Clarence Gordon Gavan received his wings on 19 Feb 1943 and arrived in England on 4 Apr 1944 for advanced flight training. Clarence was posted to RAF Stations Perton, Condover and Hereford where he spent time with RAF 287 Squadron. His final posting was to the 53rd Operational Training Unit on 28 Aug 1944.

Clarence was killed on 6 Nov 1944 when his Spitfire (BM258) crashed into a wooded area near Cabourne, Lincolnshire, after completion of a cine-gun exercise with another aircraft. He is buried at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetary, Yorkshire, England.