Bio / Text:
< =
expand >
Frederick Alexander Higgins (R/66182).
This pilot flew Spitfire fighter aircraft for the RCAF / RAF (60% of all RCAF personnel served in RAF units at some point) in WWII, this record has come from the database of Mr. Halliday, a Canadian military historian.
This Pilot's entry: cause of death was kia, burial location UK, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (www.cwgc.org) may have more information on family.
If a user conducts research on this pilot and can fill in this pilot's biography further by adding an image or links, clicking edit, or, visiting the National Archives of Canada to request a service record, they may add to this page. If a user would prefer allspitfirepilots.org to make this request on their behalf, please use the contact us at the bottom of this page.
UPDATE:
Frederick joined the RCAF in 1940 and completed his training in Canada in May 1941 qualifying as a Sergeant pilot on 22-04-1941.
He travelled to the UK and was briefly with a number of squadrons without flights recorded on their Operation Record Book. He was promoted to Temporary Flight Sergeant on 01-10-1941 before joining 403 Squadron
With 403 Squadron on 08-11-1941 he was killed in an accident flying W3822 The ORB states "The day’s activities culminated in gloom after Sgt Higgins was killed when his a/c crashed on the drome returning from convoy patrol at 1755 hours. The aircraft stalled turning into the wind, when coming in to land, owing to insufficient speed. Sgt Higgins was a native of Niagara Falls, and had only been with the Squadron since the 10th of October. He was quiet and retiring by nature and popular with all of his colleagues. His untimely and tragic end is deplored by all." He is buried in Ipswich New Cemetery, United Kingdom
