ROBERGE, F/L Hilaire (C4615) - Member, Order of the British Empire - No.62 Base - Award effective 1 January 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 809/44 dated 14 April 1944. Born in Ottawa, 12 January 1903. Home in Ottawa; educated at Montfort School (Eastview); enlisted in Ottawa 3 July 1924 and posted to Station Ottawa in trade of Carpenter. Promoted AC1, 1 April 1925. Promoted LAC, 15 July 1925. Promoted Corporal, 22 May 1926. Promoted Acting Sergeant, 1 October 1927. Confirmed as Sergeant, 1 April 1930. To No.1 Depot, 12 May 1932. To Ottawa Air Station, 1 October 1934. To No.18 Detachment, Montreal, 30 April 1936 as instructor to the Auxiliary Squadron there. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 1 June 1936. Promoted Warrant Officer Class 2, 1 September 1939 when trade changed to Airframe Mechanic. To Camp Borden, 30 September 1939. On 14 November 1939 was posted to Technical Training School, St. Thomas. To No.12 Technical Detachment, Toronto, 28 May 1940 (Resident Inspector at Massey-Harris plant, Weston); promoted WO1, 1 October 1940. Commissioned 24 March 1941 in rank of Flying Officer. To “Y” Depot, Halifax, 15 March 1942. Posted overseas, 30 March 1942. To No.419 Squadron, 29 April 1942. To No.425 Squadron, 24 June 1942. To No.426 Squadron, 26 October 1942. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 March 1943. To No.425 Squadron, 15 May 1943. Proceeded with No.425 Squadron to Africa (26 May 1943) and back to England (26 October 1943). To No.62 Base, 10 December 1943. Repatriated to Canada, 25 March 1944. To No.3 Training Command, 4 May 1944. To No.124 Ferry Squadron, 10 May 1944. To Station St. Hubert, 30 June 1944. To Rockcliffe, 1 July 1944. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 October 1944. Remained in postwar RCAF, retaining rank of Squadron Leader as of 1 October 1947. Retired to Chateauguay, Quebec, 17 July 1950. Invested with award by Governor General, 27 June 1945. Died in Ottawa, 27 April 1979. No citation in AFRO. Recommended for BEM, 16 August 1943, for services as Engineer Officer with No.425 Squadron. The proposed citation noted that he had come to a new squadron and his experience was most helpful in training ground crew. "Flight Lieutenant Roberge is a most skilful and conscientious engineer whose cheerful confidence has inspired a high standard of morale among the ground crew personnel. The high serviceability maintained in England and in North Africa, where the undertaking of major repair jobs in the field were done in record time, is worthy of the highest praise. This officer has fully contributed to the successes achieved by the squadron." // Notes: It is evident from numerous movements in the 1920s that he served short periods with RCAF photo detachments in Northen Ontario and in the West. He was, for example, at Larder Lake, 29 July to 22 October 1926. Again, he was at Sudbury, 18 September to 3 November 1927. On 15 September 1927, F/L F.C. Higgins of a Photographic Flight, writing from Torrance (Muskoka) recommended his promotion to Sergeant - “Corporal Roberge has now serve with me on detached photographic operations for two season, hence I have had good opportunity to judge the character of his work and extent of his ability both in respect of his trade proficiency as rigger and his qualifications as to rank. During last season’s operations he served in the capacity of next senior NCO and during the present season he has been acting in the responsible position of Senior NCO of my Detachment. He has at all times been most reliable and painstaking, shown excellent initiative, and ranks high in trade proficiency and the capacity to get things done in short order. His ability to handle men and to exercise proper supervision over their work is considered distinctly good, as evidenced by the loyal support which he consistently secures from the other members of the Detachment.” About 11-12 December 1929 he was sent to St. Felicien for about ten days duty “in connection with installation of skiis on Pilot Officer Bonard;s aircraft G-CYYT” (possibly in connection with a search). Travel claims show him as going to Gananogue, 25-26 July 1931 to salvage Fairchild XJ after a crash and to truck it back to Ottawa. // Assessed 1 May 1941 - “Has recently been commissioned from the ranks, Has been carrying out the duties of Resident Technical Officer as plants in this district. Zealous in his duties, near in appearance, and should make a good officer.” (W/C J.L Hurley, No.12 Technical Detachment). // Assessed 1 February 1943 - “Is an outstanding Engineer Officer who carries out his duties willingly and skilfully. Is definitely an asset to a squadron.” (W/C J. St. Pierre). // Assessed 1 December 1946 - “Highly qualified officer. Despite shortage of staff, continues to turn out a lot of work. Never complains regardless of the amount of work he is called on to turn out. His pleasant personality and cooperative attitude are a ‘must’ in his difficult position. His appearance and deportment are above average.” (G/C R.F. Gibb).

PATTERSON, F/O William Smith (C4591) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.426 Squadron - Award effective 4 November 1944 as per London Gazette dated 17 November 1944 and AFRO 239/45 dated 9 February 1945. Born 1904 in Kilwinning, Ayreshire; home in Neepawa, Manitoba (teacher); enlisted in Winnipeg, 17 March 1941 as Link Trainer Instructor; commissioned 26 April 1941 in rank of Flying Officer; to No.12 SFTS, 16 May 1941. To No.1 ITS, 13 March 1942. To No.3 ITS, 11 April 1942. Remustered to aircrew and posted on 14 July 1943 to No.1 Air Gunner Ground Training School. To No.4 BGS, 22 August 1943. Graduated and placed on General List, 1 October 1943 with rank of Pilot Officer. To “Y” Depot, 15 October 1943. Taken on strength of No.3 PRC, 21 October 1943. Posted to No.426 Squadron, March 1944; mid-upper gunner in P/O J.H. O'Neill's crew. Promoted Flying Officer, 1 July 1944. Posted from unit to No.1659 CU, 31 July 1944. Incident described in citation was on 12 May 1944. Medal presented at Buckingham Palace 30 October 1945. Repatriated 16 November 1945. Retired 12 December 1945. RCAF photo PL-40196 (ex UK-16963 dated 29 November 1944) shows Flight Officer Mary Carry (Toronto, member of “Blackouts” entertainment troupe) with Iroquois Squadron adjutant, F/L Bob Mickles (Toronto) and squadron commander, W/C Eric Mitchell (Wolfville, Nova Scotia). RCAF photo PL-40370 (ex UK-17134 dated 5 December 1944) shows him with “Minnie Simcoe”, a hand-crafted doll and mascot of the Iroquois Squadron, caption says the mascot “has been tagging along on operations regularly.” Photo PL-46228 (ex UK-23579 dated 5 November 1945) is captioned as follows - “Seven RCAF aircrew members who received the DFC at a recent investiture held by His Majesty the King at Buckingham Palace were photographed in the Palace courtyard . Left to right: F/L J.S. Wallace (Niverville, Ontario), S/L E.A. Adams (Omemee, Ontario), F/L R.F. Lawrence (Windsor), G/C E.M. Mitchell (Wolfville, Nova Scotia), F/L J.M. Tartz (Wasburn, Saskatchewan), F/L W.S. Patterson (Nepawa, Manitoba), F/L R.R. Kingsland (Montreal).” Possibly died 1967 at Little Britain, Selkirk Census Division, Manitoba. // Flying Officer Patterson has taken part in many successful operations. On one occasion while taking part in an attack on enemy concentrations in Normandy his aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire. Later an enemy fighter attacked and further damage was sustained, the turrets being rendered unserviceable. Despite this, Flying Officer Patterson succeeded in firing several bursts at his assailant whose aircraft was damaged subsequently. He displayed commendable courage in remaining in his unserviceable turret to keep a lookout and in directing evasive action when on two more occasions his aircraft was threatened by fighters. // The original recommendation is in DHH file 181.009 D.4431 (Library and Archives Canada RG.24 Volume 20649); date established as 2 August 1944 when he had flown 17 sorties (81 hours 45 minutes); sortie list and submission as follows: // 14 January 1944 - Brunswick (6.15) // 27 January 1944 - Berlin (8.05) // 15 February 1944 - Berlin (7.50) // 9 May 1944 - Calais (3.20) // 10 May 1944 - Ghent (3.55) // 12 May 1944 - Louvain (3.55) // 27 May 1944 - Bourg Leopold (4.55) // 16 June 1944 - Sterkrade (4.50) // 21 June 1944 - St. Martin (4.00) // 23 June 1944 - Bientques (4.05) // 24 June 1944 - Bamieres (3.45) // 27 June 1944 - Foret d’Eawy (4.00) // 28 June 1944 - Metz (6.25) // 15 July 1944 - Nucourt (4.05) // 17 July 1944 - Caen (3.55) // 18 July 1944 - Wesseling (5.10) // 24 July 1944 - Ferfay (3.35) // This officer has taken part in many successful operations as mid-upper gunner of a heavy bomber. On one occasion recently, while attacking enemy concentrations in Normandy, his aircraft was struck by heavy flak which put a large hole in the starboard wing. Despite this, his skipper continued on to the target and while over the target area, a twin-engine fighter attacked from below, putting cannon shells through the bomb bay and out through the top of the fuselage. Severe damage was caused to the hydraulics and the fuel system, and the gunners’ turrets were rendered unserviceable, but not before bursts were fired at the fighter, which is claimed as damaged. Flying Officer Patterson displayed exceptional coolness and courage in remaining in his unserviceable turret to keep a look-out and directing evasive action when on two more occasions enemy aircraft came in to attack. Without doubt his devotion to duty contributed in a very large measure to the success of this operational flight. He is highly recommended for the award of the Non-Immediate DFC.

