Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star March 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Photo of James Kendall Goodfellow – R156428 Flight Sergeant James K. Goodfellow Born 29-12-23 Former student of Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute (Toronto)

Letter – Cover Sheet to story of James Kendal Goodfellow's war service and death as told by his brother-in-law Stan McDowall and Jim's buddy from the RCAF Robert Gurney. R.W. Whitehouse Archivist Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute

Story on James Goodfellow (Page 1)

Story on James Goodfellow (Page 2)

Story on James Goodfellow (Page 3)

Story on James Goodfellow (Page 4)

Story on James Goodfellow (Page 5)

Story on James Goodfellow (Page 6)

Story on James Goodfellow (Page 7)

Story on James Goodfellow (Page 8)

Story on James Goodfellow (Page 9)

Document – High school registration card for James Goodfellow. Jim filled this card out in 1937 when he entered Lawrence Park Collegiate. He graduated in 1942. The comments on the bottom of the card are from the office staff. Addresses were updated in 1955.

Photo of James Goodfellow – This photo of Jim is taken from his Pers file in the Library and Archives of Canada RG24 Vol 27613. The picture shows a changed young man at the end of his Observers course. The number on his chest is his service number. He is now a sergeant. Source: Library and Archives Canada via Robert Whitehouse

Document – RAF Form 39 was files on all casualties from WWII. It shows details of the events of the death or injury of an airman. In this case, Jim died from the injuries received when his aircraft went into a flat spin and crashed. The accident happened during a fighter affiliation flight and so the fighter pilot was a witness to the crash. Source: Library and Archives Canada via Robert Whitehouse

ID Card – Jim's ID Card from his early training days. The date on the card is 14 April 1942 and was issued by the Manning Depot in Toronto the first week that he joined. Note his rank is Aircraftsman Second Class. Source: Library and Archives Canada via Robert Whitehouse

Photo of James Goodfellow – This is the photo of Jim that is shown on his ID Card. It would have been taken when he first joined up at the Manning Depot in Toronto in April of 1942. All photos and documents have been taken from his file in the Archives of Canada and are shown whith the permission of the LAC. His file is found in (box) RG24 Vol 27613. Source: Library and Archives Canada via Robert Whitehouse

Service Documents – Service Summary for F/Sgt James Kendall Goodfellow Source: Library and Archives Canada via Robert Whitehouse

Document – Accident Investigation page 1 Copy of the Unit investigation into the crash of Halfiax Mk V LK998. Source: Library & Archives Canada RG24-27613 via R. Whitehouse

Document – Accident Investigation page 2 List of the crew members and Gunnery Leader in charge of the exercise. Source: Library & Archives Canada RG24-27613 via R. Whitehouse

Document – Accident Investigation page 3 The purpose of the exercise was to teach the new pilots how to avoid attacking fighters. The Gunnery Leader apparently ordered the pilot to make a steep diving turn. The rudders locked and the aircraft went into a flat spin that eventually lead to the tail breaking off. Most of the bodies were found at the rear door. They were unable to get the door open against the force of the spin. Source: Library & Archives Canada RG24-27613 via R. Whitehouse

Document – Accident Investigation page 4 The Court of Inquiry mentioned here is not to be found in the Goodfellow file in Ottawa. Source: Library & Archives Canada RG24-27613 via R. Whitehouse

Funeral Procession – Funeral of the Canadian crew members of Halifax LK998 The procession from the entrance to the graves was lead by the Base Padre and Station Warrant Officer seen here. This is Chester Cemetery during the was and is being used daily. Most of those buried here are the victims of flying accidents. In the four coffins draped with Union Jacks are; F/O W.T. Robinson, F/Sgt J.K. Goodfellow, W/O R.W. Taylor and Sgt. E.T. Bell. All are RCAF crew. Source: Photo Kendall's family archives via R. Whitehouse

Funeral Procession – Funeral of the Canadian crew members of Halifax LK998 As the Padre intones the last sentences of the funeral ceremony, the crew are laid to reast. It is a bitterly cold, but sunny February day in Chester. Source: Photo Kendall's family archives via R. Whitehouse

Funeral – Funeral of the Canadian crew members of Halifax LK998 As the ceremony ends, the crew get a final salute to the Last Post and Reveille. These photos are all that most families in Canada received other than a letter from the Squadron CO regretting the impossibility of sending the men home, as we do today. Source: Photo Kendall's family archives via R. Whitehouse