McLaren, Robert Perrin (Bob)

P/O Robert Perrin (Bob) McLaren, 22, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. McLaren, Mount Vernon, forfeited his life when he flew beyond the line of duty. As the pilot and captain of the crew of a Wellington bomber he had successfully completed 31 trips over enemy territory. His 32nd was not in his regular schedule, but he volunteered to fly another bomber when the crew's pilot could not make the trip. The target that night of August 18, 1942, was Flensburg, Germany, and it is believed the plane crashed over the Skagerrak. P/O McLaren's body was washed ashore at Ockero, Sweden, on September 8, 1942. There he was given a full military funeral and his sorrowing family have since received photographs of the service and the grave. Born at Richwood, in Oxford County, he went to the Richwood Public School, then to Drumbo Continuation School and finally to Burford High School, from where he graduated. He was a fine athlete and was active in all sports. He enlisted in the R.C.A.F. on October 28, 1940, and was trained as a pilot at Brandon, Winnipeg, Regina and Edmonton, and received his wings at Medicine Hat, on August 8, 1941. He went overseas immediately after a furlough at home. His R.C.A.F. career was a splendid one and he had the distinction of flying with the Moose Squadron and was on the first three of the 1,000 plane raids made on Cologne, Essen and over the Ruhr Valley. At the time of that last fatal flight he had received his posting to go to Scotland as an instructor, but his parents learned from his commanding officer that he had applied for permission to go into action in the Middle East.

Back to Search Results