NORTHOVER, F/L Harold William (C4221) - Mention in Despatches - No.5048 AMES - Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 425/45 dated 9 March 1945. Enlisted in Hamilton, 24 February 1941 as Radar Officer; immediately commissioned as Flying Officer and attached to RAF overseas. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 29 December 1941. Repatriated 28 February 1945. To No.1 Air Command, 18 March 1945. To Moncton, 13 April 1945. To No.4 Radio School, 15 April 1945. To No.4 Release Centre, 19 June 1945. Retired 23 June 1945. Living in Toronto in June 1949. No citation. RCAF Press Release dated 19 December 1944 from one “Crampton” read: The Japanese troops were only four miles away. Their camp-fires, even the fires of enemy base could be clearly seen at night. Our own troops, north of Maungdaw, were 20 miles away. Yet, for three months during 1944, Flight Lieutenant Harold Northover, of Hamilton, Ontario, and Corporal Harold McElmore, of Winnipeg, with 21 other men, all from the British Isles, lived and worked securely aboard a barge in this the most advanced unit on the whole Arakan front. Life did not always seem secure to the little complement of men, though no attack came during the three months of January, February and March when they were stationed there. The R.A.F. and the Navy saw to that. But as the monsoon season approached, violent storms blew up, and eventually the unique station was withdrawn. The next day, a Jap army bomber flew up and down the island close by which they had been anchored and gave it a pounding. A small detachment of the R.A.F. Regiment, also awaiting withdrawal, was still there, but there were no casualties. Then there was the night when Northover and several of his men nearly drifted ashore, where certain capture awaited them. They fixed the broken feed system of their small power-boat’s engine by siphoning petrol from the tank into a can, puncturing the bottom of the can and placing it directly over the carburator. By the time they had done all this, they were almost aground. They still don’t know how they managed to get back to their barge undetected. Northover, small wiry and bespectacled is, at 47, probably the daddy of all Canadian radio mechanics. He joined up in the last war at the age of 16, spent most of it in the Royal Canadian Navy. His naval experience is one reason why he was chosen to command this advanced radio outpost aboard a 120 foot former coal-barge. The barge had no power of its own. Even if it had, a certain knowledge of seamanship would have been necessary, but without that power, a knowledge of how to handle anchors, kedges, winches and cables, and how to use them to manoeuvre the barge to bring her head into wind was essential. In time, every air force man on the barge became something of a seaman. They tried to become fishermen, too, but somehow or other they had no success. Rations and mail were brought monthly by a small coastal steamer under escort. The former was almost always mainly bully beef. In the crystal clear water surrounding them, all kinds of edible fish swam nonchalantly by, and the men thought they were in a grand spot to vary their rations from the sea. But never a fish did they catch. “Those so-and-so fish are educated,” they remarked in disgust, when they finally gave up trying. It appeared the fish could go even for bits of air force rations and eat them up smartly as long as they were not on a hook. The radio-camp-barge was removed during the monsoon season and the two Canadians are not with it now. Their overseas tour completed, they expect soon to be home in Canada. Northover was one of the first Canadian radio men in India and was responsible for the installation of many important stations in the radio chain. He has been stationed in Bombay and Karachi, and on the Northwest Frontier, as well as in the Arakan. He was on the N.W. Frontier at the time that the Germans were besieging Stalingrad and the threat to India, via the Caucasus and Persia, was becoming grimly real. He joined the Canadian Army in 1914 at Halifax, Nova Scotia, his birthplace. When his age was discovered, he was ruled out for overseas for at least two years, so he wangled a transfer to the navy, spent much time at sea, on naval and merchant ships as a wireless operator, and also spent three months helping man the famous Lurcher lightship at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, weathering several heavy storms and one Hurricane during his time there. He stayed in the navy for a year after the war, and was in H.M.S. Stadacona which conducted the late Admiral Lord Jellicoe on a survey of Canada’s Pacific Coast defences. He remembers rowing ashore one day with the Admiral seated beside him on the thwart, bending an oar like any ordinary seaman. When he left the navy, he went into radio manufacturing and has been production engineer of several well-known firms. He joined the R.C.A.F. early in 1940 and less than two months later was on his way overseas. McElmore joined the R.C.A.F. in 1941 and was a member of the first class of radio mechanics at the University of Manitoba. He went overseas in October 1941. Before joining the air force he was an electrician at the C.N.R. shops in Winnipeg and is particularly proud of the fact that he worked in the electrical wiring of the locomotive that hauled the Royal Train from Vancouver East during Their Majesties visit to Canada in 1939.

FLICK, F/L Joffrey Barton (C4300) - Mention in Despatches - Headquarters Balkan Air Force - Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 337/45 dated 23 February 1945. Home in Toronto; enlisted there 7 March 1941 as Radio Officer and commissioned Flying Officer that date. To RAF overseas, 6 June 1941. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 March 1943. Repatriated 28 August 1945. To No.1 Composite Training School, 5 September 1945. To Release Centre, 31 October 1945. Retired 5 November 1945. First name also rendered as ?Jeffrey?. No citation.

FENTON, F/L Thomas Charles (C4449) - Mention in Despatches - Mediterranean Air Command - Award effective 17 September 1943 as per London Gazette of that date 28 and AFRO 2198/43 dated 29 October 1943. Born 3 May 1907 in Rosthern, Saskatchewan. Educated in Grandview, Saskatchewan and Kelvin High School. Home Melfort, Saskatchewan. Attended University of Manitoba, 1924-1929 (degree in Civil Engineering). Employed by Department of Mines and Resources, Ottawa, 1930 onwards (instrument man, junior engineer, Assistant Engineer) and was Resident Engineer of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Enlisted in Toronto 24 February 1941 in Works and Buildings Branch and posted to No.1 Manning Depot. To Eastern Air Command, 8 March 1941. Attended Aeronautical Engineer Course, Montreal, 31 March to 30 August 1941. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 15 January 1942. To “Y” Depot, 22 March 1942. Embarked from Canada, 1 April 1942. Disembarked in Britain, 14 April 1942, To No.3 Works Squadron, 29 April 1942. To No.8 Works Squadron, 20 May 1942. To Headquarters, RAF Mediterranean, 22 August 1942. To Takali, Malta, 1 September 1942 where employed in airfield construction. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 August 1943. To Hal Far, Malta, 31 January 1944. Left Malta for United Kingdom, 18 September 1944. Repatriated 28 October 1944. To Prince George, 4 December 1944. To No.8 Construction and Maintenance Unit, Tufts Cove, 12 December 1944. To No.1 Release Centre, 24 January 1945. Retired 29 January 1945. Died in Kelowna, 24 August 1997. // FENTON, F/L Thomas Charles (C4449) - Mention in Despatches - Mediterranean Air Command - Award effective 14 January 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 874/44 dated 21 April 1944.

EMARD, W/C Joseph Medard Ladislas (C4032) - Member, Order of the British Empire - No.3 Training Command Headquarters - Award effective 26 May 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1380/44 dated 30 June 1944. Born in Embrun, Ontario; educated in Montreal (primary, secondary, University of Montreal medical graduate 1927). Director of Medical Services, Notre Dame Hospital; enlisted in Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps; transferred to RCAF in Montreal, 16 November 1940. Granted rank of Wing Commander as of 15 June 1941. Left No.3 Training Command Headquarters on 9 December 1944 and taken on strength of No.3 PRC, Bournemouth as of 9 January 1945. Repatriated 7 July 1945. To Lachine, 17 September 1945. Retired 25 September 1945. RCAF photo PL-45535 (ex UK-24080 dated 13 August 1945) shows him at Repatriation Depot; caption says in part, “While overseas, W/C Emard was attached to the Directorate of Medical Services in London in charge of hospitalisation, treatment and medical boards of RCAF personnel and repatriation of all medical cases.” Obstetrician and Gynaecology in Cornwall, Ontario after the war. Used Ladislas as his first name. This officer has been employed as Principal Medical Officer of the Command for the past three years. He has fulfilled this position in a most consistent and creditable manner and, through his tireless efforts and unstinted devotion to duty, is mainly responsible for the present efficient functioning of the medical branch in this Command.

EASTON, W/C Donald Robertson (C4172) - Member, Order of the British Empire - No.2 Air Command Headquarters - Award effective 1 January 1946 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 82/46 dated 25 January 1946. Born 6 May 1904 in Ayton, Ontario. Educated there, 1910-1918; at Harriston, 1918-1923; at Medical School, University of Toronto, 1927-1933. Took further courses on Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 1937-1938. Physician in Schumacher, Ontario, 1934-1937, and with Department of Health (Hotel Dieu), 1937-1940. Lieutenant in Queens Own Rifles, February to June 1940; RCAMC, June 1940 to 15 November 1940. Home in Stratford, Ontario; enlisted in RCAF, Toronto, 16 November 1940. Granted rank of Flight Lieutenant on enlistment and assigned to No.4 Training Command, Regina (later No.2 Air Command), 16 January 1941. . Promoted Squadron Leader, 15 July 1942. Promoted Wing Commander, 1 December 1942. To “Y” Depot, 17 November 1944; embarked from Canada, 24 November 1944. Disembarked in Britain, 5 December 1944. To RCAF Overseas Headquarters, 5 January 1945. Repatriated to Canada, 23 July 1945. To No.7 Release Centre, 3 August 1945. Retired 4 September 1945. Medical Officer for Department of Veterans Affairs after the war. As a member of the Supplementary Reserve (60352) he occasionally was called out for duty with No.18 Wing (Auxiliary), Edmonton, and Tactical Air Command, 1950-1959, forming Reserve Medical Units (Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Calgary and Regina) with rank of Group Captain. Completed his Fellowship in Psychiatry. Retired in Edmonton, Alberta. This officer has been Deputy Principal Medical Officer and later Principal Medical Officer of Command Headquarters for more than two years. During this time he has displayed the greatest interest in the health and welfare of all personnel in the Command. He has organized all Station Hospitals in this Command in a most efficient manner, and this efficiency has reflected in the low incidence of illness which prevails at all units. Wing Commander Easton has worked untiringly so that a satisfactory state of health is enjoyed by all personnel. He is a most capable doctor and an efficient administrator who has made a splendid contribution to the well being of personnel.

