Thomas Powell was born on April 21, 1918, the son of Edward Scott Powell (born in England) and Annie May (nee Dobbie, born in Halton, Ontario) Powell, of 218 Proctor Street, Sarnia. Prior to enlisting, Edward Powell was employed in the technical research department of Imperial Oil Limited for two years. After enlisting, his co-workers presented him with a wallet. Thomas, single at the time, enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He would receive his wings at the Moncton training school of the Royal Canadian Air Force in early September of 1941, where he stood seventh in the class of students.
Thomas became a member of RCAF #419 Moose squadron “Moosa Aswayita” (Beware the moose), attaining the rank of Warrant Officer Class II-Pilot. One year after receiving his wings, on October 5, 1942, Thomas was part of a crew aboard a Wellington aircraft that was lost when severe icing conditions were encountered on the way to the target of Aachen, Germany. Weather conditions caused two other aircraft to go down and forced four aircraft to turn back. Perishing with Warrant Officer Class II-Pilot Thomas Powell were FS.s J.L. O’Grady, G.J. McElroy, and H. Broom; and P/O. F.L. Todd. In late October of 1942, father Edward Powell in Sarnia would receive information that his son Thomas was reported missing as the result of air operations. Months later in June of 1943, Thomas Powell would officially be listed as, Previously reported missing after air operations, now for official purposes, presumed dead, overseas. Twenty-four year old Thomas Powell is buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Netherlands, Coll grave 20.C.1-3.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, M, N, 2C, 2D