Clare Thain was born on June 18, 1920, the middle son of John Thain (born in Wales, England) and Isabel (nee Miller, born in Ireland) Thain, of 200 Bright Street, Sarnia. Clare had two brothers: Jack (see below) and Donald B., and all three brothers had been newspaper carriers for the Canadian Observer in Sarnia for a time. All three brothers were to serve during the war, and all three were members of the RCAF. At the time of Clare’s death, oldest brother Jack Thain, a Flying Officer- Navigator/Bomb Aimer, had already been reported missing over the Bay of Biscay since early June of 1943. It was believed that Jack had been on an anti-submarine operation at the time. Clare’s younger brother, Flight Sergeant Donald Thain, had enlisted in the R.C.A.F. on August 2, 1943 and trained at Toronto; Winnipeg; and Paulson, Manitoba where he received his wings in June of 1944. Donald’s graduation was a bittersweet moment for parents John and Isabel Thain. They were proud of Donald’s success, yet their other two sons, also R.C.A.F. flying officers, were already casualties of war at the time. Donald would be stationed at Patricia, Vancouver Island for a time and would return to Sarnia in September 1946, after serving in the RCAF in Newfoundland. He was also involved in anti-submarine warfare.

Prior to enlisting, Clare Thain had attended Sarnia Collegiate. Later he was employed at the National Club. He attended St. John’s Anglican Church. Single at the time, Clare enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in June of 1941. He then graduated from the Jarvis Bombing and Gunnery School. He went overseas in May 1942 and would serve in England, Africa and Italy before being transferred to India, with the R.A.F. Indian Command. In June of 1942, while in Scotland, Clare unexpectedly met his brother. Clare had just arrived at an unnamed railway station terminal with a detachment of R.C.A.F. men en route to the south of England when outside the coach window, he saw standing on the station platform his brother Jack. Jack was waiting on the platform for another train and Clare was fortunate enough to hail Jack from the train window. The two brothers were able to meet up for a happy reunion during a 10-minute stop.

In August of 1943, parents John and Isabel Thain in Sarnia would receive a cable informing him that their son Sgt. Clare Thain had been promoted to pilot officer. In March of 1944, John and Isabel Thain were informed that Clare had been given the promotion to flying officer from pilot officer. Clare Thain would become a member of RCAF #194 Squadron “Surrigere colligere” (To rise and to pick up), attaining the rank of Flying Officer-Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. On May 6, 1944, Clare Thain, in his Dakota aircraft FZ599, was on an operation dropping paratroopers behind the Japanese lines in India. He was the only casualty when his aircraft went down during the operation. In mid-May of 1944, parents John and Isabel Thain in Sarnia would receive an official announcement informing them that their son, Flying Officer Clare Thain has been reported missing in action since May 5. The last word his family had from him was from India and it was presumed he was flying in Burma. At the time, parents John and Isabel were still dealing with the news of their other son Jack Thain, who was reported missing in early June of 1943 over the Bay of Biscay, had since been reported presumed dead. Their other son, LAC Donald Thain was stationed at Paulson, Manitoba at the time. Clare Thain would later be officially listed as, Previously reported missing after air operations, now for official purposes, presumed dead, overseas (India). Back in Sarnia, Clare’s father, John, did not receive official word of his son’s death until April 1947. Twenty-three year old Clare Thain has no known grave. His name is inscribed on the Singapore War Memorial, Malaya, Column 443.

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