Leading Aircraftman John Wilbur Nussey

Leading Aircraftman John Wilbur Nussey was born at Brysonville on 27 March 1914. Educated at McCormick School and Ormstown High School, he worked as a chauffeur and Shell Oil service-station attendant. After militia service with the 17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars, he married Beulah Elsie Gruer at Riverfield on 26 September 1942 and enlisted in the RCAF on 13 October. An aero-engine mechanic, he trained at Cartierville and St. Thomas and served at Bagotville, Dartmouth and Patricia Bay, entirely in Canada. He reached Leading Aircraftman and the highest mechanic trade group. Released at Lachine on 31 October 1945, he planned to return to service-station work. His burial is recorded at Riverfield Cemetery.

1914-03-27 — Born John Wilbur Nussey. [Brysonville, Quebec]
1921 to 1928 — Attended McCormick School for primary education. [Quebec]
1928 to 1931 — Attended Ormstown High School, Grades 7, 8 and 9; later counselling gives completion at age 20 and last school year 1935. [Ormstown, Quebec]
1931 to 1939 — Chauffeur for W. R. Graham Transport; left for a better position. [Ormstown, Quebec]
1939 to 1942 — Service-station attendant with Shell Oil Company. [Montreal, Quebec]
1940-08-07 — Attested in the Non-Permanent Active Militia, 2nd Regiment, 17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars, B Squadron; D403447, local number 1686. Fit Category A, 65 inches, 144 pounds, chest 37 inches maximum and 34 minimum. [Montreal, Quebec]
1940-08-08 — Militia acceptance date apparently 8 August; one duplicate appears 8 June, uncertain. [Montreal, Quebec]
1940-10-15 — Signed agreement assigning annual-training pay and allowances to the regimental fund. [Montreal, Quebec]
1941-07-02 — Struck off militia strength for absence from parades; later described inability to continue parades. [Montreal, Quebec]
1942-06-29 — Completed RCAF application for aero-engine mechanic ground trade; no flying experience. [Brysonville, Quebec]
1942-07-08 — Educational Achievement Test score 9, failed; assessed suitable for ground duties, aero-engine mechanic. [Montreal, Quebec]
1942-07-16 — Passed Educational Achievement Test, Form G, score 13. [No. 13 Recruiting Centre, Montreal, Quebec]
1942-07-20 — Recruit medical examination: height 64¾ inches, weight 153 pounds, scar in middle of forehead and vaccination mark on left arm; A4B. Recommended ground duties. [Montreal, Quebec]
1942-07-21 to 1942-07-28 — Chest X-rays and specialist consultation found scattered calcified pulmonary nodules, without active disease; fit for ground crew, unsuitable for aircrew. [Montreal, Quebec]
1942-09-26 — Married Beulah Elsie Gruer, ceremony performed by Rev. Brown. [Riverfield, Quebec]
1942-10-13 — Enlisted RCAF Special Reserve for wartime active service as Aircraftman 2nd Class, R195231, aero-engine mechanic trainee. [No. 13 Recruiting Centre, Montreal, Quebec]
1942-10-13 — Accepted for aero-engine mechanic class at Federal-Provincial Aviation School, scheduled to begin 30 December. [Cartierville, Quebec]
1942-10-14 to 1942-12-29 — Leave without pay pending training; remained under Air Force law, without pay, equipment or medical entitlement. [Brysonville, Quebec]
1942-12-18 — Service-record annotation recalls him from leave while undergoing W.E.T.P. training; signed original leave agreement still ends 29 December. [Cartierville, Quebec]
1942-12-30 — Ordered to report to Montreal recruiting centre and begin aero-engine mechanic training; later history gives training start 29 December. [Montreal and Cartierville, Quebec]
1943-01-15 — Struck off No. 13 Recruiting Centre for No. 3 Training Command Headquarters. [Montreal, Quebec]
1943-01-16 — Taken on strength No. 3 Training Command Headquarters; aviation training at Cartierville. [Montreal and Cartierville, Quebec]
1943-03-13 to 1943-04-22 — Smallpox vaccination, Dick/Schick tests, diphtheria toxoid and TABT inoculations recorded; Schick result ambiguous. [No. 3 Training Command, Montreal, Quebec]
1943-03-25 — Identification card issued, date apparently 25 March; uniform photograph present. [Cartierville, Quebec]
1943-04-07 — Clothing and equipment issues recorded, including overalls, overshoes, mitts and boots.
