A volunteer WW2 combat researcher in the Netherlands is on a quest to learn more about a Carbon man who was missing in action over the coastal area of the Netherlands sometime during WW2.
Willem de Jong has reached out to the Mail and to the Drumheller Legion to learn more about RCAF Sergeant (Gunner) William Douglas Cameron, who was a member of the 419 Moose Squadron.
The 419 RCAF ‘Moose’ Squadron, was stationed at RAF air station Middleton St. George (in County Durham, UK). de Jong recounted a mission of an HP Halifax Bomber W7857. On January 9, 1943 during a mine laying operation over the North Sea, near the island called Schiermonnikoog in the Netherlands, the mission encountered trouble.
“What really happened is not known, however - maybe engine problems (in cold weather), perhaps hit by anti-aircraft fire, or attacked by a German night-fighter ? - whatever, they ditched/crashed into the sea waters NW of the nearby Vlieland island, in Friesland / NL,” recounts de Jong.
All the aircrew were killed, including Sgt Bill Cameron, and he was listed as missing in action. What is known is two members of the crew, F/Sgt (Air Observer) Vincent Armand Hugli and RCAF F/Sgt. (Navigator) Harvey Adam Dunn were recovered. A third member, RCAF Warrant Officer II (WAG) Donald Alexander Watson was found washed up many miles away.
He notes there is a possibility other remains were picked up from the sea by German naval soldiers.
“And overlooking those new details now, it isn’t logical at all to expect, that Sgt. ‘Bill’ Cameron is buried perhaps at Vlieland island, in Friesland / the Netherlands, and as an ‘Unknown Airman’ (and washed up at the island beach before, as was thought earlier). If he found a decent war grave indeed - and not under a tombstone with his own name because he’s still Missing In Action since then! - then it must be more Eastwards, along the German coast also, or somewhere in Denmark perhaps,” said de Jong.
de Jong’s goal was to learn whether Sgt. Cameron appears on a memorial in his home community.
The Mail learned that William Cameron resided in Carbon. He was born in 1921. In 1941 he joined the RCAF in July and left for Gimli, Manitoba in September. He arrived in England in late 1941 and turned 21 on the ship.
A search of The Drumheller Mail archives shows he was the best man for his brother Hugh Cameron in August 1941, shortly before he shipped out.
The next mention was in the September 30, 1943 edition, where it was noted the next of kin had received confirmation that Sgt William Cameron was deceased.
Reg Bennett of Drumheller, who has done extensive research on local veterans and has created honour roll books for many communities, tells the Mail Sgt Cameron’s name appears on both the Carbon honour roll and the Strathmore cenotaph.
