BRUNET, P/O Arthur Gaston (Can 10780 and J17907) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.137 Squadron - Award effective 12 August 1943 as per London Gazette dated 27 August 1943 and AFRO 2198/43 dated 29 October 1943. Born 3 April 1917. Home in St.Thomas, Ontario; enlisted Montreal, 19 September 1939 for General Duties. To Technical Training School, St. Thomas, 24 October 1939. Promoted AC1, 24 February 1940. Promoted LAC, 29 May 1940. Remustered to aircrew and posted to No.1 ITS, 3 January 1941 when he reverted to AC2. Promoted LAC again, 8 February 1941. To No.1 Manning Depot, 10 April 1941; to No.2 SFTS, 4 May 1941; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 15 July 1941. To Embarkation Depot, 16 July 1941. To RAF overseas, 14 August 1941. Commissioned 9 January 1943 (this was not announced in Orders until August 1943, back-dated to January 1943). Credited with damaging one FW.190, 24 July 1943; repatriated 31 October 1943. To No.1 Flying Instructor School, 1 January 1944. To No.5 SFTS, 7 April 1944. Attained rank of Flight Lieutenant, 9 January 1945. Award presented 4 September 1945. Remained in postwar RCAF (10780), reverting to Flying Officer as of 1 October 1946; promoted Flight Lieutenant again, 1948. Still in RCAF as pilot in 1955. This officer who has completed many sorties both day and night is an extremely able and determined pilot. In the course of his activities Pilot Officer Brunet has attacked numerous locomotives and rolling stock with success. In addition he has attacked many barges and several E-Boats with telling effect. He has set a highly commendable example. NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/4995 has recommendation drafted 28 July 1943: Pilot Officer A.G. Brunet joined the squadron in September 1941 as a Non-Commissioned Officer. During his stay in 12 Group he carried out many defensive patrols and shipping reconnaissances off the Dutch coast. He also did two sweeps. Since coming to 11 Group, Pilot Officer Brunet has proved himself a keen and efficient member of the squadron. He has taken part in twelve Soadsteads and shipping reconnaissances, twelve night intruder sorties, two dive bombing attacks and five Rhubarbs. During these operations he has destroyed or damaged nine trains and many goods trucks, one ?E? Boat and a barge Category I, one ?R? Boat Category II, two ?E? Boats, a trawler and five barges damaged and one Focke Wulf 190 damaged. This was endorsed by the Officer Commanding, Station Hornchurch (date not shown) and the Air Officer Commanding, No.11 Group (1 August 1943). It was approved by Air Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory, Air Officer Commanding, Fighter Command on 11 August 1943.