The AJ693 North American Harvard Mk. II NA-76 76-3663, commonly known as the Harvard, had a significant history during its service. On August 25, 1941, it was taken on strength by No. 1 Training Command and was equipped with Dunlop pneumatic firing gear. The aircraft was assigned to No. 31 Service Flying Training School in Kingston, Ontario, where it was used for training purposes.
Unfortunately, the Harvard experienced several incidents during its operational life. On October 20, 1941, it suffered category C7 damage while at Kingston. Then, on November 25, 1941, while taxiing, the aircraft collided with a stationary refueling tanker, causing further damage. As a result, it was sent to Noorduyn Aviation for repairs on November 26, 1942. Following the repairs, the Harvard was returned to No. 1 Training Command but was placed in storage on March 4, 1943.
However, the aircraft was issued from storage on June 1, 1943, and resumed its operations. Tragically, on January 24, 1944, the Harvard was lost over Lake Ontario. A/LA Geoffrey Fitton was authorized for a training exercise involving solo landings. During the exercise, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Fitton’s aircraft, AJ693, crashed into Lake Ontario, half a mile west of the aerodrome. None of the other pilots who took off at the same time were able to provide any evidence regarding the cause of the crash.
An investigation into the crash revealed significant negligence on the part of personnel involved. The Aerodrome Control Pilot and the Officer in charge of Night Flying failed to follow regulations and standing orders, which could have potentially led to Fitton’s rescue. The investigating officer concluded that if proper procedures had been followed, Fitton might have been saved.
Search efforts were delayed, and it was not until 7:00 a.m. that Fitton’s body was discovered, floating in the water with his Mae West life jacket on. The cause of death was determined to be drowning, likely due to the high winds and waves in the lake.
A military funeral was held for A/LA Fitton on January 30, and he was buried in Cataraqui Cemetery. Fitton, who was twenty years old at the time of his death, was survived by his parents, Edwin Arnold and Augusta Victoria Fitton, of Burnby, Lancashire. His brother, A/LA R. A. Fitton, served as the chief mourner at the funeral.
In 1983, the wreckage of the Harvard was recovered from Lake Ontario by Don Nightengale. The aircraft was then restored and mounted on a pole at Kingston, Ontario airport (CYGK), displaying wartime markings as a memorial to A/LA Geoffrey Fitton and his tragic accident.
