DUPLIN Wilfred Joseph Alexander

Wilfred Duplin enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on 11th August 1941 at the R.C.A.F. Recruiting Centre, Vancouver.  He was born on 5th May 1922 at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the son of Wilfred Duplin and Dinorah Duplin, nee Proulx. Wilfred and Dinah were both born in Quebec, Canada.  At the time of his attestation Wilfred was a student and the family were resident at 3628 W 6th Avenue, Vancouver, Canada. He was fluent in French and English and his service records list the particulars of his education, and a number of sports that he enjoyed participating in.  Wilfred was 5 feet 10 inches tall with brown eyes, brown hair and a medium complexion.  On two occasions in November 1941 Wilfred and some of his colleagues were absent without leave for a short period of time for which they were confined to barracks for 7 days.  He received a further 14 days confined to barracks in May 1942 for negligently damaging two of His Majesty’s Aircraft.

Wilfred was posted overseas in 1942, leaving Canada on 7th August 1942 and arriving in the UK on 18th August 1942.  He joined No 23 Operational Training Unit on 17th November 1942.

The RCAF record the following information on the crash in which Wilfred Duplin died:
Rank: Sgt Unit: No. 23 O.T.U. Pershore
Circumstances: Result of an accident to Wellington III aircraft X.3964 at 23.42 hours on 15-1-43, whilst engaged on night flying exercise.  Pilot undergoing operational training.
Description of injuries: Multiple injuries and burns.

At the time of his death Wilfred’s parents were resident at 1100 Burnaby Street, Vancouver.

Sergeant Wilfred Joseph Duplin, age 20, serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force was buried in consecrated ground in Pershore Cemetery on 20th January 1943.  The ceremony was performed by the Reverend A.J.C. Levegue (F/L), R.C.A.F. No 4 Dist Headquarters, 6, Livery St, Birmingham.

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