Choloy, France

1953 – 2 (F) Wing – Assorted Sources

Comments by Jacques Nadeau:

My wife and I attended F/O Cloutier's funeral. He was a nighbour of ours when we were living in a trailer located on a margerite on the station. My section was also involved during the search for the crash site. He was found very near the "Etangs de Benestroff" situated south of Grostenquin. Most of our neighbours were also pilots and when the alarm went on, for the crash, most of these pilots went home using the back way, so as not to seen by Mrs. Cloutier, who by that time probably knew of the crash, but not of her husband being the victim. She was pregnant at the time of their first born. She was flown back home shortly after the funeral. I took some pictures during the funeral ceremony.

Extracts from Station Historical Record:

9 June 1953 - At 1050 hours Sabre 19365 piloted by F/O JG Cloutier, 421 (F) Squadron, was reported to be missing in the area of Benestroff. GCA had contact with him about 12 miles out when he disappeared. An immediate search and farmer's report, plus an Expeditor search plane located the aircraft 19365 in a small lake, the pilot's canopy and helmet were found about 1/2 mile before the lake giving us hope that he had bailed out. An intensive search by over 150 men followed after lunch. A systematic approach was formed, in a line tangent with the aircraft's last line of flight. Many men were up to their waists in slime and marsh searching the shallower parts of an adjacent lake. F/O Cloutier was found in a wheat field on a slight rise of ground, still strapped to his seat. He was evidently too low to do anything, and must have been killed instantly. His parachute "D" ring was out but his parachute unopen. The body was removed to the Station Hospital and arrangements made for the funeral. Mrs. JG Cloutier, wife of the deceased living on the unit at the trailer park was informed.

11 June 1953 - Funeral of late F/O JG Cloutier was held. Service was conducted in RC chapel with F/L LJ Martin officiating. Heavy rains preceeded and followed continuously al during the ceremony. F/L K Thornycroft was in charge of the funeral party with the escort party under charge of F/O JJ Doyle. Supporting party was composed of F/O's Ackert, Peters, Fulford, Gordon, Hallowell and F/L Wood. The funeral began at the Station Hospital where the body was escorted to the RC Chapel, here a requiem high mass was sung for him. After the mass the body was escorted, in slow time, outside the limits of the station, where flags hung at half mast. The cortege moved off to the Military Cemetery in Metz where internment was made. G/C ME Pollard, Air Division HQ represented the AOC, W/C EHM Walsh, W/C JF Edwards and Captain P deMalglaive were all present. Representing General Pelisse of the 1e Air Division was Lt. Col. Black, who was accompanied by several French Air Force Officers. In the afternoon F/O Fulford in the company of Mrs. DJ Peters escorted the widow of F/O Cloutier, via Bristol freighter, to North Luffenham, where she would be placed aboard a North Star bound for Canada.

16 June 1953 - Board of Inquiry convened regarding the death of F/O JG Cloutier on 9 June concluded its findings. As the aircraft was and now remains completely submerged in the lake near Benestroff, it has been decided to allow it to remain, pending the emptying of the lake in the fall, at which time it will be re-examined.

18 June 1953 - CO forwarded letters of condolence plus photographs of the official ceremony to the parents, parents-in-law, and wife of the late F/O JG Cloutier.

22 June 1953 - Temporary wooden cross erected and photographed on grave of late F/O JG Cloutier in Metz Military Cemetery.

26 June 1953 - F/O F Major and Captain deMalglaive visited Benestroff and completed their findings regarding damage to crops and fields and boat used in salvage. F/L Sinclair, F/L Lamont and S/L MacArthur completed the findings of the Board of Inquiry on Sabre aircraft 19365 which was fatal for F/O JG Cloutier and departed by road for 3 Wing.