Reansbury, John Joseph

WW.O. 2 John Joseph Reansbury, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Reansbury, 110 Lyons Ave., was reported missing on June 23, 1943, following a bombing raid on Mulheim, Germany. It was on the return trip that the Halifax bomber on which W.O. Reansbury was navigator, ran into enemy flak and was lost. Later it was learned that the Brantford airman was buried at Breda, Holland. As a member of the Lion Squadron, he had served conscientiously and effectively. His record of achievement was such that much was expected of him in the future by his officers and that his career was so suddenly terminated was deeply regretted. Enlisting in the R.C.A.F., in February, 1941, John trained at Brandon, Saskatoon, Regina, Trenton and Crumlin and graduated as an observer at Fingal in April, 1942. He went on to Penfield Ridge and then to his final Canadian posting at Dorval. In England, by coincidence, W.O. Reansbury, who for 10 years had served as an altar boy at St. Basil's Church here, met S/L E. J. Hartmann, whose home is in Brantford, and who, in his own youth had also acted as an altar boy at St. Basil's. S/L Hartmann was a Roman Catholic Chaplain and at an R.C.A.F. station in England, W.O. Reansbury served at one of the Brantford padre's Masses. It was indicative of the deeply spiritual nature of W.O. Reansbury that he took part in the exercise of his religious duties whenever possible. Born in Brantford, October 26, 1920, he had attended St. Basil's School and had graduated with his matriculation from the Collegiate Institute. He was employed at the Brantford Coach and Body, Limited. He was a member of most of the men's organizations at his parish church.

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