BANNISTER, F/O Roland (RAF 176679) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.434 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 13 April 1945. Born 1924 in Nelson, Lancashire; home there; enlisted 1942; commissioned 1944. No citation other than "completed operations with courage and devotion to duty." Air Ministry Bulletin 18302/AL.1007 refers. DHist file 181.009 D.3260 (RG.24 Volume 20637) has recommendation by W/C A.P. Blackburn dated 10 December 1944 when he had flown 35 sorties (180 hours 15 minutes), 19 February to 2 November 1944. Very adventurous tour. On his first sortie (Leipzig) the aircraft was coned by searchlights hit by flak and attacked by four fighters. On 12 June 1944 (Arras) the aircraft was coned, attacked by a Ju.88, and had a starboard engine set on fire.One fighter shot down; when they landed the port outer engine was on fire. Air Gunner to F/O H.J. Hawley and crew. Pilot Officer Bannister has completed a tour of operations, many sorties of which were attacks against heavily defended German targets. On several occasions when his aircraft has been attacked, his cool and skilful directions have enabled the pilot to successfully evade enemy fighters. On one occasion during an attack on Arras, the aircraft was coned by searchlights and then attacked by an enemy fighter. Although two engines were made unserviceable, Pilot Officer Bannister's accurate fire enabled him to claim one enemy aircraft destroyed and to see his own aircraft return safely to this country. He has proved himself to be a most valuable member of the squadron. The complete sortie list was as follows: 19 February 1944 - Leipzig (6,30; coned; heavy flak; aircraft damaged; attacked by four fighters. 22 February 1944 - Operational diversion (3.25, recalled) 25 February 1944 - Gardening, Kiel Bay (6.00) 2 March 1944- Meulons-les-Meureaux (5.50) 6 March 1944- Trappes (5.15) 7 March 1944- Le Mans (5.05) 27 April 1944 - Montzen (5.25) 30 April 1944 - Somain (5.00) 1 May 1944 - St. Ghislain (4.50) 7 May 1944 - Gardening (3.40) 9 May 1944 - Calais (3.25) 22 May 1944 - Sea search (2.55) 27 May 1944 - Le Clipon (4.25) 7 June 1944 - Versailles (5.15) 9 June 1944 - Pontlieue (6.25) 12 June 1944 - Arras (4.25 - coned and attacked by Ju.88; starboard engines hit and on fire. Shot down one fighter. Landed with port outer on fire. 15 June 1944 - Sterkrade (2.30, duty not carried out) 21 June 1944 - St. Leu d?Esserent (4.40) 24 June 1944 - Bonnetot (4.05) 25 June 1944 - Gorenflos (4.20) 27 June 1944 - Wizernes (4.05) 9 July 1944 - Mont Condon (4.50) 3 August 1944 - Foret de Nieppe (4.30) 15 September 1944 - Kiel (6.20) 17 September 1944 - Boulogne (3.55, hit by flak) 18 September 1944 - Domburg (3.50) 19 September 1944 - operations not specified (2.35, recalled) 20 September 1944 - Calais (3.30) 25 September 1944 - Calais (3.55) 26 September 1944 - Calais (4.00) 27 September 1944 - Duisburg (5.00) 4 October 1944 - Bergen (6.25) 14 October 1944 - Duisburg (6.10) 15 October 1944 - Wilhelmshaven (5.20) 28 October 1944 - Cologne (5.45) 30 October 1944 - Cologne (5.35) 1 November 1944 - Oberhausen (5.40, heavy flak) 2 November 1944 - Dusseldorf (5.45, heavy flak)

ANNIS, W/C Clare Levi (C196) - Officer, Order of the British Empire - Eastern Air Command - Award effective 1 January 1943 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 55/43 dated 15 January 1943. Born in Highland Creek, Ontario, 22 January 1912 (see Who’s Who in Canada 1966). Senior Matriculation in Ontario and six years at University of Toronto (Science, Mechanical). Summer jobs included salesman and inspection of refrigeration equipment. Appointed Pilot Officer on Probation, 9 June 1936, in Toronto. To Camp Borden, 6 July 1936. Qualified for pilots wings, 4 May 1937. Posted Camp Borden to Trenton, 1 June 1937. Promoted Flying Officer, 9 June 1937. To Ottawa, 16 June 1937. Attended Air Armament School, 24 July to 31 October 1937 at Trenton. Posted to Trenton, 2 July 1938. To No.3 (B) Squadron, Calgary (pilot and squadron armament officer), 1 April 1939. Unit redesignated No.10 (BR) Squadron, 14 September 1939. To Eastern Air Command Headquarters, 14 September 1940. