Cenotaph Stories

Christie, David Darling

Rank

Pilot Officer

Service No.

J/5916

Unit

Royal Canadian Air Force

Died

16 September, 1941
Age 21

Buried

Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery Nottinghamshire, UK - Sec. Q Grave 298

Remembrance:

Second World War Book of Remembrance - Page 26

Additional Info

Enlisted August 1940 Toronto
Son of Charles R. Christie and Lavantia C. Christie, of Woodville, Ontario, Canada
Brother to Alex, Russell, Norma

Aircraft Information:

Aircraft: Handley Page Hampden I
Serial Number: P4302
Markings AIR 81/9096:

Fellow Servicemen

Pilot Officer D D Christie (RCAF): killed; Sergeant R G Henderson, Sergeant G A Hawkins: injured;

Last Operation Information

Start Date: 16-09-1941 End Date: 16-09-1941
Takeoff Station: Balderton
Day/Night Raid: Day
Operation: Training flight-night flying exercise
Reason for Loss: Aircraft took off on a night flying exercise. During which it overshot the runway, climbed to approximately 300ft, banked to port, stalled and dived into the ground. It was suggested the pilot may have been distracted by the glare from the undercarriage warning lights.

Transcriptions:

May 29,1942

LINDSAY FLIER DIES SAVING CREW, PLANE
Special to The Star

Lindsay, May 29 - Pilot Officer David Christie of Lindsay died in England Sept. 16 in order to save his crew and his bomber. He was able, by clever manoeuvring, to bring his bomber home safely and to save his crew, although he lost his life.

Pilot Officer Christie enlisted in Toronto in August 1940. He had spent only six weeks in England before he was killed.

David D. Christie, whose parents reside in Lindsay at 77 William St. North, enlisted for service with the Royal Canadian Air Force in August 1940.

A student at L.C.I, prior to enlisting Dave Christie trained at Brandon, Man., Regina, Sask., Lethbridge, Alta., and Calgary, Alta. (Regina I.T.S., Lethbridge E.F.T.S., Calgary S.F.T.S.). He was promoted in turn from AC2 to L.A.C. to Sgt.-Pilot on July 3, 1941, and commissioned Pilot Officer in the same month. P.O. Christie was sent overseas in August 1941.

P.O. Christie took part in air operations over Enemy territory and was killed on active service on September 16, 1941.

P.O. Christie was the first person to pay the supreme sacrifice from Lindsay.