The Beginning of The Long Road to 18 ops.


Born in September of 1922 in Ashington England.
His family moved to Canada. His enlistment papers show his family living in Sinclair Manitoba. A small agricultural community near both the Saskatchewan and North Dakota borders.

He had only a short ride to No.2 Manning Depot at Brandon Manitoba which he was posted to in July 1941. And prior to continueing on with his training he spend a few weeks at No. 10 Repair Depot. This may have been a posting to do Guard duty a common posting while the next training classes become available.
He also served briefly as an instructor at Pearce Alberta.

By September of 1941 he was in training as a wireless operator at No.2 in Calgary. Following his completion of this course be would be at No.5 Bombing and Gunnery School at Dafoe Saskatchewan beginning in May 1942.
Addition training was then completed at No. 3 Air Observer School. Leaving No.14 Depot at Halifax which was the start of his oversea, arriving in May of 1943.
Claridge received his T/WO rank in December of 1943.

419 Squadron Operation


As part of the P/O Roderick MvIvor crew he arrived on December 13th 1943. On their first operation they were attacked by a ME-109.
More on WO Claridge and the McIvor crew the link is found above.