Flight Sergeant Henry Isaac Bergman
1939-45
France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, War Medal 1939-45
Royal Canadian Air Force
158 Squadron Royal Air Force
Henry was born 1 March 1925, in Russia and moved to his beloved Canada in 1926. After finishing high school he enlisted in the R.C.A.F. as a young lad of 18 years. He served as a Rear Air Gunner on the Hadley Page Halifax Bomber as one of a 7 member crew. They were assigned to fly, the soon to be famous Halifax Bomber, “Friday the 13th”. This bomber holds the record, among Halifax Bombers, for the most successful raids over enemy territory. It flew 128 missions and returned each time. Henry’s first bombing raid over Germany was an experience. To quote him, “The 8 hour flight from the air base of the 158 Squadron in Lisset, England, was a somewhat startling initiation for this farm boy from the prairies. It’s amazing how fast you grew up.” One of the missions he flew was an attack on an island in the North Sea which the German Navy used as a base for its U-Boats. The mission was important because the island allowed Germany to block off a supply route for Great Britain and the Allies.
A pleasant memory for Henry was, while on leave over Christmas of 1944 and staying in a hostel in England, he felt very much alone and was hoping to run into someone he might know. He was in an elevator with another Serviceman, and both stepped out on the same floor. They began going in opposite directions, but stopped, turned around, and looked at each other. It turned out the other Serviceman was Neil Penner of Morden, another Banner Boy. They spent 10 days together. They were both blessed by God’s unique gift to comfort them with a part of home for Christmas.
Upon his return home from England, Henry married 16 year old Midge Mosurinjohn, 15 September 1945, whom he met in Winnipeg. They were married for 57 years. He elected to stay in the Air Force after the war and became an Aero Engine Technician and a Flight Engineer, graduating from No.1 Technical Training School, R.C.A.F. Aylmer, Ontario, 14 August 1947. Henry and Midge moved their family 7 times before he left the Forces to settle in Morden in 1955. They were blessed with 5 children, Patricia Plett (deceased), Peggy Bergman, Kathryn Broughton, Wendy Penner and Wayne Bergman (deceased). They also enjoyed their two grandsons, Jeffery Bergman (Kathryn) and Shawn Bergman (Peggy). He proudly served in the R.C.A.F. for 12 years.
Henry loved Morden and served his community in so many capacities that he was awarded the Kinsman Community Service Award in 1989. He and Midge instilled the ethic of service to community deeply into their children and both Wayne and Patricia also received the Kinsman Community Award for Service to Morden, in later years. Midge proudly received the Senior Citizens Award for service to Morden.
Henry’s faith was the No. 1 aspect of his life and he served the Lord and Christ Lutheran Church in every way possible throughout his lifetime. He was constantly studying scripture and loved to share his faith with everyone. His earthly life ended 18 August 2001, age 76, at which time he received his promotion to be present with the Lord.
Henry’s, was a life of Service well lived.
Respectfully submitted by Wendy (daughter) and George Penner.
Russell Alfred Burkitt
1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal
Royal Canadian Corps of Signals
WW II
02 August 1921 – 20 May 2015
Russell was born 02 August 1921 to Alfred and Myrtle (Armstrong) Burkitt in Thornhill, Manitoba. He was the second of 5 children.
In May of 1940, at the age of 18, Russell enlisted in the army in Winnipeg and became a member of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. After his initial training he was sent to England, landing 02 September 1940 by a Tank Landing Craft. He served as a driver and line patrol.
Russell was involved in the Battle for Normandy and the City of Caen, 14 kilometers inland from the Normandy coast. The area to the south of the city was relatively flat and Allied Airforce Commanders wanted the area captured to put in runways and more aircraft on French soil. Canadians were involved in the battle to capture of the suburbs to the south of the city, 18 – 20 July 1944. Russell had served for four years and while on line patrol at Caen, he was severely wounded on 19 July 1944. He spent five months at a hospital in England due to his significant injuries. In December 1944 he was sent home, by Hospital Ship, and then transferred to Deer Lodge Hospital in Winnipeg until released in 1945.
After recovering from his war injuries Russell returned home to Thornhill, Manitoba and married his long time sweetheart Edna Lechner and they began farming. They had four children while living on the farm and lived there until 1962 when they moved to Morden. Russell worked in the area for several years and then began a long career with the Pipeline.
Russell loved to fly and with 5 other local pilots, co-founded Stanley Flying Club in 1964 (now called Morden Flying Club). The 6 pilots and first officers of the club were Rollie Lumb – President, Hank Wiens – Secretary-Treasurer, Henry Loewen – Vice-President, Ben Wiebe – Grounds, Russell Burkitt – Public Relations and Art Best – Membership. Russel was always challenging himself; therefore, he purchased & flew many different types of planes throughout his years of active flying. He loved spending time with family and friends, curling, playing cards, dancing, reading everything about aviation and traveling the world with Edna. In his later years he enjoyed family visits, reading Louis Lamour westerns, listening to music and watching sports. He generously donated too many community organizations.
Russell was a member of the Morden Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 for 69 years until his passing 20 May 2015.
Information from Morden Centennial Booklet and on the Battle of Caen from Wikipedia, II Canadian Corps History.
Sergeant Brian Grant Burkitt
Canadian Forces Decoration (CD)
Royal Canadian Air Force
418 Squadron
Brian began his life journey in Morden, Manitoba 28 January 1950, the second of four children born to Russel and Edna (Lechner) Burkitt. He completed his grade school & high school in Morden. He loved to play pool, driving fast cars, especially his Super B. If you were looking for Brian, he was either at the pool hall or in the driveway on Nelson Street tinkering on his car.
