Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search veterans.gc.ca

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud

In memory of:

Pilot Officer Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud

June 3, 1944
Boissière Ecole, France

Military Service

Service Number:

J/86739

Age:

31

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

405 Sqdn.

Additional Information

Born:

May 18, 1913

Son of Valere and Regina Renaud, of Victoriaville, Province of Quebec. Originally from Victoriaville, Quebec. On the 62nd anniversary, June 3, 1944 - June 3, 2006, of the crash of the Lancaster LQ-C ND-507 which took the lives of Pilot Officer J.G. Maurice Renaud, Pilot Officer Norman Johnston, Pilot Officer David A. Kelley, Pilot Officer Leslie A. McCrea and Squadron Leader George E. Coldrey were honoured at the unveiling of a monument at la Bossière-Ecole, France. Guests included former German Pilot Frithjof Fensch, who downed the plane; family members Edith Bannerman, sister of David A. Kelley; Pierre Monfette, nephew of J.G. Maurice Renaud;, Lucinda Brouwer, niece of Leslie A. McCrea. Tori Olson, daughter of American Lieutenant Leroy Q. Olson, Christopher O'Neill, son of British Flight Lieutenant John H. O'Neill, and George Court, son of Canadian Flight Lieutenant George L. Court, children of the three survivors of the crash attended in honour of their fathers whom all died since 1995. Representing La Boisseère-Ecole were Francois Heiliger, Mayor, Fabien Drouin, First Deputy Mayor and Fréderic Vincent, Historical Adviser whose research led to the unveiling and commemoration of the deceased.

Commemorated on Page 425 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

ST. DESIR WAR CEMETERY
Calvados, France

Grave Reference:

VII. C. 14.

Location:

St Desir is a village on the N13 to Caen, 4 kilometres west of Lisieux. The war cemetery is about one kilometre west of the village and lies on a secondary road, the D159.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Memorial– Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Pilot Officer Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Pilot Officer Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Pilot Officer Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Pilot Officer Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Document– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Document
    Document – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of JOSEPH GERARD MAURICE RENAUD– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Photo of JOSEPH GERARD MAURICE RENAUD
    Photo of JOSEPH GERARD MAURICE RENAUD – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Correspondence– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Correspondence
    Correspondence – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Letter of recommendation– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Letter of recommendation
    Letter of recommendation – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Service Book– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Service Book
    Service Book – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of the 405 Squadron– The #405 City of Vancouver Squadron, (Dulcimus), Pathfinder Force

    Details

    Photo of the 405 Squadron
    Photo of the 405 Squadron – The #405 City of Vancouver Squadron, (Dulcimus), Pathfinder Force
  • Photo of Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud– Official photograph of JGM Renaud as a Sergeant. (Warrant Officer Class II).

    Details

    Photo of Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud
    Photo of Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud – Official photograph of JGM Renaud as a Sergeant. (Warrant Officer Class II).
  • Photo 2 of J.G.M. Renaud– JGM Renaud at the foot of his B-17. (Warrant Officer Class II).

    Details

    Photo 2 of J.G.M. Renaud
    Photo 2 of J.G.M. Renaud – JGM Renaud at the foot of his B-17. (Warrant Officer Class II).
  • Photo 3 of J.G.M. Renaud– JGM Renaud in front of a fighter. Photograph probably taken at Greenwood.

    Details

    Photo 3 of J.G.M. Renaud
    Photo 3 of J.G.M. Renaud – JGM Renaud in front of a fighter. Photograph probably taken at Greenwood.
  • Photo of Joseph and his sister-in-law– JGM Renaud with his sister-in-law Marie-Ange Renaud (Lainesse).

    Details

    Photo of Joseph and his sister-in-law
    Photo of Joseph and his sister-in-law – JGM Renaud with his sister-in-law Marie-Ange Renaud (Lainesse).
  • Photo 4 of J.G.M. Renaud– JGM Renaud in England during his pilot course.

    Details

    Photo 4 of J.G.M. Renaud
    Photo 4 of J.G.M. Renaud – JGM Renaud in England during his pilot course.
  • Photo 5 of J.G.M. Renaud– JGM Renaud in England during his course with the other pilot pupils.

