Richard Barlow Rathbone
Richard left school aged 16 and attended the Canada Business College where his character was noted as being '... of highest degree.'
His interests included hunting, skiing, hockey and baseball. He had a daredevil reputation.
He was also an accomplished artist.
He was employed as an office clerk by the Brown Wire Speciality Company for eight years prior to enlistment.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Son of Gerrard Jackson Rathbone and Susan Emeline Rathbone, of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
HARROGATE (STONEFALL) CEMETERY Sec. G. Row F. Grave 8.
He was the pilot.
He joined the RCAF in 1942 and began flying training on Tiger Moths and Harvards in 1943. After flying Wellingtons at a Scottish OTU and having met his crew was posted to 1669 CU at Langar in November to convert to Halifaxes. He was known to his crew as 'pappy' because, at 28, he quite a bit older than them. Whilst at Langar, Richard had to make an emergency landing at Tangmere when two of his four engines failed at 18,000 feet. His landing under difficult circumstances was widely admired. From Langar, Richard and his crew were transferred to Syerston to complete their training on Lancasters.
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Richard Barlow Rathbone
Photo: Courtesy of Helen Nall