My namesake, RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick A. Duquette, flew with the 272 Beaufighter squadron in Malta in 1943; he was missing at sea after he and his observer, Arthur Johnson, bailed out for mechanical reasons 20 miles from Malta in heavy seas on May 8, 1943.

My nephew (Jamie) and I are researching the details. One letter we discovered from Art Johnson's mother indicated that there was a friendship between Frederick Duquette and a local girl. Here is a portion of that letter:

"I often think how the girl who Fred was friends with felt when they didn't return. Arthur told me she was one of six sisters of a wealthy family living on the outskirts of a town where they stayed in Malta. Every time after a trip, on their return Duke (Frederick's nickname) would fly lower over their house and it was Arthur's job to lean out and wave."

It is uncertain whether the town in that letter refers to a town near their airbase or one they happened to visit. It has been over 60 years, but perhaps someone out there can remember a family with six sisters or perhaps even recall Frederick from their youth. The 272 was based in Ta' Qali. Nearby towns are Attard, Mdina, Mtarfa and Mosta.

If any reader has information, please contact me by e-mail at dpi3@hotmail.com.