HEYSEL, Mary Kathryn
Age at Death: 26
Rank Aircraftwoman 2nd Class
Unit Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division
Service Number W300871
Place of Burial Fairview Cemetery, Niagara Falls ON
Date of Birth 1915.04.24
Place of Birth Niagara Falls NY
Enlistment January 20, 1942, Hamilton ON
Date of Death 1942.04.10
Daughter of John Joseph and Etta Heysel, of Niagara Falls
Mary Heysel was the first woman to be killed in active service since the formation of the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division. On April 10, 1942, Mary had been proceeding on leave with Cpl David George Mansfield, the driver of the car. It was snowy with high winds, and they collided with another car, five miles west of Tillsonburg, Ontario. Mary died 40min after being admitted to the hospital from a fractured skull, and was given a funeral with full military honours.
Her service record offers very little personal information about Mary. Her several letters of recommendation, including one from the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, paint the picture of a well-liked, hard working individual who had the complete trust of past employers and teachers. Among her personal effects was an engagement ring.
