I only know this great uncle of mine from the stories my Dad and other family members told me about him, from the old photographs I have of him, from the letters family received from the pilot, squadron leader, and the unit chaplain, and letters my great uncle wrote home to his family.
I wish I had met him.
As we approach November 11th, I remember my Great Uncle, Flight Sergeant Roy Davidson, WAG, No. 420 Squadron, R.C.A.F. Overseas. 1916-1942.
"My great Uncle Roy enlisted in the RCAF in June 1940 after marrying his high school sweetheart, Arleigh Sewell.
He was posted overseas, first to a British Training Squadron, then to operations in Waddington, England. Flying in an older Handley-Page Hampton bomber he took an extra "flip" (duty assignment) for a friend as Wireless Air Gunner on the night of June 19/20, 1942.
He drew the belly turret for a major raid on the submarine base at Emden, Germany. "Both plane and crew were badly shot up, limping back to Waddington minus the landing gear. The subsequent crash landing, with Roy trapped in the damaged belly turret, cost him dearly.
He was rushed to hospital where, placed under a 24-hour nursing watch, he underwent a leg amputation in a vain attempt to save his life. Roy died on June 21, 1942.
He is buried in the churchyard at Waddington." (as written by cousin Murray Bailey for the Manitoba Commemorative Names Program).
Roy Davidson
