Campobello,
August 16 - As the
afternoon was drawing on towards 5 o'clock on Thursday, August 12, and Ozra
Newman and his son, Lawrence, of Wilson's Beach, were busily engaged in pollock
fishing on the ground near Head Harbour Island, they were attracted by calls of
help coming from an approaching Grand Manan fish-carrying boat, which advised
that they had been trying to get some plane wreckage from the water to which was
attached the body of a man, but were unable to do so. Both boats started at once
for the scene and about two hundreds yards north of White Horse Island came upon
the wreckage and together were able to get it from the water.
The wreckage was that of a rubber life-raft, nearly filled with water from a hole
which had been torn in the side, but still contained enough air to keep one corner
of it above water. Tangled fast in the ropes attached to the raft but deep under
water was the body of a man. He was in the uniform of an airman but had no coat on.
One hand was badly bruised. He was of perhaps more than average size, weighing about
170 pounds or thereabouts. The body was taken to Black's Harbor when Pennfield
officials identified it as being the body of L.H. Ledingham, 24 years of age and
married, whose home was in Saskatchewan.
What happened in this particular case is only conjecture. A plane from Pennfield was
reported to have come down at sea with four occupants near Grand Manan the day before
and this was one of the unfortunate victims. From their observation of all concerned
the Newman's believe that the man got away alive and disaster happened after.
Nothing is known to have been reported from any of the others.
SOURCE: The Saint Croix Courier (St. Stephen, NB) - August 19, 1943).
Return to Pennfield Ridge Air Station Roll of Honour Page
Return to Pennfield Ridge Air Station Page
Return to Pennfield Home Page