Notes

Keith McCormick grew up in Ripley, Ontario and was known as a young person who participated fully in school, church and sports – particularly hockey. He enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in February 1941 and received his pilot’s wings at R.C.A.F. Moncton in December. With squadrons 85 and 410, he specialized as a Night Fighter, flying many hours in the De Havilland and Type 13 Mosquito night fighters. Known as the “wooden wonder” the Mosquito was constructed mainly of wood to save valuable metals. It was an amazing aircraft, powered by two Rolls Royce Merlin engines. On February 5, 1944, he and Navigator Pilot Officer Nixon were testing an aircraft which had been recently serviced. During the air test, they heard a “terrific crack”, and the starboard wing, outboard of the engine collapsed, putting the aircraft into a tight spiral. Nixon parachuted to safety, but McCormick was killed in the crash. His squadron commander wrote “Keith was one of my best pilots … about to be promoted to rank of Flight Lieutenant. He was also one of the mainstays of our hockey team …

Sources & Links

- Kinloss Township Historians. “Kith and Kin of Kinloss: A history of the settlement of Kinloss Township, Volume 1&2.” Kinloss Township Historians, 2003. Print.
- Ripley Huron Cemetery Transcription, Bruce & Grey Branch of Ontario Genealogical Society
- Ripley-Huron Branch No. 444 of the Royal Canadian Legion. "Twelve crosses". Ripley-Huron Branch No. 444 of the Royal Canadian Legion, 1989. Print.
- Library & Archives Canada
- War Graves Commission
- Book of Remembrance
- Canadian Virtual War Memorial
- Find a Grave