July 4, 1921 - May 14, 1944
Carl Edgar Logan, was the son of Charles Edgar Logan and Ethel A. (nee Stultz) Logan of Saint John, NB. He had a half-brother, Walter G. Neal of Medford, Massachusetts, and a sister, Julia A. Marshall. The family was Baptist.
Carl was a platers helper at the Saint John Dry Dock from July to September 1940, having graduated with junior matriculation in June 1940. “To find something better, that is, I did not like that type of work.” He was unemployed when he enlisted in the RCAF in May 1941, hoping to be a wireless operator or WEM. He liked to swim and fish and do track, plus hunted. He stood 5’9” tall and weighed 130 pounds. He had brown hair and brown eyes, with a medium complexion. A scar on the sole of his left foot and a scar of the left side of his neck were noted. At 13 years of age, his one lung was congested, but he had a good recovery. After the war, he hoped to return to school and become a radio engineer.
He was at No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, from May to September 1941. In July 1941, he had been feeling unwell. He was admitted to hospital and had an appendectomy on July 30, 1941 at the Royal Vic Hospital.
Carl was at No. 8 SFTS Moncton from September 16 to 26, 1941, then at No. 2 ANS, Pennfield Ridge from September 27, 1941 to May 25, 1942. While at Pennfield Ridge, NB on May 16, 1942, he was AWL from 0800 to 2000 hours. He was admonished and forfeited one day’s pay.
He was then at No. 1 CNS, Rivers, Manitoba May 1942 for one year, then was posted to 1Y Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, then taken on strength at Torbay June 8 until December 17, 1943.
On December 10, 1942 and again March 20-23, 1943 and April 11-19, 1943, Carl was in hospital.
June 16, 1943: “Has fairly good education. Made a score of 47 on CT3 test. He seems like a good average type for aircrew.” Carl hoped to be remustered, but the medical officer remarked, “Visual defect. Not correctable to 20/20 in both eyes.” He was not considered for additional aircrew training.
He had 350 hours flying experience both in 1941 and 1942.Carl found himself at No. 2 ANS Charlottetown, December 1943.Anson 11600 was lost during a night navigation exercise during bad weather on May 14, 1944 out of Charlottetown, PEI. CREW: DUNCAN, LAC Frank (1570422, RAF)- KILSBY, LAC Albert C. (R193661, RCAF), LOGAN, Corporal Carl Edgar (R99218, RCAF), MATHERS, LAC William J.S. (576508, RAF), MURCHIE, WO Allan C. (R138538, RCAF, pilot).
According to the crash card, “the aircraft was airborne at 0030 hours GMT. During the flight, a very high wind from the SW arose and all aircraft were recalled at -215 hours. 11600 was recalled individually at 0225 and immediately acknowledged. At 0257, the aircraft asked ad was granted permission to change to radio range frequency. Although called several times by ground station, all contact with the aircraft was lost. CAUSE: Aircraft became lost due to deteriorating weather condition and were unable to locate base. Lack of proper flying operations organization. Inferior and obsolete wireless equipment. CONCLUSIONS: It is doubtful whether the exercise should have been authorized at all in view of the weather information available.”
The body of Mathers washed ashore on June 4, 1944 and Duncan's body on June 9, 1944. Duncan and Mathers were buried at the St. John’s (Mount Pleasant) Cemetery. Duncan was 20 years old, son of Frank and Annie Jeannie Duncan of Dufftown, Banffshire, Scotland. Mathers was 21 years old, son of William John White Mathers and Agnes Mathers of Colinsburgh, Fife, Scotland. The names of Logan and Kilsby appear on the Ottawa Memorial. Murchie was buried at the St. Stephen Rural Cemetery, Charlotte Country, New Brunswick. He was 26 years old.
Carl’s father wrote a letter dated October 28, 1944: “Dear Sir, Myself and family thank you for your expression of sympathy in the loss of our son R99218 Corporal Carl E. Logan and sorrowfully must admit that we have had no further information as to our dear son’s fate other than a letter from his Flying Officer at Charlottetown, PEI of October 24, 1944 stating that three of the crews of five were found on the shores of Newfoundland and buried there, but no trace of my son and another airman had been found. Would you please have whatever belongings he may had at station in PEI forwarded to us as there might be something we could treasure among them.” In the list of personal effects, Carl had a Lorie wristwatch, clothing, toiletries, glasses, notebooks, photos, and flashlights. He had a life insurance policy worth $970.41.
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