Flight-Lieutenant Ulysse LeBlanc killed on active duty in Canada

On the morning of May 6, 1942, Ulysse J.H. “Hughie” LeBlanc was at the controls of a Hudson 761A taking off from Torbay, Newfoundland when the aircraft developed engine trouble, plunged downward, cart-wheeled and burst into flames. All eight airmen on board were killed.

Ulysse LeBlanc was born in St. Joseph, New Brunswick on August 17, 1916, son of Joseph Albeni and Exelda LeBlanc (née Gallant). Both parents predeceased him. His immediate next-of-kin is his sister, Mrs. Anita Gaudet (née LeBlanc) also of St. Joseph.

Ulysse enlisted in the RCAF in November 1938 shortly after graduating from the University of St. Joseph’s College in Memramcook, New Brunswick. He qualified as a pilot on September 2, 1939 and was accepted as a permanent member of the regular force RCAF in December.

Starting in May 1940, he rotated every six months between 10 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and 11 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron in Torbay, Newfoundland. The squadrons provided sea surveillance and operations protecting against German U-Boat attacks.

At the time of his death, Flight-Lieutenant Ulysse LeBlanc was Commanding Officer at Torbay, Newfoundland.

PHOTOS

After lift-off, one or both of the Hudson 761A’s engines sputtered and backfired as the aircraft dropped and then surged to 100 feet before plunging downward and cartwheeling into a burning inferno. (Source: Paul Giovannetti)

Flight-Lieutenant Ulysse LeBlanc is buried in the Gander War Cemetery. (Source: Paul Giovannetti)