Pilot Officer Gordon Frederick Humphrey

Gordon Frederick Humphrey was born at Smiths Falls, Ontario, on 23 January 1921, the son of Francis Gordon Humphrey and Helen Annie Stewart Humphrey. He was living at Valleyfield, Quebec, and working as a clerk stenographer when he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Montreal on 27 October 1941 as R135236. He trained as a pilot in Canada and received his Pilot's Flying Badge in November 1942. He proceeded overseas in December 1942 and completed further flying and operational training in the United Kingdom. Humphrey was posted to No. 183 Squadron on 8 April 1944 and flew Typhoon aircraft on operations. He rose through the non-commissioned ranks to Warrant Officer First Class and was commissioned Pilot Officer J89694 effective 15 August 1944. Two days later, on 17 August 1944, he was reported missing after an armed reconnaissance flight between Bernay and Evreux, France. No trace of his aircraft or grave was found and he was subsequently presumed dead for official purposes.

He was 23 years old.

1921-01-23 — Born.
1941-10-27 — Enlisted in the RCAF Special Reserve for flying duties as Aircraftman 2nd Class R135236; taken on strength No. 1 Manning Depot.
1941-11-29 — Struck off strength No. 1 Manning Depot.
1941-11-30 — Taken on strength No. 16 Service Flying Training School.
1942-02-14 — Struck off strength No. 16 Service Flying Training School.
1942-02-15 — Taken on strength No. 6 Initial Training School.
1942-04-20 — Reclassified Leading Aircraftman (Pilot).
1942-05-23 — Struck off strength No. 6 Initial Training School.
1942-05-24 — Taken on strength No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School.
1942-07-18 — Struck off strength No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School.
1942-07-19 — Taken on strength No. 8 Service Flying Training School.
1942-11-06 — Promoted Temporary Sergeant (Pilot); qualified for and authorized to wear Pilot's Flying Badge.
1942-11-20 — Struck off strength No. 8 Service Flying Training School.
1942-11-21 — Taken on strength No. 1 Y Depot.
1942-12-11 — Struck off strength No. 1 Y Depot for overseas movement.
1942-12-18 — Embarked for the United Kingdom.
1942-12-19 — Taken on strength No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre.
1943-04-13 — Posted from No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre to No. 17 (P) Advanced Flying Unit.
1943-05-06 — Promoted Temporary Flight Sergeant.
1943-06-08 — Posted from No. 17 (P) Advanced Flying Unit to No. 59 Operational Training Unit.
1943-08-21 to 1943-08-27 — Seven days privilege leave.
1943-08-28 to 1943-09-15 — Nineteen days privilege leave.
1943-11-06 — Promoted Warrant Officer 2nd Class.
1943-12-22 to 1944-01-04 — Fourteen days privilege leave.
1943-12-27 — Posted from No. 59 Operational Training Unit to No. 1 Tactical Exercise Unit.
1944-01-15 — Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp recorded.
1944-03-01 — Posted from No. 1 Tactical Exercise Unit to No. 4 Tactical Exercise Unit.
1944-03-31 — Posted into No. 84 Group Support Unit.
1944-04-08 — Posted from No. 84 Group Support Unit to No. 183 Squadron.
1944-05-06 — Promoted Warrant Officer 1st Class.
1944-08-15 — Commissioned Pilot Officer J89694.
1944-08-17 — Failed to return from an armed reconnaissance between Bernay and Evreux after aerial combat; reported missing.
1945-06-26 — Certificate of Presumption of Death issued; presumed to have died on or since 17 August 1944.
1946-08-21 — RCAF casualty enquiry requested investigation of the loss and burial place; no verified crash or grave location was known.
1947-01-21 — Operational Wings and Certificate sent to his mother in recognition of his operational service.
1948-09-15 — Post-presumption investigation closed as insoluble; no known grave and no further trace of aircraft or pilot.