Collection search - William Lidstone McKnight fonds [textual record]

Record information – Brief
1
William Lidstone McKnight fonds [textual record]

Hierarchical level:

Fonds

Date:

1939-1940.

Reference:

R5108-0-8-E, MG30-E527

Type of material:

Textual material

Found in:

Archives / Collections and Fonds

Item ID number:

103020

Context of this record:

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William Lidstone McKnight fonds
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Record information – Details
Date(s):

1939-1940.

Place of creation:

Alberta

Extent:

1.1 cm of textual records (51 p.).

Language of material:

English

Scope and content:

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Fonds consists of nine letters written by William Lidstone McKnight to a former school friend, H.F. "Mike" Pegler then of Calgary, and are dated from May 1939 to September 1940. The letters cover McKnight's flying training in Britain, references to other early WWII Canadian aviators, early wartime flying with 242 (Can.) Squadron, and McKnight's activities during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. They are particularly ribald, showing an aspect of squadron life which is absent from the official record.

Provenance:

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McKnight, William Lidstone, 1918-1941
Additional name(s):

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McKnight, William Lidstone, 1918-1941

Canada. Aviation royale

Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force
Biography/Administrative history:

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McKnight, William Lidstone, 1918-1941 : W.L. "Willie" McKnight (1918-1941) was probably the outstanding Canadian fighter pilot during the first two years of WWII. Like hundreds of other Canadians, McKnight had enlisted in the RAF shortly before the outbreak of war rather than wait for the RCAF to expand. As a gesture, the RAF formed a "Canadian" squadron, No. 242 (Can.) Squadron, and McKnight was one of its original pilots. When he was killed in action over France in January 1941, he had been credited with 16 1/2 victories.

Finding aid:

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(No finding aid)

Additional information:

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General note:

Received in 1989 from H.F. Pegler, Parksville, British Columbia.
Subject heading:

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World War, 1939-1945

Guerre mondiale, 1939-1945

Air pilots, Military Canada

Pilotes d'aéronef militaires Canada
Source:

Private

Related control no.:

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1989/0271 MSS

Former archival reference no.:

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MG30-E527
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Textual records

[Consultation90 Open]

Volume [MG30 E 527] 1

[Consultation 90 Open]

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