GAUTHIER, WO Joseph Adrian Vincent (R72626) - Mention in Despatches - No.425 Squadron - Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 379/45 dated 2 March 1945. Born 31 October 1921. Enlisted in Charlottetown, 27 September 1940. To No.34 SFTS (guard duty), 25 October 1940. ToNo.2 ITS, 29 November 1940; graduated and promoted LAC, 3 January 1941 and posted to No.2 EFTS. Ceased training, 23 January 1942 and posted to No.2 Manning Depot; to No.5 AOS, 31 March 1941; graduated 22 June 1941 when posted to No.5 BGS; graduated 4 August 1941 when promoted Sergeant and posted to No.2 ANS. To Embarkation Depot, 2 September 1941; to No.31 OTU, 20 September 1941; to RAF overseas, 11 October 1941. Reported missing, 12 March 1943 (POW). Commissioned 4 February 1944 (J96391). Reported safe in United Kingdom, 11 May 1945. Repatriated 1 June 1945. Retired 11 September 1945. See entry for WO A.W. Brown.

The website "Lost Bombers" gives the following on the loss of his aircraft. Wellington BK340 (KW-T) of No.425 Squadron, target Essen, was airborne at 1912 hours, 12 March 1943. Shot down by a night-fighter (Fw Vinke) and crashed 2158 hours at Spanbroek (Noord Holland), 16 km NE of Alkmaar. Crew were Sergeant J.R.A. Gouley (RCAF, injured, later repatriated owing to severity of injuries), Flight Sergeant M.J.A.J. Aumond (also wounded and repatriated early), Sergeant J.G.G.C.Lamontagne, RCAF (POW). Flight Sergeant A.W.Brown. RCAF (POW), Flight Sergeant J.A.V.Gauthier, RCAF (POW), Flight Sergent Brown was interned in Camps L3/L6/357. POW No.888, with Flight Sergeant J.A.V.Gauthier (promoted to WO1 during captivity, POW No.899) and Sergeant Lamontagne (promoted to WO1 during captivity, POW No.905).

SOURCE: Hugh Halliday - August 10, 2010.

Return to Remembering Those Who Served Page
Return to Pennfield Ridge Air Station Page
Return to Pennfield Parish Home Page