DESSERT, WO (now P/O) Leon Albert (R54943/C46828) - Mention in Despatches - No.4 (BR) Squadron (deceased) - Award effective 3 November 1944 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 2479/44 dated 17 November 1944. Born 11 December 1919 in Redpath, Saskatchewan. Attended Montreal Technical School to learn auto mechanics. Working in Granby before the war. Enlisted in Montreal, 31 May 1940. To No.1 Manning Depot, Toronto, 1 June 1940. To Technical Training School, St. Thomas, 5 July 1940. Promoted AC1, 31 August 1940. To No.3 Repair Depot, Vancouver, 6 November 1940. Promoted LAC, 19 December 1940. To No.4 (BR) Squadron, Uclulet, 9 November 1941. To No.9 BGS, Mont Joli, 9 December 1942. To School of Aeronautical Engineering, Montreal, 31 January 1943. Scored 55 percent on written examination, 76 percent on oral examination, and placed ninth in a class of 15 (?Has an average knowledge of engines? - S/L J.D. Syme). To No.3 Repair Depot, Vancouver, 14 February 1943. To No.4 (BR) Squadron, Uclulet, 22 February 1943. Promoted Sergeant, 25 February 1943. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 1 November 1943. Reclassified as Flight Engineer, 1 January 1944. Promoted WO2, 1 July 1944. Subsequently commissioned as per Air Force Routine Orders dated 7 August 1944, with effect from 7 April 1944. Home in New Westminster, British Columbia when award made. Died 27 July 1944. This warrant officer displayed exceptional devotion to duty throughout his period of duty at this unit and throughout his lengthy period of operational flying. He was a skilful flight engineer, whose example and ability, both in the air and on the ground, were reflected in the high standard of maintenance of this unit. These outstanding qualities were an inspiration to other flight engineers. Notes: Trained at No.9 BGS 14 December 1942 to 22 January 1943 before taking Flight Engineer course. He flew four hours five minutes (Fairey Battle) with one cine exercise and spent four hours 35 minutes on ?turret manipulation?. Ground courses were Guns, Pyrotechnics and Ammunition (230/250 in written test), Guns, Practical (75/100), Sighting (150/250 in written test), Turrets, Practical (164/200) and Aircraft Recognition (168/200). Placed 20th in a class of 30; ?Cooperative and willing.? On 9 July 1943 he was flight engineer of Canso 9802 piloted by R118408 Flight Sergeant J.F. Drake. It was raining at Uclulet. Port wing tip dipped in the water, nose dropped under water. Pilot opened the throttle and nose came partly out of water as aircraft swung to port. Nevertheless, the nose compartment filled rapidly and Dessert was injured while escaping via navigator?s hatch (abrasions to scalp, shock and exposure). Application for Operational Wing: Although he may have started this about 8 July 1944, it was almost certainly completed by others. All missions were with No.4 (BR) Squadron in ?Western Hemisphere?. 19 November 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 50 minutes 8 December 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 2.45 9 December 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 8.45 10 December 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 5.40 15 December 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 7.00 16 December 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 6.40 17 December 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 3.05 20 December 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 4.10 22 December 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 2.35 24 December 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 5.05 25 December 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 5.35 26 December 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 6.00 28 December 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 4.40 29 December 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 1.30 30 December 1941 - Stranraer - Patrol - 3.35 11 October 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 4.35 12 October 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 2.10 14 October 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 2.20 15 October 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 2.20 17 October 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 3.35 25 October 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 4.35 28 October 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 5.20 1 November 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 2.55 1 November 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 4.40 4 November 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 2.45 7 November 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 3.00 8 November 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 4.20 11 November 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 4.00 17 November 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 3.15 23 November 1942 - Stranraer - Search - 1.10 26 November 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 3.10 1 December 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 2.35 4 December 1942 - Stranraer - Patrol - 5.45 31 December 1942 - Stranraer - Search - 5.20 29 March 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 5.45 10 April 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 2.55 1 May 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 6.50 4 May 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 5.15 7 May 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 6.10 8 May 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 4.50 11 May 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 5.50 13 May 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 5.40 24 May 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 4.55 26 May 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 5.40 27 May 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 5.40 1 June 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 5.10 6 June 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 5.25 7 June 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 5.20 8 June 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 1.05 14 June 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 1.00 17 June 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 6.10 20 June 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 4.15 21 June 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 9.20 26 June 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 6.15 28 June 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol - 6.05 13 July 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 6.00 14 July 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 11.10 18 July 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 1.40 25 July 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 7.35 26 July 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 8.10 2 August 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 6.45 10 August 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 10.15 23 August 1943 - Canso - Search - 3.15 24 August 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 7.10 27 August 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 30 minutes 28 August 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 55 minutes 28 August 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 35 minutes 4 September 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 7.00 6 September 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 7.50 15 September 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 6.45 23 September 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 8.00 26 September 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 45 minutes 29 September 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 55 minutes 5 October 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 4.40 31 October 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 1.25 3 November 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 2.10 4 November 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 1.00 4 November 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 3.10 4 November 1943 - Canso - Search - 1.35 6 November 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 9.05 30 November 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 8.50 5 December 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 50 minutes 12 December 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 8.25 30 December 1943 - Canso - Patrol - 10.00 3 January 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 8.30 8 January 1944 - Canso - Search - 3.05 21 January 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 4.30 24 January 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 10.00 26 January 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 6.20 27 January 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 10.45 30 January 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 8.50 1 February 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 8.15 4 February 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 2.50 5 February 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 8.20 10 February 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 4.00 14 February 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 10.25 17 February 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 3.00 20 February 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 7.45 22 February 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 11.15 24 February 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 7.45 6 March 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 10.00 12 March 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 9.40 12 March 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 1.00 17 March 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 10.15 19 March 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 10.15 24 March 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 12.30 27 March 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 11.35 29 March 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 10.40 1 April 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 12.30 4 April 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 8.05 8 April 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 11.10 18 April 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 8.35 20 April 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 9.50 21 April 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 5.55 26 April 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 11.35 28 April 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 10.55 30 April 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 11.35 8 May 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 13.00 12 May 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 8.50 18 May 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 10.00 22 May 1944 - Canso - Search - 5.15 25 May 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 5.10 29 May 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 6.40 30 May 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 8.55 1 June 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 11.45 20 June 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 6.00 28 June 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 11.10 2 July 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 8.50 4 July 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 12.45 6 July 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 10.10 8 July 1944 - Canso - Patrol - 10.30 Total: 131 sorties and 806 hours Assessments: An undated form, composed when he had logged 300 hours as crew (recommendation for remuster to aircrew) stated, “Has a fair amount of air experience. Tried to be a pilot before the start of the war. Is very keen and should become an average pilot. Not susceptible to airsickness.” However, on 15 September 1942, the Vancouver Recruiting Centre concluded, “Cannot recommend re-muster to No.4 Manning Depot. C.T. too low.” It is not clear whether “C.T.” was an educational, skills or health matter. “A good tradesman and will make a fair NCO.” (Commanding Officer, Station Uclulet, 30 November 1942) “A very level headed engineer; knows his work and carried out his work in an excellent manner.” (S/L R.H. Lowry, No.4 Squadron, 30 October 1943). “This NCO is the senior Flight Engineer in the squadron. He is a definite asset to this squadron, being very efficient and above average in his trade.” “This NCO is the senior engineer in the squadron. He has been recommended for a commission, being well qualified for same.” (S/L R.H. Lowry, 29 June 1944). Circumstances of Death: He suffered a childhood injury from drinking lye which gave him much throat trouble for the rest of his life. He finally succumbed to infections.

