We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer First Class John Webster Clarkson, peacefully, on Friday, 22 April 2016 at the age of 92.
Born in Kettleby, ON , John was a veteran of the Second World War. He took his advanced Engineer training in Petawawa, ON where he learned rifle, Bren gun, bridge-building including pontoon and cantilever bridging, as well as gaining some familiarity with the effects of poison gas. In January 1943, he took a course in architectural drafting course in St. John, NB. However, as this skill was not needed, he was sent on a three-month survey and mapping course in Halifax, NS. On arriving in England via Greenock Scotland in August 1943, his sapper training continued with more bridging, demolitions and weapons training. In March 1944, he was assigned to the 4th Field (Air) Survey Company in August 1944 at their location in Wakehurst. His unit produced maps for the invasion and then in August 1944, moved to France to do keep the advancing forces supplied with updated and accurate maps and overlays.
During the war, John developed expertise on the stereo plotters which led to his staying in the Army when the war ended. John joined the Army Survey Establishment in Ottawa, ON as a Photogrammetrist and, over his career, became the unit expert on stereo comparators. As early as 1948 he demonstrated the latest Multiplex stereographic plotters to the public at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.
In 1950 John was placed in charge of “A5 Section” (that used the Wild Heerbrugg A5 stereoplotters) until 1961 and during which time he was promoted to Warrant Officer First Class. In 1961 he took charge of “A7 Section” (that used the Wild A7 instrument - a highly specialized photogrammetric instrument used to pass survey control points onto photography) - a position he held until his retirement in 1964.
Friends may pay respects at the Somerset Chapel of Kelly Funeral Home at 585 Somerset St. W., Ottawa, on Friday, 29 April after 11:00 a.m. words of Remembrance are welcome between 12 noon and 12:30 p.m. Interment at Capital Memorial Gardens. In memoriam donations to the Perley and Rideau Veterans Health Centre would be appreciated. {gdJan18dc}
