BANNER, F/L Leslie Thomas (C13127) - Mention in Despatches - No.414 Squadron - Award effective 14 June 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1395/45 dated 31 August 1945. Born 1 July 1918 in North Bay, Ontario. Educated there, 1924-1938. In 1938 he worked for Oakville Basket Company (motor boat operator and office worker); in 1939-40 he was an “operator” for Standard Paving; in 1940 he was manager of the North Bay Nugget. Before the war he had acquired a Commercial Pilots License. Enlisted in Hamilton, 17 September 1940. To Central Flying School, Trenton, 6 October 1940. Granted Leave Without Pay, 2 November 1940 and sent to No.10 EFTS, Mount Hope as an instructor. Recalled to RCAF Active Duty, 8 November 1942 in rank of Warrant Officer and posted to No.1 Manning Depot, Toronto; to No.6 SFTS, Dunnville, 7 June 1942; commissioned 31 July 1942; to No.1 Flying Instructor School, Trenton, 30 August 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 31 January 1943; to “Y” Depot, Halifax, 28 September 1943; arrived in Britain, 30 October 1943; to No.17 (P) AFU, 29 December 1943; to No.5 (P) AFU, 8 January 1944; to No.41 OTU, 2 May 1944 (attended Artillery Spotting Course, Larkhill, 7-17 July 1944). While at No.41 OTU he took flying courses only (no ground examinations) and was assessed as “consistently above average standard in all his flying and ground practices”. To No.83 Group Support Unit, 22 July 1944; promoted Flight Lieutenant, 31 July 1944; to No.414 Squadron, 3 August 1944. To Britain (tour expired), 20 April 1945. Repatriated to Canada, 8 June 1945. Released 31 July 1945. Re-engaged in RCAF, 15 January 1946; to No.1 Flying Training School, 21 January 1946; to Central Flying School, Trenton, 27 January 1947; to No.1 Composite Training School, Toronto, 11 April 1946; accepted for Regular Force, 1 October 1946; to Central Flying School, Trenton, 13 April 1947. Killed in the crash of Vampire, 17080 on 19 September 1948, near Kendall, Ontario, returning from Niagra Falls, New York where he had flown in United States Air Force Day celebrations. Overseas unit not identified in AFRO (which merely says "Overseas" when reporting his award); see The RCAF Overseas: The Sixth Year, pages 217 and 221. PL-135054 is a portrait taken in August 1948. While no recommendation can be traced for his Mention in Despatches, he did fly 200 operational hours, was a Flight Commander for three months, and temporarily commanded No.414 Squadron for three weeks just before the end of his tour. On 18 April 1945 W/C R.C.A. Waddell wrote of him: I have found this officer at all times to be quiet, steady, reliable and conscientious. He has done well on his tour and is quite capable of commanding a squadron. On repatriation to Canada he filed a form (20 May 1945) in which he reported having flown 200 operational hours and 207 hour 55 minute non-operational while overseas. He had taken part in 178 sorties, the last one on 15 April 1945. His types and hours overseas were as follows: Auster II (6.25), Master II (78.05), Hurricane I and II (76.20), Harvard I (4.15), Mustang I (24.45), Spitfire IX (207.45), Spitfire XIV (10.20).