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 November 1940. To No.10 (BR) Squadron, 16 February 1942, to command. Promoted Wing Commander, 1 April 1942. To AFHQ, 31 July 1942 (Director, Anti-Submarine Warfare). To Station Dartmouth, 14 April 1943. To Gander, 8 May 1943, commanding as of 6 August 1943; promoted Group Captain that date. Widely credited with Eastern Air Command's first attack on a U-Boat (25 October 1941), there is some doubt as to whether a U-Boat was in the area at the time). Embarked from Canada, 4 April 1944. Disembarked Prestwick, 5 April 1944. To RCAF Overseas Headquarters, 6 April 1944. To Headquarters, No.6 Group, same date. To No.62 Base, Station Linton-on-Ouse, to command, 7 April 1944. Air Vice-Marshal C.M. McEwen had specifically asked that he be posted to the formation. McEwen also recommended him for RAF Staff College. To RCAF Overseas Headquarters, 7 January 1945. To RAF Staff College, 8 January 1945 for course lasting to 20 June 1945. Repatriated 23 June 1945 and posted to War Staff College, Toronto, that date. To AFHQ, 22 September 1947. Promoted Air Commodore, 1 August 1951. To Canadian Joint Staff, London, 22 December 1952. To Air Defence Command Headquarters, 18 December 1953. To AFHQ, 13 September 1955. Promoted Air Vice-Marshal, 1 October 1957. Appointed Air Officer Commanding, Air Material Command, 5 January 1958. To AFHQ, Vice-Chief of the Air Staff, 12 September 1962. Promoted Air Marshal, 1 August 1964 as Chief of Technical Services in unified forces. Retired 22 January 1967 when he became General Manager of Canada Patents and Development Limited (Crown Corporation). Died at National Defence Medical Centre, Ottawa, 1 January 1994. His article, “Eastern Air Command Recalled”, Journal of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society, Volume 14, No.2 (Autumn 1976) for his recollections of Eastern Air Command. Canadian Forces Photo Unit has many photographs including the following: HC-10812 (portrait, 1940); PL-8932 (in front of Digby aircraft); PL-110227 (portrait, 1951); PL-104008 and PL-104009 are further portraits. RCAF photo PL-29067 (ex UK-10082 dated 26 April 1944) shows him as a Base Commander in Britain. Photo PL-29068 (ex UK-10083 dated 26 April 1944) shows Group Captain C.L. Annis (Base Commander) with Commanding Officer of No.426 Squadron, W/C E.C. Hamber. RCAF photo PL-32635 (ex UK-13757 dated 26 August 1944) shows W/C M.H. Smith, G/C H.H. Rutledge, A/C J.L. Hurley, G/C C.L. Annis, A/C J.E. Fauquier and A/V/M C.M. McEwen. RCAF photo PL-32636 (ex UK-13758 dated 26 August 1944) taken during Royal visit to Linton-on-Ouse, Annis with King George VI). PL-32642 (ex UK-13764) taken on same occasion - Annis escorts Queen Elizabeth while Air Commodore C.R. Slemon escorts Princess Elizabeth. // Wing Commander Annis has been engaged on Reconnaissance work for a considerable period of time in various operational squadrons and has completed approximately 40 operational flights. He has always set a good example by taking more than his share of the hazardous sorties. He has rendered exceptionally valuable services in connection with important staff duties and other work of a specialized nature. Even while employed on these special duties he successfully accomplished several important and hazardous flight. As a squadron commander his ability to instil confidence, enthusiasm and morale into all personnel of his squadron made it possible for this officer to maintain the efficiency of the squadron at an extremely high level. // The recommendation for this was raised on 28 August 1942 by G/C R.H. Foss who simply wrote: // This officer’s exceptional ability as a leader, his devotion to duty and the energy with which he carried out all his duties have been instrumental in bringing the standard and efficiency of 10 BR Squadron to its present high peak. His power of instilling confidence is his juniors is exceptional. // The same day, Air Commode C.M. McEwen (AOC No.1 Group) wrote what became the basis for the final award: // Wing Commander Annis has been engaged on Bomber Reconnaissance work for a considerable period of time in No.11 BR Squadron, and latterly in No.10 BR Squadron. He os exceptionally keen, fearless and a natural leader. While engage din this work he always set an example by taking more than his share of the hazardous sorties. His ability to instill confidence, enthusiasm and morale in his whole unit has been of an exceptionably high order. Even while employed on staff work he was chosen to and successfully accomplished several important and hazardous flights. He has completed approximately 40 operational sorties on active service flights and approximately 990 hours flying since jointing the service. The award is highly recommend. // ANNIS, G/C Clare Levi, OBE (C196) - Mention in Despatches - Station Linton-on-Ouse (No.62 Base in AFRO) - Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 