415 Squadron Association
The Golden Fleece, York. Thought to be haunted by a Canadian Airman who died in the former hotel during the Second World War.
Friday, 12 May consisted of a tour and lunch at the large historic house in Sutton Park. This magnificent house served as an officer’s mess and residence for Canadian Aircrew that operated from East Moor. The home is currently owned by the Sheffield family and Mr. Robert Sheffield graciously hosted the group for a tour and deliciously prepared lunch. Following lunch, the group proceeded to Sutton-on-the-Forest elementary school where they interacted with the children and discussed the reason for our visit. We presented them some souvenirs and then proceeded to the former RAF East Moor airfield, which still has a few buildings and runway from its former glory.
To end this first day, the group proceeded to discuss the day's activities at a local establishment in York, named the Golden Fleece. Upon entry, it was observed that the establishment was marked as the most haunted pub in York and upon further investigation, it was discovered that a Canadian Airmen died in the former hotel and was thought to take up residence at the hotel as a non- paying guest. He is still thought to haunt the building. We then met a local resident who shared that he was a former RAF pilot before a lengthy career in commercial aviation. As the discussion continued, we discovered a mutual colleague who was in fact our host for the memorial service, Flt Lt Alan Dolding.
Was it pure coincidence that we entered this specific establishment or was it fate? And to learn of the pub’s various connections to the RCAF? It peeked our interest and resulted in a lengthy and healthy debate!
Members at Harrogate Allied War Graves (Stonefall Cemetary)
Major MacSween and Sgt Crosby reflect on the Halifax crew members killed on 21 August 1944
East Moor Memorial is an annual event that honours the veterans of 415, 429 and 432 Sqns who served at Royal Air Force (RAF) Station East Moor, Yorkshire, England. The memorial takes place in Sutton-on-the-Forest, a small village adjacent to the former airfield that once was the home to nearly 1800 RCAF and RAF personnel.
On Saturday, the 13th of May 2023, 415 and 429 Sqns came together once again to commemorate their Sqns’ contribution to Bomber Command and the allied effort of the Second World War. This years’ service followed the weekend after His Majesty, King Charles III coronation, on a warm sunny day in England.
Current members of 415 Sqn, Maj Mike MacSween and Sgt Nathan Crosby and 429 Sqn, Sgt Reese Paton and Cpl Mathieu Lavoie met at London Heathrow and drove north to York, England where they met up with former CO 415 Sqn, LCol Patrick LeBlanc and former 415 Sqn SWO, MWO Jason Patterson. Both former members took the opportunity to conduct personal travel to attend this years’ service.
Events kicked off on the 11th of May, meeting with host Flt Lt Alan Dolding and a lunch visit to RAF Leeming. The group visited with Station Commander, Group Captain Gareth Prendergast and conducted a tour of the base which 429 Sqn occupied after East Moor. The group then travelled to the Commonwealth War Grave site in Harrogate (Stonefall Cemetery) where 988 Second World War airmen are buried. This beautiful site is the resting place of over 600 Canadians; including members of both 415 and 429 Sqns. The visit became a highly emotional reflection of the sacrifices made by so many young aviators and the site’s beauty is a stunning tribute to those who lie at rest. The visit to Stonefall was recommended by 415 Association President Chris Henneberry who spoke of a collision of two Halifax Bombers on 21 August 1944. The crash took the lives of twelve aircrew and two ground crew, including the pilot and CO 415 Sqn W/C John Gordon McNeill, DFC. The other aircraft was flown by S/Ldr Brian Edmund Wilmot, DFC and Bar who sadly was killed before he was able to receive a Bar to his DFC. After a period of searching, we were able to locate the victims of this crash and pay our appropriate respects.
The Historic Estate in Sutton Park, served as an Officer’s Mess and residence, with Mr. Robert Sheffield