    Details

    Photo 5 of J.G.M. Renaud
    Photo 5 of J.G.M. Renaud – JGM Renaud in England during his course with the other pilot pupils.
  • Photo of Joseph and his crew– JGM Renaud with his crew in England (Driffield) where the 405 Maritime Patrol Squadron was based.

    Details

    Photo of Joseph and his crew
    Photo of Joseph and his crew – JGM Renaud with his crew in England (Driffield) where the 405 Maritime Patrol Squadron was based.
  • Photo 6 of J.G.M. Renaud– JGM Renaud in combat uniform in front of the Quarters at Driffield.

    Details

    Photo 6 of J.G.M. Renaud
    Photo 6 of J.G.M. Renaud – JGM Renaud in combat uniform in front of the Quarters at Driffield.
  • Photo 7 of J.G.M. Renaud– JGM Renaud on the wing tip of his Lancaster at Driffield.

    Details

    Photo 7 of J.G.M. Renaud
    Photo 7 of J.G.M. Renaud – JGM Renaud on the wing tip of his Lancaster at Driffield.
  • Photo 8 of J.G.M. Renaud– JGM Renaud in front of the entrance of the Sergeants' Quarters. He hadn't finished his pilot course since he had only one wing on his uniform.

    Details

    Photo 8 of J.G.M. Renaud
    Photo 8 of J.G.M. Renaud – JGM Renaud in front of the entrance of the Sergeants' Quarters. He hadn't finished his pilot course since he had only one wing on his uniform.
  • Photo 9 of J.G.M. Renaud– JGM Renaud in front of a Lancaster at Driffield in England.

    Details

    Photo 9 of J.G.M. Renaud
    Photo 9 of J.G.M. Renaud – JGM Renaud in front of a Lancaster at Driffield in England.
  • Photo 10 of J.G.M. Renaud– JGM Renaud waving at the foot of a Lancaster at Driffield in England.

    Details

    Photo 10 of J.G.M. Renaud
    Photo 10 of J.G.M. Renaud – JGM Renaud waving at the foot of a Lancaster at Driffield in England.
  • Photo 11 of J.G.M. Renaud– Official photograph of JGM Renaud, Warrant Officer Class II. Pilot course completed.

    Details

    Photo 11 of J.G.M. Renaud
    Photo 11 of J.G.M. Renaud – Official photograph of JGM Renaud, Warrant Officer Class II. Pilot course completed.
  • Photo 12 of J.G.M. Renaud– Photo taken in front of the Sergeants' Quarters at Driffield.

    Details

    Photo 12 of J.G.M. Renaud
    Photo 12 of J.G.M. Renaud – Photo taken in front of the Sergeants' Quarters at Driffield.
  • Photo 13 of J.G.M. Renaud– Photo taken at Driffield. Probably with his fellow pilot pupils.

    Details

    Photo 13 of J.G.M. Renaud
    Photo 13 of J.G.M. Renaud – Photo taken at Driffield. Probably with his fellow pilot pupils.
  • Photo 14 of J.G.M. Renaud– Photo taken in Quebec, rue des ramparts. Probably while on leave. August 14, 1943.

    Details

    Photo 14 of J.G.M. Renaud
    Photo 14 of J.G.M. Renaud – Photo taken in Quebec, rue des ramparts. Probably while on leave. August 14, 1943.
  • Official letter from the Vice Air Marshal– Official letter from the Vice Air Marshal confirming the death of Maurice Renaud on June 3, 1944.

    Details

    Official letter from the Vice Air Marshal
    Official letter from the Vice Air Marshal – Official letter from the Vice Air Marshal confirming the death of Maurice Renaud on June 3, 1944.
  • Letter from army chaplain– Letter from army chaplain L.E. Gagnon dated November 15, 1944, offering his condolences to the Renaud family.

    Details

    Letter from army chaplain
    Letter from army chaplain – Letter from army chaplain L.E. Gagnon dated November 15, 1944, offering his condolences to the Renaud family.
  • Letter from Department of National Defence– Letter confirming that JGM Renaud was promoted to Pilot Officer on May 25, 1944.