CRICH, P/O Howard Clair (C45233) - Air Force Cross - No.4 Squadron (Canada) - Award effective 6 January 1945 as per London Gazette dated 13 March 1945 and AFRO 132/45 dated 26th January 1945. Born in Regina, 15 December 1920. Educated in Clearwater, Manitoba (1928-1932), Tangenbury, Saskatchewan (1932-1935 and Griffin, Saskatchewan (1935-1940). Home in Griffin, Saskatchewan; enlisted in Regina, 21 May 1940 as aero engine mechanic. To No.1 Manning Depot, Toronto, 24 May 1940. To Technical Training School, St. Thomas, 21 June 1940. To No.8 (BR) Squadron, 23 October 1940. Promoted AC1, 12 November 1940.. To No.5 (BR) Squadron, 4 July 1941. Promoted LAC, 1 October 1941. To No.145 (BR) Squadron, 23 July 1942. To Torbay, 25 August 1942. To No.9 BGS, 5 December 1942. To School of Aeronautical Engineering, 30 January 1943. To No.3 Repair Depot, 13 February 1943. To No.3 Repair Depot, Vancouver, 14 February 1943. To No.9 (BR) Squadron, Bella Bella.24 February 1943. Promoted Sergeant, 1 June 1943. To No.4 (BR) Squadron, 23 August 1943. Classified as Flight Engineer (Special), 1 January 1944. Commissioned 28 January 1944. Promoted Flying Officer, 15 August 1944. To Western Air Command Headquarters, 10 March 1945. To No.7 Release Centre, Calgary, 9 June 1945; released 13 June 1945. Died in Calgary, 1 March 1978. Had completed 1,666 flying hours, 1,029 operational hours (121 sorties) including 173 hours in previous six months. Award presented 17 July 1947. // This flight engineer, with many hours of operational flying to his credit, has proven himself to be a most co-operative and energetic member of aircraft crew. His cheerful devotion to duty and exceptional efficiency have set a splendid example to all aircrew on the Pacific coast. Pilot Officer Crich, with untiring and skilful effort, has rendered outstanding meritorious service. // Recommended by W/C R.R. Denis, 31 October 1944 as follows: // This officer has completed 1,029 operational flying hours as Flight Engineer on Canso aircraft. His devotion to duty, cheerfulness and calm efficiency have set a fine example to all aircrew on this Coast. // Notes: Assessed 17 June 1944 - “A very good crewman, does good work.” (S/L R.W. Mitchell, No.9 Squadron). // Assessed 28 October 1944 - “A very capable engineer. Recommend that he be retained in the service and promoted to Flying Officer.” (S/L R.H. Lowry, Station Tofino) // Training: Attended Flight Engineer School at No.9 BGS, 14 December 1942 ro 22 January 1943, Flew in Battle aircraft, five hours 20 minutes plus four hours 45 minutes in turret manipulation. Graded in Guns, Ammunition and Pyrotechnics (230/250), Guns, Practical (85/100), Sighting, written (200/250), Turret, practical (160/200) and Aircraft Recognition (104/200). “Average type mentally. Popular. Has good appearance.” // Application for Operational Wing dated 20 November 1944. // No.5 (BR) Squadron, August 1941 to September 1942 - Catalina and Canso aircraft (convoy and escort patrols), 384 hours 30 minutes, no sortie list. // No.9 (BR) Squadron, Western Air Command, as follows: // 8 April 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (2.50) // 9 April 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (5.50) // 14 April 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (2.05)) // 19 April 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (4.40) // 23 April 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (3.30) // 26 April 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (5.00) // 30 April 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (6.35) // 5 May 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (4.40) // 17 May 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (5.00) // 21 May 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (40 minutes) // 25 May 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (4.25) // 30 May 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (3.30) // 29 May 1943 - Stranraer (5.55) // 30 May 1943 - Stranraer) (3.30) // 14 June 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (40 minutes) // 14 June 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (2.05) // 14 June 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (4.55) // 20 June 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (5.20) // 22 June 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (5.50) // 25 June 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (9.30) // 14 July 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (13.40) // 22 July 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (7.25) // 27 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (6.25) // 29 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (925) // 26 August 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (7.15) // 30 August 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (10.10) // 2 September 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (8.55) // 5 September 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (4.50) // 8 September 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (10.55) // 17 September 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (6.50) // 24 September 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (7.50) // 27 September 1943 - Stranraer - Patrol (2.30) // 30 September 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (8.00) // 5 October 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (1.20) // 11 October 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (1.00) // 11 October 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (8.20) // 20 October 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (11.45) // 2 November 1943 - Canso A - Sea Search (5.05) // 3 November 1943 - Canso A - Sea Search (4.40) // 5 November 1943 - Canso A - Sea Search (4.55) // 14 November 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (5.30) // 27 November 1943 - Canso A - Patrol (8.05) // 7 February 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (9.10) // 9 February 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (9.35) // 11 February 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (12.00) // 14 February 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (7.35) // 17 February 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (9.10) // 19 February 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (11.30) // 21 February 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (9.45) // 23 February 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (10.15) // 27 February 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (2.05) // 1 March 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (4.50) // 4 March 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (12.25) // 6 March 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (10.45) // 8 March 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (3.55) // 10 March 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (13.25) // 19 March 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (7.05) // 22 March 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (12.25) // 26 March 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (12.15) // 30 March 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (11.30) // 3 April 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (6.05) // 5 April 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (35 minutes) // 9 April 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (12.45) // 11 April 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (10.35) // 15 April 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (13.15) // 20 April 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (4.05) // 23 April 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (11.50) // 27 April 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (10.55) // 2 May 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (9.00) // 6 May 1944 - Canso A - Search (3.40 // 16 May 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (11.15) // 23 May 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (13.30) // 16 July 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (10.10) // 25 July 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (10.15) // No.4 (BR) Squadron // 27 September 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (5.10) // 1 October 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (10..00) // 6 October 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (9.25) // 15 October 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (9.50) // 18 October 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (10.35) // 27 October 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (8.45) // 31 October 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (5.10) // 2 November 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (10.05) // 6 November 1944 - Canso A - Patrol (10.05) // TOTAL - 990 hours, 124 operational flights.

COOPER, F/O James Richard (C4727) - Mention in Despatches - Overseas - Award effective 1 June 1943 as per London Gazette dated 2 June 1943 and AFRO 1247/43 dated 2 July 1943. Home in Toronto; enlisted there 14 April 1941 as Radio Officer and commissioned that date. Attached to RAF overseas. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 February 1943. Repatriated 25 March 1943. To No.31 Radio School, 10 April 1943. To Eastern Air Command, 16 June 1944. To No.22 Radio Unit, 26 June 1944. To No.3 WS, 13 September 1944. To Eastern Air Command, 29 December 1944. To Moncton, 15 July 1945. Retired 17 September 1945. May have died in North Battleford, 16 December 1991.

COLQUHOUN, W/C John David (C4023) - Mention in Despatches - Eastern Air Command Headquarters - Award effective 1 January 1946 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 82/46 dated 25 January 1946. Born 1907. Home in Ethel, Ontario. Graduated from Dalhousie School of Medicine, 1932. Service with Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, 8 April to 15 November 1940; during that time he was at School of Aviation Medicine, Toronto, 8 August to September 1940. Transferred to RCAF in Regina, Saskatchewan, 16 November 1940 as Medical Officer and granted rank of Flight Lieutenant. At No.2 ITS, Regina until 10 April 1941 when posted to No.11 SFTS, Yorkton. Promoted Squadron Leader, 15 May 1942. To No.10 Repair Depot, Calgary, 20 July 1942. To No.6 ITS, Toronto, 7 August 1942. To No.10 Repair Depot again, 20 August 1942. Promoted Wing Commander, 1 April 1943. To Station Dartmouth, 7 June 1943. To Eastern Air Command Headquarters, Halifax, 25 November 1943. To No.4 Release Centre, Toronto, 10 October 1945. Retired 16 October 1945, settling in Aylmer, Ontario. Died in Aylmer, 9 December 1966. As Principal Medical Officer of Eastern Air Command and former President of No.5 Regional Medical Board, Wing Commander Colquhoun has rendered distinguished service to the Royal Canadian Air Force. The manner in which he has supervised the health of the many thousands of Royal Canadian Air Force personnel at so many far flung bases is deserving of particular praise. Recommendation raised 8 September 1945 by Air Commodore F.G. Wait, Eastern Air Command Headquarters, as follows: As Principal Medical Officer of Eastern Air Command and former President of No.5 Regional Medical Board at Dartmouth, Wing Commander Colquhoun has rendered distinguished service to the Royal Canadian Air Force. The manner in which he has supervised the health of the many thousands of Royal Canadian Air Force personnel at so many far flung bases is deserving of special mention. Note: Assessment, 15 December 1941 - “An excellent officer - good organizer and good disciplinarian. Excellent surgeon. Hospital under his command is well administered,” (G/C G.R. Howsam, No.11 SFTS). Letter dated 13 March 1942 - “This officer reported to this unit 11 March 1941 as Senior Medical Officer in charge of the Station Hospital, From that date, he has consistently done excellent work. He has set a fine example to Officers serving under him, and has proven a great asset to the Station. His technical ability is considered of a very high standard, and his knowledge of administration is above average..” (S/L G.H. Sellers, Commanding Officer, No.11 SFTS). Assessment dated 23 November 1943 - “Have no hesitation in stating that since taking over command of the station hospital, Wing Commander Colquhoun has greatly improved conditions.” (G/C B.D. Hobbs, Station Dartmouth). Applying for release (16 July 1945) he pointed out that as a pre-war general practitioner, he had been employed by the RCAF largely in administration. If he was to return to private practice, he would require some post-graduate training. This he expected to have to pay for himself - “I am not a recent graduate and am not eligible for any government assistance for education or training.” Also, because all his service had been in Canada, he would not be eligible for Civil Service opportunities (such as Department of Veterans Affairs), these posts being filled by personnel with overseas service.

CAMPBELL, S/L James Duncan Donald (C4841) - Mention in Despatches - Western Air Command Headquarters - Awarded 1 January 1945 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 89/45 dated 19 January 1945. Born in Victoria, 18 March 1908 (RCAF press release 4907 announcing award). Attended high school in Victoria and Cambridge University, England. Prewar career was as a partner in Haldance and Campbell, Barristers and Solicitors. Home in Vancouver; enlisted Victoria 12 April 1941. Commissioned in Administration Branch, 10 May 1941, To Western Air Command Headquarters, 15 June 1942. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 January 1943. Promoted Squadron Leader, 15 September 1943. Promoted Wing Commander, 1 April 1945. To Release Centre, 11 August 1945. Retired 13 August 1945. This officer has been employed on personnel duties for the past two years. During this time he has worked most arduously and unselfishly. The ability and devotion to duty of this officer are praiseworthy.

