March 9, 1928 - November 7, 1947
Malvern James Pease, born in Snowflake was the son of William Thomas Pease (1887-1960), carpenter, and Dulcie Jessie (nee Swan) (1890-1973) of La Riviere, Manitoba. He had two sisters, Mrs. Elsie Brown and Mrs. Lorraine Dulcie Lane (1921-2011). The family was Anglican.
Malvern had a Grade IX education. He worked as a section man for the CPR from 1945-1946. He liked baseball and skating. He had $512.15 in the Royal Bank of Canada, Manitou, Manitoba. Victory Loan Bonds: $100.
He enlisted with the RCAF as a construction hand on August 7, 1946. “Average type. Good general appearance.” Malvern stood 5’10” tall and weighed 164 pounds. He had hazel eyes and brown hair. “Fit, subject to audio and ECG.”
He started his journey with the RCAF at No. 1 Manning Depot, Portage La Prairie on August 9, 1946. He then went to No. 9 C. M. U. Vancouver, BC in October 1946 until he traveled to Calgary March 16, 1947 to No. 2 C. M. U. He was then sent to No. 10 C. M. U., Edmonton April 24, 1947, then posted up to Cambridge Bay. “Missing, presumed drowned at Cambridge Bay, NWT,” November 7, 1947.
“Operating tractor which broke through ice while clearing the runway for SNOGO and had already made five trips to end of runway and reported ice was in fine condition. SNOGO was some distance behind him and visibility was poor. First intimation was when operators of SNOGO saw dark spot ahead. Hole in ice was just the size of a tractor. Ice in area had measured 18-17 inches previously but where tractor went down, measures 11 inches. Evidently, struck small local pocket under heavy snow as snow is piled up where tractor when through. Accident took place at extreme south end of runway.” A photograph was taken.
In his personal possession, he had 38 photos of operations at Cambridge Bay.
In late October 1955, Mrs. Pease received a letter informing her that since Malvern had no known grave, his name would appear on the Ottawa Memorial.