Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Biography – Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Document – Pilot-Officer Horswill's forenames were Sydney Richard, in that order, according to his personnel file and documents bearing his signature therein. The reversing of the order of his names - as per his gravestone - came at a later date. He was flying with Sgt Frederick George Shears, RNZAF, aged 21, from Timaru, Auckland (first pilot) and wireless-operator Aircraftman Alwin Arthur Liddington, RAF, 20, from Finedon, Northamptonshire, UK. The aircraft crashed half-a-mile south of the railway station at Carlton-on-Trent (not Carleton) after witnesses saw pieces come from the aircraft's starboard wing leading to it spinning into the ground. Investigators believe the starboard oil tank cowling came off, causing catastrophic wing skin damage. All three men died instantly. The crash happened just over an hour after the aircraft's 9am take-off from RAF Ossington,Notts, for a windspeed and direction finding training exercise. The airmen were all attached to 14 (Advanced) Flying Unit. (Sydney's belongings were lost when the merchant ship transporting them back to Canada - the SS Empire Dabchick - was sunk by a U-Boat on December 3rd 1942.)

Photo of Richard Horswill – In memory of the students from the University of British Columbia who went to war and did not return. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Photo of Richard Horswill – Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Newspaper Clipping – From the Vancouver Sun. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Newspaper Clipping – Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Grave Marker – This photo was taken at ollerton cemetery on November 15, 2013