Robert “Bob” Lochhead was born in Toronto on June 27, 1924, the son of Fraser Absalon Lachlan Lochhead and Gertrude Wilhelmina (nee Ward) Lochhead, of Detroit, Michigan, formerly of 128 North Christina Street, Sarnia. Robert attended public school in Toronto, but his family moved to Sarnia when Robert was twelve years old, where he attended Sarnia public school and Sarnia Collegiate. He received his entire musical education in Sarnia and, being very interested in music, was a member of the Pressey’s Boys Band for four years. During his musical career, Robert had been awarded a number of medals for solo work.  He was also fond of swimming and horse back riding and was a member of the Central Century Club and attended Central United Church. Robert and his family resided in Sarnia for more than seven years before moving to Detroit in 1941, to reside at 8521 Mnt. Elliot, Detroit, Michigan.

At the age of seventeen, Robert enlisted as a bandsman in the Essex Scottish Regiment at Windsor, on January 23, 1941; however, when the Army authorities discovered his correct age, he was honourably discharged. Robert then went to Detroit where his family was living, and he worked there as a junior with an engineering firm. Upon reaching the required age of 18, the bachelor Robert enlisted in Windsor, joining the Royal Canadian Air Force on October 6, 1942. He received his training at Toronto, Trenton and Macdonald, Manitoba, where he won his Air Gunner’s Wings.

Robert went overseas in September 1943, arriving in England on October 9, 1943, where he received his operational training on Wellington aircraft. He became a member of RCAF #431 Iroquois squadron “The Hatiten Ronteriios” (Warriors of the air), flying Halifax bombers and attaining the rank of Pilot Officer-Air Gunner. On April 23, 1944, he was part of a crew aboard Halifax aircraft MZ514 that was lost during night operations on attack on Dusseldorf, Germany. The bomber was found about thirty miles northwest of Dusseldorf. Perishing with Pilot Officer-Air Gunner Robert Lochhead were F/O P.G. MacGregor; P/O.s N.H. Lynch, F. Hatchman, and J.L. Priamo; and Sgt.s R.B. Corkill (RAF), and A. Howcroft (RAF).

In mid-May of 1944, Robert’s parents Fraser and Gertrude received information, that their son, Sergeant Air Gunner Robert Lochhead was reported missing in action over enemy territory after taking part in air operations over Germany. Further word released from Ottawa informed them that Robert had taken part in air operations over Duesseldorf, Germany on April 21, and failed to return from the mission. It was not until one year later in April of 1945 that parents Fraser and Gertrude would receive the official notification of their son Robert’s death. They were advised by the International Red Cross that the R.C.A.F. bomber on which Pilot Officer Lochhead was a member of the crew had been found about 30 miles northwest of Dusseldorf. Six bodies were recovered. One was identified as an airman from Guelph and another was an R.A.F. lad from Darlington, England. Four other bodies could not be identified and two others could nbot be found. The bodies were buried in a German cemetery on April 23.

Robert Lochhead would later officially be listed as, Previously reported missing after air operations, now for official purposes, presumed dead, overseas (Germany). Nineteen year-old Robert Lochhead is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany, Coll grave 18.E.1-5. On Robert Lochhead’s headstone are inscribed the words, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, M, N, S, 2C, 2D