Summerside Hospitality During WWII

Fatalities

The Summerside Journal published news of many war-related deaths between 1940 and 1945. Most of the reports were of Islanders who lost their lives overseas, but some were about young men who had trained or worked at RCAF Station Summerside.

Following are some examples of the expressions of sympathy regarding young men who had been at RCAF Station Summerside. When a New Glasgow, N.S. boy was killed in action in December 1941, it was reported, "Young Schrader made many friends during the time he resided here who deeply regret to learn of his death and whose sympathy will go out to the members of the bereaved family." Another article the same month reported the death of John Percival Taylor of Alberta. "He made quite a few friends during his three months stay in Summerside and corresponded with some of them after leaving here." In March 1942 Percy (Mickey) Miller was killed in an accident at Debert. He was "first stationed at No. 9 SFTS where by his singularly happy disposition he made a great many friends both in the Air Force and among the citizens. He was transferred to Debert last fall, but never lost touch with Summerside and spent his Christmas leave here and expected to be here for Easter." Air Gunner Joseph Collett was killed in June 1943. "Both he and Mrs. Collett were very favourably known here, Mrs. Collett being employed for over a year as a saleslady in Godkin Bros. jewelry store and Mr. Collett was well-known as a member of the RCAF orchestra."

The community also felt considerable dismay at the number of young men who were killed during training. A huge public outpouring of grief occurred with the first fatality of a student pilot. Other tragic accidents followed, but the profound shock of the community was most obvious with the first.

William S. Murray

A 24 year-old from Chilliwack, B.C., LAC William Murray, was the first of many fatalities at RCAF Station Summerside. His Harvard plane struck the side of a hill near Sussex, N.B. during a snow squall in March 1941, just two months after the opening of the No. 9 School. The tragic death shook the residents of the town and St. Mary's Anglican Church could not accommodate the crowd that came for the full military funeral. The Summerside Journal of March 24 published 2 photos of the procession and described the details of the service in the lead story on the local page "Solemn and Imposing Obsequies Mark Funeral of LAC Murray Yesterday." In the same issue an editorial "Honored in Death" spoke of his many friends, among them Mr. and Mrs. A.R. Brennan who were described in a previous article as "intimate friends of the deceased." It was in their home that his body had been laid out prior to the funeral.

The following day the Journal printed the letter sent by the town of Summerside to William's father, Mr. F. A. Murray who was Manager of the Bank of Montreal in Chilliwack. The Mayor expressed the sympathy of the citizens and noted that the unfortunate event had "created a realistic atmosphere of the grimness of the task before us."

Another letter was published on April 4, this one written by Rev. Harry P. Barrett of Chilliwack on behalf of the bereaved father, whose wife had died two months before. This response to the Mayor's letter described the circumstances in which the community there had received news of Bill's sudden death. He summed up with Mr. Murray's intention to visit the gravesite in the future and offered this statement of appreciation for the town's response. "Your letter - the photographs - the newspaper account and above all the wonderful editorial "Honoured in Death" touched Mr. Murray deeply, reserved as he is, he shed his first tears as we read and reread the evidence of your more than brotherly love and sympathy. Thank you, Thank you again."

Mr. Murray did visit Summerside in early June of that year and he purchased a Victory Bond in his son's memory. In March 1942 he subscribed again to the town's Victory Bond campaign.

Two more pilots were killed in April, two in June, two in July, and two more in August. The local press reported these deaths and others that followed, but not with the extensive coverage given William Murray whose tragic end galvanized the community to the risks of pilot training.

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