337/45 dated 23 February 1945. No citation in AFRO; DHist file 181.009 D.1719 (PAC RG.24 Volume 20606) has recommendation dated 15 August 1944 which errs by crediting Canadian service to BCATP when, in fact, he was more involved in Home Defence anti-submarine work: // `Prior to proceeding overseas, Group Captain Annis rendered valuable service in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada. Since his arrival in the United Kingdom he has been in command of RCAF Station Linton-on-Ouse. He is a tireless worker and by his personal example and ability has won the respect and whole hearted co-operation of all personnel on the station, which has reflected creditably in the high standard of operational efficiency. // Notes: Report on Air Armament Course, Trenton, 11 July to 18 December 1938. Flew in Wapiti aircraft (12.10 as pilot, 7.35 as passenger), Fleet (50 minutes as pilot), Shark (5.15 as pilot, ten minutes as passenger), Fairchild (8.15 as pilot, 5.15 as passenger) and Atlas (45 minutes as pilot). Courses in Bombing (75 percent), Gunnery (71 percent), Lecture Test (72 percent), and Anti-Gas (92 percent). “This officer is very keen, has reasoning ability and should make a good Squadron Armament Officer.” (F/L D.A. Cameron). // An interesting part of his career was his departure from Halifax (20 November 1939) to collect Digby aircraft which were being towed over the border from Sweetgrass (Montana) to Coutts (Alberta). This was first done on 19 December 1939. His detachment headquarters moved to Winnipeg, and on 17 January 1940 to St. Hubert, where it remained until 4 April 1940. He was engaged in instructing pilots on the new type and ferrying Digbys from Western Canada to Montreal and Toronto. He received a Radio Range course from S/L Newcombe (former TCA captain) and a Link course with TCA Winnipeg. // Memo dated 31 January 1942, A/V/M N.R. Anderson (AOC, EAC) to AFHQ (excerpt): // Squadron Leader Annis has established himself as an outstanding Pilot. He has been employed at this Headquarters as Armament advisor since September 1940, and as such has demonstrated outstanding ability both in his professional knowledge and qualifies of command and leadership. He is definitely above average in his loyalty and devotion to duty, works long hours and maintains a cheerful attitude. In addition, he takes a keen interest in the welfare of personnel and devotes considerable time to sports and recreation. // A memo dated 22 November 1942 gives flying times as 242.15 for 1940, 78.55 for 1941 and 104.45 for 1942. // Two assessments from his time at Linton-on-Ouse make interesting and amusing reading: // This officer has a fine character, pleasing personality and is popular with the personnel under his Command. He is prolific in ideas, most of which are good but it has been necessary to give direction in a number of instances. If this officer can overcome his habit of “running off in all directions”, his undoubted ability, energy and zeal should qualify him for higher command. (Air Commodore J.L.Hurley, No.62 Base, 9 January 1945). // Concur. This officer has a tendency to lower discipline by circumventing regulations without thought necessary before taking action. He is more than democratic in his ideas of mixing officer, NCOs and airmen (including airwomen). Tolerates suggestions without sufficient thought. Otherwise brilliant and his staff course should do him a world of good in regimenting his mind. (Air Vice Marshal C.M. McEwen, AOC No.6 Group, 20 January 1945) // On form dated 21 January 1945 he stated he had flown 38 sorties in Canada (the last on 29 July 1943. He gave flying times as 275 hours on Digbys, 150 hours on Liberators, 30 on Hudson, Halifax and Lancaster. // An assessment by A/V/M C.R. Slemon (AFHQ/AMOT) dated 30 August 1949 harkens back to the wartime assessments by Hurley and McEwen: // Group Captain Annis has served on my staff as Director of Air Operations for almost two years. He also served under me overseas as commander of a heavy bomber station in wartime. He is an outstandingly capable officer with a fine Service reputation. Possessing a soundly fertile mind, unbounded zeal, a pleasant personality and good judgement, the welfare and advancement of the Service are always before him. Occasionally he requires a bit of restraining influence imposed on his high enthusiasm and he tends to take too much work on himself in order to achieve thoroughness of detail. Nevertheless he makes an outstandingly fine contribution to the Service, in which he should go far.