John Luther Cornell R122994

February 25, 1921 - December 28, 1942

John Cornell John Cornell John Cornell John Cornell John Cornell John Cornell

Welder apprentice joined RCAF and became pilot. While flying Hurricane 5402, during a dog fighting exercise, the plane spun into the sea, near Active Pass, BC.

John ‘Jack’ Luther Cornell, born in Hamilton, Ontario, was the son of Herbert Stanley Cornell (1891-1979), of Moose Jaw, Saskatchwan, and Elsie Mae (nee Bennett) Cornell (1895-1925). Mrs. Cornell is buried in the Woodland Cemetery, Hamilton. Mr. Cornell remarried. Bessie Emiline (nee Morgan) Cornell (1898-1997) was John’s stepmother. He had a half brother, Kenneth Stanley Cornell.

He was taken on strength with 135 Squadron, Patricia Bay, BC. On November 26, 1942, he was reprimanded for causing damage to Hurricane 5422 when he taxied too fast for safety. On December 28, 1942, Jack was flying Hawker Hurricane 5402 when it crashed near Active Pass, BC, while practicing dog fights at low level. (He had been absent without leave for 19 hours, returning to base at 1:30 am on the day of his death.) Pieces of wreckage were found, but no trace of the pilot. The cause of the accident was recorded as loss of control.

For more information about Jack, please see the link below. Additional information can be found in microfiche T12349, starting at image 4741.

He is remembered on the Ottawa Memorial as well as at the Woodland Cemetery, Hamilton, Ontario.

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