Joseph Fernand Oscar's Story.
Joseph Fernand Oscar Cloutier was born in Ottawa on 25th October 1922 to parents Louis and Josephine. After finishing school he worked at the Royal Mint as an apprentice until he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Ottawa on 5th January 1942. He was selected for pilot training and trained at 3 ITS,11EFTS, 13SFTS and 1 OTU in Canada before being posted to 128 Squadron RCAF at Torbay, New Foundland. 128 Squadron was part of the East Coast Air Defence Force in Canada and flew Hurricanes mainly in convoy escort and anti submarine operations. On 21st January 1944 he was promoted to Warrant Officer. He embarked for UK at Halifax on 16th June 1944 arriving on 24th June. On 15th August 1944 he was posted to 61 OTU at RAF Heston for training in Spitfire aircraft. On 28th August 1944 he was promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer. On 15th September 1944 Joseph was killed in a flying accident. Joseph and another pilot flying a Spitfire were directed to fly to Prestatyn gunnery range in Wales for air to ground gunnery practice. Upon completion of the training mission they were supposed to fly by the normal route back to base but for reasons unknown Joseph decided to deviate from the assigned route and flew into clouds at 1500 feet and got lost. He contacted the air controller and initiated homing procedures. The air controller directed him to climb to ensure that he kept away from high ground but shortly afterwards he flew into high ground and was killed instantly. An enquiry into the accident found that the cause of the accident was the pilot’s disregard of orders in that he didn’t follow the route that he was instructed to take.
Joseph's training report. Note that the instructor's comments weren't very complimentary and he was not recommended for a commission.
128 Squadron Hurricanes
Accident Report 1
Accident Report 2
Accident Report 3
Accident Report 4
Report in an Ottawa newspaper that incorrectly states that he was lost over enemy territory.
61 OTU Spitfire