BROOKES, A/V/M George Eric, OBE (C42) - Companion, Order of the Bath - No.6 Group Headquarters Overseas - Award effective 1 January 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 809/44 dated 14 April 1944. Born Ingleton, Yorkshire, 22 October 1894. Family settled near Owen Sound, 1910. Employed pre-war by Christie Brothers of Owen Sound (apprentice and fitter, steam and hot water heating) and by CNR, Winnipeg (fitter, steam and hot water heating). Enlisted in 5th Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps, 22 November 1914; Private, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 20 November 1914 to 25 September 1916. Served seven months in France with 2nd Division. To RFC as Second Lieutenant, 26 September 1916; to No.2 School of Aeronautics, 10 October 1916. To No.8 Reserve Squadron, 8 December 1916. To No.36 Reserve Squadron, 6 January 1917. Appointed Flying Officer, 27 February 1917. To No.13 Squadron, France, 9 March 1917. Wounded, admitted to hospital, 5 April 1917. To hospital in England, 17 April 1917. To School of Aerial Gunnery, Loch Doon, Scotland, 12 June 1917 (administrative work, gunnery officer at Catterick). To No.46 Training Squadron, November 1917 (station examining officer). To Northern Training Brigade, non-effective pool, early 1918. Lieutenant, Royal Air Force, 1 April 1918 at which time he was with No.46 Training Squadron as instructor; appointed Acting Captain, 1 October 1918 when at No.49 Training Depot Station. Transferred to Unemployed List, 11 July 1919. Air Ministry Letter of 29 August 1919 stated he had been Mentioned for Valuable Services (not published in London Gazette). Postwar worked five months for Canadian Aircraft Company Limited, Winnipeg as mechanic and pilot, commencing 1 May 1921 (recommended to Air Board by W.A. Straith and by the Chief Pilot, Hector F. Dougall). Issued Temporary Commercial Air Pilot’s Certificate, 28 May 1921 at Winnipeg, having taken air tests from A.G. Goulding. Issued Temporary Air Engineer Certificate, 30 June 1921 while at Winnipeg. Relinquished Temporary RAF Commission, 1 September 1921. Joined CAF as Flight Lieutenant, 14 September 1921; Flight Lieutenant, RCAF, 1 April 1924 when on strength of Camp Borden. Succeeded S/L N.R. Anderson as chief of training when Anderson went to UK on course, December 1924. To RCAF Headquarters, 10 November 1925. This seems to have caused some trouble, for the logical successor would have been either R.S. Grandy (who had an A.1 instructor rating) or C.M. McEwen (who had more seniority). The Gordian knot was cut by moving S/L A.B. Shearer from No.3 (Operations) Squadron to No.1 Flying Training Station. Brookes returned to Camp Borden, 1 May 1926 for service with No.1 Flying Training School. Took RAF Flying Instructor Course, Upavon, commencing 17 January 1927. The course lasted 18 January to 4 April 1927 and included flying on the following: Avro (7.30 dual, 24.20 solo), Snipe (15 minutes), Bristol Fighter (1.55 dual, 3.05 solo), DH.60 (ten minutes dual), Grebe (2.45 solo), Gamecock (1.05 solo), and Siskin (one hour solo), “A very sound pilot. Very keen; has mastered the CFS course extremely well, Should be a really excellent instructor.” Also took courses in Rigging Part 1 (81 percent), Rigging Part 2 (86 percent), Engines Part 1 (81 percent), Engines Part 2 (80 percent), Air Pilotage (75 percent) and Stores and Stores Accounting (93 percent). “A very keen and outstanding officer. Should make a good instructor.” To this the Commandant (G/C C.S. Burnett) added, “One of the best officers on the course; hard working, conscientious and reliable. Will make a first class instructor.” Subsequently toured RAF establishments (RAF Cadet College at Cranwell, Men’s Technical Training School at Cranwell, RAF School for Boys; Training at Halton, Martlesham Heath, RAE Farnborough, civil works of Boulton and Paul, RAF Base Gosport, Fairey Aviation, Short Brothers, Hawker or Vickers, Avro works at Hamble, Bristol Company at Failton), returning to Canada on SS Montnairn, 5 May 1927. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 April 1927. Passed Staff College Preparatory Course, 1 October 1927. However, he failed an RAF Staff College entrance exam and declined to press for such a course. To Station Trenton, 30 September 1933. To Camp Borden, 31 March 1934. Awarded OBE, 20 July 1935. To command Camp Borden, 26 September 1936. Promoted Wing Commander, 1 April 1937. To Station Trenton, 30 June 1937 as second in command. To Station Dartmouth, 9 February 1938 to command No.5 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron. To command Station Dartmouth, 1 June 1938. To Eastern Air Command Headquarters, 20 December 1938 as Officer in Charge of Administration. Promoted Group Captain, 1 April 1939. His duties included checking out reconnaissance of aerodrome sites in civilian clothes, to avoid publicity. Promoted Air Commodore, 15 May 1940. Promoted Air Vice-Marshal, 14 May 1942. employed chiefly on air training between the wars. Helped plan EAC operations; AOC No.1 Training Command, May 1940; AOC No.6 Group, 24 October 1942 to end of 1943. Taken on strength of RCAF Overseas Headquarters, 29 February 1944. To No.1 Repatriation Depot, 18 March 1944. Repatriated to Canada, 14 May 1944. Insignia of CB presented at Buckingham Palace, 1 February 1944. Retired 22 November 1944; awarded Queen's Coronation Medal, 23 October 1953 while on retired list; died in Toronto 8 September 1982 as per Airforce Magazine of December 1982. RCAF photo PL-19733 (ex K-5342 dated 1 October 1943) shows A/V/M G.E. Brookes with Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris in an RCAF station bomber mess during a Harris visit to No.6 (Bomber) Group. The following photographs, dated 8 March 1944, taken on the occasion of handover of command, No.6 Group, from A/V/M G.E. Brookes to A/V/M C.M. McEwen - PL-28356 (ex UK-8643). PL-28357 (ex (UK-8644), PL-28358 (ex UK-8540), PL-28361 (ex UK-8543). No citation to CB in Canadian sources. Public Records Office Air 2/8958 gives the following recommendation. // This officer commands the Group and has been responsible for its organization and subsequent operation. He has had a difficult time in achieving the amalgamation of units and personnel moves from other groups whilst necessary interfering as little as possible with operations during the period of re-organzation. He has done well in trying circumstances. // BROOKES, A/V/M George Eric, CB, OBE (C42) - Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (France) - AFRO 485/47 dated 12 September 1947 and Canada Gazette dated 20 September 1947 // BROOKES, A/V/M George Eric, CB, OBE (C42) - Croix de Guerre avec Palm (France) - AFRO 485/47 dated 12 September 1947 and Canada Gazette dated 20 September 1947. External Affairs file “French Awards to Canadian Armed Forces - Particular Cases” (Library and Archives Canada, RG.25, Box 4140) has the following citation: // Air Vice-Marshal Brookes commanded the Canadian Bomber Group with the utmost efficiency during the early stages of its organization in England, and thereby aided materially in the liberation of France. // BROOKES, A/V/M George Eric (C42) - King Haakron VII's Cross of Liberation (Norway) - Award effective 12 June 1948 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 371/48 dated 11 June 1948. // NOTE: He had an accident with HS2L G-CYEJ, Friday, 30 June 1922, Parry Sound. The cylinders had been replaced and Brookes was testing the machine. A take-off had to be aborted and he came back to buoy to allow engine to cool. It was not firing on all cylinders. However, he tried again, but as he taxied at some 20 mph he struck a deadhead near the dock. The starboard fin was broken for about four feet and the machine rapidly filled with water. Brookes taxied it to shore and left it there where tail ultimately submerged. In a letter to the Acting Director of Flying Operations (Air Board) dated 10 July 1922, Clifford McEwen (Air Station Superintendent, Whitney) reported he had gone on 3 July to Parry Sound “to exchange observers” and look at the aircraft. He stated: // Undoubtedly, this accident has held us up considerably and caused a lot of trouble and extra work. It was totally unnecessary in the first place because it was quite apparent from shore that the engine was not functioning properly and should have been brought in and the cause of the trouble ascertained. Instead of this, you will note, the machine was again taken out and another attempt made to get off. Leaving the machine in the water until Monday [3 July] should not have occurred as it should have been taken out immediately. // On several occasions I have had trouble with Brookes through his not using at least common sense. However, since that time his work has been quite satisfactory at Parry Sound with Mr. Lawrence, so I shall take the matter up with Captain Johnson when he visits this station. // McEwen appears to have written another critical letter (not on file) on 23 August 1922. He then backed off, writing on 30 September 1922: // My letter of August 23rd (confidential) regarding this officer may be cancelled. // Since that time he has shown marked improvement in his work and also interest in the duties of the station and is proving himself quite a capable officer. // This may have crossed another letter in the mail, for the Acting Director, CAF, had written to McEwen on 28 September 1922: // I am enclosing confidential report dated August 23 on Flight Lieutenant Brookes, G.E. As this is considered an adverse report, it is requested please, that the report be signed by the officer concerned [Brookes]. // At this point McEwen finally backed off, writing on 4 October 1922: // In reply to your letter of September 28th regarding the above names [Brookes], I would refer you to my letter of September 30th (confidential). // His actual flying times varied and are sometimes surprisingly low for someone engaged in flying instruction, as the following figures from Annual Assessments show: // 1926: 126 hours 25 minutes (plus 25 minutes as passenger) // 1927: 73 hours (but he had been in the UK part of the time) // 1928: 174 hours 40 minutes // 1929: 87 hours 35 minutes // 1930: 125 hours 55 minutes // 1931: 192 hours 40 minutes plus one hour 55 minutes as passenger // 1932: 68 hours 55 minutes // 1933: 109 hours 50 minutes plus 65 minutes dual // 1934: 126 hours plus 70 minutes as passenger // 1935: 197 hours 25 minutes // 1936: 71 hours 20 minutes plus one hour 45 minutes as passenger // 1937: 54 hours 25 minutes plus three hours 50 minutes as passenger. // 1938: 20 hours 35 minutes plus 46 hours 20 minutes as passenger. // Department of Transport file 6606-3, “Services - Aviation - Trophies and Awards - McKee Trophy” (National Archives of Canada RG.12 Box 1003) has a letter dated 29 March 1934 from Air Commodore G.M. Croil to Controller of Civil Aviation in which he recommends three officers for the McKee Trophy (F/L E.G. Fullerton, who ultimately received the trophy, F/L W.I. Riddell, who did not, and S/L G.E. Brookes). The summary for Brookes read as follows: // The previous service of Squadron Leader Brookes consists of the following: // CEF - 20 November 1914 to 25 September 1916 // RFC - 26 September 1916 to 31 March 1918 // RAF - 1 April 1918 to 11 July 1919 // CAF - 14 September 1921 to 31 March 1924. // On April 1st, 1924, Squadron Leader Brookes was appointed to the RCAF as a Flight Lieutenant (Permanent) on the General List and was posted to RCAF Station Camp Borden as Officer Commanding the Training Flight. In 1925 he was transferred to RCAF Headquarters for a period of temporary duty of six months as Staff Officer Training. On May 1st, 1926, he was again returned to Camp Borden taking the position of Officer Commanding “A” Flight, Flying Training School. // On December 31st, 1926, Squadron Leader Brookes proceeded to England to take a flying instructor’s course at the Central Flying School with the RAF, and his progress and experience was such that he was granted an “A.1" category. On the completion of the Central Flying School course, he again returned to Camp Borden and was placed in command of “A” Flight, and also acted as second in command of the station. // On April 1st, 1930, Squadron Leader Brookes was placed in command of the Training Wing at Camp Borden and, from that date until August 17th, 1933, was largely responsible for all flying training carried out at the principle training station of the RCAF. // He was transferred to RCAF Station Trenton on October 2nd, 1933, to act as second in command but was returned to Camp Borden on March 31st, 1934 top again act as Officer Commanding the Flying Training School and Flying Control Officer. // Squadron Leader Brookes has spent most of his service career at Camp Borden either instructing or being Officer in Command of flying instruction carried out at that station. It is largely due to his keenness and ability that the present high standard of flying instruction given in Canada both by civilians and service personnel is being carried out. // In 1933, Squadron Leader Brookes was detailed to proceed on duty throughout Eastern Canada under the aegis of the Controller of Civil Aviation to categorize civilians who were, or desired to act as, flying instructors either at the flying clubs or at private schools. Squadron Leader Brookes’ knowledge and sympathy, whilst carrying out these duties, aided in a large measure in making the civilians being tested enthusiastic to cooperate with the Department in the application of the Air Regulations. // Squadron Leader Brookes is keenly interested in flying and all its aspects. He has flown all RCAF types of aircraft with a total of 2,726.40 hours. // Message, 12 February 1944, Breadner to Power: // I THINK IT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALL CONCERNED THAT BROOKES BE REPLACED. HE HAS CREDITABLY PERFORMED HIS DUTIES BUT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF STRAIN AS A RESULT OF HIS HEAVY AND WORRYING RESPONSIBILITIES. AIR CHIEF MARSHAL HARRIS RAISED THIS QUESTION YESTERDAY. I HAD BEEN GIVING THOUGHT TO IT SINCE ARRIVAL. MCEWEN LOGICAL REPLACEMENT. HARRIS CONCURS AND CONSIDERS MCEWEN SUITABLE. DO YOU APPROVE. CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT APPOINTMENT BROOKES WOULD ASSUME ON RETURN. IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL FOR HIM TO CONTEMPLATE. DO NOT CONSIDER BROOKES WILL BE AVERSE TO MOVE IF APPOINTMENT AVAILABLE. // It appears that some thought was given to him having some responsibilities for Operational Training Units, but this do not go forward.

