Everett Coulter
Everett Malcolm Coulter (23 July 1920 - 20 February 1944) was a Canadian man killed in action during WW2.
Early life
He was born to Joseph and Williamina Bessie Coulter on 23 July 1920.
He graduated from Toronto Normal School. He taught for two years in the Sunderland district.
Service in World War 2
He enlisted in the RCAF on 2 March 1942 in Toronto.
He served with service number R/156195 as Warrant Officer Class II in the 78th Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
His brothers Hubert and Wesley also served in the RCAF.
He earned the Air Observer's Badge on 5 February 1942.
His military record notes his sports as hockey, baseball, and basketball.
On 25 August 1942 his medical examiner's remark was "Fair physique - small - thin. Stable type - slightly nervous but not notably tant. Meek and mild type. Wants P. At least average ability to learn."
From 22 June to 2 August 1943 he went to Air Navigation School, but received poor marks, although the instructor's remark was "His work has been consistent. Should be good with experiance. [sic]"
From 17 August to 9 October 1943 he went to Air and Ground Training, ranking 29th out of 102 in the class. His instructor's remark was "Not a physical type. Has some merit academically."
Death
He was missing in action 20 February 1944:
Flt. Sgt. Everett Malcolm Coulter, 151 Wolverleigh Blvd., missing, was born in Calgary in July, 1920. He is a graduate of Toronto Normal School and before enlisting in March, 1942, taught school for two years in the Sunderland district. He graduated at Crumlin in February, 1943, as a navigator and went overseas the following month. He had been on operational assignments during the past three months in Halifax bombers. A brother, Hubert, an R.C.A.F. observer, has been missing since May, 1943, and is now presumed dead. Another brother, Wesley is a sergeant navigator in England
— Globe and Mail
Pte. [sic] Everett Malcolm Coulter was born July 23, 1920 at Calgary, Alberta. He was the son of Rev. Joseph and Mrs. BEssie Coulter, fifth oldest in a family of five boys and two girls. They lived in WEstern Canada until moving to Little Current in 1928.
— The Manitoulin (Island) Expositor, special issue, 1994. (Note: it contains several inaccuracies)
Along with 20,450 others who have no known grave, he is commemmorated at Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, United Kingdom, and referenced on grave reference panel 254.
Sources
Canadian Virtual War Memorial [1]
Wartime files [2]