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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

David Alexander Powley

In memory of:

Warrant Officer Class II David Alexander Powley

January 14, 1944

Military Service


Service Number:

R/133214

Age:

33

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

9 (R.A.F.) Sqdn.

Additional Information


Born:

August 24, 1910
Owen Sound, Ontario

Enlistment:

September 29, 1941
Vancouver, British Columbia

Son of Richard and Ellen Powley of New Westminster, British Columbia.

Commemorated on Page 420 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

Coll. grave 2. C. 6-10.

Location:

Hanover Military Cemetery which adjoins the HANOVER WAR CEMETERY is reached via the A2 E30 motorway from Dortmund to Berlin. At the junction with the B441 turn right onto the B441 and follow signs for Hanover, Ahlem and Seelze. After 7 km turn right onto Seelzestrasse leading towards Harrenburg. After 5 km and having entered Harenburg turn left onto Harenberger Miele. The Hanover Military Cemetery and the HANOVER WAR CEMETERY are located 3 km after leaving Harrenburg in the direction of Hanover.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Memorial– Warrant Officer Class II David Alexander Powley is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Warrant Officer Class II David Alexander Powley is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Photo of DAVID ALEXANDER POWLEY– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Service Book– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Attestation paper– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Correspondence– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Owen Sound Sun Times 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From a World War 2 issue of the Vancouver Province c.1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From a World War 2 issue of the Vancouver Province c.1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Group Photo– This is my father's flight crew Taken Dec. 8th, 1942 (location unknown) Names on the back are BAck Row left to right, GK Thompson, Langley B.C. J.M. Willis, Van. B.C. W.B. Hess? Van. B.C. A.C. Hodges Van. R Masters, Van. A.A. Hadislean, Salmo B.C.
Front Row kneeling" L to R - C.O. Whinton, Peachland, B.C., D.A. Powley (my father) Van. B.C. R.W.C. Tate Victoria, B.C. A.C. Fussell, New West. B.C.
  • Group Photo– This undated photo, likely taken in the UK has 20 Airmen as follows:
1) Campbell, F.A. - Gilbert Plains, Man.
2) ?
3) Hodges, S.C. - Vancouver, B.C.
4) Lemon, F.W. - Saskatoon, Sask.
5) Bassett, G.A. - London, England
6) Watkins, C.F. - Brecon, Wales 
7) Willis, J. - Vancouver, B.C.
8) McIlroy, S.S. Abbey, Sask.
9) Edgar, F.S. - Hikurangi, New Z'land. 10) Whinton, C. - Peachland, B.C.
11) Tate, R.W.C.  - Victoria, B.C.
12) Powley, D.A. - Van. B.C. my father
13) Masters, R.H. Seattle Wash. USA
14) Ness, W.B. - Vancouver, B.C.
15) Thomas, F.V. - Swanasea, Wales
16) Bailey, T.W. - Aintree, Lancs. UK
17) Torppa, E. - Geraidton, Ont.
18) Vilim, J.R. - Winnipeg, Man.
19) Wever, H.D. - Victoria, B.C.
20) Cowdrey, A.G.R. Portsmouth, UK
  • Photo– The composite picture taken and created by the 5th Powley brother, Jack (Jay) Samuel Powley (38) not yet in the service but was waiting for enlistment at the time. Jay was working for the Vancouver Province News Paper at the time and got this picture and the accompanying article published Oct. 19th , 1940. (Tricky photography for the times.)   
The 4 Powley brothers 'at war' as pictured here were clock wise from upper left corner, Fusilier, David (Teddy) Alexander Powley (30) (not in the RCAF yet) then upper right Sergt. William (Bill) Powley (25), then lower right corner Sergt. Richard Samuel Powley Jr.(28) and in the lower left corner Raymond Alexander Powley (37)
  • Newspaper clipping– This is likely the article Published Oct. 19th, 1940 in the Vancouver Province that accompanied the 4 Powley Brothers photo montage as seen earlier. So neat to know that their father Richard Samuel Powley was a vet from the 1st WW and that his enlistment papers are now posted to the Veterans Affairs Canada site as well  he was overseas in 1916 with the 65th Battalion from Saskatoon. To fill out the 'Fighting Burnaby Family' 'Mrs. (Ellen) Powley, the lads mom was an active member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Canadian Legion,. Post 83 at the time.
  • Grave Marker– As per the directions to Hannover, Germany grave site this is the actual site as it appeared after war and was sent to our family by the Royal Canadian Naval folks. The next 3 generations of Powleys hope to visit this site at some point in the future.
  • Newspaper clipping– This notice likely appeared in the Province News Paper around the time of the official notification in April of 1944. It was likely placed by his brother John (Jay) Powley.
  • Group Photo– David Alexander and his mother 'Mrs. (Ellen) Powley, ne Hall David's mom was an active member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Canadian Legion,. Post 83 at the time.  Photo taken Aug. 23rd, 1942 at the Langley Prairie home in 1942 during his service in the Army 'photo by his brother 'Jay' (John Samuel Powley)
  • Telegram– That was then this is now 'Nov. 11th 2008 tribute to the Vets 'how art inmates life 'David Alexander actual first CPR Telegraph from the Ottawa dated Jan. 16th @ 6:27PM, 1944 is reported as  'Missing'.
  • Group Photo– David Alexander with his father and first WW veteran Richard SAMUEL Powley again at Langley Prairie (caption on the back reads ¿Show these to Hessie when you see her') photo by his brother 'Jay' (John Samuel Powley)
  • Telegram– Next comes the reality 'from Canadian National in a 'Telegram' dated April 26th 12:44AM, 1944 is reported as having lost his life January 14th, 1944.
  • Medals– David Powley's medals 1939-45 Service Star
  • Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM)– David Powley's medal Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM)
  • Air Crew Europe– David Powley's medal Air Crew Europe
  • Medal– David Powley's medals WW-2 Service Metal
  • Memorial Card– David Powley's medals Memorial Cross Dediction card reads "This Memorial Cross is forwarded by the Minister of National Defence on behalf of the Government of Canada, in memory of one who died in the service of his Country
  • Letter– Mrs. David Powley's letter noting David Powley's death and re- internment to Hannover Germany dated April 17th, 1947
  • Letter– Notice to Mrs. David card of regrets on the matter of the missing Air Gunner David Powely - From the Dept. of National Defence.
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

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