1943-05-04 — Passed aero-engine mechanic W.E.T.P. course at Cartierville; trainee/group notation varies between copies. [Cartierville, Quebec]
1943-05-05 — Struck off No. 3 Training Command for No. 5 Manning Depot. [Montreal, Quebec]
1943-05-06 — Taken on strength No. 5 Manning Depot. [Lachine, Quebec]
1943-05-07 — Occupational and family returns: married, no children, parents living at Brysonville; Shell Oil employment and airplane-factory ambition. Dental examination required prophylaxis and denture care. [No. 5 Manning Depot, Lachine, Quebec]
1943-05-24 — Aero-engine mechanic Technical Training School trade entry/group S effective; one copy gives 21 May. [No. 5 Manning Depot, Lachine, Quebec]
1943-05-25 — Negative Kline test. [No. 5 Manning Depot, Lachine, Quebec]
1943-06-24 — Struck off No. 5 Manning Depot for Technical Training School; equipment form instead has Edmonton stamp. [Lachine, Quebec]
1943-06-25 — Taken on strength Technical Training School. [St. Thomas, Ontario]
1943-09-15 — Reclassified Aircraftman 1st Class; aero-engine mechanic Group C. Equipment posting certificate dated 15 September for Bagotville. [St. Thomas, Ontario]
1943-09-16 — Struck off Technical Training School for Operational Training Unit at Bagotville. [St. Thomas, Ontario]
1943-09-17 — Taken on strength No. 1 Operational Training Unit. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1943-10-09 — AC1 reclassification recommendation approved, effective 15 September; good knowledge of mechanics and satisfactory work, no conduct entries in previous three months. [No. 1 Operational Training Unit, Bagotville, Quebec]
1943-10-11 to 1943-10-24 — Fourteen days’ annual leave. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1943-10-13 — Medical recheck recorded fit. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1944-01-01 — Reclassified Leading Aircraftman, aero-engine mechanic Group B, trade-test mark 63%; recommendation approved 6 January. [No. 1 Operational Training Unit, Bagotville, Quebec]
1944-02-10 — Dental restoration and phenol treatment recorded. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1944-03-18 — Faint clinical entry possibly referring to left-sided pleurisy; wording uncertain. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1944-03-23 to 1944-04-19 — Denture impressions, bite and shade, restorations and possible extraction; partial lower denture inserted 19 April. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1944-04-01 — Qualified aero-engine mechanic Group A, trade-test mark 80%. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1944-05-01 — Entry apparently authorizes 50% flying pay retroactive to this date; wording partly unclear. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1944-05-03 — Purchased $50 Sixth Victory Loan bonds by six monthly pay assignments of $8.40. [No. 1 Operational Training Unit, Bagotville, Quebec]
1944-05-09 — Annual TABT inoculation. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1944-09-10 to 1944-09-25 — Annual leave and travelling time; one copy ends 24 September plus one travel day. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1944-10-28 — Purchased $50 Seventh Victory Loan bonds, apparently six monthly pay assignments of $8.40.
1944-11-04 — Ground warfare training results recorded and gas warfare qualification passed; aerodrome-defence certificate details him to Primary Force. [No. 1 Operational Training Unit, Bagotville, Quebec]
1944-11-14 — Sick parade for leg rash, treated with calamine, medicine and duty; date apparent. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1944-12-21 — Dental treatment entered as C&S. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1944-12-23 to 1944-12-28 — Special Christmas leave, entered as five days. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1944-12-29 — Right-eye stye treated with boracic washes. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1945-01-24 — Sick parade for ingrowing toenail, medicine and duty. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1945-01-27 — Ceased ration allowance, as abbreviation apparently reads. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1945-01-29 — Struck off Operational Training Unit for No. 11 Squadron. [Bagotville, Quebec]
1945-01-30 — Taken on strength No. 11 Squadron as Leading Aircraftman, aero-engine mechanic. [Dartmouth, Nova Scotia]
1945-02-07 — Sick parade for coryza; unit abbreviation uncertain. [Dartmouth, Nova Scotia]
1945-02-07 — Seventh Victory Loan bond forwarded by registered mail to James Henry Nussey at his designated address; locality/province uncertain.
