Author Topic: Phillip James Anderson, RCAF  (Read 1307 times)

Offline daretodiscover

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Phillip James Anderson, RCAF
« on: Saturday 10 March 18 02:18 GMT (UK) »
Hi all,

I am trying to find the final fate of the a/m RCAF airman. He was born 20 August 1909, presumably Toronto. He enlisted in the RCAF on 1 May 1942 at Toronto. At the time he enlisted he was an economist.

He was a member of a No. 148 Sqn Halifax crew shot down on 4/5 August 1944, while delivering supplies to Polish partisans. He and fellow RCAF crewmate, Robert Orlando Peterson, were able to successfully evade and returned to the UK in March of 1945.

The only clue I have is that his next of kin on the RCAF casualty list was his mother, Mrs. A.D. Anderson, 1520 Bathurst St, Toronto.

Grateful for any leads.

DTD


Offline RunKitty

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Re: Phillip James Anderson, RCAF
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 10 March 18 05:50 GMT (UK) »
There are a couple of articles in the Globe and Mail about him.

Sept 8 1944, page 4.  This one has a photo and reports that his is listed missing.  It says he was born in Ottawa 30 years ago and graduated from Lisgar Collegiate Institute.  He had been employed by A. E. Ames and Co before joining the administrative staff of the RCAF in 1942.  He trained at Rockcliffe and was posted to administrative duties in the Edmonton-Alaska area.  He went overseas about an year ago.  It lists his mother as Mrs A.D. Anderson...same address as you have. 

March 7 1945, page 9.  This has the same photo.  It says he was shot down and ended up in Odessa, Russian Ukraine.  He had been in a Halifax bomber and had been shot down on a mission from Italy to southern. Poland.  His mother is Mrs Mary Anderson.    His work had been of a secret nature.  4 of the 7 man crew survived.

So, he was born in Ottawa (not Toronto) and his mother's name is Mary.  Are you sure about his birth year?  He may have been born in 1914 - according to the first article.

RK

Offline RunKitty

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Re: Phillip James Anderson, RCAF
« Reply #2 on: Saturday 10 March 18 06:44 GMT (UK) »
1936 Toronto Directory has Mary and Philip living together on Bathurst.  Mary is listed as the widow of Alex.  Philip J is a clerk at A E Ames and Co. 

1934 directory, Mary and Philip J are living at 150 Hilton Ave. (Mary not listed as widow of anyone...just Mrs Mary Anderson).  Philip J is a clerk at A E Ames

1930 and 1932 directory, Mary and Philip J are living at 1475 Yonge Street.  (again...just Mrs Mary Anderson).  Philip J at A E Ames

RK

Offline daretodiscover

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Re: Phillip James Anderson, RCAF
« Reply #3 on: Saturday 10 March 18 14:02 GMT (UK) »
Many thanks for this, RK.

I got his date of birth from his RAF evasion report. If he was born in 1909 his age would have put him over the top for aircrew so perhaps he subtracted some years on enlistment. I'm reminded of Sgt Edward Wright who did the opposite and enlisted at 14, only to lose his life at 16 on a flying exercise.

I know Lisgar Collegiate so will make enquiries there.

DTD


Offline eileenwilson

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Re: Phillip James Anderson, RCAF
« Reply #4 on: Monday 12 March 18 15:28 GMT (UK) »
1953 Voters' List has Philip living at home with his mother, Mrs. Mary Anderson, at 1520 Bathurst Street, Apt. 305, Toronto.

https://www.ancestry.ca/interactive/2983/33022_301849-00092/58151531?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return


Offline eileenwilson

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Re: Phillip James Anderson, RCAF
« Reply #5 on: Monday 12 March 18 15:40 GMT (UK) »
In 1957 (the next update of the voters' list), Mary is living at the same address, but Philip is not with her.  There is a Philip living relatively close by at 164 Cheritan Avenue, Apt. 1, working as a stock broker, along with a Mrs. Thelma Anderson, so perhaps he married in the interim.

By 1963, this Philip and Thelma have moved and are living at 24 Knightswood Road.

Offline dbree

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Re: Phillip James Anderson, RCAF
« Reply #6 on: Monday 12 March 18 16:59 GMT (UK) »
Hi,

New York Passenger List on Trans Canada Airlines, from Toronto to LaGuardia, NY Sept. 9, 1941.

Anderson, Philip James, age 32, single, b. Waterville, Investment Statistician, address 1520
Bathurst St. Toronto. Relative Mrs. Mary A. Anderson, 1520 Bathurst St., Toronto. Passage paid
by A.E. Ames Co.

Drouin Collection, Waterville, Sherbrooke, Quebec Baptism,
Philip James Anderson son of Alexander Dewhurst Anderson of Waterville, county of Compton
and his wife Mary Ann Anderson was born 20th August 1909. Both parents signed.

DB

Offline dbree

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Re: Phillip James Anderson, RCAF
« Reply #7 on: Monday 12 March 18 17:10 GMT (UK) »
1911 Census Waterville, Compton, Quebec

Anderson, Alexander D., age 28, b. Scotland, assistant postmaster, immigration yr. 1904
Anderson, Mary, 27, b. Scotland, immigration 1904
Anderson, Robert, 5, b. Quebec
Anderson, Philip, 1, b. Quebec, b. Aug. 1909
Anderson, Ernest, 23, b. Scotland, brother, brass worker, immigration yr. 1908
http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/SplitView.jsp?id=27910

DB

Offline dbree

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Re: Phillip James Anderson, RCAF
« Reply #8 on: Monday 12 March 18 17:35 GMT (UK) »
Drouin Collection, Waterville, Sherbrooke, Quebec

1905
Alexander Dewhurst Anderson, bachelor, of Waterville, cashier, late of Aberdeen, Scotland, son
of James Calder Anderson and Margaret McIntosh his wife and Mary Ann Anderson, of Waterville,
spinister, late of Aberdeen Scotland, daughter of Robert Anderson and Mary Smith MacDonald his
wife, were married 1st of June, 1905. Both signed, witnesses Thomas Gerrard and Ethel M. Hammond.

Not finding the death of Philip's father Alexander either. :P

DB