Military service
Burial/memorial information
Son of James B. Kelley and Edith Kelley, of Victoria, British Columbia. David's hometown was Killam, Alberta.
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 Squadron Leader George E. Coldrey, Pilot Officer David A. Kelley, Pilot Officer Norman Johnston, Pilot Officer J.G. Maurice Renaud and Pilot Officer Leslie A. McCrea 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.
Digital gallery of Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley
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.
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley
Dave (left) posing with 3 other members of the 405 Squadron.
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley
Dave in Toronto shortly after enlisting.
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley
News article from Echo républiacin about the unveiling and dedication of the monument to the crew of Lancaster LQ-C - ND 507.
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley
Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley
Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley
Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
Image gallery
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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.
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Dave (left) posing with 3 other members of the 405 Squadron.
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Dave in Toronto shortly after enlisting.
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News article from Echo républiacin about the unveiling and dedication of the monument to the crew of Lancaster LQ-C - ND 507.
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Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
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Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
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Pilot Officer David Austin Kelley is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 350 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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LA BOISSIERE-ECOLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY Yvelines, France
La Boissiere-Ecole is a village and commune 38 kilometres south-west of Versailles, and 14 kilometres west-north-west of Rambouillet. The cemetery, which lies on the western side of the village on the road to Faverolles, contains the graves of 2 Canadian airmen situated near the large family vault in the centre of the cemetery.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
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