Deseronto Archives

Evan John Baynes, a flying instructor at Camp Mohawk near Deseronto was killed in an accident near Marysville on this day in 1918. This is how the Royal Air Force casualty cards described the event:

…Date of Casualty: 26.6.18
Where occurred: Canada
Type of Machine: Curtiss JN4 C1353
Nature and Cause of Accident: Flying accident error of judgement
Result of Accident: Killed
Name of other Occupant of Machine: Cadet C. L. Foote injured

Baynes had joined the Royal Flying Corps on June 5th, 1917 in Toronto with the regimental number 70378. He was selected to hold a temporary commission with the corps on August 31st, 1917, at the end of his training period. Baynes was born in London, England in July 1889, the eldest son of Arthur Evans Baynes and Harriet Clara (née Smith). The family came to Canada in 1909 and Arthur died in Oshawa in November 1910. By 1916 Harriet had moved to Winnipeg with her six children and Evan was working there as a manager for Fitters Ltd when he enlisted.

Jack was buried with his father in Oshawa Union Cemetery.

Headstone for Evan John Baynes and Arthur Evans Baynes, courtesy of Kathy L. at FindaGrave.com