BROWNLEE, Edith Mary
Age at Death: 23
Rank Leading Aircraftwoman
Unit Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division
Service Number W/309326
Place of Burial Spirit River – Municipal Cemetery, AB
Date of Birth 1920.09.23
Place of Birth Rycroft AB
Enlistment October 31, 1942, Edmonton AB
Date of Death 1943.10.10
Daughter of George Howard Brownlee and Mary R. Brownlee, of Bridgeview
Edith was born and raised in rural Alberta. She was a beloved member of her community; her application to the RCAF included several glowing reference letters from community members. After completing basic training she was sent to Brantford, Ontario, where she worked as a Records Officer and subsequently a Postal Clerk.
On October 10, 1943, while on leave for a weekend pass, LAW Brownlee was walking on Highway 53 with her colleague, AW1 Vera Hutchings, when the two women were struck by a drunk driver, killing Edith and injuring Vera. A later analysis would show that Edith was dragged 1,254 feet underneath the car. The search for the driver, plagued by police incompetence, would cause a media sensation. The driver, Robert Evans, was eventually sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for manslaughter. Edith’s parents asked to have her watch returned to them as a keepsake, without success; it may have been lost in the accident.
