Burke, Wesley Ray

Wesley Ray Burke was born on April 1, 1920 in Carmangay, Alberta to parents Wesley and Savannah Burke. Ray was raised on the family farm with brothers Lethrie, Manning, Burtla, Stelbert and Carlton, and sister, Rose. He also had a half brother, Porter Byers who lived in Texas. He was known to be a friendly young man, who kept busy helping his dad on the farm, and working in the oil and machinery business. At time of enlistment, Ray was employed at a grocery store in Kimberley, British Columbia. On November 3, 1942, Ray Burke enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He received air gunner training at Dauphin, Manitoba. Sergeant Burke arrived overseas on October 30, 1943, and was stationed at the RCAF base near Oxford. He wrote home to his parents to tell them that he had become friendly with some American soldiers from Monticello, Kentucky, and had been enjoying spending his spare time with them, sharing their home cooked southern meals. These soldiers had been from the same town in Kentucky as his parents were from. While in the United Kingdom, Sergeant Burke had taken part in several missions with the RCAF. On February 3, 1944, Sergeant Burke was part of a four man crew who embarked on a night flying test in a Wellington Hercules. Unfortunately, the aircraft suffered a mechanical failure on takeoff, and only reached an altitude of 200 feet before spiralling to the ground. All four occupants were killed. Sergeant Burke was laid to rest at Botley Cemetery. Ray Burke was awarded Defence Medal, War Medal, and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp. His mother, Savannah received the Memorial Cross in honour of her son