BEALL, F/L Herbert Wilson (C4437) - Mention in Despatches - No.217 Squadron -Award effective 14 January 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 874/44 dated 21 April 1944. Born in Ottawa, 29 September 1908 (birth date in obituary notice); attended Lisgar Collegiate Institute and one year at Queen\'s University before becoming interested in forestry during a summer job at Petawawa Forest Experimental Station; graduated from University of Toronto, 1932, with a degree in Forest Sciences. Home in Ottawa; enlisted there 24 February 1941. To RAF overseas, 6 April 1941. Seconded to the RAF to help set up radar stations in the Middle East. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 March 1943. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 4 November 1943. Repatriated 6 January 1945. To No.1 Air Command, 16 January 1945. To No.1 Technical Service Unit, 3 April 1945. To Release Centre, 1 May 1945; retired 3 May 1945. Postwar service in Ontario forestry organizations; credited with fire danger rating system and the road signs that now warn of fire hazard conditions. Died in Ottawa, 4 December 2000; lengthy obituary in Ottawa Citizen of 6 December 2000, dealing chiefly with his forestry achievements.

HIAM, F/L Gilbert St.George Robidoux (C4007) - Mention in Despatches - No.62 Base - Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 337/45 dated 23 February 1945. Born 23 April 1908. Home in Montreal; enlisted in Ottawa, 14 June 1940 as Armament Officer. To “K”, 16 August 1940. Promoted Corporal, 20 September 1940. To Trenton, 28 September 1940. Commissioned 30 November 1940. Granted rank of Flying Officer, 14 January 1941. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 15 January 1942. To No.6 (BR) Squadron, 14 January 1941. Posted to No.8 SFTS, 23 March 1942. To “Detachment F”, 12 July 1942. To Torbay 23 November 1942. To “Y” Depot, 30 June 1943. To United Kingdom, 2 August 1943. Repatriated 14 May 1945. To No.1 Air Command, 27 May 1945. To No.14 SFTS, 2 June 1945. To No.1 Air Command, 8 September 1945. To “Y” Depot, 16 October 1945. To United Kingdom again, 24 October 1945. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 February 1946. Repatriated, date uncertain but he was with No.10 Group as of 3 August 1947. Released 16 September 1947. Involved in bomb incident, 8 March 1945 with S/L A.M. Roth, MBE (which see).

JOHNSON, A/V/M George Owen, MC (C4) - Companion, Order of the Bath - Eastern Air Command (formerly Deputy Chief of the Air Staff) - Award effective 28 May 1943 as per London Gazette of that date, Canada Gazette dated 2 June 1943, and AFRO 1459/43 dated 30 July 1943. Born in Woodstock, Ontario, 24 January 1896. Moved west and graduated from Calgary Normal School, 1912. Taught in Edmonton and elsewhere in Alberta. Applied to join RNAS, 1915-16; appointed probationary Flight Officer, 24 April 1917 and sent to England for training. Schools were filled so he transferred to Royal Flying Corps. Attended No.1 School of Aeronautics, Reading, and then to Netheravon basic flying instruction. At Central Flying School he learned to fly service aircraft. Graduated in September 1917 and sent to France; he had 54 hours flying time (38 hours 0 minutes solo). Joined No.84 Squadron, 22 October 1917, flying SE.5a fighters. First sortie (line patrol) on 17 November 1917; first combat on 22 November 1917; first victory on 16 February 1918 (Albatross scout fell out of control and seen to crash). Awarded MC in April 1918 for attacks on ground targets, destruction of two enemy aircraft and driving down two more out of control. Posted to No.24 Squadron, 18 April 1918, gaining several more aerial victories before posting to England (19 June 1918). Served with No.1 Squadron, CAF. Returned to Canada, 1919 and joined CAF, being appointed Flight Lieutenant, 18 February 1920; participated in Trans-Canada Flight of 1920. Granted permanent appointment as Air Sub-Station Superintendent, Air Board, 11 December 1920. Serving as Assistant Director of Flying Operations, CAF, June 1921. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 September 1921. Taken on strength of reorganized CAF, 11 May 1922 and posted to Air Headquarters for duty. Appointed to permanent force, RCAF, 1 April 1924 and posted to RCAF Headquarters as Assistant Director of Air Staff and Personnel. Relinquished post of Assistant Director of Air Staff and Personnel on assuming command of Prairie Provinces Station Winnipeg, 3 May 1925. Weekly Order 109/25 June 1925) reports him as “Qualified as Certificate Examiner and authorized to carry out inspections and examinations of Air Harbours, Aircraft, Air Engineers and private and Commercial air pilots.” Weekly Order 113/26 (June 1926) reports him a Officer Commanding No.1 Wing, Winnipeg. Weekly Order 139/26 reports he is to attend Preparatory Staff College course at Royal Military College and to report to Commandant of RMC, 1 October 1926. On strength of Winnipeg Air Station (new name of unit), 1 July 1927. Relinquished command of Winnipeg Air Station, 19 August 1927. On command to England, 26 August 1927 to attend RAF Staff College. Course completed, 14 December 1928 and entitled to have “p.c.a.” as post-nominal letters. Ceased to be on command to RAF Staff College and reported to RCAF Headquarters, 24 December 1928. Promoted Wing Commander, 1 January 1929 and on same date appointed Assistant Director of Civil Government Operations. To be Acting Director, Civil Government Air Operations, 1 January 1931. Appointed Air Staff Officer, 1 November 1932. Appointed Acting Senior Air Officer, RCAF, 1 June 1933 (vice Gordon). Transferred from RCAF Headquarters to command of Station Trenton, 30 November 1934. To “Courses Abroad”, 25 December 1936 to attend Imperial Defence College. Promoted Group Captain, 1 April 1937 while attending Imperial Defence College. Completed course, December 1937 and permitted to have “i.d.c.” as post-nominal letters. Transferred from “Courses Abroad” to Station Trenton, 29 January 1938. To Western Air Command, 5 April 1938 and appointed to command that formation, 6 April 1938. Posted to be Air Member for Organization and Training, 13 November 1939. To be Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, 8 November 1940; appointed AOC No.1 Training Command (22 July 1942), appointed AOC Eastern Air Command (9 January 1943). Promoted Air Marshal, 25 March 1945. To United Kingdom, 26 March 1945 to assume duties as AOC RCAF Overseas (1 April 1945 to July 1946). Repatriated 22 July 1946. To No.1 Air Command, 13 February 1947. Retired to pensionas Air Marshal, 17 February 1947. RCAF photo PL-4306 (ex UK-23) shows Air Commodore L.F. Stevens shaking hands with Air Commodore G.O. Johnson who had recently arrived in United Kingdom. PL-4307 shows him alone. Photo PL-43345 (ex UK-20524 dated 14 April 1945) taken as Air Marshal G.O. Johnson (AOC RCAF Oversea) visited No.6 Group, inspecting Bison Squadron - left to right are W/C R.L. Bolduc (Port Arthur, Squadron CO), Air Vice Marshal C.M. McEwen (AOC No.6 Group) and Air Marshal Johnson. RCAF photos PL-43790 and PL-43791 (ex UK-20819 and UK-20820 dated 15 April 1945) shows Air Marshal G.O. Johnson on taking command of RCAF Overseas Headquarters; accompanied by G/C Dean Nesbitt. RCAF photo PL-46292 (ex UK-23776 dated 4 December 1945) taken at mess dinner, Leeming; shown are G/C E.H. Evans (Minnedosa, Manitoba), Air Marshal G.O. Johnson, and W/C J.C.R. Brown, DFC and Bar. Died in Vancouver, 28 March 1980. Recommendation for CB raised by A/M L.S. Breadner, 2 April 1943. // Air Vice Marshal Johnson, as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, was responsible for the excellent planning and construction of the vast number of stations required for the successful operation of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan as well as the increased Home War plans. He has, on many occasions, deputized for the Chief of the Air Staff and, during the Ottawa Conference held in June 1942, he was in charge of the arrangements and the planning of material for discussion. The success of this meeting was, in no small measure, due to his untiring efforts. He later rendered outstanding and meritorious service as Air Officer Commanding, No.1 Training Command. // JOHNSON, A/M George Owen, CB, MC (C4) - Overseas Headquarters - Legion of Honour (France) - Award as per AFRO 845/46 dated 23 August 1946. External Affairs file “French Awards to Canadian Armed Forces - Particular Cases” (Library and Archives Canada, RG.25, Box 4140) has the following citation for a Croix de Guerre; he appears in a list of “Those Who Assisted in the Training of French Personnel in Canada”. Many others in the document were reported as receiving French awards in AFRO 485/47 dated 12 September 1947: // Air Marshal Johnson served as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff during the period the French personnel were trained in Canada and provided the utmost cooperation in any question concerning the French trainees. // JOHNSON, A/M George Owen, CB, MC (C4) - US Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) - Award effective 15 August 1947 as per AFRO 441/47 of that date. NOTE: This was originally announced in AFRO 388/46 dated 12 April 1946, reference Canada Gazette dated 6 April 1946. Why republication ? Public Records Office Air 2/9108 has recommendation. // As Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Overseas, Air Marshal Johnson has been responsible for ensuring the maintenance by the RCAF of the hearty and effective co-operation and the cordial relations which have always existed between the fighting forces of the USAAF and the British Air Services in the United Kingdom. The success of these relations is a reflection of his outstanding achievements in his previous position of Air Officer Commanding, Eastern Air Command where effective co-operation with the United States Forces was the keynote of his fine efforts. // The republication is all the more odd given a letter dated 30 January 1947 from Colonel Jack C. Hodgson (U.S. Military Attache, Ottawa) to the Department of National Defence. It read, in part: // Last June the Royal Canadian Air Force published orders announcing United States awards to Canadian personnel. Unfortunately, the records of the War Department in certain instances are at variance with the list published by the RCAF. Particular reference is made to the case of Air Marshal G.O. Johnson, now retired. // It is understandable that under the pressure of war administrative errors were bound to occur and names were omitted or lost in a maze of administrative detail. // As Air Marshal Johnson's record of service is not available in this office it would be greatly appreciated if you would arrange to furnish this office with a citation which could be used for a recommendation for the Legion of Merit. // This office will then initiate action recommending that the award to Air Marshal Johnson receive favourable consideration. // On 5 February 1947, Air Marshal Robert Leckie replied, supplying the following text: // During Air Marshal Johnson's many senior appointments in the Royal Canadian Air Force, including his responsibilities in such positions as Deputy Chief of Air Staff, and Air Officer Commanding in Chief of Eastern Air Command and the Royal Canadian Air Force Overseas, he at all times was considered a brilliant leader and an inspiration to those with whom he came in contact. His tireless devotion to duty, together with the friendly spirit and enthusiastic cooperation extended to all branches of the United States Armed Forces was a strengthening bond of amity between the two nations, as well as a material factor in the successful conclusion of hostilities against mutual enemies. // On 1 July 1947 the War Department despatched a letter to the American Embassy in Ottawa, restating approval of this honour and this time providing the following citation: // Air Marshal G.O. Johnson, CB, MC, Royal Canadian Air Force, performed exceptionally meritorious service from December 1941 to May 1945 as Deputy Chief of Air Staff, then Air Officer Commanding in Chief of Eastern Air Command and later as Air Officer Commanding in Chief of Royal Canadian Air Force Overseas. His tireless devotion to duty, together with the friendly spirit and enthusiastic co-operation extended to all branches of the United States Armed Forces was a strengthening bond of amity between the two nations, as well as a material factor in the successful conclusion of hostilities against mutual enemies. // JOHNSON, A/M George Owen (C4) - King Haakron VII's Cross of Liberation (Norway) - Award effective 12 June 1948 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 371/48 dated 11 June 1948. However, on 3 June 1948 Air Marshal W.A. Curtis wrote to him as follows: // I have just received official advice from the Royal Norwegian Government, through their Canadian Legation, that additional honour has been bestowed on you by virtue of the award of King Haakron VII’s Cross of Liberation. I therefore wish to undertake this opportunity of expressing to you, personally, and on behalf of all ranks of the Royal Canadian Air Force, sincere and hearty congratulations. This well merited award not only recognizes your personal contribution to the success of the Allies in the recent conflict, but adds lustre to the proud record of our Service. // The official announcement of this award will be promulgated in both the Canada Gazette and Air Force Routine Orders in the near future. // Arrangements regard presentation of your award, if you have not already had advice in this respect, will be completed by the Norwegian authorities in Canada. In the meantime, the appropriate ribbon may be worn on the Service uniform. // Added Notes: The duties of an Air Station commander in the 1920s involved considerable travel by air and rail to the various sub-stations. The record for 1926 is typical. He was on Temporary Duty for Militia Service, Fort William, 3-7 March 1926; TD to Lac du Bonnet by car, 27 April 1926; TD to Lac du Bonnet by car, 5 May 1926; TD by rail and boat to Norway House, 2 June 1926 and from there to Cormorant Lake by air, 7 June 1926 (return to Winnipeg 7 June 1926); TD by rail to Cormorant Lake, 9 June 1926; TD by rail to Lac du Bonnet 18 June 1926, returning 19 June 1926; TD by air to Lac du Bonnet, 26 June 1926, returning by rail 27 June 1926; TD by rail, Victoria Beach, 14 July 1926 and return same day; TD by road to Lac du Bonnet and return same day, 16 July 1926; TD by rail to Kashabowie, 22 July 1926, returning 24 July 1926; TD by rail to Collins, 28 July 1926, returning same day; TD by rail to Collins, 30 July 1926, returning same day; TD to Victoria Beach, 2 August 1926, returning same day; TD by car to Lac du Bonnet, 10 August 1926; by air from there to Norway House the same day; flew early morning of 11 August 1926 from Norway House to Cormorant Lake; proceeded by railway gas car from Cormorant Lake to The Pas, 11 August 1926 and thence by rail to Winnipeg the same day; Inspection Duty by rail, 22 August 1926; Inspection Duty to Lac du Bonnet and return by rail, 23 August 1926; Inspection Duty to Lac du Bonnet and return by road, 12 September 1926. // Crisis of Promotion: On 25 November 1936, while commanding Station Trenton, he address the following to “The Secretary, Department of National Defence, Ottawa” (i.e. to AFHQ): // I respectfully request your consideration in regard to promotion. // From 1st January 1931 to 31st October 1932, I filled the Appointment of Director, Civil Government Air Operations, for which the rank of Group Captain was allowed by establishment, but I received neither rank nor pay. I was not the senior Wing Commander at that time, and therefore did not request recognition, although had Militia practice been followed I would have had the temporary rank of Group Captain for that period, irrespective of seniority. // From 1st June 1933 to 31st December 1933, I was Acting Senior Air Officer, an appointment for which the rank of Group Captain was allowed by establishment, but again, not being the Senior Wing Commander, I received no recognition. // By the promotion of Group Captain Breadner on 1st February 1936, I became the senior Wing Commander. There was another vacancy for a Group Captain in the Limited Establishment at that time, the authorized rank for the Commanding Officer at Trenton having been raised to Group Captain by an amendment to the Working Establishment on January 21st, 1936. No doubt you will remember when we discussed the situation in the Spring, you said that consideration of my promotion would have to wait until a portion of the Flying Training Group was moved from Camp Borden to Trenton. // The move of the School of Army Co-operation on March 9th, 1936 and the Technical Training School on June 13th, 1936, increased the establishment and strength of RCAF Station Trenton above that originally provided for Camp Borden, and the responsibilities of the Commanding Officer were considerably increased, involving the supervision of construction of a permanent station, and organization of Station Headquarters facilities as well as command of two schools and two Service Squadrons. // I submit:- // (a) That since June 13th, 1936 I have had responsibilities and duties considerably in excess of the other Wing Commanders in the Force. // (b) That there is a vacancy in the establishment for a Group Captain. // (c) That I am the senior Wing Commander and eligible for promotion. // (d) That delay in effecting my promotion penalizes me in respect of pay, seniority in the RCAF, and seniority in the combined Gradation List of Militia and Air Force Officers. // (e) That the practice of the Militia Service is to effect promotions as soon as vacancies occur, and delays in effecting Air Force promotions penalizes all the Officers of the Air Force and generally lowers the morale of the Air Force. // I request that these facts be brought to the attention of the Honourable the Minister. // The response to this was a memo from the Senior Air Officer (Air Commodore G.M. Croil) to A.G. (Adjutant General) dated 24 December 1936 as follows: // (1) This officer was promoted to his present rank of Wing Commander on the 1st January 1929. // (2) Within the last six years he has held the appointments at this Headquarters of Acting Director, C.G.A,O., Air Staff Officer and Acting Senior Air Officer. He assumed command of RCAF Station Trenton on the 1st December 1934. // (3) Wing Commander Johnson has shown exceptional ability on air staff work during his period of employment at this Headquarters. He has commanded the station at Trenton in a very satisfactory manner under most difficult circumstances and has shown marked administrative ability. His Annual Confidential Reports have all been exceedingly favourable. // (4) Wing Commander Johnson is a graduate of the Royal Air Force Staff College, Andover. // (5) He is the senior Wing Commander on the General List. // (6) A vacancy for a Group Captain exists on the 1936-37 Limited Establishment and funds are available to cover the promotion. // (7) It is strongly recommended that Wing Commander Johnson be promoted to the substantive rank of Group Captain, effective 1st July 1936.

