BOLSTAD Kenneth Wallace

Kenneth Bolstad enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 27th August 1941. On his attestation form he gave his date of birth as 8th November 1922, his place of birth and permanent address as Bengough, Saskatchewan, his religion as Lutheran and his occupation as a Student. He served as a Private – trade: Bandsman – with the Kings Own Rifles of Canada from the 10th July 1941 to the 3rd August 1941 and made his application the Royal Canadian Air Force on his discharge from camp. Kenneth gave his next of kin as his father, Jens Bolstad, born Drammen, Norway. His mother, Felda Marie Jorgensen, born Rock Fell, Minnesota was recorded as Deceased.

On the 24th November 1943 Kenneth Bolstad was one of the crew on board Wellington Z.1682 which was engaged on a night flying operational training exercise. The aircraft crashed at 02.35 at Holm Farm, Marston, Berkshire, England resulting in the death of Kenneth through multiple injuries.

The Montreal Gazette, December 17th 1943:
Ottawa, December 16 – The R.C.A.F. tonight issued its 755th casualty list of the war containing 14 names, including six men killed on active service after overseas air operations.
Overseas.
Killed On Active Service
Bolstad, Kenneth Wallace, FO., J21430, Mr Jens Bolstad (father), Bengough, Sask.
Budd, Robert William Harry, PO., J24730, Miss M.E. Budd (sister), Chatham, Ont.
Cook, Lorne Franklin, PO., J24619, Mrs F. L. Cook (mother), Kenton, Man.
Dunlop, Dawson Aubrey, PO., J26696, Mrs H. A. Dunlop (mother), Amherst, N.S.
Gibault, Joseph Leon, PO, C6318, Mrs J. L. Gibault (wife), 1462 Guy Street, Montreal.
Shaw, Arthur Edward, FO., J17147, Mrs A.E. Shaw (father), Paris, Ont.

Flying Officer Kenneth Wallace Bolstad age 20, serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force was buried in consecrated ground in Pershore Cemetery on 27th November 1943.  The ceremony was performed by the Reverend H. Crawford Scott.

Register of Burials in War Graves in Pershore Cemetery courtesy of Pershore Town Council.