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John (Jack) Maxwell NICHOLS

November 24, 2007

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(Nov. 3, 1920 – Nov. 24, 2007)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.

Jack was born in Indian Head, Saskatchewan, to Tom and Margaret (Reid), one of six boys raised during the Depression and the “Dirty 30”s.

Jack joined the RCAF at 21 years of age, and was eventually sent to Scotland, one of 1700 troops aboard the Queen Elizabeth, crossing the Atlantic in five days. He was attached to 140 Wing, which consisted of New Zealand, Australian, and Royal Air Force members, specializing in daylight low-level flying operations.

One of Jack’s most memorable missions was in February 1944, Operation Jericho. This mission was to bomb the walls of the prison in Amiens, France, where 150 French Freedom Fighters were scheduled to be executed. Jack’s group was first over the target, dropping their bombs from an altitude of 12 feet! The mission was successful, with most resistance members escaping and being hidden by sympathizers. In all, Jack was involved in 45 operations during his years in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

It was during these years that Jack met and married Dorothy (Brown), who followed him to Indian Head, Saskatchewan after the war.

Jack is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 63 years; daughters Roberta (Neil) MacLean, Beverley (Jim) Grant, and son Roy; granddaughters Dianne McCallum, Brandy (Matt) Schmidt, Sarah MacLean, and Robyn Grant, and many other sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

He will be greatly missed by his loving family. No service by request.



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