STRACHAN, S/L William Watson (J9863) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.432 Squadron - Award effective 25 January 1944 as per London Gazette dated 8 February 1944 and AFRO 644/44 dated 24 March 1944. Born Arbroath, Angus, Scotland, 21 January 1916; home in Trail, British Columbia (electrician employed by Consolidated Mining and Smelting); enlisted in Vancouver, 11 June 1940. To No.1 Manning Depot, Toronto, 15 June 1940. To No.1 ITS, Toronto, 24 June 1940. Graduated and promoted LAC, 19 July 1940 when posted to No.8 EFTS, Vancouver. To No.4 SFTS, Saskatoon, 12 October 1940; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 20 December 1940. To Central Flying School, Trenton that date. To No.7 SFTS, Macleod, 25 February 1941. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 1 December 1941. Commissioned 15 December 1941. To No.11 SFTS, Yorkton, 24 February 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 1 October 1942. To “Y” Depot, Lachine, 1 November 1942. To RAF Trainee Pool, 22 November 1942. Disembarked in Britain, 30 November 1942. To No.11 (Pilots) AFU, 5 January 1943. To No.22 OTU, 9 March 1943. To No.432 Squadron, 3 May 1943. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 12 June 1943. Attached to No.1679 Conversion Unit, 12 September to 14 October 1943 when returned to No.432 Squadron. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 November 1943. Killed in flying accident with No.432 Squadron, 16 February 1944 (Halifax LK761); buried in Britain. Award presented by Governor General to next of kin, 12 December 1944. RCAF photo PL-26001 (ex UK-7976 dated 8 February 1944) is captioned as follows: “Flight Commander of the Leaside Squadron in the Canadian Bomber Group overseas, S/L W.S. ‘Bill’ Watson of Trail, B.C. has just been awarded an immediate Distinguished Flying Cross for bringing his crippled four-engined bombet back from bombing Brunswick. A four-engined heavy German Kondor aircraft flew up beside the Canadian kite on the return journey and pumped cannon shells, .50-cal machine gun slugs and .303 bullets into the fuselage before the crew realized it was an enemy plane. The 27-year old pilot on his 20th trip flew the Lancaster back despite damage to the control surfaces, fuselage, holed tanks, port tire shot away, one propellor nicked and another holed.” RCAF photo PL-34535 shows presentation to Mrs, J. Strachan (mother); also present were his sister (Miss I. Strachan) and father (Mr. J. Strachan). This officer has taken part in many attacks against targets in Germany and has displayed commendable skill, courage and determination. One night in January 1944, Squadron Leader Strachan piloted an aircraft which attacked Brunswick. Shortly after the bombs had been released the aircraft was hit by bullets from an enemy fighter. Much damage was sustained but Squadron Leader Strachan skilfully outmanoeuvred the attacker and afterwards flew the damaged aircraft to base. Squadron Leader Strachan is a model captain whose example has inspired all with whom he has flown. DHH file 181.009 D.5557 (RG.24 Volume 20668) has original recommendation drafted 19 January 1944 when he had flown 19 sorties (108 hours 48 minutes). This officer has shown remarkable skill as a pilot and an inspiring example of courage and determination to his crew in his numerous sorties over Germany. On the night of January 14/15, this officer piloted an aircraft which attacked Brunswick. Shortly after bombing the target, the bomber was attacked by a foue-engined enemy aircraft with cannon and machine gun fire. Squadron Leader Strachan took evasive action and succeeded in eluding the enemy. However, severe damage had been inflicted on his aircraft, the most serious being to the port rudder which was almost entirely shot away. Nevertheless, this officer flew the aircraft safely to base, and made a successful landing despite the fact that the port wheel was flat, having been holed during the attack. For his airmanship, skill and devotion to duty, this officer is strongly recommended for the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Training: Interviewed 10 June 1940 at which time the Recruiting Officer wrote, “Alert, keen lad who has been trying hard to get in since September 1939. Fully qualified and suitable as a WAG.” Course at No.1 ITS was 24 June to 20 July 1940. Courses and marks as follows: Mathematics (99/100), Armament, practical and oral (67/100), Drill (80/100), Law and Discipline (86/100). Placed 95th in a class of 244. “Serious lone wolf type. Suggest single seater fighter. Good at maths. Does not to rely on the other man to fly him. Recommend for pilot.” Course at No.8 EFTS was 23 July to 5 October 1940. Flew Tiger Moths (25.45 day dual, 24.30 day solo; also logged five hours in Link). “Rough on controls but is fairly sound.” Ground school courses were Airmanship (180/200), Airframes (158/200), Aero Engines (150/200), Signals (49/50), Theory of Flight (86/100), Air Navigation (188/200), Armament, oral (120/200). Conduct has been good and ability is fair but does not appear to be outstanding although he should prove to be reliable and trustworthy.” Placed 11th in a class of 33. Course at No.4 SFTS was 15 October to 20 December 1940. Flew Anson aircraft (29.20 day dual, 38.55 day solo, 2.15 night dual, 3.45 night solo; also 5.40 in Link). “A fair pilot. Development of air sense lagged behind his training as pilot. Low average ability as instrument pilot.” Ground courses in Airmanship (116/200), Armament, written (58/100), Armament, practical (68/100), Air Navigation (135/200), Signals (49/50). Placed 24th in a class of 38. Course at No.11 AFU was 5 January to 9 March 1943. Flying tests and marks as follows: General Flying (250/400), Applied Flying (150/200), Instrument Flying (150/250), Night Flying (60/100), Link (30/50). Flew Oxford aircraft (2.20 day dual to first day solo, total 19.30 day dual, 21.35 day solo, 1.05 night dual to first night solo, 3.35 total night dual, 10.25 night solo; also logged six hours in Link. He had one accident - 5 February 1943 on Oxford when tail wheel became unstable and finally collapsed (no blame to him). While at No.11 AFU attended No.1534 Beam Approach Training Flight, 6-21 February 1943. Flew Oxford aircraft (eleven hours 30 minutes) all on beam and instruments. Tested on procedure in Link (150/200) and otherwise tested on Receiver Operation (70/100), Instrument Flying (180/250), Cloud Flying (180/25), General Application of Beam Approach Procedure (145/200). “Considering his experience (1,700 hours) this pupil was disappointing. He was a normal average pupil throughout.” Course at No.22 OTU was 9 March to 3 May 1943. Flew Wellington III and X aircraft - 4.45 day dual to first day solo, 10.15 day dual total, 31.50 day solo, 5.55 night dual to first night solo, 11.50 total night dual, 33.25 night solo. Of these total, three hours in formation and 33.05 on instruments. Also logged 15 hours in Link. No marking in ground courses; air tests and marks were General Flying (300/400), Applied Flying (120/200), Instrument Flying (175/250), Night Flying (75/100), Link (40/50). Character and Leadership graded as 65/100. “A good captain and pilot with plenty of flying experience. Should do well.” Assessments: He was not impressive as an instructor. On 9 July 1942, F/L H.G.E. Rhodes of No.11 SFTS described him as “Rather hesitant and inarticulate. Routine worker, not much initiative. Does only what is required of him. Occasionally takes the lead. Satisfied with present knowledge. Does not organize things well. Not very progressive about accepting new ideas or responsibilities.” On 19 October 1942, S/L B.J. Bouchier, also of No.11 SFTS, wrote, “This officer gets things done but does not organize as well as he could.” Circumstances of death: Killed 16 February 1944 on non-operational night flight, Halifax LK761, crew being J9863 S/L W.W. Strachan (pilot), J18871 P/O M.A. Martin (navigator), J21045 F/O N.J. Baron (air bomber), J18402 P/O R.C. Stuart (WOP), O886242 Lieutenant A.L. Rorke (air gunner), J19066 P/O H.M. Stewart (rear gunner), and 616713 Sergeant J. Gilliard (RAF, flight engineer). The aircraft crashed at 1943 hours, soon after takeoff and the cause was not determined.

