Deschamps, J A (Joseph Andre)
Deschamps, J A (Joseph Andre)
Flight Sergeant Joseph Andre Deschamps was the son of Oliver and the late, Annette Deschamps, of 3526 Jeane Mance Street, Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada. He was born on the 1st of November 1923 and joined the RCAF a few days after his birthday on the 5th of November 1941. Joseph joined 86 Squadron on the 31st of August 1943. Previously his trainers had stated that he was short tempered and was always falling out with his classmates during training.
On the 24th of October 1943 at 01:52, Liberator FL954 took off to perform convoy escort duties from Ballykelly airfield. The take-off was normal, but when it reached about 200 feet something seriously went wrong, and the bomber lost altitude quickly and crashed into Lough Foyle. The reasons for the accident would never be known as the bomber was completely wrecked underwater and all crew were dead. Onboard along with Flight Sergeant Joseph Andre Deschamps was Squadron Leader Leslie Frank Cooper (Captain),[1] Flying Officer David Gwynne Evans (Second Pilot),[2] Sergeant Eric John Brown (Navigator),[3] Warrant Officer Francis William Hutchinson (Fire Control),[4] Sergeant William John Barber (Wireless Operator),[5] Sergeant Sidney Albert Hardie Richards (Wireless Operator),[6] Flight Sergeant Noel Keith Preston Hickson (Wireless Operator),[7] and Sergeant David Kirkwood (Engineer).[8]
Four of the crew’s bodies were never recovered. Joseph’s body was though. It was identified using his ID discs around his neck.
Date of Death: 24/10/1943 (Aged 19)
Service: Flight Sergeant, Royal Canadian Air Force, 86 (R.A.F.) Squadron
Service Number: R/141550 Burial Location: Grave 4
[1] Squadron Leader Leslie Frank Cooper, Service Number: 33231. He is remembered and commemorated at Runnymede Memorial, Panel 118.
[2] Flying Officer David Gwynne Evans, Service Number: 132703. Aged 22. He was the son of Sydney Charles and Evelyn Caroline Evans, of Tenby and was laid to rest in Tenby (St. Mary) Church Cemetery, Row T. Grave 14, Wales.
[3] Sergeant Eric John Brown, Service Number: 1316499. Aged 22. He was the son of Arthur F. and Ethel G. Brown, of Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire and is remembered and commemorated at Runnymede Memorial, Panel 143.
[4]Warrant Officer Francis William Hutchinson, Service Number: 919425. Aged 33, was the son of Francis John and Nellie May Hutchinson, of Walthamstow, husband of Edith Emily Doris Hutchinson, of Walthamstow. He was laid to rest in Chingford Mount Cemetery, Screen Wall. Section F.13. Coll. grave 42024, England.
[5] Sergeant William John Barber, Service Number: 1239595. Aged 21, was the son of William Barber, and of Rose Barber, of Stetchford, Warwickshire. He is remembered and commemorated at Runnymede Memorial, Panel 141.
[6] Sergeant Sidney Albert Hardie Richards. His story is in this book, and he is buried in Tamlaght Finlagan Church of Ireland Churchyard.
[7] Flight Sergeant Noel Keith Preston Hickson, Service Number: 421278, Royal New Zealand Air Force, aged 20. He is son of Harold Jordan Hickson and Eileen Margaret Hickson, of Woodville, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand and is remembered and commemorated at Runnymede Memorial, Panel 199.
[8] Sergeant David Kirkwood, Service Number: 1698515, aged 19, son of George and Sarah Hannah Kirkwood, of Carlisle. He is remembered and commemorated at Runnymede Memorial, Panel 156.
