Leading Aircraftman Warner Hockin (1924–2021)

Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (France)

Leading Aircraftman Warner Hockin began his Air Force journey as an air cadet with 147 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, in September 1942. By the end of that year, he had enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). In 1944, he completed his training, was posted overseas to England, and assigned to 419 Repair and Salvage Unit (419 R&S)—an RCAF unit attached to the Royal Air Force 2nd Tactical Air Force.

On D+14 after D-Day, 419 R&S embarked from England aboard a barge bound for France. Their landing was delayed 48 hours when the vessel fouled an anchor two miles offshore. During those two days, they endured continuous shelling and strafing before finally making it to shore and proceeding inland to their first location, Airfield B2. From there, the unit leapfrogged across France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, often finding themselves behind German lines while retrieving downed aircraft or salvaging crash sites for parts.

After the war, Warner spent time in Germany with the occupation forces. He was posted to the German–Denmark border, where he monitored the surrender of German forces in Denmark. He later recalled that he had “never seen a sorrier bunch of people” than the German soldiers returning home.

Warner returned to Chilliwack in January 1946. He married his beloved wife Mary, raised a wonderful family, and became a respected community member. He received Life Membership in both the Royal Canadian Legion and the Royal Canadian Air Force Association.

Transcript

(From “The Memory Project,” circa 2010 — unaltered as requested). The audio version is available at https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/mpsb-warner-hockin

"Our unit was assigned to go to Normandy and some of us went over earlier just after D-Day. When we went to go ashore, our barge picked up a huge chain on the anchor and we couldn’t move. So we had to sit out about two miles off out in the water and it took them about 48 hours or more to get the chain off. They had to cut it with an acetylene torch. And while we were there, the air raid warning was always red and we were getting strafed; and I remember diving under a truck. When I got under there, there was two other guys there. Then the next thing, I was standing at the bow and our barrage balloon [balloons attached to vehicles and vessels to defend against low-level air attacks] got hit; and the cable dropped on the deck right in front of me and it curled up like you would put it on a spool. It’s unbelievable. It was white hot and it just curled right up like it was wrapped around a spool when it fell on the deck. Luckily, I got missed. Anyway, we finally got ashore and we were heading up to an airfield, B-9 [British airfield at Lantheuil, France], one of the first airfields, just a grass strip with wire laid down for the aircraft to land on. From there, we got lost and couldn’t find the airfield for about a day, I guess. Finally we got [there], I can’t remember just how. And we started repairing aircraft. But, in the meantime, I had re-mustered to a maintenance assistant where I was allowed to work on aircraft. So I did all the menial jobs putting the oil in and putting spark plugs in and the glycol in and putting the cowling [engine covering] on, buttoning up the cowling. And while we were there, standing at the edge of the airfield, watching two [Supermarine] Spitfires [fighter aircraft] take off; they were strafing the Falaise Gap where they caught the Germans there. And they were taking off. They had 500 pounds bomb under each wing and something happened and on one of the planes the bombs detonated and just blew it to pieces. There was nothing left. Only a gun camera landed down in an orchard where our tents were, and stuck in the ground there. The concussion bowled me right over and I had my ears ringing for several days. And an airman that was closer to the explosion, he was killed; and he had a twin brother on the field at the same time. There was a lot of anti-aircraft activity there because it was an anti-aircraft battery right near there, right beside us. And there was three huge [A22] Churchill tanks [heavily armoured British infantry tank] sitting on the field; and they’d been hit with a German armour piercing shell. It [the tank] had a hole through the side and it blew up inside. And, of course, all the men were killed and the tanks were still sitting there. And I can always remember the decaying smell that come from there and got into where we were sleeping. It seemed to get on your clothes. A week before the war ended, they told any German pilot that wanted to surrender they could land at any airfield and not get shot up. And all of a sudden, this plane come over the airfield, didn’t know what it was because it was the first jet I’d ever heard. And that thing was doing 600 miles an hour and he put on a show for us for about 20 minutes. I couldn’t believe it. And then he landed and said, I’ve come to help you fight the Russians. [laughs]"

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Roy Fraser (Retired) – Korean War Veteran and RCAF 

Roy Fraser served two tours aboard HMCS Cayuga during the Korean War (1950–1953). The ship’s mission was to blockade North Korea and bombard enemy gun positions inland. HMCS Cayuga also carried out daring nighttime operations, navigating up rivers under cover of darkness to destroy artillery positions and protect United Nations ground forces.

During his second tour, Roy frequently spoke with the ship’s doctor—who was later revealed to be the famed “Great Impostor,” Ferdinand Waldo Demara. Roy and his wife Lee had the opportunity to reconnect with Demara at an HMCS Cayuga ship’s company reunion in the early 1980s.

Following his service in Korea, Roy transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force as an Air Weapons Technician. He went on to enjoy a long and successful career, serving in Canada, Germany, and Italy (Sardinia).

Roy retired from the RCAF in Chilliwack in the early 1970s and later completed his working life as a Corrections Officer. In retirement, he remained an active member of his community, contributing to the Chilliwack Bingo Association and later the Chilliwack Community Gaming Association. He is a charter member of 879 (Earl MacLeod) Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association and a proud 69-year member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

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Major Lynn Doucette (Retired): A Trailblazer in the Royal Canadian Air Force

During her 35-year career in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Major Lynn Doucette (Ret’d) achieved numerous firsts and built a reputation as a pioneering leader. She excelled as an Air Weapons Controller, and during the Persian Gulf War served as a Mission Crew Commander (MCC) aboard AWACS aircraft, monitoring enemy activity both in the air and on the ground.

