posthumously to Flight Sergeant Jean-Marie Marcel Raymond Théberge "...in recognition of his valiant conduct while facing the enemy". (June 10, 1947)

Document – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Memorial – Flight Sergeant Jean Marie Marcel Raymond Theberge is commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Flight Sergeant Jean Marie Marcel Raymond Theberge is commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens