John Weldon's Story.
John Weldon Cairns was born on 29th March 1920 in Nova Scotia to parents Richard and Mary Ellen. After completing his education he worked as a farmer in his father’s farm in Port Howe Nova Scotia. On 14th September 1942 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and was selected for pilot training. He trained at 10 EFTS at Hamilton Ontario and had completed 13 hours flying when his training was ended as he was deemed to be incapable of flying solo. He then transferred to Air Bomber training and completed his Air Bomber training at 9 B&GS in Quebec before embarking for the UK on 3rd May 1944. After arriving in the United Kingdom, he joined 42 OTU for operational training before joining 1665 HCU at RAF Tilstock for training in Halifax bombers. On 9th March 1945 John was one of 6 crew members assigned to a cross country training mission in Halifax NA317. At the end of the mission the aircraft was flying near RAF Abbotts Bromley when it collided in mid air at 1000ft with Tiger Moth DE473 that was coming in on final approach to land at RAF Abbots Bromley. The Tiger Moth hit the outer port wing of the Halifax causing part of the wing to break off and both aircraft crashed resulting in the death of all 6 crew members of the Halifax and both crew members of the Tiger Moth. John was buried at the RAF Regional Cemetery at Blacon in Chester. A Court of Enquiry found the captain of the Halifax to be at fault for flying below the recommended height of 2000 feet but also found that the heavy haze and the fact that the sun was shining directly in the Halifax pilot's eyes were also contributing factors. The court also found that the pilot of the Tiger Moth was in a better position to avoid the accident and should have taken evasive measures.Crew of Tiger Moth DE473:
F/Sgt (1339063) Alan Reginald EDWARDS (Instructor Pilot) RAFVR
AC2 (305234) Alan John Mclaren KEAY (Pupil Pilot u/t) RAFVR
Crew of Halifax NA317
Pilot: Warrant Officer A. G. Hemmings
Bomb Aimer: Flying Officer John Welden Cairns (RCAF)
Navigator: Warrant Officer K. Millard
Flight Engineer: Sergeant P. Richman
Wireless Operator: Sergeant J. Forbes
Air Gunner: Sergeant G. Dinsdale
Enquiry 1
Enquiry 2
Enquiry 3
Enquiry 4
Research by Steve Merrill