Samuel Lorne Wilfred McCron

Son of Samuel Hyslop McCron and Florence May Ingram, Lorne was born in Manitoba on June 1, 1910 and was brother to William (RCAF killed in action WW2), Albert (RCAF WW2), Wallace, Paul, Ruth and Eleanor. Lorne attended schools in Manitoba, before the family moved to Ontario, living in various locations including Acton (address unknown).

Lorne worked as a miner, a truck owner, a winter fisherman, a garage worker and a prospector. His hobbies included prospecting, rugby, baseball, hockey boxing, hunting, swimming and rowing.

He married Olive Zelkovich of Fort William Ont. on February 26, 1939 in Geraldton, Ont. and enlisted at #6 mobile recruiting station in Geraldton on September 30, 1942. In his enlistment papers he stated the reason for doing so was that “I thought that I had been a spectator of this war for as long as my self-respect would permit”.

Lorne enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force and trained in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Quebec. His military file notes “works very hard. Rather slow to assimilate technical knowledge. Quite capable in the air. Mature conscientious type”.

Upon completion of his training, Lorne was posted overseas on June 25, 1944 and arrived in England on July 3, 1944.

On November 30, 1944, Lorne was flying in a Vickers Wellington X during high bombing practice when an engine caught fire and the aeroplane crashed, coming down at Sutton-on-Trent, England…the crew of five killed. Wireless Operator McCron died of multiple injuries and burns.

Lorne was buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, United Kingdom. He was father to Lawrence age 2 and Beverly, born after his death.

Lorne is memorialized on the Acton Cenotaph and at Knox Presbyterian Church, Acton.

Truly a Canadian Hero. His story lives on.

*Information taken from losses.internationalbcc.co.uk, Findagrave.com and Ancestry.ca

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