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Gracie, Byron McGie

Date of birth:
May 29th, 1920 (Big Valley/Alberta, Canada)
Date of death:
June 23rd, 1943
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Graves General Cemetery Wichmond
Plot: E. Grave: 13.
Service number:
J/21043
Nationality:
Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

Biography

Byron was born on May 29 1920 in Big Valley Alberta, the son of Louis Alexander Gracie (deceased in 1924 at age 37) and Elizabeth Ann L. Gracie nee McGie of Rumsey Alberta. They were married in 1917 in Detroit USA. Elizabeth remarried later as Mrs. A. Drummond. His brother was Audley S. Gracie (also in the army).

He was attending the high school and member of the Church of England. He spoke English 3, French and Latin 2. His sports were swimming, baseball and skating.

He enlisted on June 12 1940 in Edmonton and he went thereafter on December 29 1942 overseas to the UK.

Byron was killed in action on Wednesday June 23 1943 age 23, just a month after this 23rd birthday due to a crash at the hamlet of Bronsbergen near the river IJssel near Zutphen before or after an attack on Mülheim in Germany. The other fallen RCAF crew members were F/O Norman D. Reid (AFC) age 28 in grave E-14-17, F/O Armand A. Pariseau age 31 in grave E-14-17, F/Sgt Harry P. Heximer age 29 in grave E-12 and Sgt Norman F. Notley age 20 in grave E-14-17. The other fallen RAF Volunteer Reserve crew members were Sgt Durston Mann age 21 in grave E-14-17 and Sgt Peter B. Robinson age 21 in grave E-18.

On his headstone: EVER FAITHFUL TO YOUR TRUST, EVEN UNTO DEATH, BELOVED ONE, FAREWELL

He served with the 427 Sqdn Royal Canadian Air Force.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 20th, 1942
Air Bombers Badge
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flying Officer
Unit:
No. 427 (Lion) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
Awarded on:
March 2nd, 1946
RCAF Operational Wings

Sources

Photo