Pilot Officer Robert Joseph McCormick

Robert Joseph McCormick was born in Alexandria, Ontario, on 17 October 1916. He attended Alexandria Separate School and Alexandria High School, completing senior matriculation, and worked as a miner at East Malartic Mine in Malartic, Quebec. Before the war he served with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders in the Non-Permanent Active Militia. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Montreal on 13 October 1941 as R135141 and trained as an Air Observer and Air Navigator. After completing training he was awarded the Air Observer Badge on 21 September 1942 and rose through the ranks to Warrant Officer Class II. He embarked for overseas service in July 1943, served in the United Kingdom, and joined No. 58 Squadron, Royal Air Force, as a navigator in December 1943. McCormick was commissioned Pilot Officer on 11 March 1944 and assigned officer number J89884. That evening Halifax HX225 took off from RAF Brawdy on an anti-submarine patrol over the Bay of Biscay. Its last incomplete signal was received at 0117 hours on 12 March; the aircraft failed to return and McCormick was reported missing. He was later presumed dead for official purposes as of 12 March 1944. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, United Kingdom.

1916-10-17 — Born
1934-06-09 — Accepted for service in the Non-Permanent Active Militia
1934–1937 — Served and attended training with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders; attained Sergeant
1937–1941 — Worked as a miner at East Malartic Mine
1941 — Recorded as a foreman for employer written 'D.H.W.'
1941-10-13 — Enlisted for active service; Aircraftman 2nd Class; airman no. R135141
1941-10-13 — Posted for initial RCAF service/training
1941-12-08 — Transferred through No. 3 Training Command Headquarters to No. 5 Manning Depot
1941-12-09 — Taken on strength at No. 5 Manning Depot
1942-01-17 — Posted from No. 5 Manning Depot to No. 3 Initial Training School
1942-01-19 to 1942-03-13 — Completed No. 3 Initial Training School course
1942-03-14 — Reclassified Leading Aircraftman and selected/remustered for Air Observer training
1942-03-18 — Posted to No. 8 Air Observer School
1942-03-15 to 1942-06-22 — Air Observer School course
1942-04-06 — Admitted to station hospital
1942-04-09 — Discharged from station hospital / returned to duty
1942-06-22 to 1942-08-03 — Bombing and Gunnery School course
1942-08-01 to 1942-08-15 — Special leave
1942-08-17 to 1942-09-21 — Air Navigation School course
1942-09-21 — Awarded Air Observer Badge and promoted Temporary Sergeant
1942-09-23 to 1942-10-06 — Special leave
1942-10-23 — Remustered/qualified as Air Navigator
1942-11-27 to 1942-11-30 — Leave
1943-01-24 to 1943-02-07 — Embarkation leave
1943-02-06 — Taken on strength at No. 1 General Reconnaissance School
1943-02-18 — Taken on strength at No. 31 Personnel Depot
1943-03-21 — Promoted Flight Sergeant
1943-06-30 — Administrative posting through RCAF/RAF organization at Dorval
1943-07-10 — Struck off strength of No. 45 Group Dorval to No. 31 Personnel Depot
1943-07-24 — Struck off strength of No. 31 Personnel Depot for overseas service; embarked
1943-07-31 — Disembarked in the United Kingdom
1943-08-01 — Taken on strength at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre
1943-08-17 — Posted from No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre to No. 1 Operational Training Unit
1943-09-21 — Promoted Warrant Officer Class II
1943-10-05 to 1943-10-14 — Privilege leave
1943-11-16 — One-day privilege leave
1943-12-11 — Taken on strength of No. 58 Squadron RAF; proceeded from Holmsley South to St Davids by air
1943-12-23 to 1944-01-05 — Privilege leave
1944-03-11 — Commissioned Pilot Officer; officer service number J89884
1944-03-11 17:55 — Halifax HX225 (L/58) took off on anti-submarine patrol
1944-03-12 01:17 — Incomplete signal received from Halifax HX225; no position could be obtained
1944-03-12 — Aircraft failed to return; reported missing after air operations
1944-03-13 — Administrative transfer to rear/non-effective unit after missing casualty
1945-01-17 — Certificate of presumption of death issued; presumed dead for official purposes from 12 March 1944
1947-06-06 — Operational wings and certificate sent posthumously to his mother