Son of Challis Bennett  Sheldrick and Ida Emily. (nee Clements) Sheldrick, of Elwood Ave., Chatham, ON, brother of Janet Charlene (Barlow) , Max (Paratroops) and Marilyn Alice (RCAF) of Chatham, Ontario, Canada. Husband of Marion Lila (nee Cameron) Sheldrick and father of Gloria Jean who were residing on William St. in Chatham, ON. George attended Chatham Collegiate Institute.

According to the CDN 5/06/42 Georges’ training had been delayed by three month due to his flying accident. However since that time he made “rapid strides in his pilot’s course culminating in his Wings Parade in June of 1942

George enlisted in the RCAF in Montreal in May of 1941. He trained as a pilot at Jarvis, Victoriaville, Stanley N.S, Brantford, ON.CDN 7/02/42 and Moncton N.B. where he was seriously injured in a crash. George had been home on furlough at the end of January 1942 for a few weeks before returning to RCAF Moncton, NB., the crash must have been after his furlough. CDN 14/03/42. He received his wings at Brantford, ON. 12/06/1942. Mr. and Mrs Sheldrick, Dr. and Mrs N. Routledge and Miss Marion Cameron attended the ‘Wings Parade’ at the Eastern Flying Training School. [There is some confusion as to the date of the parade. The CDN article is dated 4/06/42 a 2^nd article in the CDN 5/06/42(P) “received his wings yesterday”.]  He was then posted as an instructor at Hagersville where he was stationed for two years.

P/O. Sheldrick and Marion Lila (nee Cameron) were married 17 October, 1942 at St. Andrew’s United Church. Commissioned as a pilot officer in December of 1942. 

The CDN 9/02/43 reported P/O. Sheldrick had arrived in Chatham from Harersville to spend a few days with his wife who underwent and emergency appendectomy operation in St. Joseph’s hospital. The CDN 31/03/43 reported that Pilot G. Sheldrick and Mrs. Sheldrick were home from RCAF – Hagersville to spend a few days with Mrs. J.H. Cameron and Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Sheldrick of Ellwood Ave.  The CDN 24/12/43 reported that F/O. Sheldrick and wife arrived from Hagersville with Mrs. J. H. Cameron of Chatham and Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Sheldrick for a Christmas weekend.

He was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant in October of 1944.  CDN 28/09/45.

The CDN 17/06/44 reported that F/O Sheldrick and wife were visiting his parents. The couple departed foe RCAF-Greenwood, NS. The CDN 15/09/44 reported that FO. Sheldrick who had been visiting with his wife and baby daughter and his parents before he had to return to an eastern base.

Happy was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant in October of 1944. CDN 28/09/45.

Flt. Lieut Sheldrick was piloting Mosquito aircraft # RS 561 along with F/O(N) Francis John Klapkiw, the crew was assigned to attack enemy transport at night in north-west Germany. Their Mosquito fighter/bomber, crashed into a house at Putten, twelve miles south of Armsfoort, Holland. The aircraft was completely demolished, all the crew were killed.

Flt. Lieut. Sheldrick was reported reported as missing in action (MIA) in March of 1945 and confirmed killed in action.

Letter received by Mrs. Sheldrick 27 September, 1946 from the RCAF.

“Information received from RCAF Investigation Unit that Flt. Lt. Sheldricks Mosquito bomber had crashed into a house in Putten, [Holland] at 11:45 p.m. 9 March. Putten is located twelve miles southwest of Amersfoort. He was buried in the cemetery at Putten by Dutch civilians. Any further information which should be received by the air force will be forwarded to the family immediately.”

George Ivan “Happy” Sheldrick

 Happy’s daughter, Gloria Sheldrick Charlton, writes: 

I feel I know my Dad, Happy, so well thanks to all of the letters, pictures etc., that my Mother had kept, and the close relationship I had with my Grandpa Challis Sheldrick and my aunt, Janet Barlow, my Dad’s younger sister.  My Dad was home when I was born on August 29, 1944 but left for overseas the next month and was killed in action on March 09, 1945. 

Another wonderful story is the relationship we have had with a Dutch family.  As a young man, John van de Weitgraven contacted the Netherlands War Graves Commission to find out about the deceased pilot whose graveside he had started planting flowers on, in the War Graves Commission area, of their local Putten Cemetery.  The War Graves Commission forwarded his letter to our family and in the 1950s Grandpa Sheldrick started to write to John.  I followed in the late 50s and onward, through the years to his illness and eventual death.  My first cousin, Peter Sheldrick, and I still keep in touch with John’s sons and grandson. 

I have visited my Dad’s grave site on three occasions, the first in the mid 1960s with Uncle Max Sheldrick on a trip arranged by the Netherlands War Graves Commission and the Royal Canadian Legion.  My Mother and I went in the mid 1980s and stayed with John and his wife Elizabeth, then my husband Ken and I went in 1995 for the 50^th VE (Victory in Europe) Celebrations.  My cousin, Peter, went to Holland to attend John’s funeral, as my husband and I were not able to make the trip.  I can truly say, we all feel that we have this special Dutch family in our hearts, for all of their kindness. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	G. Sheldrick Charlton, daughter, P. Sheldrick, Nephew
Supplemental Information	(KIA) Date of Death: 09/03/1945, age: 25. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot A. Row 1. Grave 1. F/O Francis Joseph Klapkiw of Preston, ON. is also buied in that cemetery Cemetery: PUTTEN GENERAL CEMETERY, Gelderland, Holand. Index of Overseas Deaths.

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