Sergeant William Baird
In 2013, the remains of Sergeant William Baird were recovered from a remote forest near Port Renfrew, British Columbia. He and 3 other crewmen from the Avro Anson Mk 1 L7056 went missing on a routine navigation exercise on October 30, 1942, during the Second World War.
- Born 16 October 1917 in Calgary, Alberta
- Died 30 October 1942 at the age of 25
- Died a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force
- Remains discovered 23 October 2013 in Port Renfrew, British Columbia
- Buried at Victoria (Royal Oak) Burial Park, Section D, Plot 30, Coll. Grave 12-13
William Baird was born on 16 October 1917 in Calgary, Alberta.
Before enlisting with the Royal Canadian Air Force on 27 August 1941, Baird had worked on oil wells in Alberta and also served briefly in 1940 with the Calgary Highlanders of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of Canada. His alertness and observance abilities made him suitable for the position of wireless operator/air gunner.
An avid athlete, Baird played baseball, hockey, and enjoyed swimming. He also had a keen interest in woodworking, duck shooting, and fishing.
The Avro Anson Mk 1 L7056 and its four-man crew (including Sergeant Baird), went missing during a routine navigation exercise on 30 October 1942.
Sergeant Baird was buried in November 2014 at Royal Oak Burial Park, in Victoria British Columbia alongside Pilot Officer Charles George Fox, Pilot Officer Anthony William Lawrence and Sergeant Robert Ernest Luckock.
For further information on Sergeant William Baird, you can consult his personnel file at Library and Archives Canada.
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