F/S M.H. Buckley R66343, 401 Sqn. Malta?

[Paul Squires]

Hi All. Happy New Year, I hope!

In my research I have reached F/S Morton Haist Buckley, R66343, lost from 401 Sqn. August 19, 1942 during the operations supporting the landings at Dieppe.

Of interest articles posted on his page at the Canadian Virtual War Memorial mention that he had been sent to Malta, but had contracted a fever (sand-fly fever?) and been repatriated after only a few operational flights.

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembran ... vwm/606195

At this time he had been posted to 603 Squadron, which was sent to Malta April 20, 1942, flying from the carrier USS Wasp. In Shores, Cull and Malizia's book Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942 he is shown in a photo of the Squadron taken aboard the Wasp as "Sgt Buckley (did not go to Malta)", but it also lists Sgt W.B. Walcott RCAF(USA) as "defected", which is an error. The details F/S Buckley gave of living in Malta and contracting a fever in the article dated August 4 (1942) on the CVWM site, however, seems to indicate he did serve there, if only briefly. If he was soon taken ill and evacuated Shores et al may be in error on this point.

His records at Library and Archives Canada have him TOS with 603 Squadron December 23, 1941, then 416 Squadron (no date, attached only?), then TOS 401 Squadron July 3, 1942. Alternatively also TOS 603 Squadron December 23, 1941, cancelled Dec. 31, 1942, followed by various movements to locations in Scotland, culminating in "Att 51st Army Nairn <can't make out>" dated February 24/25, 1942. Preparing for the voyage in the Wasp? The next entry dated August 19, 1942 is simply "MISSING".

https://recherche-collection-search.bac ... ist-r66343

So, did this airman serve in Malta? If not, what was he doing between late April and July, 1942? There is no reference to him being hospitalized or treated in this period, although he was granted 16 days leave from June 27 to July 10, 1942.

For georgetanksherman and his work on US airmen, F/S Buckley was also born in Lynn, Massachusetts, but identifies himself as 'British' or 'Canadian', his father as 'Canadian' as well. It appears he was raised and educated in Canada. However the page on the actions at Dieppe at the DND site identify him as an American in the RCAF, which sounds like an assumption based solely on his place of birth.

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-nat ... -raid.html

So, can anyone shed some light on this airman's progress before he was posted to 401 Squadron?

All the Best,

Paul Squires
Wetaskiwin, Alberta