Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Photo of JOSEPH GRABOWSKI – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Grave marker – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Grave marker – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Funeral – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Funeral – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Funeral – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Attestation paper – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Birth Certificate – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Certificate – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Photo of Joseph Grabowski – The photo was taken in front of the family home in Choiceland, SK. Joe had it framed with the RCAF logo as a gift to his parents. It sat prominently on a hutch in their living room until both parents passed away. We took possession at that time.

Grave marker – P/O Joseph Grabowski was killed flying out of RCAF Greenwood NS as navigator on a Mosquito fighter-bomber. He is buried at CommonwealthWar Graves section of Woodlawn Cemetery Nipawin SK. Photo taken on a recent visit by Joe's niece Sheila McRae (nee: Grabowski).

Newspaper clipping – Clipping from Saskatoon Star Phoenix series: "Canada Remembers" honouring Saskatchewan citizens who were killed while serving in the armed forces in WWII. Submitted by P/O Joseph Grabowski's niece Sheila McRae (Nee: Grabowski)

Photo of Joseph Grabowski – Pilot Officer Joseph Grabowski was a proud member of the RCAF. Likewise, his parents were very proud of his service to Canada in the RCAF. Joe gave his parents this cushion cover for their living room. It remained there until his mother's passing in 1992 when it was passed to the eldest grandchild, Joe's niece Sheila McRae (nee: Grabowski)

Photo of Joseph Grabowski – Pilot Officer Joseph Grabowski's RCAF Air Navigator "Presentation of Wings" graduation ceremony programme at Ancienne Lorette, PQ August 24th 1944. Posted by Joe's niece Sheila McRae (Nee: Grabowski)

Photo of Joseph Grabowski – Pilot Officer Joseph Grabowski: List of Graduating Air Navigators receiving their 'Wings' at No. 8 Air Observers School, RCAF at Ancienne Lorette, PQ on August 24th 1944. Posted by Joe's niece Sheila McRae (Nee: Grabowski)

Photo of Joseph Grabowski – Pilot Officer Joseph Grabowski: Memorial (Silver) GVIR Cross and purple ribbon given to loved ones of those who died in service. This was Elsie Grabowski's (Joe's mother) Cross which was passed on to her oldest grandchild Sheila McRae (Nee: Grabowski) and is now a family heirloom.

Photo of Joseph Grabowski – Pilot Officer Joseph Grabowski: The back of the Memorial (Silver) GVIR Cross presented to Joe's mother Elsie Grabowski. This is now a family heirloom owned by Joe's niece Sheila McRae (Nee: Grabowski)

Group Photo – Pilot Officer Joe Grabowski: A family gathering at the Grabowski home in Choiceland after Joe had received his wings. L>R: Joe's brother Paul, Erma Miller (later married Paul), unidentified woman and boy, Joe's wife Jean, Joe. Joe's sister Helen was there but wasn't present for the photo so her picture was pasted in. Missing are Joe's brother Frank who was in the army and Joe's sister Anne who was nursing. Sadly, this was Joe's final visit home. From the family album of Paul's daughter Sheila McRae (Nee: Grabowski)

Artifact – Pilot Officer Joseph Grabowski: In August 2023 Joe's RCAF Officer's hat and RCAF cushion cover were donated to the museum in Joe's hometown of Choiceland. They were donated by Joe's nieces Sheila McRae (Grabowski) and Judy Clark (Grabowski). The donation was accepted by Margaret McTaggart (Erdman), a member of the Choiceland Historical Museum. The RCAF hat & cushion cover will be on permanent display.