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Cenotaph Stories


Frederick, William Bruce

Rank
Flying Officer
Service No.
J/12873
Unit
Royal Canadian Air Force
Died
19 February 1944 (flying accident Little Lake Ont.)
Age 27
Buried
Lindsay Riverside Cemetery Lindsay, ON - Range 2 Section 6 Lot 16 Grave 5.
Remembrance:
Additional Info
Son of Aylmer & Jean, 50 Russell St. Lindsay
Husband of Helen A. Frederick, 9 Albert St. S.


Transcriptions:
 

F/O. W. BRUCE FREDERICK LOSES LIFE IN MISHAP ON SATURDAY MORNING

FLT.-SGT. JOHN BURNS OF TORONTO ALSO PAYS' SUPREME SACRIFICE. THE LATE P/O. FREDERICK HAS ALSO TWO BROTHERS IN THE AIR FORCE.

War's grim tragedy again struck the peaceful Town of Lindsay when it was learned on Saturday evening of the plane crash on the frozen surface of Little Lake near Barrie, which took the lives of two fine young officers:--Flying Officer William Bruce Frederick, son of Mrs. Frederick, Bond St., town and the late Rev. A. B. Frederick, and his companion, Flt.-Sgt. John Burns, a Toronto boy. 23 years of age and married less than a year ago.

Bruce Frederick, 28 years of age, was born at Centreton and later was a student of the L.C.I. During his Collegiate days he left for Kingston where he was employed for a time, later taking a course at McGill University, Montreal, until his enlistment in the summer of 1941. He received his wings at Moncton in July of '42 and since then has been on the staff of Instructors at Camp Borden and on Saturday morning when the crash occurred, he was on a routine training flight from Edenvale, north of Camp Borden.

The wreckage of the plane was sighted by an R.C.A.F. Aircraft searching for a plane missing from Trenton. The searching parties who made their way across the frozen lake to the plane, first believed they had found the Trenton aircraft. It is believed the plane was forced down by engine trouble. Burns was completing a special Fighter - plane training course, preparatory to going overseas and had only two more weeks of training left. He had won his wings at Centralia, Ont. in ? 1943.

The two brothers of Bruce Frederick are also members of the R.C.A.F., the older brother, F/O Gordon Frederick, is overseas. It will be remembered that he suffered terrible burns in a crash overseas, but is recovered from his injuries. A younger brother, Flt.-Sgt. Eugene Frederick is stationed at Lethbridge, Alta., but fortunately was taking a 3 weeks course at Belleville and is able to be home during this ordeal.

Annette Beall, the young grief-stricken wife of the deceased, is a daughter of Mr. Geo. Beall, and the late Mrs. Beall, Albert St. S.. A baby daughter, Lynda is left fatherless.

Bruce loved flying and the R.C.A.F. has lost a capable instructor in his untimely death.

"The Post'' joins with the many friends in extending heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved mother, wife and brothers.

The body was brought to town Sunday evening and at the funeral this afternoon from the John Anderson Chapel
 


The Eighth Boy To Pay The Supreme Sacrifice in One Sunday School Class in Cambridge St. United Church

Attended by an exceptionally large concourse of sympathizing friends, many of whom were unable to gain an entrance, the funeral service for the late PCO. Bruce Frederick, who was killed in a plane crash on Saturday forenoon was held at the John Anderson Chapel on Monday afternoon, with military and civilian honours.

Rev. J. J. Black, pastor of the deceased, conducted the service, assisted by Rev. O. D. Cross, rector of St. Paul's Anglican Church, Dr. F, H. Mcintosh and Flgt.-Lieut. Moynan, chaplain to the forces at Camp Borden. Miss Geach and Miss Gillespie rendered an impressive duet, "The Holy City" at the request of the family. Mrs. Penfound was at the organ. A hymn "Jerusalem the Golden" was sung.

Quoting from the Padre's message he said: ''Service men are men of few words. They speak by their deeds. My words will be few but sincere coming from myself and the comrades of the deceased. I have been asked by the Commanding Officer and all his comrades who knew him and lived with him at Camp Borden, to extend their deepest sympathy to the bereaved at this time. It can be summed up in two portions of Holy Scripture, which is our comfort as we think of him who has gone ahead and the only comfort for the bereaved."

The 23rd Psalm and a portion from St. Paul's writings were read with much feeling and impressiveness.

"In that faith and confidence we remember our comrade today and honor his memory. Our best monument will be the building of a better world for which he died. Our boys are on the front line as soon as they join the forces. We dare not fail him who has gone and countless others. May God make us faithful and by our faithfulness truly honour his memory."

Rev. Mr. Black paid tribute to the father of the deceased, whom he knew as a young Methodist Minister and who passed away about 24 years ago, leaving a wife and three little boys. He paid tribute to the mother of these boys who brought them up in the influence of a Christian home and educated them and then made the unique contribution of giving the three of them to the Air Force. Mr. Black also thought of another young mother left with a little child, Mrs. Bruce Frederick, widow of the deceased and her little daughter.

In paying tribute to the one who had sacrificed his life on the altar of freedom he said he had a fine personality, and disposition and gifts, referring in particular to his musical gifts. "Our church has been deeply afflicted," said Mr. Black. "From Miss Flavelle's class Bruce is the eighth boy to pay the supreme sacrifice. They were all in the R.C.A.F. They all hated war but they hated the tyranny that was seeking to spread itself over the world, worse than war."

Following the service interment...