Petawawa parachute drop casualties 8 May 1968

On 8 May 1968 2 Airborne Signal Troop (of 2 Signal Squadron, Petawawa) participated with other units in a parachute drop at Camp Petawawa Ontario. Due to a wind shift a number of the parachutists landed in the adjacent Ottawa River rather than on the designated landing zone. While many were saved others who had landed in the water were drowned before rescue was possible. Lost were:

• Corporal D.W. Clements (2 Airborne Signal Troop)
• Corporal D.H. Fields (2 Airborne Signal Troop)
• Corporal R.J.G. Knight (2 Airborne Signal Troop)
• Corporal P.J. Misener (2 Airborne Signal Troop)
• Master Warrant Officer R.G. Riddell (Royal Canadian Regiment)
• Warrant Officer M.P. McDonnell (Royal Canadian Regiment)
• Corporal B.N. Chiswell (Royal Canadian Regiment)

The seven soldiers who perished are commemorated on the Wegner Point Fallen Paratroopers Memorial.

Photo courtesy of Dennis Stow.