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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Robert Leonard Sprange

In memory of:

Leading Aircraftman Robert Leonard Sprange

July 31, 1950
Alert, Northwest Territories

Military Service

Service Number:

15557

Age:

22

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

405 (Maritime Reconnaissance) Squadron

Additional Information

Born:

December 29, 1927
Ottawa, Ontario

Enlistment:

June 1, 1946
Aylmer, Ontario

Son of Lt. Col Arthur Philip and Ethel May (nee Jones) Sprange of Ottawa, Ontario. Brother of Samuel and Gertrude Sprange. The remains of the eight Canadians were to be repatriated south on a Canso flying boat from 103 Rescue Unit, but difficulties in getting the bodies out forced a decision to bury the Canadians in Alert.

Commemorated on Page 16 of the In the Service of Canada (1947 - 2014) Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

Canadian Forces Station Alert
Canada

Grave Reference:

N/A

Location:

Alert, Nunavut

Digital Collection

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  • Newspaper Clipping– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – 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
  • Newspaper Clipping– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – 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
  • Newspaper Clipping– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – 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
  • Newspaper Clipping– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – 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
  • Newspaper clipping– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Robert Leonard Sprange

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    Photo of Robert Leonard Sprange
    Photo of Robert Leonard Sprange
  • Memorial– On the 59th anniversary of the crash, 31 July 2009, the members of Air Force’s newest unit CFS Alert held a memorial service in honour of the crew and passengers laid to rest near the station.

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – On the 59th anniversary of the crash, 31 July 2009, the members of Air Force’s newest unit CFS Alert held a memorial service in honour of the crew and passengers laid to rest near the station.
  • Cemetery– A cairn, with attached plaque at CFS Alert, Alert, Nu was dedicated to the crew of 405 Sqn Lancaster KB965 that were killed in the crash of their aircraft on July 31, 1950, about 600 meters from CFS Alert Station. Photo Credit: Pte Justin Harris -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [round plaque/plaque ronde] [edging/bordure] IN A SUPPLY MISSION TO THE ARTIC WEATHER STATION AT ALERT, THOSE ABOARD A ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE LANCASTER WERE KILLED 31 JULY 1950 THE TASK IN WHICH THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES CONTINUES> [left side/coté gauche] FLYING OFFICER J.R.G. DUBE WING COMMANDER D.T. FRENCH CHARLES HUBBARD DOCTOR D.W. KIRK FLIGHT LIEUTENANT L.M. MACLEAN [right side/coté droit] FLYING OFFICER T.D. MARTIN FLYING OFFICER J.E. MCCUTCHEON LEADING AIRCRAFTMAN R.L. SPRANGE FLIGHT LIEUTENANT F.L. SWINTON [bottom/au bas] ERECTED IN THEIR MEMORY OF THE ARTIC... WITH THE SUPPORT OF …AND THE RCAF http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/nic-inm/sm-rm/mdsr-rdr-eng.asp?PID=8138

    Details

    Cemetery
    Cemetery – A cairn, with attached plaque at CFS Alert, Alert, Nu was dedicated to the crew of 405 Sqn Lancaster KB965 that were killed in the crash of their aircraft on July 31, 1950, about 600 meters from CFS Alert Station. Photo Credit: Pte Justin Harris -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [round plaque/plaque ronde] [edging/bordure] IN A SUPPLY MISSION TO THE ARTIC WEATHER STATION AT ALERT, THOSE ABOARD A ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE LANCASTER WERE KILLED 31 JULY 1950 THE TASK IN WHICH THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES CONTINUES> [left side/coté gauche] FLYING OFFICER J.R.G. DUBE WING COMMANDER D.T. FRENCH CHARLES HUBBARD DOCTOR D.W. KIRK FLIGHT LIEUTENANT L.M. MACLEAN [right side/coté droit] FLYING OFFICER T.D. MARTIN FLYING OFFICER J.E. MCCUTCHEON LEADING AIRCRAFTMAN R.L. SPRANGE FLIGHT LIEUTENANT F.L. SWINTON [bottom/au bas] ERECTED IN THEIR MEMORY OF THE ARTIC... WITH THE SUPPORT OF …AND THE RCAF http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/nic-inm/sm-rm/mdsr-rdr-eng.asp?PID=8138

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