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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

John Archibald Rae

In memory of:

Flight Lieutenant John Archibald Rae

January 31, 1943

Military Service

Service Number:

J/7684

Age:

22

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

227 Sqdn.

Additional Information

Son of Archibald Watson Rae and Flora Pearl Rae, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Commemorated on Page 205 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

MALTA MEMORIAL
Malta

Grave Reference:

Panel 10, Column 1.

Location:

The MALTA MEMORIAL is situated in the area of Floriana and is easily identified by the Golden Eagle which surmounts the column. It stands outside the King's Gate, the main entrance to Valletta. The Memorial takes the form of a column fifteen metres high of travertine marble from Tivoli in the Sabine Hills near Rome, incised with a a light reticulated pattern and surmounted by a gilded bronze eagle two metres high. The column stands on a circular base around which the names are commemorated on bronze panels. The MALTA MEMORIAL, built on a site generously provided by the Government of Malta, commemorates those who lost their lives whilst serving with the Commonwealth Air Forces flying from bases in Austria, Italy, Sicily, islands of the Adriatic and Mediterranean, Malta, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, West Africa, Yugoslavia and Gibraltar, and who have no known grave. The bravery of the people of the island of Malta between the years 1940 - 1942 was honoured with the unique award of the George Cross.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Photo of JOHN ARCHIBALD RAE– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Photo of JOHN ARCHIBALD RAE
    Photo of JOHN ARCHIBALD RAE – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of JOHN ARCHIBALD RAE– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Photo of JOHN ARCHIBALD RAE
    Photo of JOHN ARCHIBALD RAE – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Grave marker– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Grave marker
    Grave marker – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of John Rae– Rae, John Archibald - Flight Lieutenant. Born 3rd May, 1920, at Stavely, Alta. Educated at Western Canada High School, Calgary, Alta. Entered the service of the Bank 31st May, 1929. Served at Vulcan, Alta., and Calgary city branches. On active service with The Calgary Highlanders 28th August, 1940. Promoted Corporal, and later Sergeant. Instructor at Military Training Centre, Red Deer, Alta. Transferred to R.C.A.F. Trained at Edmonton, Alta., Saskatoon, Sask., and Charlottetown, P.E.I. Sergeant Pilot in September, 1941; Pilot Officer 13th September, 1941; Flying Officer in October, 1942; Flight Lieutenant 30th November, 1942. Overseas in December, 1941. Attached R.A.F. Posted to Malta in September, 1942. Reported missing and believed killed in air operations on 31st January, 1943, when the aircraft he was flying was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and fell into the sea off the coast of Tunisia. Officially presumed dead 19th October, 1943. Flight Lieutenant Rae was a member of the Guard of Honour on the occasion of Their Majesties' visit to Calgary on 26th May, 1939. From a memorial booklet prepared by the Canadian Bank of Commerce.

    Details

    Photo of John Rae
    Photo of John Rae – Rae, John Archibald - Flight Lieutenant. Born 3rd May, 1920, at Stavely, Alta. Educated at Western Canada High School, Calgary, Alta. Entered the service of the Bank 31st May, 1929. Served at Vulcan, Alta., and Calgary city branches. On active service with The Calgary Highlanders 28th August, 1940. Promoted Corporal, and later Sergeant. Instructor at Military Training Centre, Red Deer, Alta. Transferred to R.C.A.F. Trained at Edmonton, Alta., Saskatoon, Sask., and Charlottetown, P.E.I. Sergeant Pilot in September, 1941; Pilot Officer 13th September, 1941; Flying Officer in October, 1942; Flight Lieutenant 30th November, 1942. Overseas in December, 1941. Attached R.A.F. Posted to Malta in September, 1942. Reported missing and believed killed in air operations on 31st January, 1943, when the aircraft he was flying was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and fell into the sea off the coast of Tunisia. Officially presumed dead 19th October, 1943. Flight Lieutenant Rae was a member of the Guard of Honour on the occasion of Their Majesties' visit to Calgary on 26th May, 1939. From a memorial booklet prepared by the Canadian Bank of Commerce.
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Calgary Herald. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Calgary Herald. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

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