Sgt. Wesley Ray Burke

Sgt. Ray Burke, RCAF, was born April 1, 1920 at Carmangay and died Feb. 3, 1944 at Oxford, England, in a bomber crash during a night-flying test, for which he had volunteered. Ray was the rear gunner on the plane carrying three other crew members when one engine cut out, causing the plane to pitch and crash. All four on board were killed. The bombardier, Field Officer D.M. MacDonald, wrote in a letter Ray “was an exceedingly fine chap in every way, always cheerful, always ready to lend a hand. His heart was big and true and it had a place in it for everyone.”