Helen Bernice Clairmont was born in Toronto, Ontario on December 4, 1918. She was still living in Toronto during the Second World War when she decided to become a Radio Operator. She underwent radio training and obtained her 2nd Class Certificate of Proficiency in Radio on March 29th, 1944.

Following radio training, Helen and a few of her friends decided on a dare to go and join the navy as they heard a ship was in port. The only one who joined was Helen, the rest of the girls having backed out. Although she was going to work as a Radio Operator onboard ships, she had to apply through the Air Force. Below is her application to join the Royal Norwegian Air Force submitted through the Royal Norwegian Consulatte in Toronto.

 

So Helen joined the Royal Norwegian Air Force on April 21, 1944 and was a radio operator aboard ships for the Merchant Marines of the Norwegian Navy for the remainder of the Second World War. Helen was awarded The Norwegian War Medal Of Participation in recognition of her service during Allied Operations. This was given to her through the Canadian Government on August 3, 1989 (see the letter below)

 

Helen Bernice Clairmont passed away on October 5, 2000, in Toronto, Ontario, when she was 81 years old.