Remembrance Day: Carman Sutcliffe (VE3GA)

Carman Fletcher Sutcliffe (26 April 1915 - 24 July 1941) was born at Avon Ontario. He went to school in Leamington and London (Ontario). In 1933 he received his Amateur Radio (Ham) license and was assigned VE3GA.

In early 1939 he attempted to enlist in the RCAF, but they weren't interested. So he caught a boat to England and enlisted with the RAF in June 1939. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in October 1939. By May 1941 he was promoted to Flying Officer and Instructor of Night Flying. Had had hundreds of flying hours and at least 27 raids on Axis targets.

He married Blanche Olive Mackins on 8 July 1941. Just two weeks later he and his crew were killed when his aircraft crashed at Bascote, Warwickshire while returning from a raid on Germany. He was buried at Long Lawford churchyard, Warwickshire, England.

Carman was my father's uncle.