At the age of 18, Brian enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces 02 August 1968 in Winnipeg, MB. He was initially an aircraft technician and later trained as a Flight Engineer and was transferred to 418 AR (Air Reserve) Squadron in Edmonton. The role of 418 AR Squadron was light transport, training and search and rescue.
Brian married, raised 2 children and resided in Edmonton, Alberta.
On 06 June 1986 a Cessna 182, with 2 people onboard, crashed in the vicinity of Guinns Lake in the Kananaskis region west of Calgary. Despite the marginal weather a search was initiated and a Cessna 185, with 3 people on board, launched and began the search. A short time later it too crashed. This particular aircraft crash site was located the next day, 09 June. On 14 June, eight days after the search had been initiated, the missing Cessna 182 aircraft had not been located. At this time 418 Squadron was tasked to provide two aircraft for the search. Rescue 804 and 807 left Edmonton and refueled at Springbank Airport, near Calgary. Rescue 807 took on board 5 Civil Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) volunteers to act as spotters and then flew out to its assigned search area. After 30 – 40 minutes flight time an Emergency Locater Transmitter was heard by Rescue 804, the other Twin Otter aircraft on the search, and they quickly located the crash site. On 14 June 1986, Brian was one of eight people on board CC-13807 Twin Otter aircraft. All on board perished.
The investigation concluded the accident was caused by an illusion when the sun’s high angle and lack of shadow on terrain caused the pilot to perceive the mountains distance deceptively far away.
The crash site of the first Cessna 182 was located on 18 June 1986. The search had claimed 3 military and 8 civilian lives.
Three months later, a service held by the Government of Alberta named three lakes in the Kananaskis Valley the “Memorial Lakes” in honor of the people who lost their lives. A cairn with a bronze plaque stands just above the third and highest-altitude lake as a perpetual memorial.
Thirty years later, Lieutenant-Colonel (retired) Jim Gillespie, of 418 Squadron Association, delivered a tribute commemorating the loss of Twin Otter 807 and her Royal Canadian Air Force aircrew. Members of the 418 (City of Edmonton) Squadron Association placed commemorative stones at the Aviation Memorial located in front of the Alberta Aviation Museum in Edmonton, Alberta to ensure that Sergeant Brian Burkitt and the other two members of the Royal Canadian Air Force who lost their lives in the service of their country, are not forgotten.
“They did not grow old as we who were left grew old. Age did not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we still remember them.” Adapted from Laurence Binyon’s poem, “For the Fallen”.
Information on the crashes and rescue attempts are from a news article at the Alberta Aviation Museum, 14 July 2016.
Sergeant / Petty Officer
Allan Christian Bjarnason
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM), 1939-45 War Medal
Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm
WW II
Allan Christian (Barney) Bjarnason was born in Brandon, 19 June 1923. His siblings were Herman, Jonas, Kjartan, Carl, Runa, Helen, Margaret, Dora and Martin. Barney was the youngest of the 10 children born to Sigudur and Sifa (Grunnlaugson) Bjarnason. He went to school in Brandon and completed grade XI at Brandon Collegiate in 1941. He served one year as a plumber’s apprentice prior to enlisting. At the time of his release from the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) he had a desire to complete his matriculation and continue his education as an engineering student at university.
Barney enlisted in the RCAF 22 December 1942 and reported for duty 19 May 1943. He did initial aircrew training on the Cornell, a single engine aircraft, in Virden, Manitoba beginning in September. His “Pilot’s Flying Log Book” indicated he took his first flight 5 January 1944 and received his Pilot’s Flying Badge (Wings) 04 March. He next went to Gimli and trained on the Anson, a twin engine aircraft, finishing in October. He served until 15 January 1945 when he was transferred to the Aircrew Reserve as a Sergeant Pilot. He was considered “as an intelligent student and a good flyer.” Sergeant Bjarnason remained with the RCAF Reserve until discharged and then immediately transferred to the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and reported to HMS Seaborn at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Records indicate his release from the RCAF and entry into the Royal Navy happened on 01 June. He was given the rank of Petty Officer (PO) and embarked on the S.S. Louis Pasteur on 11 June 1945, landing at Southampton U.K. on the 17th. PO Bjarnason reported to HMS Macaw, a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Base, on 19 June and remained there until he departed Southampton on the R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth on 14 November arriving back at Halifax on the 18th. PO Bjarnason’s discharge became final 19 January 1946.
After discharge Barney did attempt to continue his education, for a short time, however life and responsibilities took over and he went to work with Manitoba Hydro, which turned into a lifetime career. His work with Manitoba Hydro, in time, required a move to Arborg, Manitoba in 1956. He was there a short time when he met Eleanor Goodman. Three months later, on the 25th of September, they were married. They spent 14 years at Arborg and had 2 children, Warren and Cheryl while living there.
In 1970 Manitoba Hydro transferred Barney to Morden, Manitoba where, the family quickly felt at home and immersed themselves in the community. Barney was extremely active and served the community on many committees over the years. He served on the executive of the Royal Canadian Legion, Legion House and also the Minnewasta Golf and Country Club. The Legion awarded him a Lifetime Membership for his service to the organization and his fellow veterans. The family has suffered a the loss of family members over time, on 20 October 1990 son Warren passed away, son-in-law Wayne on 12 December 2022 and Eleanor, Barney’s wife, on 24 August 2019. Barney is remembered as a gentle, kind and giving man by his family, daughter Cheryl, 3 grandchildren as well as 5 great grandchildren.
Sergeant / Petty Officer Allen Christian Bjarnason passed away 12 December 2014 and his ash internment took place at the Wiebe Funeral Home Columbarium, Morden, Manitoba.
Information provided by the family and Library and Archives Canada (Sergeant Bjarnason’s WW II Records)