John Edward Ratigan

[VicInIbstock]

I'm researching some lads who are buried in my village and died during WW2. Unfortunately I've not had to research any Canadian cousins in the past and am looking for a bit of insight.

The details I do know are his name was John Edward Ratigan and the fact that his headstone has Royal Canadian Air Force across it is making me post here (although I appreciate he didn't have to be from or born in Canada, I imagine it helped). His entry on the Commonwealth War Graves tells me he was 25 when he died on the 2nd July 1942 in a Tiger Moth during a training exercise - Canadian Service Archives confirm he was born on the 28 May 1917. The CWGC also tells me his parents were Thomas W. and Edna M. Ratigan of McAdam, New Brunswick.

Any other details people can turn up or point me in the direction of would be appreciated.

[dbree]

Hi,

John's birth record from New Brunswick Archives, confirms what you have for his DOB and POB.
http://archives.gnb.ca/Search/VISSE/141A1b.aspx?culture=en-CA&guid=54901B9F-413D-4AAB-A3E7-905419777CE4

You can view his service file (Canada, WW2 Service Files War Dead) through Ancestry for free, requires you to have an account only.

Cheers,
DB

[VicInIbstock]

Many thanks DB. I'm an Ancestry.co.uk user but can't seem to see RCAF records, could it be a local thing?

Also I'm interested to hear of other resources available in country. I have a second RCAF lad buried near Ratigan all be it 7 months later. I only have his name as Walter Donald Williamson DoB 4th January 1923, no parents, district or family details. Could you offer similar insight for him also.

[dbree]

Hi,

You're welcome.

It shouldn't matter what ancestry you have, just add his name, dob, and collection "Canada",
then category "Military".

I will have a look for your other chap.

Cheers,
DB

[dbree]

Hi,

Walter b. Jan. 4, 1923, in Leader, Saskatchewan but was living in Carbon, Alberta when he
signed up. He was single, a telegraph operator for Canadian Pacific Railway, parents Walter Henry Williamson, b. Cavan Township, Ontario, and Bertha Estella Lock, b. Millbrook, Ontario, both
living in Carbon. You should be able to see his file as well

Cheers,
DB

[dbree]

Hi,

I think Walter went by Donald. There is a book "Carbon, our history, our heritage", he is listed with
9 others who served and died during the war, page 251
http://www.ourroots.ca/e/page.aspx?id=289169
A photo of Donald from the same book, page 250
http://www.ourroots.ca/e/page.aspx?id=289168

Cheers,
DB

[VicInIbstock]

Thank you for your help DB.

[polarbear]

If you have not been able to access the records with your UK sub, check if your local library subscribes to the library edition. The records should be accessible through that.

PB