William James Blyth R206361     Sergeant, serving as Flight Engineer, Royal Canadian Air Force

Bill Blyth was Born on July 26, 1924, in Toronto, Ontario. He attended local schools and graduated with senior matriculation from Danforth Tech. He worked as an assembler for McFarlane and Gendron, a company that made ladders, bicycles, baby carriages and other infant products, children's furniture, playground equipment, wheelbarrows, and wheelchairs. The factory building still stands at 411 Richmond Street East in Toronto and has been renovated and divided into many small offices. It is protected under the Ontario Heritage Act. 

Bill enlisted in the RCAF on Nov. 20, 1942, aged 18, and was assigned to No. 426 “Thunderbird” Squadron, Bomber Command. At that time the squadron was stationed at Dishforth Air Station, Yorkshire, England, and was flying “Wellington” B.Mk.lll aircraft. The following June they were transferred to Air Station Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, switching to Lancasters.  In April 1944 they added Halifax bombers, and that’s where Sgt. Blyth served as Flight Engineer on the Halifax. The photo shows members of 426 “Thunderbird” Squadron with a Halifax bomber.

After the war he returned to Canada and resumed employment at McFarlane and Gendron, rising to the ranks of the senior management team. It was “a lively company employing over 100 people”. He got married and had 3 children, 4 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He died December 7, 2005. 

We thank him for his service. 

We Will Remember Them

NM