Murray Bertram O’Dell     Leading Aircraftsman (LAC)       R-158991

Murray Bertram O’Dell was born at home in Toronto on April 23, 1920 to Bertram and Algerta O’Dell. He was their fifth and final child, as he was a “premie” weighing less than 3 lbs and so was placed in a shoebox in their warm oven as a substitute incubator. As a child, Murray was sickly and was always small in stature but mighty in determination.

Murray is my Dad, and when World War II erupted he was working at entry level jobs and helping to support his family. He enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a trainee aircraft mechanic on March 27, 1942, where he took his training at Galt Aircraft School, and Lachine, Quebec, and St. Thomas, Ontario. Both my Dad’s brothers, Alvin and Arthur, also joined the RCAF. Dad was single at the time but engaged to my Mom, Mary Elizabeth Dowsett. 

After his training, Dad was transferred to Vancouver, BC, and then Sea Island, BC with the 163 Squadron. At this point Dad was granted leave to return to Ontario to marry my Mom on October 10, 1942. He hitched a ride on a flight to Toronto, arriving on Friday, getting married on Saturday, and after a short honeymoon, returned alone to BC via train. Dad was then

transferred to the 115 Squadron with tours at Annette Island, Alaska, Patricia Bay, BC, and Tofino, BC.

Once established in Tofino, Dad rented accommodation for him and Mom, and she joined him after a long train ride from Toronto to Vancouver, and then the Ferry to Tofino. Mom always told the story of her train ride across the country where she was treated like a “princess” as she was the only woman on the train full of enlisted men. When she walked into a train car, one of the enlisted men would announce “woman in the car” and all colourful language would cease and even some of the men stood up at attention. 

In November of 1944, Dad was transferred once again this time to Service Flying Training School in Uplands, BC where he completed his service. Dad was discharged from the Air Force on September 20, 1945.

Dad lived a full life after the war. He loved the Maple Leafs, fishing, fixing cars, and family. He was married to my Mom until her death, had 2 children with her, and was fiercely independent. Dad died of Alzheimer’s Disease on December 3, 1998.

We honour Murray Bertram O’Dell for his service.

We will remember them.