    Details

    Letter from Department of National Defence
    Letter from Department of National Defence – Letter confirming that JGM Renaud was promoted to Pilot Officer on May 25, 1944.
  • Letter from Department of National Defense– Letter confirming that JGM Renaud was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer Class II on March 19, 1944.

    Details

    Letter from Department of National Defense
    Letter from Department of National Defense – Letter confirming that JGM Renaud was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer Class II on March 19, 1944.
  • Letter from Department of National Defence– Letter confirming the disappearance of JGM Renaud.

    Details

    Letter from Department of National Defence
    Letter from Department of National Defence – Letter confirming the disappearance of JGM Renaud.
  • Photo of JG Renaud and family– JG Maurice Renaud visiting his family at Victoriaville (21 rue St-Henri). (from left to right) 1st row: Albert Renaud 2nd row: Rita and Marie-Claire Renaud 3rd row: Anita, Régina, JG Maurice, Valère and Antoinette Renaud

    Details

    Photo of JG Renaud and family
    Photo of JG Renaud and family – JG Maurice Renaud visiting his family at Victoriaville (21 rue St-Henri). (from left to right) 1st row: Albert Renaud 2nd row: Rita and Marie-Claire Renaud 3rd row: Anita, Régina, JG Maurice, Valère and Antoinette Renaud
  • Image collage– Image collage of the photograph of my great-uncle JGM Renaud with his squadron emblem (The 405 Pathfinder Squadron) in the lower-left and his medals and decorations in the top-right. From left to right: Air Crew Europe Star, 1939-45 Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with silver bar and Defence Medal.

    Details

    Image collage
    Image collage – Image collage of the photograph of my great-uncle JGM Renaud with his squadron emblem (The 405 Pathfinder Squadron) in the lower-left and his medals and decorations in the top-right. From left to right: Air Crew Europe Star, 1939-45 Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with silver bar and Defence Medal.
  • St. Desir War Cemetery

    Details

    St. Desir War Cemetery
    St. Desir War Cemetery
  • Grave Marker

    Details

    Grave Marker
    Grave Marker
  • Wreckage of Lancaster LQ-C.– On June 3, 1944, five men were killed and two survived this plane crash. The five men that lost their lives were Pilot Officer Norman Johnston, Squadron Leader George Edwin Coldrey, Pilot Officer Leslie Asa Mccrea, Pilot Officer Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud and Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley.

    Details

    Wreckage of Lancaster LQ-C.
    Wreckage of Lancaster LQ-C. – On June 3, 1944, five men were killed and two survived this plane crash. The five men that lost their lives were Pilot Officer Norman Johnston, Squadron Leader George Edwin Coldrey, Pilot Officer Leslie Asa Mccrea, Pilot Officer Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud and Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley.
  • Photo of Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud– Royal Canadian Air Force photograph of Pilot Officer Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud of Victoriaville, Quebec.

    Details

    Photo of Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud
    Photo of Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud – Royal Canadian Air Force photograph of Pilot Officer Joseph Gerard Maurice Renaud of Victoriaville, Quebec.
  • Press Clipping– News article from Echo républiacin telling of the unveiling and dedication of a monument to the crew of Lancaster LQ-C ND 507.

    Details

    Press Clipping
    Press Clipping – News article from Echo républiacin telling of the unveiling and dedication of a monument to the crew of Lancaster LQ-C ND 507.
  • Group Photo– Unveiling ceremony of the memorial to the crew of Lancaster ND507 LQ-C from 405 RCAF Pathfinder Squadron on June 3rd, 2006 at La Boissiere-Ecole, France (62nd anniversary of the crash)

    Details

    Group Photo
    Group Photo – Unveiling ceremony of the memorial to the crew of Lancaster ND507 LQ-C from 405 RCAF Pathfinder Squadron on June 3rd, 2006 at La Boissiere-Ecole, France (62nd anniversary of the crash)
  • Newspaper Clipping

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping
  • Photo of Joseph Renaud– Employee of The Shawinigan Water and Power Company and its affiliated Companies.

    Details

    Photo of Joseph Renaud
    Photo of Joseph Renaud – Employee of The Shawinigan Water and Power Company and its affiliated Companies.

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

Date modified: