HILTON,
D'Arcy Fowlis
2nd Lieutenant,
No.29 Squadron,
SEE DESCRIPTION
Military Cross - Air Force Cross
British Flying Services WWI
Description (click to view)
HILTON, 2nd Lieutenant D'Arcy Fowlis - Military Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 17 December 1917. Accepted as RFC candidate in Canada and appointed 2nd Lieutenant (on probation), 21 November 1916. Served in No.29 Squadron, 7 July to 14 November 1917 (hospitalized and sent to Home Establishment); to No.42 Wing, 19 September 1918; to Headquarters, 20 December 1918; to Home Establishment, 27 January 1919. // For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in attacking enemy aircraft and engaging troops on the ground. While on patrol he attacked single-handed six two-seater machines, forcing one down and driving the rest back. He has driven down five other machines. // HILTON, Lieutenant D'Arcy Fowlis - Mention in Despatches - awarded as per London Gazette dated 24 April 1918. // HILTON, Captain D'Arcy Fowlis - Mention in Despatches - awarded as per London Gazette dated 22 January 1919. // HILTON, Captain D'Arcy Fowlis - Air Force Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 3 June 1919. // File Air 1/1221/204/5/2634/29 in Library and Archives record MG.40 D.1, box 21 has the following Combat Report for 9 August 1917, Nieuport Scout B3494, one Lewis gun, 5.30 to 6.00 p.m., offensive patrol, 12,000 feet, Langemarch. Eight Albatross scouts. // While on Offensive Patrol our formation engaged eight enemy aircraft. Seeing an E.A. on Sergeant Bathurst’s tail, I turned to attack and fires two bursts of about 30 rounds each at close range. I distinctly saw my tracers hitting E.A.’s engine and entering the side of his fuselage. He went down completely out of control, side-slipping for some distance and then going into a spin. // In the meantime another E.A. was trying to get on my tail, so I did a quick flat turn and fired a few rounds at him at about 50 yards range. He at once dived away, but under control. // I fired the remainder of my drum at a third E.A. while I was manoeuvring to get into a favourable position but observed no result. Later, after changing the drum, I was unable to push the gun up hard enough to get it to catch. // Summary - one E.A. brought down out of control by 2/Lt. Hilton. One combat decisive. One E.A. driven off and one engaged. Two combats indecisive. // NOTE: 1/769/204/4/256 (Brigade Work Summaries, August 1917), copied into Library and Archives Canada MG 40 D.1 Volume 17 has the following report under date 15 August 1917: // Lieutenant Hilton (P) at 4.00 p.m. attacked enemy troops at Hansbeek River from 500 feet; one drum was fired. // 1/769/204/4/258 (Brigade Work Summaries, October 1917), copied into Library and Archives Canada MG 40 D.1 Volume 17 has the following report under date 26 October 1917: // 2/Lt Hilton fired 40 rounds into an occupied trench in Houthulst Forest from 1,000 feet. Later this officer saw an active battery near Vyfwegen. He dived down and fired a short burst silencing the battery. He states that he saw the gunners getting into their dug-outs. Later, observing another flash from the same battery, he descended to a low altitude and fired another burst at it. He remained in the vicinity of the battery for 20 minutes, but it did not fire again. // NOTE: 1/769/204/4/257 (Brigade Work Summaries, September 1917), copied into Library and Archives Canada MG 40 D.1 Volume 17 has the following report under date 29 September 1917: // Second Lieutenant Hilton, while on ground patrol at 1.15 p.m. today, observed about six enemy motor lorries moving East towards Moorslede. He dived an fired about 85 rounds at 2,000 feet, carrying his burst along the top of the transport. He had just zoomed up when he observed an enemy two-seater going East, which he attacked. He then changed his drum and again attacked the transport, firing 100 rounds at 1,000 feet. // Public Record Office Air 1/721/48/2 has “Extracts From 5th Brigade, R.F.C. War Diaries” which includes the following respecting 2nd Lieutenant D.A.F. Hilton under date 13 November 1917: // Drove down an enemy machine out of control north-west of Roulers. // Public Record Office Air 1/770/204/4/259 (Brigade Summaries for November 1917), copied into National Library and Archives MG.40 D.1 Vol.17, has the following for 13 November 1917: // 2/Lt. Hilton, No.29 Squadron, whilst on Offensive Patrol N.W. of Roulers at 12 noon today, fired a burst of 50 rounds into one of six E.A. patrolling in that vicinity. It immediately went right down out of control into a cloud. This was also seen by Captain Molesworth of the same squadron.
McGEE,
Patrick D'Arcy
Flight Lieutenant,
No.207 Squadron,
J9482
Distinguished Flying Cross
RCAF Personnel Awards 1939-1949
Description (click to view)
McGEE, F/L Patrick D'Arcy (J9482) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.207 Squadron - Award effective 3 June 1943 as per London Gazette dated 11 June 1943 and AFRO 1294/43 dated 9 July 1943. Born 5 March 1916 in Renfrew County, Ontario or Osceola, Ontario. Home in Inkster, Michigan; probably an American in the RCAF but nationality given as Canadian when he joined the RCAF; enlisted in Windsor, Ontario, 8 April 1941. To No.1 Manning Depot, 17 April 1941. To Technical Training School, 4 May 1941. To No.3 ITS, 20 June 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 26 July 1941 when posted to No.21 EFTS; graduated 25 September 1941 when posted to No.9 SFTS; graduated and commissioned, 19 December 1941. To “Y” Depot, 20 December 1941. To RAF overseas, 7 January 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 1 October 1942. Retired 4 May 1943, presumably on transfer to US Naval Air Arm. DVA letter of 9 July 1970 stated he had died 27 May 1970 in San Francisco. Citation drafted when he had flown 32 sorties and 198 operational hours (Public Record Office Air 2/8955). Invested with DFC at Canadian Embassy, Washington, November 1944. // Throughout his operational career this officer has displayed enthusiasm and keenness for operational flying. He has attacked the most heavily defended targets with great determination. On one occasion during an attack on Turin, his aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire and its load of incendiary bombs set on fire. Although the fire made his aircraft visible to the enemy, he continued his mission and bombed the target. On all operations Flight Lieutenant McGee has displayed unfailing ability and courage in the face of danger. // NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/8955 has recommendation drafted 22 April 1943 when he had flown 32 sorties (198 hours 20 minutes). Sortie list and submission as follows: // no date - two sorties with previous unit (9.50 total) // 22 October 1942 - Genoa (9.25) // 24 October 1942 - Milan, daylight (9.45) // 7 November 1942 - Genoa (8.15) // 6 December 1942 - Mannheim (2.55), DNCO, starboard outer engine failure // 8 December 1942 - Turin (8.25) // 9 December 1942 - Turin (8.45) // 21 December 1942 - Munich (8.25) // 11 January 1943 - Essen (3.10), DNCO, intercom and electrical failure // 16 January 1943 - Berlin (8.00) // 17 January 1943 - Berlin (8..50) // 22 January 1943 - Dusseldorf (5.35) // 27 January 1943 - Dusseldorf (3.35), DNCO, port outer engine failure // 30 January 1943 - Hamburg (6.50) // 2 February 1943 - Cologne (5.50) // 3 February 1943 - Hamburg (6.20) // 11 February 1943 - Wilhelmshaven (5.40) // 13 February 1943 - Lorient (6.50) // 18 February 1943 - Wilhelmshaven (3.00), DNCO, intercom failure // 19 February 1943 - Wilhelmshaven (5.05) // 21 February 1943 - Bremen (5.15) // 25 February 1943 - Nurmenberg (6.50) // 26 February 1943 - Cologne (5.05) // 1 March 1943 - Berlin (4.00), DNCO, port inner engine caught fire // 3 March 1943 - Hamburg (5.15) // 5 March 1943 - Berlin (3.50), DNCO, port inner failure // 22 March 1943 - St. Nazaire (8.25) // 26 March 1943 - Duisburg (4.50) // 27 March 1943 - Berlin (8.00) // 29 March 1943 - Berlin (7.50) // Throughout the whole of his operational tour this officer has shown a keen desire to get to grips with the enemy on every possible occasion, and he has attacked the most heavily defended targets with enthusiasm and precision. // On one occasion when making an attack on Turin his aircraft was hit by flak and the incendiary load set on fire. Despite the fire and heavy anti-aircraft opposition which this drew to his aircrat, he calmly continued to the target and successfully bombed it. // Flight Lieutenant McGee is an American citizen who, before the U.S.A. entered the war, crossed the border into Canada and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. On all occasions he has displayed unfailing ability and courage in the face of danger, and has inspired the greatest confidence in those who have flown with him on operations.
D'ARCY,
George
Flying Officer,
No.426 Squadron,
169392
Distinguished Flying Cross
Commonwealth Air Forces WWII
Description (click to view)
D'ARCY, F/O George (RAF 169392) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.426 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 8 December 1944. Born 1921 in Liverpool; home there; educated at Major Lester Council School, Liverpool; enlisted for aircrew, 1940; commissioned 1943. Wireless Operator in F/L D.N. Logan's crew. Missing on operations to Metz, 28/29 June 1944; returned to UK, 27 August 1944. Air Ministry Bulletin 16577/AL.940 refers.
This officer has completed many operational sorties including a number of attacks against Berlin. On three occasions his equipment has been damaged by enemy fire. In each case he has effected repairs and got it working satisfactorily before base was reached. At all times he has displayed keen determination under hazardous circumstances, a fine fighting spirit and unfailing devotion to duty which are worthy of the highest praise.
NOTE: DHist file 181.009 D.1633 (RG.24 Volume 20603) has recommendation dated 13 September 1944 when he had flown 29 sorties (163 hours 25 minutes), 23 September 1943 to 27 June 1944 (although this does not seem to include the Metz mission described).
This officer has completed 29 sorties over enemy territory including five to Berlin. On three occasions his equipment has been damaged by enemy fire but in each case he has repaired his equipment and had it working satisfactorily by the time they reached base. On his last sortie to Metz they were attacked and shot down by enemy night fighters and forced to bail out. By perseverance and ingenuity he evaded capture and arrived back in the United Kingdom within two months. He has at all times shown keen enthusiasm to do his best under difficult circumstances and set an excellent example to all aircrew in the squadron. Pilot Officer D'Arcy is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (non-immediate).
The sortie list was as follows:
23 September 1943 - Mannheim (6.40)
18 October 1943 - Hanover (5.35)
20 October 1943 - Leipzig (7.05)
3 November 1943 - Dusseldorf (5.00)
26 November 1943 - Berlin (7.00)
4 December 1943 - Leipzig (7.55)
5 January 1944 - Stettin (8.55)
14 January 1944 - Brunswick (7.10)
20 January 1944 - Berlin (time obscure)
21 January 1944 - Magdeburg (6.25)
27 January 1944 - Berlin (time obscure)
28 January 1944 - Berlin (7.30)
30 January 1944 - Berlin (6.35)
24 February 1944 - Schweinfurt (7.30)
25 February 1944 - Augsburg (7.25)
22 March 1944 - Frankfurt (5.40)
18 April 1944 - Air/Sea Rescue (3.35)
19 May 1944 - Franceville (4.10)
22 May 1944 - Le Mans (4.20)
27 May 1944 - Bourg Leopold (4.45)
31 May 1944 - Au Fevre (4.00)
2 June 1944 - Neufchatel (3.25)
6 June 1944 - Coutances (4.00)
7 June 1944 - Acheres (4.10)
9 June 1944 - Le Mans (5.40)
14 June 1944 - St. Pol (3.20)
15 June 1944 - Boulogne (3.25)
24 June 1944 - Vermieres (4.05)
27 June 1944 - Foret d?Eawy (3.50)
ST-LAURENT,
Darcy
Master Corporal - Sergeant,
No,17 Wing,
SEE DESCRIPTION
Star of Courage - Medal of Bravery
CF Postwar Aviation Services
Description (click to view)
ST-LAURENT, Darcy, Master Corporal, CD - Star of Courage - awarded as per Canada Gazette dated 25 March 1998. With Sergeant Kevin Dale Elliott. // // On November 13, 1996, Search and Rescue Technicians Elliott and St-Laurent parachuted in hazardous weather to rescue four survivors whose helicopter had crashed in the Torngat Mountains of Northern Labrador. The technicians had already effected two unsuccessful searches with flare illumination and were returning to their base because of dwindling fuel, when distress flares were reported from the base of a fiord. With weather conditions worsening, they decided to jump, aware that preparations had to be done in half the normal time, due to low fuel. A landing plateau was identified amidst the 50-metre rock peaks, five kilometres from the crash site. As they jumped, both men were tossed around by turbulence and separated from each other by high winds that carried them away from the plateau, in a blinding snow squall. After a difficult landing, they managed to reunite, and locate their equipment. Sergeant Elliott and then Corporal St-Laurent dragged their heavy toboggan during a two-hour night descent of the cliffs, forced from time to time to take shelter. One kilometre from the crash site, they detected a faint light and radioed the information to another rescue team who made its way through the inclement weather and succeeded in airlifting the victims to safety. As there was limited space onboard the helicopter, Sergeant Elliott and Master Corporal St-Laurent stayed behind, constructed a snow cave shelter and waited for recovery. // // ST-LAURENT, Darcy J.L.J., Sergeant, SC, CD - Medal of Bravery - awarded as per Canada Gazette dated dated 21June 2007. No.17 Wing, Winnipeg. With Master Corporal Brian Michael Decaire. // // On April 26, 2005, search and rescue technicians Master Corporal Brian Decaire and Sergeant Darcy St-Laurent parachuted from a Hercules aircraft during a blizzard to assist a downed aviator who was stranded west of Boland Lake, in the Northwest Territories. In total darkness, they performed a challenging night landing, farther away than projected from the downed helicopter. Despite being buffeted by the extremely high winds, the rescuers walked for an hour, carrying 50 kg of survival gear on their backs, until they reached the stranded pilot. In the most adverse weather conditions, victim and rescuers waited out the storm until they could be extracted from the site by military helicopter five days later.Sgt St-Laurent was awarded a Star of Courage in 1996 for another search and rescue mission.
