One Killed, One Hurt In Air Force Crash
Military 'Plane Fell Near Burns School, Bocabec, Late Saturday Afternoon
Transcribed by G. Christian Larsen

    One airman, said to have been an Australian, was reported to have been killed and another injured when an Air Force plane crashed late Saturday near the Burns district schoolhouse at Bocabec some seven miles from St. George. The 'plane was reported to have been stationed at Pennfield.

    The injured occupant is said to have been a Canadian and he walked to the main highway following the crash.

    No official statement on the incident has yet been issued by the Eastern Air Command.

SOURCE: The Saint Croix Courier (St. Stephen, NB) - June 3, 1943.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES: The two airmen, both of whom were Australians, were as follows: Sgt. A.E..E. Rogers (AUS42182) (Pilot) (killed) and Sgt. L.A. Ellis (AUS422151) (Wireless Operator) (slightly injured), both members of Course No.12 at Pennfield Ridge. Sgt. Ellis would, as a result of the accident, be transferred to Course No.13 at Pennfield Ridge. He graduated from this course 20 August 1943 and was sent to No.1 "Y" Depot, Halifax for overseas detachment.

    He later served with the 180 Squadron attached to 139 Wing of the 2nd Tactical Air Force. On 21 March 21 1945 180 Squadron took part in a raid on the marshalling years at Bocholt, Germany. During this raid two of Squadron's bombers were hit by anti-craft fire (flak), including Mitchell KJ563 which F/O Ellis was a member. The aircraft crashed near Bocholt killing three members of the crew - the fourth member, a F/S John Milton Farr (AUS422472) , was captured and became a P.O.W.  It is interesting to note that at least one other member of the crew, the pilot F/O R.M. Kennard(AUS44080), was a graduate of  Course 12 at Pennfield Ridge.

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