Duncan Cenotaph
As part of our project to document the names on the Duncan Cenotaph in Charles Hoey Park, here is a page about Flight Sergeant Harold Edward Squibb, who died on 13 August 1944, while serving with the 166 Squadron, R.C.A.F. during air operations over Germany.
He is buried in Hanover War Cemetery, Niedersachsen, Germany.
Here is the local Cowichan Leader newspaper report of his death:
“FLT.-SGT. H.E. SQUIBB
Flt.-Sgt. Harold Edward Squibb, R.C.A.F., son of Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Squibb, Youbou, who was reported missing after air operations on August 13, 1944, is now, for official purposes, presumed to have died on that date.
Enlisting in June 1940 with the Canadian Forestry Corps, Flt.-Sgt. Squibb went overseas shortly afterwards. In April 1942 he transferred to the R.C.A.F. He arrived back at an Atlantic port on Christmas Day, 1942 and graduated as navigator-air bomber at Malton, Ont. July 22, 1943. He again went overseas in September of that year.
Born on Birch Island, B.C. in 1917, he came with his parents to Duncan in 1928, and received some of his education here. He was an employee of Industrial Timber Mills, Youbou at time of enlistment.”
(Source: Cowichan Leader, 28 June 1945. From Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)
Her are links to more information about Flight Sergeant Harold Edward Squibb:
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- Hanover War Cemetery, Niedersachsen, Germany
- We looked unsuccessfully for information about 166 Squadron R.C.A.F., which the Cowichan Leader mentions as Flt. Sgt. Squibb’s unit at the time of his death. But it is possible he was actually serving with the 166 Squadron, Royal Air Force.
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