Edgar Patrick Le Blanc signature
Edgar Patrick Le Blanc died in Belleville General Hospital on this day in 1918. He was a cadet in the Royal Flying Corps, which he had joined on December 5th, 1917 in Toronto. He was the son of Patrick and Emma Le Blanc of Moncton, New Brunswick and had previously served in the Royal School of Infantry, Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Royal Air Force report of the accident stated:

…Date of Casualty: 29.4.18
Where occurred: Canada ⅛ mile Sth of Camp Mohawk Aerodrome
Type of Machine: Curtiss J.N.4 C1001
Nature and Cause of Accident: Failing to get out of spin
Result of Accident: Injured Frac skull Broken jaw Broken collar bone
Name of other Occupant of Machine: 2nd Lt. [Edwin Henry] Menhenitt injured

Belleville’s newspaper, the Intelligencer reported the accident:

Intelligencer report of 1918 Apr 30 on Le Blanc death

Aeroplane Crashed to Earth in Spinning Nose Dive
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Young Aviator Dead and Comrade Seriously Injured, Result of Accident at Camp Mohawk Yesterday Afternoon – Both Aviators Brought to Belleville Hospital
Between the hours of two and three o’clock yesterday afternoon, an aeroplane fell just east of Camp Mohawk airdrome with fatal results. Cadet Edward P. Le Blanc and Instructor Secon Lieut. E. H. Menhennit were in the machine at the time and were at a considerable height when it was observed that something was wrong as the plane began falling to the earth, nose first, in a rapid manner. The ambulance from the camp was summoned and soon reached the place where the machine had fallen. The two occupants were found to be terribly injured and as soon as possible were brought to the Belleville hospital for treatment. Shortly after being admitted to the hospital Le Blanc succumbed to his injuries, and for hours Menhennit remained in an unconscious condition. The injuries which caused le Blanc’s death consisted of a fractured skull. His face was also injured. Menhennit was severely cut about the head and face and there is a compound fracture to the right leg. The aeroplane was virtually broken to pieces.
The body of Cadet Le Blanc was subsequently taken to Tickell & Sons undertaking establishment where it was prepared for burial. The unfortunate young aviator was a member of the 8th Squadron, R.A.F. His home was at 97 Alma Street, Moncton, N.B. where his mother resides. She was notified of the sad affair and it is expected that she will come to Belleville and take the body home for interment.
Lieut. Menhennit is an Englishman and the next of kin is his brother, Mr. J. D. Menhennitt, Eastleigh, St. Malyn [Mabyn], Cornwall, England. This morning his condition showed slight improvement, but he is by no means out of danger.

Le Blanc was buried in St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Moncton.

Lieutenant Menhenitt recovered from his injuries and stayed in Canada after the war. He married Lois Elizabeth Vance on June 2nd, 1920 in Barrie, where he was working as an engineer.