Born in 1917 at Tilbury, ON., son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Cottingham of Tilbury, brother of F/O David. Clare enlisted in July of 1940 and was training in Toronto in November of 1941 TT 17/11/41. Clare was stationed at RCAF Training School in St. Thomas in December of 1941 when he was home on a weekend furlough to see his parents.

The TT. 5/02/42 reported that Lieut. Donald Cooke then serving in the R.C.O.C. in England had been promoted to the rank of Captain as a electrical engineering specialist. The CDN 22/02/43  serving overseas was reported to have been promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corp. He had been serving overseas since early in the war.  

Still at RCAF St. Thomas in March of 1942, Clare was reported on furlough at his parents home in Tilbury recuperating after an attack of scarlet fever. CDN 11/03/42  [GOH –note: Scarlet Fever- a streptococcus bacteria – causes bright red rash, high fever and sore throat]  AC2 Cottingham was on a two weeks furlough from RCAF Moncton, NB. to spend time with his family in Tilbury. CDN 22/07/42

In August of 1942 Clare was stationed at No. 8 S.F.T.S. Moncton, NB., he had been on a three week leave to visit his family. TT6/08/42  They were married 6 June 1943, had a weeks honeymoon before she was to embark for Sicily one of the first Canadian nurses in that theatre of operations. TT 22/07/43. 

He was stationed in Moosejaw Sask. Claire was on furlough from Moncton, NB. in April, 1943. TT 8/04/43. The CDN 15/04/43, reported that Clare left Chatham after a two weeks leave with his parents in Tilbury. He was returning to Moncton, NB. 

The CDN 23/12/43 reported he was at RCAF-Moncton, NB. when he was on a Christmas leave, NB. He made the trip home via Trans Canada Airlines.  

The CDN 5/01/45 reported that Clare had returned to Moosejaw SK. after being on leave to visit his parents.

Has been discharged from the RCAF. CDN 20/09/45

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

TT (30/10/41, 17/11/41/ 18/12/41, 25/12/41), MGF, CDN (2/01/46), ST

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