Emmett was born in Wallaceburg and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Otis Magee of 732 Forham St. Wallaceburg, ON. Andrew attended Central Public School and graduated from Wallaceburg High School. While in High School he was “outstanding on the rugby and hockey teams”.   

Andrew enlisted in the RCAF in May 1941, receiving his “Wings” at Camp Borden in January 1943 and proceeded overseas as a Sergeant-Pilot, NCO., R98308.  He saw a lot of action over France and the continent and was Mentioned in dispatches. He was serving with the 247^th Squadron stationed in Holland. The WN 1/02/45(P) reported that Andrew had been promoted from Sgt. (P) R17298 to Flt. Lieut.

The Wallaceburg News of 10/09/42 in their News section “From Boys Overseas” published the following letter:

Somewhere in Scotland,

August 8, 1932

Editors of News

Dear Sirs:

   Many times I have decided to write and express my kind regards to you for the receipt of the paper but each time I have put it off. I hope you will forgive me, please.

   I have received a great number of papers since coming over here and honestly it is one of the chief cheer up remedies. I can only hope they continue to arrive safely. 

   I was in London on leave some time ago and ran ixcross Ken. He was just going back to Scotland, I believe. He sure seemed to be enjoying himself.

   I am having  a wonderful time over here. The people are marvelous.  Scotland sure is a lovely place to be stationed. We also have a grand station, but are moving to a new squadron soon. I don’t know whether we’ll stay on the Island or not. I hope to get a posting overseas if possible, Egypt or India would be fine.

   I am on Hurricanes at present but like to get Spites. What kind of station is Ken on? I hope he likes it over here. I’ll admit it’s not like home but it isn’t bad. We Canadians have a fine time.

   Well must close now. Keep the home fires burning and above all “Keep Smiling”.

 Yours.

Andrew Magee.

The CDN 22/06/43(P), reported he had received his commission in June 1943 while serving overseas.

On 29 December 1944 at around noon, his aircraft, Typhoon Ib, for Sqd. 181 or 247 RAF, serial MN356 coded ZY-J, was hit by flack causing the engine to fail. He crash landed near Telgte, Germany and survived the crash landing and made for the allied lines on foot many miles away. He walked by day and night for four days until he was captured at Greven. From there, he was sent to a POW camp.

 NOTE: In formation received from Mr. Frank Dutil (RCAF) who has access to the RCAF awards database cannot see any record of this pilot being MiD as printed in the Wallaceburg News 1/02/45(P).

The WN 1/02/45(P) reported that Andrew had been promoted from Sgt. (P) R17298 to Flt. Lieut.

A disclaimer is included that additional information has been found with discrepancy in what was originally found by the forces.  Both sets of information are included.

Flight Lt. Magee appears to have been forced down near Telgte, East of Münster whilst flying Typhoon MN471, not MN356. It also appears that he was forced down on February 3rd 1945, and captured four days later.

The records linking Magee with MN356 and 29th December 1944 appear a little confused.  Please see below the three links supporting this find by  Ian G. Sockett.   

https://www.thetyphoonproject.org/raf/Andrew-Magee.html

https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/237278

https://www.rafcommands.com/database/serials/details.php?uniq=MN471

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION