Paul F. Snell, Flying Officer, J85030

FO Snell was born on June 28, 1918, in Westmount, (part of Montreal), Quebec. At the start of World War 2 he was working in the International Division of the Toronto Dominion Bank, in Montreal. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on September 15, 1941, in Montreal, taking basic training at No. 3 ITS, Victoriaville, and the Air Navigator Course at No. 1 AOS Malton, near Toronto. 

Once overseas FO Snell was assigned navigator duties on Halifax Bombers with 78th Squadron. They flew night bombing missions over many targets in Germany and were in direct support of Allied ground forces during and after the D-Day invasion of France in June, 1944. The Squadron also conducted anti-submarine sweeps. In total, the squadron had dropped 17,000 tonnes of bombs and mines during 6,337 operational sorties, losing 182 aircraft but claiming 28 enemy fighters shot down. FO Snell flew 36 sorties, totalling almost 249 hours. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. 

FO Snell returned to Canada, married Lilias Margaret Swinden, and they had two children, Murray William and Douglas Paul. He worked again at the TD Bank in Montreal, then transferred to Toronto in 1963 to work in the International Division at Head Office. One of his favourite pastimes was playing golf. He died on December 31, 1993. 

We thank him for his service.

We will remember them.

NM