Flying Officer William Smart Ruxton
Killed in Action in WW2
Date of Death:
Service Biography
William Smart Ruxton was born at Carriston, Angus, Scotland, on 28 October 1920, the son of Robert and Elsie Robertson Ruxton. His family later settled at Williamstown, Ontario. He completed Senior Matriculation at Williamstown High School in 1939 and before the war worked on a defence project at Valleyfield, Quebec, as a rodman with the engineering department of H. F. McLean Limited. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Montreal on 15 April 1941 as R94264. Ruxton trained as an air observer and navigator, received his Air Observer's Badge on 21 August 1942, was commissioned as Pilot Officer J21709, and later became a Flying Officer. He served overseas as a navigator with No. 434 Squadron, R.C.A.F. On the night of 4/5 October 1943 his aircraft failed to return from air operations over Frankfurt, Germany. Ruxton's body was later recovered from the sea at Hayling Island. He was buried on 26 October 1943 at West Thorney Cemetery, Thorney Island, Hampshire, England. He was 22 years old.
General Information
Conflict:
WW2
Regimental No.:
J21709
Cause of Death (in war):
Killed in Action
Branch:
Air Force
Regiment:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Battalion:
No. 434 Squadron, R.C.A.F.
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Careston, Angus
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
20 years 5 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
22 years 11 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
22 years 11 months
Country Born:
Scotland
Trade or Calling:
Rodman, civil engineering
Next of Kin:
Robert Ruxton (father), Williamstown, Ontario
Address at Enlistment:
18 East Park, Valleyfield, Quebec
Religion:
United Church of Canada
Place of Enlistment:
Montreal, Quebec
Was a Prisoner of War:
No
Height:
5 ft 10.0 in / 178 cm
Weight:
146 lbs / 66 kg
Chest:
34.0 in / 86 cm
Expansion:
1.5 in / 4 cm
Marital Status:
Single
Prior Military Experience:
No
Saw Service in:
Europe
Place of Discharge:
Discharge Type:
Died in Service
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
Killed during air operations after his aircraft failed to return from operations over Frankfurt, Germany, on the night of 4/5 October 1943; his body was recovered from the sea at Hayling Island.
Length of Service:
903 days in service
Buried at:
West Thorney Cemetery, Thorney Island, Hampshire, England
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Flying Officer William Smart Ruxton
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW2 |
Flying Officer |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Air Force |
No. 434 Squadron, R.C.A.F. |
|
|
|
| Officer record gives T/F.O. effective 21 Feb 1943; final rank supported by casualty and estate records. |
| WW2 |
Temporary Sergeant |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Air Force |
Air Observer / Navigator training |
|
|
|
| Temporary Sergeant entry and commission are both effective 21 Aug 1942. |
| WW2 |
Pilot Officer |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Air Force |
Air Observer / Navigator; overseas training |
|
|
|
| Commission effective 21 Aug 1942. |
| WW2 |
Leading Aircraftman |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Air Force |
Air Observer training |
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Aircraftman Second Class |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Air Force |
Initial training |
|
|
|
Awards
| Conflict |
Award |
Action |
Date of Award |
Date of Citation |
Source |
| WW2 |
1939-45 Star |
Add |
|
|
R.C.A.F. Service Award Card |
| WW2 |
Air Crew Europe Star |
Add |
|
|
R.C.A.F. Service Award Card |
| WW2 |
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal |
Add |
|
|
R.C.A.F. Service Award Card |
Service Chronology
1920-10-28 — Born
1938-06 — Completed Junior Matriculation
1939 — Completed Senior Matriculation with honour/high standing
1940-07 — Began work as rodman on defence project, Engineering Department, H. F. McLean Limited
1941-04-15 — Enlisted R.C.A.F. as Aircraftman Second Class, R94264
1941 — Early R.C.A.F. training/posting sequence, including Queen's University detachment
1941-11-24 — Taken on strength No. 1 Initial Training School
1942-01-22 — Reclassified Leading Aircraftman
1942-02-15 — Taken on strength No. 1 Air Observer School
1942-05-24 — Taken on strength No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School
1942-07/08 — Air navigation training at No. 1 Air Navigation School
1942-08-21 — Awarded Air Observer's Badge; appointed Temporary Sergeant and commissioned Pilot Officer, J21709
1942 — Operational training with No. 34 Operational Training Unit
1943-02-21 — Promoted Temporary Flying Officer
1943 — Operational service as navigator with No. 434 Squadron, R.C.A.F.
1943-10-04/05 — Aircraft failed to return from air operations over Frankfurt, Germany; reported missing
1943-10-05 — Killed during air operations; body subsequently recovered from sea
1943-10-26 — Funeral and burial
Post-service administration — Service Award Card records 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp
Notes
Ruxton completed Junior Matriculation in 1938 and Senior Matriculation in 1939 at Williamstown High School, with honour standing and high marks. Before enlistment he worked from July 1940 on a defence project at Valleyfield for H. F. McLean Limited, Engineering Department, as a rodman. His employer described his work as entirely satisfactory and his character as excellent, reliable, industrious and trustworthy. Training assessments described him as a capable type, a good navigator, steady, conscientious and well liked. His enlistment medical examination recorded height 5 ft 10 in, weight 146 lb, chest 34 in at full expiration with 1½ in expansion, blue-grey eyes and blond hair. He wore glasses and was classified fit for aircrew.
Was living with T. Crook, 18 East Park, Valleyfield
Additional Service Notes
William Smart Ruxton enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Montreal on 15 April 1941 as R94264. He served initially as Aircraftman Second Class, was reclassified Leading Aircraftman on 22 January 1942, became Temporary Sergeant on 21 August 1942 and was commissioned Pilot Officer the same day, receiving officer service number J21709. He was promoted Temporary Flying Officer effective 21 February 1943. His aircrew training included No. 1 Air Observer School at Malton, No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School at Jarvis, No. 1 Air Navigation School at Rivers, Manitoba, and No. 34 Operational Training Unit. He received the Air Observer's Badge on 21 August 1942. Overseas he served as a navigator with No. 434 Squadron, R.C.A.F. On the night of 4/5 October 1943 his aircraft failed to return after air operations over Frankfurt, Germany. He was initially reported missing. His body was subsequently recovered from the sea at Hayling Island and he was confirmed killed on active service. His funeral took place on 26 October 1943 at West Thorney Cemetery, Thorney Island, Hampshire, England.
Additional Next of Kin Notes
Ruxton was single and had no children. His father was Robert Ruxton, a farmer of Williamstown, Ontario, and his mother was Elsie Robertson Ruxton. His parents married at Carriston, Angus, Scotland, on 23 July 1920. His service will, made in 1941, left his estate to his father Robert Ruxton, who was recorded as sole beneficiary under the will. An aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth L. Smart of Brechin, Angus, Scotland, wrote that Ruxton spent his leaves at her home.
Version: 4 Last modified: 2026-09-19 19:13:28
by: marc