1945-02-23 — Subsistence allowance began; ceased 30 May. [Dartmouth, Nova Scotia]
1945-04-13 — CVSM entry dated 13 April 1945; parallel service-sheet entry reads 13 April 1944. [Dartmouth, Nova Scotia]
1945-05-23 — Struck off No. 11 Squadron, Dartmouth, for Patricia Bay. [Dartmouth, Nova Scotia]
1945-05-24 — Taken on strength No. 11 Squadron at Patricia Bay; equipment verification dated 29 May and medical-location note 4 June. [Patricia Bay, British Columbia]
1945-06-06 — Ration allowance entitlement, as abbreviation apparently reads; ceased 15 September. [Patricia Bay, British Columbia]
1945-07-19 to 1945-08-02 — Dental re-examination, restoration and denture impression; replacement partial lower denture inserted and prophylaxis 2 August. [Patricia Bay, British Columbia]
1945-07-30 — Lost identification discs/card while swimming, on or about this date; signed declaration later on 30 October. [Patricia Bay, British Columbia]
1945-08-20 to 1945-09-12 — Annual leave: fourteen days plus eight days travelling time. [Patricia Bay, British Columbia]
1945-09-01 — Discharge authorized on completion of voluntary emergency service, KR(Air)195(17), with transfer to Reserve General Section Class E after leave and release documentation. [Vancouver, British Columbia]
1945-09-14 — Personnel counselling: intended service-station work and use of re-establishment credit, uncertain about return to Shell Oil. [Patricia Bay, British Columbia]
1945-09-15 — Struck off No. 11 Squadron for No. 2 Release Centre; later posting order issued 17 October specified report 29 October. [Patricia Bay, British Columbia]
1945-09-16 — Taken on strength No. 2 Release Centre; equipment posting certification dated 25 September. [Lachine, Quebec]
1945-09-28 — Anti-gas equipment return recorded; description partly illegible. [Lachine, Quebec]
1945-10-06 to 1945-10-28 — Twenty-three days’ special discharge leave. [Brysonville, Quebec]
1945-10-29 — Release medical board: nasal polypoid hypertrophy and probable maxillary antritis, allergy/infection; chest and ENT follow-up recommended, category A4HBH. Physically fit for any employment, no occupational limitations. [No. 2 Release Centre, Lachine, Quebec]
1945-10-29 — DVA Class 2 treatment notice; instructed to report for treatment by 29 November at 369 Common Street, Montreal. Dental requirements nil, partial lower denture satisfactory. [Lachine and Montreal, Quebec]
1945-10-29 — Counselling recommended return to former employment and re-establishment credit; small holding under Veterans’ Land Act suggested, referred to Valleyfield employment services and Montreal DVA/VLA. [Lachine, Quebec]
1945-10-30 — Signed loss statement for identification discs/card lost while swimming at Patricia Bay in July. [No. 2 Release Centre, Lachine, Quebec]
1945-10-31 — Honourably discharged Leading Aircraftman on completion of voluntary emergency service, KR(Air)195(17); transferred to RCAF Reserve, General Section, Class E. Signed receipt of certificate, War Service Badge 434504, suit-purchase certificate and rehabilitation materials. [No. 2 Release Centre, Lachine, Quebec]
1945-10-31 — Chest specialist diagnosed diffuse pulmonary fibrosis of uncertain cause, apparently inactive healed process; asymptomatic and fit for home duties. Repeat X-ray and DVA follow-up recommended. [Lachine, Quebec]
1945-11-06 — Release Centre confirmed discharge effective 31 October. [Lachine, Quebec]
1945-11-19 — Dependants’ allowance enquiry: $37.20 monthly, no overpayment deductible; form gives conflicting 29 October discharge date.
1945-11-20 — RCAF returned original proof of birth, baptism certificate and will to Riverfield; separately notified DVA of 31 October release and Reserve Class E transfer. [Ottawa, Ontario]
1945-11-28 — War service gratuity $255, payable in two $127.50 instalments: 1,038 qualifying days, 34 thirty-day periods at $7.50. Total service 1,115 days less 77 unpaid-leave days; overseas nil. [Riverfield, Quebec]
1956-11-02 to 1956-11-07 — Veterans’ Land Act requested service verification; statement completed 6 November, sent to Montreal supervisor 7 November. Confirmed 1,038 paid Western Hemisphere days, 77 LWOP days and no forfeitures. [Ottawa, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec]
1963-09-05 — Medal card stamped with issue-related date; medals marked UNCLAIMED, not proof of receipt.
1975-12-18 — Death date retained from existing CWVMP structured record; notes alternatively give 1978, Howick. Buried at Riverfield Cemetery. [Riverfield Cemetery, Quebec]