Crash in Canada, 17 Oct 1944 ?

[SMF144]

Laurent,

Taken from page 571 of "They Shall Grow Not Old".

O'NEILL, MAURICE FRANCIS F/O (P) J-29178
From Halifax, Nova Scotia. Killed in action Oct. 17, 1944. Age 27. #113 Wing, Nassau, Bahamas. F/Os O'Neill and J.W. Wood were engaged in practice circuits and landings and had the starboard engine fail after take-off. They were both killed when their Marauder aircraft failed to maintain height and crashed in the sea 400 yds off shore. Flying Officer Pilot O'Neill has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Ottawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario

Here's the entry for Preston

PRESTON, WILLIAM GEORGE F/O (WAG). From Fort William, Ontario. Killed Oct. 17/44. Age 22. #45 Delivery Group. Liberator aircraft lost in transit from Penford, England to Casablanca. The crew sent a distress signal and an air-sea search was initiated. F/O Preston perished when the aircraft went down and one RAF airman was seriously injured. Flying Officer Preston has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Ottawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario. Page 616.

I hope this helps.

Stephen