Date of birth:

November 26th, 1929 (Strathmore/Alberta, Canada)

Date of death:

April 23rd, 1944 (Lozen/Limburg, Belgium)

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Cemetery Heverlee
Plot: 5. Row: E. Grave: Coll 19-25.

Service number:

J87272

Nationality:

Canadian

Henry Glen Boissevan was born on 26 November 1920 in Strathmore, Alberta, the son of Henry Telfer Boissevain and Rita Mary Boissevain-Brown (English) of Strathmore. They were married in Calgary on 7 January 1920. His brother was Walter William Boissevain (also with the RCAF overseas) and his sisters were Esther Mary, Rita Joan and Winnifred Helen Boissevain. His sports were ice hockey, softball and swimming (average). He attended the Public School in Strathmore from 1928-1935 and then the High School in Strathmore from 1935-1940. He was a flex worker and a member of the United Church.

He served as a soldier/gunner from 13 August 1940 to August 1941 with the 23rd Battery RCA of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of Canada. He then enlisted in the RCAF in Calgary on 4 August 1941 and received the Air Observer's Badge in Canada on 22 January 1943. He then went overseas to the UK on 17 March 1943. He took part in 10 different air operations of his squadron to NW Europe as Warrant Officer after arriving in the UK.

Henry died on Sunday 23 April 1944 aged 23 as a result of a crash near Veldhoven, Belgium during an overnight mission to Düsseldorf in Germany. He was temporarily buried at Brustem (St Truiden) in Belgium before being reburied at Heverlee on 26 March 1947. The other crew members killed were P/O Harold C. Seedhouse RCAF, age 20 in Coll.5.E. 19-25, Sgt James G. Cumming RAF-VR also buried in Coll.5.E. 19-25 and Sgt John W. Dunford RAF-VR age is was subsequently buried at the Rheichswald Forest War Cemetery in Germany in grave 1-C-10. Crew members F/O W.L. Canter and F/O A.W. Norris both RCAF and F/Sgt A.M.P. Camenzulli RAF-FR were able to jump and became prisoners of war. RCAF crew member P/O P.A. Schnobb was also able to jump and he was subsequently able to go into hiding.

He was posthumously awarded the Operational Wings and Certficate in recognition of the gallant service against the enemy on 6 November 1946. His mother was awarded The Memorial Bar in July 1945.

A plaque was unveiled at Lozen church in Belgium on 11 November 204 with the crew's names on it. He served with the Royal Canadian Air Force 433 Sqdn.

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• Photo 1: Edwin van der Wolf
• - https://www.genealogieonline.nl/stamboom-boissevain/I1131.php - https://caspir.warplane.com/personnel/unit-search/p/600001696

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