FLEISHMAN, Sergeant (now P/O) Edmund David (R54969/J10829) - Air Force Medal - No.4 SFTS - Award effective 1 January 1943 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 55/43 dated 15 January 1943. Born in Vancouver, 30 June 1918. Educated there. Woodsman and logger before the war, then attended Curtiss-Wright Technical School, 1939 and employed by Fairchild, followed by Noorduyn, December 1939 to June 1940. Enlisted in Montreal, 6 June 1940. Trained at No.1 ITS (placed 60th in a class of 244; promoted Leading Aircraftman on 19 July 1940; graduated 20 July 1940), No.8 EFTS (placed 19th in a class of 23; graduated 12 October 1940) and No.4 SFTS (placed 21st in a class of 38; graduated 30 December 1940 when promoted Sergeant). At Trenton, 20 December 1940 to 23 February 1941; at No.4 SFTS as instructor, 24 February 1941 to 19 May 1942 (promoted Flight Sergeant 1 December 1941 and WO2 on 20 December 1941). Commissioned 10 April 1942. Posted to Britain, arriving 21 May 1942; to No.22 OTU, 9 June 1942; to No.15 OTU, 20 June 1942; to Middle East, 16 August 1942; to No.37 Squadron, 20 November 1942. Killed 23 November 1942 in crash of Wellington P9693; aircraft shot down by flak attacking an airfield; buried in Crete. This NCO pilot has carried out his duties as a flying instructor in a most continuous, uncomplaining and diligent manner. His attitude, loyalty, and reliability has been an example of the highest order to other instructors. He has shown considerably more interest in the operation of the flight than the average. He has completed 1,209 hours of flying. NOTE: This award was first recommended by S/L A.E. Thompson, Chief Flying Instructor, No.4 SFTS on 13 February 1942 and endorsed the same day by W/C C.F. Newcombe. On 2 May 1942 it was supported by A/V/M A.B. Shearer (Air Officer Commanding, No.2 Training Command); the Chief of Air Staff approved it at an uncertain date. It was much more detailed: This NCO pilot has carried out his duties as a flying instructor in a most continuous, uncomplaining and diligent manner. His attitude, loyalty, and reliability has been an example of the highest order to other instructors. He has shown considerably more interest in the operation of the flight than the average and has been of great material assistance in the capacity of an NCO. This instructor is particularly keen to be posted overseas, and has been somewhat disappointed a number of times in this regard. He has not, however, allowed these disappointments to affect his most excellent work. He has completed 1,209 hours of flying. His talents had not been immediately obvious. When tested on 29 March 1941 as an instructor, F/L J.C. Wickett wrote, \"This instructor was tested in the following sequences: taxying, takeoff, turns single engine, forced landings, precautionary landing, circuit and landing. Flying Instructional ability are slightly below average and demonstrations were incorrect in some instances. It is recommended that this instructor have his category removed unless his demonstrations and the standard of his students improve.\" However, S/L N.B. Peterson (CFI) graded him as a \"C\" instructor, writing \"Test very satisfactory. With a little experience should become a capable instructor.\" The opinions of his superiors were thereafter favourable. On 31 December 1941, S/L A.E. Thompson wrote: An excellent flying instructor with all the necessary qualifications of leadership and initiative, ability and education to warrant promotions to commissioned rank immediately. On 2 December 1941, W/C C.G. Newcombe, in recommending him for a commission, declared, This NCO has been serving as a flying instructor on this unit for a period of 12 months, during which time he has proven himself to be well above the average as pilot and flying instructor. His airmanship and general knowledge of aircraft and service flying is most satisfactory. He has displayed considerable initiative, and has shown himself to be capable of handling a Section quite efficiently. His educational standard is Junior Matriculation and he has also obtained a Master Mechanic\'s Certificate. His conduct at all times has been satisfactory and he has been able to obtain the confidence and respect of his students in a very marked manner. On 6 March 1942, when applying for a commission, he stated he had flown 100 hours on Tiger Moths (1940-41), 200 hours on Ansons (1940-41), 20 hours on Harvards (1941), 20 hours on Lockheed 10 and 12 aircraft (1941) and 900 hours on Cranes (1941-42).