CADET CLAIRMONT A. PAGE

3 September 1893-9 July 1917

[Welland Telegraph, 13 July 1917]

 WELLAND AVIATOR VICTIM AT CAMP BORDEN

High in the Clouds He was Caught in Monday’s Storm

Machine Crashed Down and Hit The Earth at Ypres Junction

              Few war messages have brought to Welland greater shock than that which came from Camp Borden on Monday evening with the sad news that Clair Page had been killed.

             Late in a bright and sunny afternoon there was a sudden hush, followed by a rush of wind and then the storm. High in the clouds in an aeroplane the young man met with some mishap, maybe losing control of his machine in the wind. Anyway it was seen to fall like a feather to the earth. Machine and aviator fell to earth about five miles from camp. The young man left the machine before it reached the ground and the body was found some distance from it.

Camp Borden Version

             A despatch from Camp Borden gives this account of the accident:- “Lightening was probably responsible for the death of Cadet Page, of the Royal Flying corps, whose machine crashed down on a road near Ypres Junction during the electrical storm which broke over Camp Borden and vicinity last evening. It is surmised that the aviator was trying to get above the storm, when he was struck and instantly killed. He was alone in the machine at the time. Cadet Donellin, who was also flying alone, tried to make a landing in a turnip field, when his machine turned upside down on touching the ground. He is in the camp hospital with a compound multiple fracture of the right leg, and a badly lacerated chin. He may recover. A third machine, which was caught in the storm, managed to make a safe landing. The storm seemed to be somewhat of a cyclone, circling the camp, the centre of which escaped the full force of the lightning, although the rain poured down in torrents, accompanied by a strong wind.”

Showed Ability As An Aviator

             Clair A. Page was about 24 years of age, and was born at Welland, where he resided until four years ago, when he went to Hamilton to accept a position with the Canadian Hart Wheels, Limited. He held the position of sales manager in that concern for the last two years, and at the beginning of the war joined the 13^th regiment for training.

             He later attended military school in Toronto, and obtained his commission as lieutenant in the infantry. After obtaining his commission, not being fortunate enough to obtain an appointment with one of the local regiments, their staffs of officers at that time being complete, he secured a position as supernumerary with the 164^th battalion to obtain further training and served without renumeration.

             There still being no opportunity for him to secure an appointment, he decided to join the aviation corps, and entered school in Toronto in March. Having passed his examinations at Camp Mohawk, he was just recently ordered to Camp Borden, where he showed exceptional ability as an aviator, considering that he has such a limited training.

Mourning Relatives

             He is survived by his mother, who resides on Grove street, two sisters, Miss Daisy Page of Welland, and Mrs. H. Putman of Thorold, one half-sister, Mrs. Ball of Welland, and three half brothers, Alex and Frank of Hamilton and Charles of Buffalo. The remains were brought to Welland in the charge of Cadet Fred Reilly. The funeral service took place on Thursday afternoon, leaving the family home at 2.30 o’clock for the Methodist church. Interment was at Fonthill. The pall bearers were fellow members of the R.F.C.