Lieutenant Elvet Baxter McCutcheon


 Elvie McCutcheon
Elvie McCutcheon, [ca. 1941]. City of Richmond Archives Biography File

Birth: May 30, 1914 in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan

Death: January 16, 1945 in Bokensdorf, Germany

Service: WWII

Service Number: J25218

Biography:
Elvet (Elvie) Baxter McCutcheon moved to Richmond in 1922 where he attended the English School. He, with his mother and brother, lived at the farm of his grandfather on No. 3 Road. In 1927 he attended Bridgeport High School for one year and then Richmond High School, leaving in 1929. Elvie took a commercial course at King Edward High School for another year and then worked as a farmer for several years. In 1934 he entered the carpet and lino trade and joined the Hudson's Bay Company in 1940 as a salesman. From the age of 17 he also worked for the Marpole Richmond Review as a sports writer. Elvie was very involved with lacrosse, both as a player and also as a member of the executive of the B.C. Lacrosse Association. He enjoyed playing many sports, including basketball, rugby, swimming and golf. 

On enlistment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Vancouver February 28, 1941 he was posted to bases in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan for training. Elvie embarked for England in October 1943. Elvie wrote a letter to the Richmond Review in January 1944 describing conditions in England. He served on several bases in England and his final posting was at RAF Cranwell. On January 16, 1945, #420 Snowy Owl Squadron was engaged in night operations against Madgeborg, Germany when Halifax aircraft #NA 183 was shot down over Bokensdorf. Four members of the crew including Elvie were killed instantly and the remaining four who survived became prisoners of war. Flight Lieutenant Pilot Officer Elvet McCutcheon was buried at Bokensdorf and later exhumed and re-buried in the Limmer British Cemetery, Hanover, Germany. Elvie was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross effective January 15, 1945.

History of the Road Name (McCutcheon Place):

  • Council Resolution to adopt road name: Council Minutes February 4, 1946, res. 8711, pg. 45