Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search veterans.gc.ca

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

David Thomas French

In memory of:

Wing Commander David Thomas French

July 31, 1950
Alert, Northwest Territories

Military Service

Service Number:

19953

Age:

35

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

405 (Maritime Reconnaissance) Squadron

Citation(s):

1939-1945 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM), War Medal 1939-1945, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Additional Information

Born:

March 25, 1915
Calgary, Alberta

Enlistment:

September 29, 1939
Edmonton, Alberta

Son of George T. and Beatrice French of Victoria, British Columbia. Husband of Mary E. French. Father of David J. and Sherry E. French. Brother of Jessica Field and Nancy Davies. 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 15 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

Send us your images

  • 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
  • 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
  • Memorial Service– 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 Service
    Memorial Service – 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

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: