STEVENS, F/L Charles Frederick Bridges (C1498) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.430 Squadron - Award effective 8 May 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 966/45 dated 8 June 1945. Born 9 June 1914 in Montreal; home in Westmount; educated at McGill University, graduating 1934 (industrial chemist); worked four years for Fraser Papers (Edmunston, New Brunswick). Enlisted in Ottawa as General List, 2 January 1940. Flying Officer as of 10 August 1940. To No,5 SFTS, 5 October 1940. To No.1 Training Command, 8 April 1942. May have gone back to No.5 SFTS. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 June 1942. To “Y” Depot, 31 May 1943. To RAF overseas, 22 June 1943. Repatriated 4 September 1945. To No.2 Release Centre, 11 September 1945. Retired 16 October 1945. Obtained a Ph.D. in Los Angeles. Settle in Montreal, working for Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada and on staff of magazine Pulp and Paper Canada. Held several patents, including some for garbage disposal. Died at Ste.Anne-de-Bellevue (Montreal), 6 June 2013. Award sent by registered mail 19 January 1952. // This officer has completed a large number of sorties, including very many reconnaissances over the battle areas. The excellent photographs he has secured, often in the face of much opposition, reflect the greatest credit on his undoubted skill and perseverance. In March 1945, Flight Lieutenant Stevens was detailed to photograph an area comprising a heavily defended river line. Just as he commenced his run-in, at very low level, his aircraft was struck by an anti-aircraft shell. The canopy above Flight Lieutenant Stevens' head was torn away and a jagged hole was torn in the frame of the aircraft. In spite of this Flight Lieutenant Stevens completed a successful run, obtaining photographs which proved of great value to our ground forces. His skill and courage were in keeping with that which he has shown on all occasions.