Born 9/02/1919 in Wallaceburg, ON. The eldest son of Alfred and Sophia (Joiner) Crist, of 31 Main St., Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada. The brother of F/O. Eric (RAF), Alfred, Barbara and married sister Mrs. Virginia (Ray) Keelan of Sarnia.  Virginia and Ray’s son is Brian Keelan and is named after Brian Crist, Uncle, killed on September 24, 1943; and Brian Keelan was born on October 13, 1943.

Brian Vincent attended Our Lady of Help school, Merici High School and Wallaceburg High School. After his graduation he was employed at the Dominion Glass Co. until his enlistment. 

Brian was one of the first enlisted in the 1^st Hussars trained in London, ON. for active service    –Armoured Division of 1^st Canadian Hussars. 18/09/1939 After a year in the army he transferred to the RCAF 5/02/1941.

After training with the armoured division and transferring to the RCAF he trained in Toronto, Picton NS., Victoriaville, PQ, Goderich, and Camp Borden where he received his wings on the 19^th of December, 1941 at No.1  S. F.T.S. Camp Borden, ON.  He left for overseas in January 1942 landing in Bournmouth, England. Sgt.-Pilot Crist, having completed his training in England was transferred “somewhere” with another squadron.

Brian trained in Toronto, Picton NS., Victoriaville, PQ, Goderich, and Camp Borden where he received his wings on the 19^th of December, 1941 at No.1  S. F.T.S. He was awarded his Wings 27/12/1941 at Camp Borden, ON 

After receiving his “Wings” he went overseas in January, 1942  He left for overseas in January 1942 landing in Bournmouth, England. Sgt.-Pilot Crist, having completed his training in England was transferred “somewhere” with another squadron.

Once overseas he was posted to a RAF fighter squadron and was dispatched to the North African Campaign. While flying in North Africa, he sustained a severe wound to his right leg from an explosive shell on 27 March 1943 while flying Spitfire JL 232 in combat over Northern Tunisia. He would spend four months in a Tunisian hospital as a result but he did return to active operations.

The CDN 5/04/43 (P) Reported “shot down in action over Northern Tunisa while engaged in maneuverers with the RAF fighter squadron”. He was reported to be in a hospital in Tunisia. His brother Eric was wounded at Malta early in the struggle in the Mare Nostra region.   

The WN 30/09/43 reported that Flt. Sgt. Brian Crist was “missing after air operations” Missing on 24 Sept. 1943 after failing to return from a mission presumed “somewhere over Italy”. Flt. Sergt. Christ had been engaged with the RAFin fighting in the Mediterranean area, however the air operation may have been over Sicilly or Italy. 

Age: 24, KIA – Date of Death: 24/09/1943, Spitfire JL 232 fighter crashed while giving cover for the invasion of Italy attacked by a German FW190 two miles north of Salerno, on Mount Lieini Italy. WO2 (P) was previously wounded 28/03/43 while flying a Kittyhawk fighter with 450 Sqd.

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	“No Return Ticket” by Alan Mann., Steinhoff Memorial Cenotaph – Wallaceburg, Index of Overseas Deaths. “They Shall Not Grow Old, VIS-IODE, B. Keelan, Nephew
Supplemental Information	Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: III. D. 33. Cemetery: SALERNO WAR CEMETERY.

Age	24
Birthplace	Wallaceburg, Ontario
When Enlisted	5/02/1941
Where Enlisted	London, Ontario

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