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Allied and Soviet Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the Air Forces of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. |
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Frederick A Duquette 272 Squadron RAF/RCAF Malta
Hello, my name is Jamie Duquette. I am doing some historical research on my great uncle Frederick Albert Duquette who was a Flight Sergeant for the RAF 272 Squadron based in Malta during WW II. He also trained in various facilities in Canada in the United Kingdom before ending up in Malta. He was originally from North Bay, Ontario, Canada.
He sadly perished along with his radio observer Albert J Johnson on a return trip from Egypt crashing his Beaufighter MARK VI serial # EL 529 in the Mediterrean on May 8th, 1943 30 miles off Malta in rough weather. I am in the process of compiling an archive of official records as well as personal letters and flight logs which have surface. If anyone has any information I gladly wish to share anything I have found. I am also looking for info on the crash itself. Here is a breakdown of some events before and leading up to the event. Thank you for your time. ps. his C.O. was J.K. Buchanan and I have personal letters from him mailed to family members relating the details of the crash. I would also be looking for information on other pilots/observers from the time in question. Thank you very much. FD ARRIVED AT LUQA airport jan 16th, 1943: (in same DC3): 1. SGT DUQUETTE AND SGT JOHNSON 2. SGT BULLEN AND SGT GLAZEBROOK (WENT ON TO SQUADRON 227 AFTER ARRIVAL) 3. SGT BROADHEAD AND SGT BRADSHAW 4. SGT WILLIAMS AND SGT WATERS MAY 3RD, 1943 CONVOY ESCORT OPERATION (FD RETURNED SAFELY) - ASSUMED TO HAVE FLOWN OUT OF TA KALI AIRPORT. 1. PLANE 1: GT.5085- F/O WELFARE D., P/O BELLIS D.B. (letter sent to UK 0909), 2. PLANE 2: JT.5170- S/LD COLEMAN G.B.S., SGT LYRE-HALE 3. PLANE 3: C.T.5114 P/O FRAZEE D.W., SGT SANDERY M.L 4. PLANE 4: R.X. 7759 F/S DUQUETTE F.A., SGT JOHNSON A.W. * MAY 7TH, 1943 THREE CREWS FLEW OUT OF TA KALI AIRPORT TO FERRY BACK THREE NEW AIRCRAFT TO B.A.R.U., M.E. ( WHERE WAS THIS?) 1. CREW ONE: S/LDR COLEMAN, SGT LYNE-HALE 2. F/O PROCTER, SGT MCINES 3. F/SGT DUQUETTE, SGT JOHNSON ALL THREE CREWS FLEW OUT IN SAME AIRCRAFT (NUMBER AND TYPE UNKNOWN). - MAY 8TH 1943 (DAY OF INCIDENT) A FORMATION OF THREE BEAUFIGHTERS LEFT EGYPT FOR TA KALI. 1. S/LDR COLEMAN WHO WAS LEADING THE FORMATION JUST MANAGED TO MAKE TA KALI BUT OVERTURNED THE AIRCRAFT UPON LANDING. 2. F/O PROCTOR FLEW THE REMAINING AIRCRAFT OF THE FORMATION OF THREE HAD ENGINE TROUBLE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE FLIGHT FROM EGYPT AND FORCED LANDED AT MERSA MATRUH. 3. F/SGT DUQUETTE, SGT JOHNSON HAD TO BALE OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT (LACK OF PETROL) BUT WERE LOST IN HEAVY SEAS 30 MILES OUT. 4. THE FOUR SPITFIRES SENT OUT TO SEARCH FOR FD AND SGT JOHNSON WERE FROM SQUADRON 185. BOTH CREWMEN WERE SEEN BEING DRAGGED BY THEIR PARACHUTES BEFORE BEING LOST FROM SIGHT. 185 WAS RELIEVED BY OTHERS FROM 229 SQUADRON. ONLY WRECKAGE OF AIRCRAFT, EMPTY DINGHY AND OIL PATCH WERE SEEN. |
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Re: Frederick A Duquette 272 Squadron RAF/RCAF Malta
Hello and welcome, theramin
There were 2 other RCAF casualties apart from your great uncle:- COSSETTE RA J/17045 272 SQDN 08/05/1943 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE DUQUETTE FA J/17243 272 RAF SQDN 08/05/1943 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE FRAZEE DW J/16374 272 SQDN 08/05/1943 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE both are shown as pilots, plus 2 RAFVR crew:- JOHNSON AW 1338492 272 SQDN 08/05/1943 ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE STEELE JG 1578324 272 SQDN 08/05/1943 ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE so it looks as if 272 lost at least 2 other aircraft that day. No doubt other more learned Pals will be along shortly to add more information! Thanks for sharing these memories |
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Re: Frederick A Duquette 272 Squadron RAF/RCAF Malta
Thank you very much for your reply to my post on my great uncle
Although I knew the names in question I found it interesting to know that A W JOHNSON AND pilot STEELE were from ROYAL AIR FORCE RESERVE. Interesting. In fact I am in the midst of compiling/editing to print privately an archive/memoir of everything I've found regarding Frederick Albert Duquette. A fountain of information has only just come to light. I'm well over 200 pages now (!) However I'm still looking for any photos, letters, testimonials of anyone who knew him in 272 in Malta. So far I've had some success right up to very recently. If you are interested in seeing my work in progress let me know and I may be able to arrange a .pdf privately. Cheers, Jamie |
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Re: Frederick A Duquette 272 Squadron RAF/RCAF Malta
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Re: Frederick A Duquette 272 Squadron RAF/RCAF Malta
Ah! The power of the internet!
Any more Duquettes out there? Welcome aboard! |
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