SCHOFIELD, Frances Noreen
Age at Death: 20
Rank Aircraftwoman 2nd Class
Unit Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division
Service Number W310523
Place of Burial Nictaux United Baptist Cemetery, NS
Date of Birth 1924.10.03
Place of Birth Nictoux Falls NS
Enlistment March 16, 1943, Halifax NS
Date of Death 1945.04.23
Daughter of Arthur Vernon Schofield and Minnie Schofield, of Chester Basin
Frances grew up with six siblings, and was just out of Grade 11 when she enlisted. After her training, she was posted at the Bomb and Gunnery School in Montreal for nearly two years. She was headed home on furlough when the train she was aboard was sideswiped by a freight train just outside of Moncton. Two train cars were knocked on their sides, injuring 50 passengers; Frances was the only casualty. The cause of the accident was never fully determined, possibly (as a November 1945 document admitted) because the investigator retired and his successor “might possibly have forgotten this investigation.”
Frances’ personal belongings included an introductory French book, a noisemaker, some international currency, and a pair of souvenir boxing gloves. Inside her ID card were photos of her parents and a young man in a sailor’s uniform.
