Danish WW2 Pilots

AC1 Gunnar Thorstensen Nielsen

(1921 - 1999)

Gunnar Thorstensen Nielsen is one of the Danish men in service in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He is trained as Air Frame Mechanic.

Gunnar Thorstensen Nielsen is born on 9 March 1921 in Klelund, Lindknud, Denmark. [1]

He arrives in St. John, NB, on 16 March 1930 with his mother and brother to settle in Winnipeg, MB, joining the father, who had arrived in 1929. [2]

In Service

He enlists in in Winnipeg, MB, on 26 Jun 1942. He is posted to a Recruit Centre in Winnipeg with the rank of Aircraftman 2nd Class (R.177742) and the trade of Air Frame Mechanic. He is posted to No. 1 Manning Depot, Toronto, on 21 September 1942.

On 6 November 1942 he is posted to No. 1 Technical Training School, St. Thomas, for technical training. He graduates on 3 February 1943 and is promoted to Aircraftman 1st Class.

On 4 February 1943 he is posted to No. 1 ‘Y’ Depot, and on 24 February 1943 to ‘K’. I am not sure about the exact identity of this unit.

On 3 May 1943 he is promoted to Leading Aircraftman and on 10 May 1943 he is posted to No. 121 Squadron, R.C.A.F. He is posted to No. 164 Squadron, Moncton, New Brunswick. This squadron flew Lodestar and Dakota transport aircraft on the East Coast.

On 11 January 1945 he is transferred to No. No. 5 Release Centre. He is discharged on 17 January 1945. [3]

He is naturalized on 21 April 1945 (203456 A). [4]

  1. Lindknud parish record
  2. Canadian Passenger Lists, 1865-1935
  3. Service card, Directorate of History, courtesy of Hugh Halliday
  4. Canadian Naturalization 1915-1951