Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Photo of FRANCIS GERALD JAMES – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Document – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Document – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Document – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Document – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Document – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Letter of recommendation – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Letter – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Letter – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Letter – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Letter – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Photo of Frank James – Frank James before leaving for overseas. Collection of Prof. Jonathan F. Vance, The University of Western Ontario

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star November 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Photo of Francis James – Birth: July 16 1919, Oxdrift Ontario Death: November 10, 1942, Malta Frank Jerald James was born to Francis James and Mabel James. Frank's father was killed in a work related accident before Frank was born. Frank completed his elementary school studies and attended the high school to grade 10. Because of the difficult times in Dryden during the Great Depression, Frank was forced to leave school and seek employment. Eventually, Frank found lucrative employment working in one the mines at Larder Lake (a community just north of Sudbury) and worked there until he enlisted with the R.C.A.F. in 1939. Before being transferred overseas, Frank became engaged with a girl from Guelph, Ontario. Frank trained with the R.C.A.F. in Scotland and became a wireless gunner of a Wellington bomber. While in training, he made plans to meet with Gilbert Coutts while both were stationed in the British Isles. However, before the two Dryden servicemen were able to meet, Frank was transferred to Malta. The R.C.A.F. was in Malta in order to disrupt the German supply boats to Rommels army in Egypt. In 1942, the Allies were fighting Rommels army in important battles such as those at El Alamein and Tobruk. On November 10, 1942 Frank was on a mission somewhere over the Mediterranean and in contact with the R.C.A.F. base in Malta. Suddenly, and without warning, all contact was lost between the base and the bomber that Frank was flying. The plane did not return to base that day. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me..

Newspaper Clipping – Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me