Training Path

Heroes Remember

Training Path

Transcript

I joined in September, September 15, '43 and I took manning in Lachine, Quebec and after that we were posted to Arnprior, an FIS School for temporary duty until we we were posted for training. And from there we went to H.B.Beal in London, Ontario for a refresher course in mathematics again. And we had wireless and other subjects too. And the four of us, five of us were together again and we finished H.B. Beal and then we, let's see where did we go from there, we went to PEI., just after Christmas in 1943 and I remember crossing the straits there, the search light was on the front of the boat and following the cracks in the ice, you know. And it was all a thrill, you know, great. And we trained in PEI and we got our wings there and then we were posted to commander school in Three Rivers, Quebec, beautiful, really enjoyed it there. And we had escape training, like commander training so if you were ever down you knew what to do. And from there, we came home on leave for two weeks and we were paid in pound sterling so we knew that we were on the way. So then we were shipped to Halifax and we boarded RMS Andes on my birthday, June 1, 1944.

Description

Mr. McLean speaks about his path of postings before setting out for overseas.

John “Jack” McLean

John (Jack) Caldwell McLean was born on June 1, 1925, in Port Elgin, Ontario. He moved to Hull, Quebec, with his family at age 12, and then eventually settled in Ottawa, Ontario. He enlisted at 55 Queen Street in Ottawa on September 15, 1943, and joined 415 (Swordfish) Squadron, Bomber Command, as an air gunner on an all-Canadian crew. Number 6 Group consisted of 14 squadrons on 7 airfields in Yorkshire, England. Mr. McLean ended the war as a flying officer (FO), after completing a tour of 32 trips. He was also a volunteer for “Tiger Force.” He enjoyed a successful career in the public service at the Department of Finance, the Treasury Board Secretariat, and Indian and Northern Affairs. He was married on May 15, 1948, and raised a family of five. Mr. McLean is a member of Branch 593 of the Royal Canadian Legion (Bells Corners), and is a member of the Air Force Association.

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