Early Life and Enlistment

Born and raised in Ingonish Beach, Nova Scotia, Lynn completed university before enlisting in the RCAF in July 1979. She began her journey with basic training at CFB Cornwallis. Being slightly older than many of her fellow recruits, her maturity and determination helped her graduate as the top female recruit, earning the prestigious Commandant’s Shield.

Recognizing her potential—and noting her academic background—her superiors selected her for officer training. After successfully completing the program, she was posted to North Bay, Ontario, where she trained as an Air Weapons Controller.

Breaking Barriers in Air Defence

In her early career, Lynn’s primary responsibility was to guide fighter pilots during NORAD missions. Following a short posting in Great Falls, Montana, she was chosen to help establish a new NORAD unit in Anchorage, Alaska. There, she became the first female battle staff member aboard an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft and took part in intercept missions involving Russian aircraft.

In 1987, she transferred to National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) in Ottawa. After only eight years of service, Lynn rose to the rank of Major. She later returned to North Bay, where she became the first female Flight Commander in the squadron.

Persian Gulf War Service

Lynn had just arrived in Oklahoma for training as an AWACS Mission Crew Commander when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990. She was eventually deployed to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, becoming the first female Canadian MCC on a U.S. AWACS aircraft.

From the air, she coordinated directly with senior military leadership on the ground, provided real-time radar picture assessments, and recommended mission actions—playing a crucial role in the coalition air campaign.

Post-War Operations and Further Achievements

After the Gulf War, Lynn continued to support key AWACS missions, including:

• Drug interdiction operations in the Gulf of Mexico

• Russian aircraft intercept missions in Alaska and Iceland

She later became the first female Canadian Armed Forces Arms Control Inspector, helping former Warsaw Pact nations integrate with NATO.

Her career continued with several high-profile assignments, including:

• Designing NORAD training exercises at Air Command in Winnipeg, Manitoba

• Serving with the Joint Headquarters in Kingston, Ontario, where she deployed to U.S. Central Command following the events of 9/11

• Returning to the Alaskan NORAD Region as an exercise director and AWACS Battle Staff member

• Serving at the newly formed Canadian Forces Joint Headquarters in Ottawa, focusing on Homeland Security and Defence

Retirement and Community Service

Lynn retired from the RCAF in 2014 and has continued her lifelong commitment to service. She now volunteers in Chilliwack, British Columbia, contributing to:

• The Emergency Management Team

• The Royal Canadian Legion

• Training with the local fire department

• Volunteer support for recent Invictus Games events

She has been selected as part of the Veterans Affairs Canada delegation for the upcoming 35th Persian Gulf Anniversary events in February 2026.

Major Lynn Doucette is a valued member of 879 (Earl MacLeod) Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association and is frequently invited to speak at churches, schools, and community groups during Remembrance Day activities

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Warrant Officer 2nd Class Bernard (Bernie) McNicholl, CD (1926 - 2023)

Royal Canadian Air Force (World War II) & Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) post war

"Bernie" Mcnicholl left his Montreal home to join the RCAF at the age of 17 and learned to fly the "Fleet Finch" aircraft at #11 Elementary Flying Training School in Cap-de-la-Madelaine, Quebec. After accumulating several hours on the Harvard aircraft at #13 Service Flying Training School in St. Hubert, Quebec, he and the RCAF decided that he could better serve as an air gunner. Following training at #10 Bombing and Gunner School at Mount Pleasant, Prince Edward Island, Sergeant McNicholl was sent overseas in early 1944 to #20 Operational Traning Unit at Lossiemouth, Scotland before joining the Royal Air Force 192 (Special) Squadron as a rear gunner on Halifax aircraft with 100 Group in Foulsham, Norfolk UK. 192 Squadron was deployed in a special duties role identifying German radar patterns and wavelengths. 

Mr. McNicholl was credited with 35 operational missions flying with the rank of Sergeant, then Flight Sergeant. The number of "trips" was actually higher, as some missions considered low risk only counted for 1/2 an op. 19 year old Bernie returned home at the end of the war in Europe with the rank of WOII and kept in contact with the members of his Halifax crew for the rest of their lives and was the last one standing.

After a time with the Royal Montreal Rifles reserve regiment, Mr. McNicholl served a full army career with the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. Bernie was a member of the trials and acceptance team sent to the UK in the early 1950's to learn all about the Centurion tank and later served in Vernon, BC supporting and training our reserve units. He ended his military career as a reservist himself in the Nanaimo Regional Emergency Government Headquarters (commonly referred to as a "Diefenbunker").

Bernie and his wife Pat relocated to Chilliwack in 1993. Their sons Bob and Shawn are both retired soldiers living in Ontario and Bernie Junior (Bern) is a social worker in Vancouver. Bernie is a long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion and he and Pat are both members of 879 (Earl MacLeod) Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association. In 2021 Bernie was awarded a life membership in the RCAF Association. (Postscript: Bernie passed away in July 2023 and Patricia in October 2023).

Mr. McNicholl's wartime story can be read and listened to on the "Memory Project" currently hosted on the Canadian Encyclopedia website. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/mpsb-bernard-mcnicholl

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Sergeant Jonathan Tremblay

Royal 22e Régiment

Sergeant Tremblay, a veteran paratrooper with over 1000 military jumps, served three combat tours in Afghanistan and with a peace support mission in Haiti. He is a Legioin member and active in veteran's affairs in Chilliwack and with the Army, Navy, and Airforce Veterans Unit #305. With the support of his family, he and his Service dog, Mia, represent all our younger veterans with pride and compassion.

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