KIRKPATRICK C J Fl Lt RCAF

Fl Lt C J Kirkpatrick is on the far right on the above photograph

FL/Lt C J “Kirk” Kirkpatrick

Born Clarence Joseph, he was always known as Kirk. He enlisted in the RCAF in 1941 and began training as aircrew. Promoted to Flying Officer on the 6th May 1942 and posted to England from his home in Hamilton Canada on the 18th Dec 1942, he served at Winkleigh (406 Sqn) from 15th Sept 1943 to 17th April 1945. Kirk flew many sorties as navigator to his close friend Blackie Williams. He was promoted to Fl/Lt on 6th Nov 1944.
During the war years, Kirk married Barbara Phyllis Copper in Harrogate. Her father was Wing Commander E E Copper who was stationed with the Air Ministry in England.
On 15th Jan 1945, during night fighter training, the roof of his aircraft blew out and a piece of perspex lacerated his scalp. He felt faint but did not pass out and was released from hospital two days later.
Kirk served at 62 OTU from April to June 1945 and was repatriated to Canada on the 20th Sept claiming 706 hours of flying time.
After the war, he qualified as a chartered accountant in 1948. His practice operated under the name of Fewster, Kirkpatrick, Macdonald & Ayers merging with Price Waterhouse in 1968 with Kirk continuing as Partner in Charge until his retirement in 1978.
In reports he was described as “alert, intelligent, well educated, clean, upright and smart”.

Fl Lt Kirkpatrick leaning on the bar

Photo of Fl Lt Kirkpatrick with Sqn Ldr Blackie Williams