British squadron looking for family of Winnipeg soldier killed in WW2

A British squadron is urgently looking for living relatives of two Canadian airmen buried in a small town in Yorkshire.

Simon Kularatne of the 102 (Ceylon) Squadron Association said he was asked by a local parish in the British town to track down the family.

“The parish council would like to put their names on a list to have a road in a new housing development named after them in the village of Barmby Moor,” said Kularatne.

The first soldier, William Patrick James was from Winnipeg and died Aug. 12, 1942 while serving in 24 OTU Bomber Command in the Second World War. The second soldier, Charles Hackney, was from Toronto and died Feb. 26, 1942 while serving in 158 Squadron, Bomber Command.

In order to name the road after the two soldiers, the parish needs permission from a relative, Kularatne said.

A number of roads in the town are named after lost aircrew and others from the town who died in the war, he added.

James was born in Winnipeg on Oct. 6, 1917. His father’s name was Eric Wallwyn McDonald James and his mother’s name was Ellen Muriel Bertram-Ironside. Both parents had a number of siblings. James also had two brothers and two sisters.

The family lived on Balfour Road Winnipeg at the time of James’ death.

“I am looking for members of the James or Ironside families, any help would be appreciated,” Kularatnem said.

You can check out the squadron’s Facebook page for more details.