Summary information
| Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
| Title: | John Ernest Spry fonds |
| Reference code: | 0560 |
| Date: | 1941-1946 (date of creation) |
| Physical description: | 2.5 cm textual records |
| Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Processed by Patricia Greber – January 2014 Added to new database August 2024 – TD |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
John ‘Jack’ Ernest Spry was born in Sexsmith, Alberta, the son of Walter & Rose Spry.
Jack served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for five years during World War II. He was certified as a wireless operator in 1941, became a certified Wireless air-gunner in 1942, and later that same year a S.E. Coastal Operator.
In 1943 Jack was stationed near India. One day out on anti-sub patrol with pilot Sgt. Gallagher’ they sighted lifeboats and fourteen survivors of the S.S. Montanan. In attempting a landing their hull was damaged in a heavy swell. This had them scrambling into a rubber dinghy and in need of rescue. The lifeboats they had been sent to rescue came to their aid. On June 9th, after 2 days and 7 hours adrift, they were rescued by Catalinas Y & G and later made landfall at Marsira.
After the war Jack returned to the Sexsmith area, where he farmed until his death at the age of 57 on Aug. 14, 1980. He was buried at the Emerson Trail Cemetery.
Custodial history
Jack Spry’s Royal Canadian Air Force flying log book was donated to South Peace Regional Archives by Sherida Rossol, the daughter of Jack’s sister Olive.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of a log book from the Royal Canadian Air Force for 1941-1945. The log records a brief description of each mission flown, the pilot’s name and the date.
Notes
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title of fonds based on contents.
Access points
- Textual record (documentary form)
- Military (subject)