In memoriam: Flying Officer Justin (Gerry) Clermont, Royal Canadian Air Force, 175 Squadron
On 7th May 1944, Gerry Clermont’s Hawker Typhoon was returning from a sortie attacking enemy ships over the Normandy coast. At around 20:15 hours witnesses stated that the Typhoon was seen to dive and then level out before crashing and exploding at on Lady’s Mile strip by Stansted house. It is possible he was trying to land on this strip of grass.
Gerry’s RAF Squadron was based at Homsley South airfield in the New Forest. His body is buried in Brookfield Military Cemetery: Grave reference Plot: 49. Row: A. Grave:3
A memorial cross was erected by Mr Graham Alderson (who witnessed the accident at the age of 14) in 1991 which, unfortunately, deteriorated over the years. The Friends of Stansted Park (FOSP) Committee agreed to rebuild the memorial as a fitting tribute to perpetuate Justin’s memory, and this was erected on November 11th, 2015. The new memorial was dedicated on May 6th, 2016 where four of his nieces and nephews attended.
Gerry Clermont, Killed in Action Overseas
Word was received by Mrs J.A. Clermont, Toronto, formerly of Cochrane, that her eldest son, Flying Officer Justin Gerard Clermont, aged 23, had been killed in action overseas on May 7th, 1944.
Flying Officer Clermont, better known as Gerry to his many friends in Cochrane, was born in Cochrane, received his first primary education at St. Joseph’s Separate school, attended Ottawa University for a year then completed his secondary course at Cochrane High school. He took part in many sports, specifically basketball and swimming.
He went to Timmins in June of ’39 where he worked at the Paymaster and McIntyre mines until he joined the R.C.A.F. in the fall of 1941. He graduated as a fighter pilot in September of 1942 and received his commission as pilot officer. He then went to Summerside, Prince Edward Island for an extensive course of three months. He visited his friends on Cochrane while on embarkation leave and left for England in January 1943. He was promoted to Flying Officer about six months later. He was at various stations in England and although Gerry did not disclose much about his flying activities overseas he mentioned that he was flying Typhoons and flying over France, photo courtesy IWM (CH 11578).
Gold operational wings of the RCAF have been posthumously awarded to F.O. J. Gerard Clermont, 23, fighter pilot, killed May 7, 1944 when his plane crashed in Sussex when returning from an operation over France in advance of D-Day.
The award was “in recognition of gallant service against the enemy”, according to the certificate received by his mother Mrs J. A. Clermont, Huron St.
Surviving are his parents (Mr Clermont was Master of Titles here), a sister, Olivette, and three brothers, Robert of Toronto, Roger and Ernest who are attending college at Kitchener. The funeral service was held at 12 o’clock May 12th at Brookwood cemetery, Surrey, England.
Commemoration in 2016: Re-siting of Crash Site, in Stansted Park
(Article, courtesy of R.W Godwin, Friends of Stansted Park)
Further reading:
Aircrew Remembered Aviation Personal Histories and Databases
The National Archives- Squadron Number: 175
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1111/10
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1111/9