BERT FS(P) R85734. From Toronto, Ontario. Killed in Action Jun 4/42 age 28. #501 County of Gloucester Squadron (Nil Time). Spitfire aircraft #W 3842 was observed down in the water in the English Channel, enemy action. Flight Sergeant Pilot Strachan has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Runnymede War Memorial, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, England.

DOUGLAS GIBBS SGT(WAG) R159073. From Edmonton, Alberta. Killed in Action Feb 24/44 age 27. #59 Squadron (Ab Uno Disce Omnes). Liberator aircraft missing. Please see Sgt A.G. Neville for casualty list and flight detail. Sergeant Wireless Operator Air Gunner Strachan has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Runnymede War Memorial, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, England.

WILLIAM ALEXANDER SGT(OB) R64240. From Simcoe, Ontario. Killed On Action Jul 7/41 age 25. #115 Squadron (Despite The Elements), Marham, Norfolk, England. Target - Munster, Germany. The aircrew radioed a message saying they were going to land their Wellington aircraft #R 1063 in the sea. Sgt C.S. Edwards and Sgt O.A. Matthews (RNZAF) were also killed. Three of the crew, not Canadians, missing believed killed. Sergeant Observer Strachan is buried in the Vredenhof Cemetery, Schiermonnikoog, Frisian Islands, Holland.

W.A R64240. Additions to the crew list Sgt.s K.G. MacLcay (RAF), J.W. Bent (RAF), and A. Webster (RAF) were also killed. Detail from the 115 Squadron Roll of Honour.