Spencer McGregor Goodall

THE ROAR OF THE MERLINS

My tribute to my Father's Military Service October 9, 1940 to January 4, 1946

L.A.C. Spencer McGregor (Mac also Blondie) Goodall by his daughter Elizabeth Bourque

All my Dad told me about his war service was that he worked as a mechanic on the plane's engines.  But, he kept a photo album with a blue cover embossed with the RCAF insigna; however few photos were labelled. He also pointed out the Lancaster displayed on a pedestal at the Toronto waterfront and said he used to work on that plane.  After Dad died I obtained his war records from The National Archives of Canada and researched his service years.

Left to Right; Ken Bode, Mac, Len Qualey, CPL John Olenic, Slim Nickilson, Murray Seeley

One month after Canada declared war on Germany Mac, age 21, voluntered.  He did his 30 days army training in Toronto and then was put on reserve.  His paperwork says he wanted to work as an air force mechanic as he had garage experience.  November 4, 1941 Mac signed his Attestation Paper. 

Mac was sent to The Galt Aicraft School where he learned the basics of aero engine mechanics. Upon graduation he was automactically in the Air Force.  At theToronto Manning Pool he was issued his smart looking blue wool airforce uniform.  Next, he was posted to St. Thomas, Ontario Technical Training School for an intensive course on engines.

August 28, 1942 Mac was dispatched to RCAF No.2 Bombing and Gunnery School at Mossbank, Sask. where he trained on the engines of the Bristol Bolingbroke, Avro Anson, Tiger Moth, and Westland Lysander planes.  While attending a dance in Moose Jaw Mac met his future wife Ann.  April 1, 1943 Mac earned the rank of Leading Air Craftsman (LAC) and left by train to depart from Halifax to England on the liner Empress of Scotland.

Mac landed in Liverpool, England and was transferred to East Moor, Yorkshire.  July 7, 1943 Mac was stationed to the newly formed 434 Squadron in Tholthorpe. Each plane was serviced with 10 ground crew, each with a specific task.  Mac was a motor mechanic on the engines.  The motto of the ground crew was "Keep Them Flying at All Costs".

"Mac" Goodall in center

Mac took a workshop on Merlin engines Sept 4, 1943.  This engine is a supercharged 12 cylinder V design by Rolls-Royce.  The ground crew were supplied with magnificent toolkits courtesy of Packard, the manufacturer. The Lancaster had 4 Merline engines and when the planes took off the roar would be ear spitting. This bomber could carry its weight in bombs.  

Dec.1943 the squadron moved to Croft.  Squadron 434 and 431 were combined at Croft and known as 64 Base.  The first leave Mac had he went to London but didn`t care for it and took his remaining leaves in Glasgow, Scotland.  Ann kept in touch and sent Mac much appreciated parcels of warm wool knit socks and flannel pajamas  The crew lived in Nissen huts heated with a wood stove.

When the war ended on May 8, 1945 Mac did not immediately go home to Canada.  Croft Lancasters flew liberated prisoners of war back to England and then in June the Croft planes were flown back to Canada to form Tiger Force against Japan.  Still Mac remained. October found Mac at the beach resort Torquay England waiting with 1365 other personnel for a ride to Canada.

"Mac" (center) and friends at the pub

Finally the liner Empress of Scotland left with Mac on Nov 23, 1945 for Halifax.  He had a 30 day leave and got married to Ann in Saskartchewan on Dec.11,1945.  Mac and Ann returned to Mac's home of Tottenham Ontario in Jan. 1946 and Mac was honourably discharged.  Mac and Ann settled in Galt, Ontario in 1948 where they raised 4 children.  Mac didn`t want to work on engines so he became an electrician. But, he never talked about his war.