Photo: MOUNT BALDWIN Summit & Ridge
The gravesite of the crew of RCAF Stranraer 946 is located 10 meters below the summit ridge.

SOURCE: "The Last Journey of Royal Canadian Air Force Stranraer 946",
by Michael Wallace RPF (Ret.), Squamish, BC Aug 2012

" On 4 Nov 1941, Stranraer 946 of No. 5 Squadron RCAF took off from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia enroute to Patricia Bay, British Columbia. The crew was composed of:
Pilot Officer Gerald Palmer of Raymond, Alberta;
Leading Aircraftsman Charles Murray of Vernon BC;
Sargeant Jack Fenton Bliss of San Diego, California;
Corporal John Fernie of Rimbey, Alberta; and
Leading Aircraftman Gilbert Willet of Hampton, New Brunswick.

On 4 Nov 1941 enroute from Penticton to Pat Bay, very bad weather was encountered. The crew reported at 1400 hours to Vancouver radio (Air Traffic Control Station) that they were experiencing bad weather (including snow as well as static radio); and that they were low on fuel. This was the last contact with 946.

On 5 November all available aircraft concentrated on a search for 946 and throughout November, however it proved unsuccessful.

In the summer of 1947 a prospector hiking in the area came across the wreckage and reported it to authorities.

A team of RCAF personnel were dispatched to the site in the summer of 1948 at which time a wood cross was erected over the common grave of the crew's remains.

On 5 Nov 1988 a monument was dedicated at 1100 hours at the Squamish Legion and then taken overland and placed at 1340 hours at the site by the Boy Scouts of Canada, Squamish Hellcat Venturer Company with Michael Wallace, in the afternoon on the 47th anniversary of the crash. " Since 1988 this grave site is acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.


With thanks to M. Ronan Hubert of Geneva Switzerland (baaacro.com)for bringing this information to our attention.

IN MEMORY OF MOTHER AND SON

RUTH MARY BLISS 1898 - 1924
JACK BLISS R.A.F. 1916 - 1941

Glen Abbey Memorial Park
Lot 3, Section 16, Block 4

This marker is very likely a cenotaph. The cemetery has no record of Jack and a file card for Mary has only her name and the lot number (no dates, etc.). The marker is placed on the lower half of the grave of Lillie E. (Hogle) Ferrell.

Times Advocate, Escondido, California, Nov 11 1941

Date: Wednesday, November 12, 1941 Paper: San Diego Union (San Diego, CA) Page: 5