Hugo Borchardt was born in Kitchener, Ontario on September 25, 1913, the son of Max Paul Hugo (a carver, born in New Stettin, Germany) and Mary (Mae) Almera (nee Hysert, born in Toronto) Borchardt, of 257 Emma Street, Sarnia. His parents Max and Mary were married on April 19, 1910 in Waterloo, Ontario. Hugo had three sisters, including Ruth Eleanor (became Windover), born in Sarnia in 1911. Hugo was a native of Kitchener-Waterloo but moved to Sarnia at the age of four. He attended Central United Church and was educated at a Sarnia public elementary school and Sarnia Collegiate high school. While at high school, he took a technical course, was a member of the gym team, and later graduated in auto mechanics. After leaving school, Hugo sailed for three seasons, and then for a time was employed at the Y.W.C.A.

Hugo would marry Violet Constance Mary Shand, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William C.D. Shand of 203 North Vidal Street, on March 6, 1936 at St. George’s Church in Sarnia. Hugo and Violet Borchardt would reside at 356 ½ Nelson Street, Sarnia, and they would have two children together–Marilyn Dianne (born July 1937) and Hugo Sergei Junior (born January 1943). For two years, Hugo was a painter prior to enlisting. Hugo enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on November 26, 1940. He trained at Brandon, Penhold, Regina, Fingal, and Ancienne, Quebec where he received his Bombardier Wings and commission as a Pilot Officer, on November 26, 1941. Following his graduation he instructed at Mountainview and Mossbank, Saskatchewan. In January of 1943, Hugo would return to his duty as an instructor at Mossbank Bombing and Gunnnery School after spending a furlough with his wife and young children on Nelson street in Sarnia.

In early August of 1943 on a Saturday evening, a farewell party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Powers in Sarnia in honour of Hugo Borchardt prior to him going overseas. About 30 friends gathered to wish him good luck, with an evening of dancing and singing. Bob Powers offered a toast to the guest of honour and Archie Reeves, after an appropriate speech, presented Hugo with a black leather Gladstone bag. The evening was brought to a close with the singing of “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” and “Auld Lang Syne.”

Hugo went overseas in late August 1943, first obtaining his operational training in England and then going on operations with the RCAF 90th squadron. He was flying on Lancaster bombers from this squadron’s base at Tuddenham, Bury-St.Edmunds, England. As a member of RCAF #90 squadron “Celer” (Swift), he attained the rank of Flying Officer Bomb Aimer in December of 1943. On July 21, 1944, his Lancaster aircraft LM813 was lost over Eindhoven, Holland after operations over Hamburg. This trip was his twelfth mission over enemy territory. In late July of 1944, wife Violet Borchardt in Sarnia would receive a telegram from Ottawa informing her that her husband, Flying Officer Hugo Borchardt has been reported missing while on operational duties overseas. Approximately 10 months later, in April of 1945, Violet Borchardt was advised that her husband Hugo Borchardt was now officially presumed dead. Information had been received in February of 1945 by the International Red Cross Society quoting a German authority as saying that he had lost his life. Approximately one week after Violet received this information, VE Day was declared, marking the end of war in Europe.

Hugo Borchardt would later be officially listed as, Previously reported missing after air operations, now for official purposes, presumed dead, overseas (Germany). Perishing with Flying Officer-Bomb Aimer Hugo Borchardt were RAF members Sgt.s S.C. Butcher, J.F. Dineen, H.R. Hunnisett, A.F. Marshall, and R.P. Naylor; WO. J.W. Butterworth; and F/L P.J. Rossington. Hugo Borchardt left behind his wife, Violet, and their two children, Marilyn, age 7, and Hugo Junior, age 1 1/2. Thirty year-old Hugo Borchardt is buried in Eindhoven (Woensel) Cemetery, Netherlands, Plot KK. Grave 103.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, M, N, S, 2C, 2D