KRONBAUER, Kathleen Dorcas
Age at Death: 21
Rank Leading Aircraftwoman
Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division
Service Number W314953
Place of Burial Kelowna Memorial Park, BC
Date of Birth 1922.08.18
Place of Birth North Vancouver BC
Enlistment September 9, 1943, Vancouver BC
Date of Death 1944.06.29
Daughter of Peter and Katherine Kronbauer, of Kelowna
The adopted daughter of Hungarian immigrants, Kathleen grew up in Kelowna, BC, where she completed Grade 9 and then went to a commercial school. She had worked as a secretary and stenographer prior to enlisting, and was taken on as a medical clerk.
Between March and June of 1944 she was hospitalized repeatedly; she was experiencing extreme back and abdominal pain during her periods. An examination showed a prolapsed ovary, and she was scheduled for surgery. Following the operation, during which her appendix was also removed, she complained of pain, and a nurse noticed that she was pale and clenching one hand. She was given oxygen and coramine. The medical record states, “after 15 minutes of continuous oxygen, her respirations ceased and were quickly followed by an absence of heart sounds.” Her cause of death was a post-operative blood clot of unknown origin. Her possessions included an RCAF heart necklace.
