Markland Crash, 1943

Wireless Air Gunner, Sergeant Leslie E. Thomas, R.C.A.F.,
killed in plane crash announced Monday, was buried in the
Church of England Cemetery, Sackville, Tuesday. With services
at both the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. N. Thomas,
and at St. John’s the Evangelist, the 21 year old airmen’s
funeral was one of the largest ever seen in the village.
His cortege was nearly a mile long.

On Monday, full Air Force rites for all five air force men
killed in the crash were held in Yarmouth. The four others
were F. O. A. M. Tingle: Flight Sergeant B. L. Hudson, Yarmouth:
Flight Sergeant J. T. Managan, North Bay, Ont.: and Sergeant
H. E. White, Ontario. The crash occurred at Markland, Nova Scotia.

Services for young Thomas were conducted by Rev. A. H. Tyres,
rector of St. John’s. He was assisted by Rev. Mr. Jones of the
Sackville Baptist Church, and by Flight Lieutenant, Coleman,
lone representative of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Flowers were numerous.

Sergeant Thomas, in addition to his parents is survived by a half
brother, Ralph Webber, Sackville.

The young airman, after completing his schooling in Sackville,
joined the Air Force in June 1941. He took a course at St Thomas,
Ontario and also at Jarvis, Ontario, graduating in July of last year.
For the past six months he has been stationed at Yarmouth.