T/Sgt Thormod Varg Nielsen

Thormod Varg Nielsen is one of the Danish men who serves for the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War.

Thormod Varg Nielsen is born on 18 April 1917 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Early in the war he works as engineer in the cryolite mine in Ivigtut, Greenland. At some point in 1943 he arrives in Canada. [1]

In Service

Thormod Varg Nielsen enlists on 4 October 1943 in Toronto, ON. He is posted to No. 3 Manning Depot, Edmonton, for training as aircrew and with the rank of Aircraftman 2nd Class.

On 28 November 1943 he commences training as Navigator at No. 1 Central Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba, and on 6 December 1943 further to No. 2 Wireless School, Calgary, Alberta.

On 26 March 1944 he is posted to No. 8 Bombing and Gunnery School, Lethbridge, Alberta, and from 1 July 1944 to No. 4 Initial Training School, Edmonton. He is promoted to Leading Aircraftman on 8 September 1944 and is re-classified as Navigator/Bomb Aimer.

He is posted to RCAF Station Montain View on 22 September 1944.

On 2 November 1944 he is re-classified as Navigator and posted to No. 9 Air Observer School, St. Jean, Quebec . He is promoted to Sergeant on 29 March 1945.

Then follows a confusing line of postings. On 30 April 1945 he is taken on strength of No. 2 Release Centre which would normally precede discharge. But after nearly three months he is transferred to No. 1 ‘Y’ Depot, Halifax, and on 22 July 1945 he is transferred to the United Kingdom. The documents do not indicate a date for repatriation to Canada. He is discharged on 12 September 1945. [2]

1. New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
2. Service card, Directorate of History, courtesy of Hugh Halliday