Joseph Raymond Pollon

Sergeant, Air Gunner
Royal Canadian Air Force
Killed in Action – May 28, 1944

Service Summary

Joseph Raymond Pollon was born June 13, 1926, at Clanwilliam in the Rural Municipality of Minto, Manitoba. He attended Little Clanwilliam School before the family moved to the Whirlpool District. His parents, Andrew and Lillian (Douglas) Pollon, farmed during difficult years of the Depression.

Seeking opportunity, Raymond later worked in the mines and smelters of Trail, British Columbia.

At only 16 years of age, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Trail in March 1943.

He trained at Brandon, Dauphin, Hamilton, Camp Borden, and Mount Pleasant, Prince Edward Island, graduating as a Sergeant Air Gunner on December 23, 1943.

Wartime Experience

Raymond deployed overseas in March 1944.

On May 28, 1944, while serving with No. 330 Operational Training Unit, Wellington aircraft DF641 suffered structural failure and crashed near Lincoln, England during a reconnaissance/practice mission.

Raymond was killed in action at only 17 years of age.

Commemoration

Sergeant Pollon is buried at Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate, Yorkshire, England.

Medals & Honours

• Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp

• Defence Medal

• War Medal 1939–45

• Air Gunner Wings