Here is an article based on the provided sources:
Title: Tragic Loss of RCAF Anson 6831: Remembering the Crew
On the night of January 8, 1942, tragedy struck as RCAF Anson 6831, a military aircraft, met a fateful end over the St. Lawrence River or Lake Ontario in the United States. The aircraft, owned and operated by 1 AOS RCAF (Air Observer School), was en route from RCAF St. Jean, Quebec, to its destination at RCAF Malton, Ontario. This ill-fated journey would claim the lives of all four occupants on board.
The crew of Anson 6831 included a civilian pilot, Cyril B. Rutherford, and three air observer pupils. Among the pupils were two Australians, LAC Bede B. Sutton and AC2 John Witts, both of the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force), and RCAF LAC Alexander M. Morgan. Little did they know that this flight would be their last.
The aircraft’s departure from RCAF St. Jean occurred at 18:18, and the last communication with air traffic control was made over Montreal at 18:28. As the Anson continued its journey, it encountered heavy snow and strong winds, making navigation challenging. Unfortunately, the crew had to contend with ineffective radio equipment and inexperienced navigators, which compounded the difficulties they faced.
Over the course of several hours, from 19:33 to 23:45, reports from various locations in New York State, including Ogdensburg, Watertown, and Sacket Harbor, indicated the presence of an aircraft believed to be Anson 6831. It is presumed that the aircraft ran out of fuel during this time and ultimately crashed near the confluence of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario on the American side of the border.
In the wake of this tragic incident, an extensive search and rescue operation was launched over southeastern Ontario and northern New York State. However, despite their efforts, the search teams were unable to locate the missing aircraft or its crew. The search was officially abandoned on January 20, 1942.
It was not until April 1942 that some wreckage from the aircraft was discovered at Point Peninsula on the New York side of Lake Ontario. Regrettably, the bodies of the four crew members were never recovered, leaving their fate shrouded in mystery.
The crew members who perished in the crash of RCAF Anson 6831 were Cyril B. Rutherford (P), LAC Alexander M. Morgan (PP) R/102709, LAC Bede B. Sutton (PP) 403769, and AC2 John Witts (PP) 411569. Their sacrifice and the circumstances of their loss serve as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by military aviators during wartime.
This tragic event is preserved in historical records and memory through various sources, including documents and articles. The legacy of Anson 6831 and its crew lives on, ensuring that their sacrifice is never forgotten.
Sources:
- [CASPIR – Crash Card](https://caspir.warplane.com/crashcards_pdf/0007/00000155.pdf)
- [Canadiana Heritage](https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_reel_c12328/1765)
- Canadiana Heritage](https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_reel_c12331/40)
- [Find A Grave – Cyril B. Rutherford](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/241054060/cyril-b-rutherford)
- [Find A Grave – Alexander M. Morgan](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18428198/alexander-mcdonald-morgan)
- Aviation Museum of Western Australia – Bede B. Sutton
- Aviation Museum of Western Australia – John Witts
- Montreal Gazette, January 10, 1942, p17
- Aviation–safety net Website
