Son of Charles Frederick Rickard and of Katy Rickard (nee Mahoney), of  488 Queen St., Chatham, Ontario, Canada. The brother of John F. of Fort Erie and two sisters Miss Jean a nurse and Mrs. Roy H. Kerman of Hamilton, ON. John received his High School education in Ridgetown and his commercial training in London.  Prior to his enlistment, he was an accountant with Consolidated Mines in Timmins, ON. 

He joined the RCAF in October of 1939 for administrative work. In April 1942 he mustered into air-crew. He receive his wings at Haggersville and was commissioned in January 1943. From there he took advanced training in navigation at Summerside, PEI.  

In July of 1942 Sergeant Rickard then stationed in Toronto was on a furlough to visit his mother on Lorne Ave., Chatham, ON.  

From there he took advanced training in navigation at Summerside, PEI.  In July of 1942 Sergeant Rickard then stationed in Toronto was on a furlough to visit his mother on Lorne Ave., Chatham, ON. 

He was commissioned in January of 1943, and arrived overseas in June of the same year. He was on observations with a Beaufighter squadron stationed somewhere in Scotland. When he crashed into the sea with his crew.

John arrived overseas in June of 1943. He then took further training in a Beaufighter stationed ‘somewhere’ in Scotland.

John arrived overseas in June of 1943. He then took further training in a Beaufighter stationed ‘somewhere’ in Scotland 

It was a sad time when the following notice was received: 

“Regret to advise you that your son Flying Officer John Milton Rickard is reported missing and believed killed as a result of air operations overseas, June the 15^th.

Please accept my sincere sympathy.

Letter follows.

Casualty officer RCAF.

Rickard was reported missing as a result of air operations on 25 June, 1944 was reported as “Presumed Dead” according to a letter received by Mrs. Rickard from Air Vice-Marshall Sully, the letter stated in part as follows:

Dear Mrs. Rickard:

I learned with deep regret that your son, FO. John Milton Rickard is now for official purpose presumed to have died on active service overseas on June 15, 1944. I wish to offer you and members of your family my sincere and heartfelt sympathy.

It is most lamentable that a promising career should be thus terminated and I would like you to know that his loss is greatly deplored by all those with whom he has served.

Flying officer Rickard was in his 28 year. He joined the air force in October of 1939, for administrative work. In April 1942, he mustered into air crew receiving his wings at Hagersville. He was commissioned in January of 1943, and arrived overseas in June of the same year. He was on observations with a Beaufighter squadron stationed somewhere in Scotland. When he crashed into the sea with his crew.

The CDN reported in April 1943, prior to his going overseas, he along with Section Officer Evelyn Hicks of RCAF(WD) of Mountain View BC, spent the holiday week-end with P/O Rickard’s mother at his Queen St., home.

P/O Rickard was reported having arrived overseas in June of 1943. He then took further training in a Beaufighter stationed ‘somewhere’ in Scotland.

The CDN 7/07/44 reported that J. Milton was “killed as a result of air operations overseas on 15 June, 1944.”

Age: 27, DOAA – Date of Death: 15/06/1944. The crew of  Beaufighter # JL 855 were engaged in an air firing exercise when it crashed in sea, one mile NE of  Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland. Pieces of wreckage were recovered by A/S Rescue but there was no trace of the crew.

It was thought that he was engaged in the invasion operations when he was reported missing.

Besides his mother F/O. Rickard was survived by a brother Joseph of Fort Erie, and two sisters Mrs. R. H. Kerman of Hamilton and Miss Jean Rickard of Chatham.

As the war over the grieving for those who would not be returning began. The CDN 18/06/45(P) reported on a memorial service that was held at the Ridgetown Baptist Church for FO. John Milton Rickard. His good friend Squadron Leader A. Chote, a good friend of John, they had shared a room during their training at Hagersfield, FO. G. Garrof came from Camp Borden and FO. E Hicks a very true friend at Trenton sent flowers and came to attend the service. The Boy Scouts attended in a body to remember their Scout Master, the church was full.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 248. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL. FO Rickard is also on the cenotaph in Ridgetown, ON.

Ryan of Newbury. Mac had lived in Chatham, ON. for seven or eight years and had gone to school there.  The CDN 4/06/45(P) reported that Mac Robinson who had been taken as a POW at Dieppe in August of 1942 had been released and was about to be repatriated to Canada soon.

 Rank: Flying Officer, Service No: J23613, Royal Canadian Air Force. # 132 Operational Training Unit.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

KCFA, IODE(P), RI, CDN, Index of Overseas Deaths, (They Shall Grow Not Old,), CFF-FD44, CDN 9/02/45, RC, RHS-RH, RCL Br. 243

---

Notice something wrong with this record? Or, do you have something to add? Report it using our online form.