Remains of Canadian Second World War Airman Identified

News Release

June 23, 2014 - OTTAWA

The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have identified the remains of a Second World War airman found in Laacher See, south of Bonn, Germany, as those of Flight Sergeant John Joseph Carey of Ottawa, Ontario.

DND and the CAF have since notified members of Flight Sergeant Carey’s family. Veterans Affairs Canada and an Assisting Officer from the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) are providing the family with ongoing support as final arrangements are made. His remains will be interred at Rheinberg War Cemetery in Rheinberg, Germany, on July 9, 2014 with members of his family as well as representatives from the Government of Canada and the CAF in attendance.

Quick Facts

Flight Sergeant John Joseph Carey was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 4, 1920. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force on May 31, 1940 in Ottawa, Ontario, and was a member of 103 Squadron. He was 22 years of age at the time of his death.
Flight Sergeant Carey was the front air gunner for the Royal Air Force bomber Halifax BB214, which was on operations against Germany. The flight took off from RAF Station Elsham Wolds in the late evening of August 28, 1942, but no further communications were recorded for the flight. The bomber was shot down by enemy fighter aircraft and crashed in Laacher See, a lake south of Bonn, Germany.
In 2008, a team of German explosives disposal divers conducted several dives on the site to assess the stability of the aircraft’s cargo, and in the process, recovered human remains.
A genetic donor for Flight Sergeant Carey was located in December 2013. The positive results of the genetic testing were received in February 2014.

Quotes

“The identification of the remains of Flight Sergeant Carey demonstrates to his family, and to all of us, that the ultimate sacrifice he made in the name of his country will not be forgotten. Our Canadian airman will finally be laid to rest with the military honour he so rightfully deserves.”
The Honourable Rob Nicholson
Minister of National Defence

“It is important for us to pause, and to note the importance of the recovery of Flight Sergeant Carey. We must not cease to honour the sacrifice of those who came before us, and in doing so provide a sense of closure to the families and to their brothers and sisters in arms.”
Lieutenant-General Yvan Blondin
Commander, Royal Canadian Air Force

Associated Links

Historic Casualty Identification

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Contacts

Johanna Quinney
Press Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-3100

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811

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Remains of Canadian Second World War Airman Identified

News Release

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