JACOBI, W/C George Wilson (C452) - Order of the White Lion, Class IV (Czechoslovakia) - Award effective 5 October 1946 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 991/46 dated 18 October 1946. Born in Toronto, 21 October 1906; home there; Militia service, 1922 to 1927. Enlisted in RCAF, Toronto, 6 June 1927 when commissioned as Provisional Pilot Officer. Awarded pilot's wings, 27 August 1929. Promoted Flying Officer, 7 November 1933; promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 June 1939. Active in pre-war Auxiliary (No.10 Squadron); had a “D” category crash on Moth 74, 7 December 1934; volunteered for active service, 3 September 1939 with No.110 Squadron; to No.120 (B) Squadron, 27 December 1939 (promoted Squadron Leader, 1 December 1940); to No.6 (B) Squadron, 29 March 1941; to No.1 ANS, Rivers, 4 April 1941; to No.1 AOS, Malton, 1 July 1941 (promoted Wing Commander, 15 November 1942); to No.9 AOS, Ancienne Lorette, 29 February 1943; to “Y” Depot, 9 January 1944; embarked from New York, 21 January 1944; arrived in UK, 30 January 1944; to Overseas Headquarters, 12 February 1944; to No.6 Group Headquarters, 24 March 1944. His services thereafter are classed as “attachments” - Topcliffe and Wombleton (March 1944), Croft (15 March 1944), Skipton (11-19 March 944), Dishforth (23 March to 25 April 1944), Topcliffe again (2 May to 4 June 1944) and Dishforth (25 June 1944). Embarked for Canada,, 5 September 1944 and posted on 2 October 1944 to No.1 Training Command Headquarters. Retired 1 January 1945. Died in Toronto, 1976. No citation; the only explanation for this award is a form stating it was for “Non operational, non-flying, not in conflict - Meritorious.” RCAF photo PL-28313 (ex UK-9451 dated 3 April 1944) is captioned as follows: “Torontonians overseas. Wing Commander George Jacobi smiles as Flight Lieutenant Ken Lloyd hands a pass to LACW Christiane Dumont, a Belgian member of the WAAF. Flight Lieutenant Lloyd is adjutant of a heavy bomber conversion unit in RCAF Bomber Group overseas, used to be with the Canada Wire and Cable Company before joining up. The Wing Commander was a mechanical engineer with the Pittsburgh Coal Company and later the Imperial Oil Company. Miss Dumont’s father is a high official in the Belgian Government in Exile’s Ministry of Colonies.”

IRWIN, A/C George Norman (C450) - Commander, Order of the British Empire - No.1 Training Command Headquarters - Award effective 1 January 1946 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 82/46 dated 25 January 1946. Born in Grafton, Ontario, 27 February 1903. Educated in Oshawa. Employed as a clerk by General Motors, 1923-1926 and by Melrose Securities after that as an orchard and farm manager. Home in Whitby. Obtained a Private Pilots License via De Havilland, 1928 and owned a Waco aircraft (CF-DBP), flying about 300 hours a year. Enlisted in RCAF Auxiliary, 26 July 1933 in Toronto. Commissioned Flying Officer same date; classified as Pilot, 2 December 1936. Attended RCAF Auxiliary summer camps 1935 to 1939; promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 July 1937; promoted Squadron Leader, 15 January 1940; To No.110 Squadron, 3 September 1939; to be Commanding Officer, 29 October 1939. To Camp Borden, 6 February 1940. To No.1 Manning Depot, 25 March 1940. Promoted Wing Commander, 1 May 1941. To No.14 SFTS, Aylmer, 3 July 1941. Promoted Group Captain, 1 June 1942. To No.1 Training Command Headquarters, 8 July 1943. Promoted Air Commodore, 1 December 1943. To No.4 Release Centre, 26 January 1945. Retired 1 February 1945. Died 27 May 1983 as per Airforce Magazine of June 1984. For extensive obituary/biography see Winter 1983 issue of Journal of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society. Air Commodore Irwin was one of the first officers appointed to the Auxiliary Air Force. His interest and enthusiasm in the unit which he served and commanded in prewar days were in a large measure responsible for the excellent showing of all personnel under his command during the war years. Since the commencement of hostilities he commanded with distinction, No.1 Manning Depot, No.14 Service Flying Training School, Aylmer, and finally served as Chief Staff Officer at No.1 Training Command Headquarters. All these duties he carried out in an energetic, thorough and capable manner. His strong character, unswerving loyalty and outstanding devotion to duty have invariably produced fine leadership and an example to those serving under him which has in turn been reflected in the efficiency of the units in which he has served. Throughout the war this officer was a tower of strength in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and his fine work is most praiseworthy. Recommended 1September 1945 by Air Commodore A.D. Ross, Chief Staff Officer, No.1 Air Command, Trenton. Text almost identical to above. He had been recommended for the CBE, 7 January 1943 by A/V/M G.O. Johnson as follows: Group Captain Irwin commanded No.1 Manning Depot shortly after the outbreak of war and after one year’s tenure was posted to command No.14 Service Flying Training School. In both appointments he has shown resolution, organizing ability and judgement of a high order. He has made an outstanding contribution to the Combined Training Establishment/ This did not go further. On 18 September 1943 he was recommend for an Air Force Cross by A/V/M McGill of No.1 Training Command as follows: This officer has rendered continuously outstanding service since he assumed command of No.1 Manning Depot in March 1941, where he was responsible for much of the early organization of this large and complex unit. Assuming command of No.14 Service Flying Training School, Aylmer, at its opening, Group Captain Irwin through his untiring efforts and enthusiasm and personal example has made a commendable contribution to the BCATP. In opening this school he used foresight and imagination, and through his example and personality developed a spirit that made it one of the most efficient schools in this Command. He was recently posted to No.1 Training Command Headquarters as Officer in Charge of Administration and has again demonstrated his outstanding ability. Group Captain Irwin was a member of 110 City of Toronto Squadron prior to the war and has always devoted much of his time in the interests of the Royal Canadian Air Force and it is recommended that he be awarded the Air Force Cross. AFHQ ruled on 11 October that his duties did not warrant a flying award.

HOWARD, F/L James Proctor Grant (C4991) - Mention in Despatches - Overseas - Award effective 14 June 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1478/45 dated 21 September 1945. Home in Mossbank, Saskatchewan. Enlisted in Winnipeg, 9 May 1941 in Aero Engineer Branch; commissioned Flying Officer that date. To No.4 Repair Depot, 1 November 1941. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 November 1942. To \"Y\" Depot, 30 November 1943. Taken on strength of No.3 PRC, Bournemouth, 23 December 1943. Repatriated by air, 16 June 1945. To No.663 Wing, 11 August 1945. To Eastern Air Command Headquarters, 3 September 1945. To No.1 Release Centre, 14 January 1946. Retired 18 January 1946. Airforce Magazine, issue of April-May-June 1992 reported the death of J.P. (James) Howard in Kamloops, 28 November 1991; unclear if this is the same man.

HOBSON, S/L George Lionel (C4616) - Member, Order of the British Empire - No.10 SFTS - Award effective 14 June 1945 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 1127/45 dated 6 July 1945. Born in Ottawa, 27 January 1904. Educated at Glasham Public School, First Avenue Public School and Ottawa Technical School. Clerk with Canada Food Board and Canada Trade Commission. Joined the Air Board as a Rigger, 9 October 1920 at Camp Borden. Corporal as of August 1923. Confirmed as member of the RCAF at Camp Borden, 1 April 1924 in trade of Carpenter. Noted on 21 January 1925 that he had “specialized in the rigging of Avro 504K, and is familiar with Avro 504N and Camel.” To No.1 Depot, Ottawa, 1 April 1925. In July 1926 he was sent on temporary duty to Larder Lake to replace the tail of Vedette G-CYFS. To No.4 (Operations) Squadron, Dartmouth, 28 March 1927. Promoted Acting Sergeant, 1 August 1927. In October 1927 he proceeded with P/O C.L. Bath and 1007 Sergeant A.E. Anderson “for duty in connection with investigational flights carried out for Air Mail Routes, specifically Saint John to Montreal. To Ottawa Air Station, 15 December 1927. To High River, 13 May 1929. To Winnipeg Air Station, 31 March 1931. To Trenton, 28 February 1935. Confirmed in rank of Sergeant, 1 June 1936. Awarded Coronation Medal, 1937. To Station Ottawa, 30 July 1937. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 1 October 1938. Serving with No.2 (Army Cooperation) Squadron, he expressed in December 1939 that he had no wish to proceed overseas with No.110 Squadron. This did not help his career; it was recommended that he be released as soon as he met retirement standards or upon the cessation of hostilities. He was posted to St. Thomas, Ontario, 3 January 1940, and thence to No.4 Repair Depot, Dartmouth, 2 April 1940. Promoted WO2, 15 August 1940. Promoted WO1, 1 January 1941. Commissioned in Aeronautical Engineering Branch, 24 March 1941 and immediately given rank of Flying Officer. To No.2 Training Command, 15 April 1941. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 September 1942. To No.10 SFTS, 18 November 1942. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 February 1944. To No.3 BGS, 15 September 1944. To No.17 SFTS, 18 February 1945. To Western Air Command, 7 March 1945; to No.22 Sub-Repair Depot, 17 March 1945; to No.1 Air Command, 1 July 1945; to No.6 Repair Depot, 7 July 1945; to No.2 Release Centre, 17 April 1946. Retired 23 October 1946. Died in Ottawa, 21 August 1995 in Ottawa, aged 92. This officer has given many years of faithful, loyal service to the Royal Canadian Air Force. As chief engineering officer at his present unit, his professional ability, unswerving devotion to duty and loyalty to the service have produced excellent results and have provided an inspiring example to all personnel who have come in contact with him. He has been a very worthwhile contribution [contributor ?] to the success of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Selected Assessments: “Carries out his duties in a most satisfactory manner.” (S/L R.S. Grandy, Winnipeg Air Station, 28 December 1928). “A good Rigger and Carpenter. Works quickly and thoroughly. Capable of exercising authority.” (S/L E.L. McLeod, Winnipeg Air Station, 31 December 1932). “A capable and reliable NCO. He is thoroughly conversant with the aircraft in use and as NCO in charge of riggers, organizes and supervises the work in a most commendable manner.” (S/L A.H. Hull, No.2 Army Cooperation Squadron, 10 December 1936. “Has been acting as Assistant to the Command Trade Test Officer since being posted to this Headquarters on 8 April 1941. Has a wide knowledge of RCAF trades and Service procedure gained through his service with CAF and RCAF sine 1920. This knowledge particularly adapts him for the duties of a Trade Test Officer or Engineer Officer. Very conscientious, defendable in his work and loyal to service. Well liked by all senior and junior ranks with whom he comes on contact and is giving highly satisfactory service in every way.” (W/C G.R. Hicks, Commanding Officer, Headquarters Administration Unit,, No.1 Training Command, Montreal, 10 December 1941) “Has been Chief Engineer Officer at this unit for approximately one month. Performing duties in a most satisfactory manner, and it is expected that his efforts will shortly result in a marked improvement in the maintenance efficiency of this Unit.” (G/C W.F.C. Hobson, No.3 BGS, 2 November 1944).