WILLIAM GERALD F/O(AG) J86774//R82681. From Ottawa, Ontario. Killed in Action Jan 6/45 age 21. #431 Iroquois Squadron (The Hatiten Ronteriios). Target - Hanover, Germany. Please see F/L G.R. Pool D.F.0 for casualty list and flight detail. Flying Officer Air Gunner Gillissie has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Runnymede War Memorial, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, England.

AUBREY LAWRENCE F/O(AG) J10168. From Cornwall, Ontario. Killed in Action Oct 1/42. #102 Ceylon Squadron (Tentate Et Perficite). Halifax aircraft was shot down at Friedenshugel, Flensburg, Germany during operations over enemy territory. Seven RAF members of the crew, FSs P.C. Cato, R. Mathews, Sgts J.S. James, GA. McIntyre, R.L. Milbank, F.J. Robinson, and F. Tooth were also killed. There were two pilots on board for this trip. Flying Officer Air Gunner MacGillivray was buried at Friedenshugel, exhumed, and reburied in the Kiel War Cemetery, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

JOHN CAMPBELL P/O(P) J19277. From Dalkeith, Ontario. Killed in Action Jan 20/44 age 22. #57 Squadron (Corpus Non Animum Muto). Lancaster aircraft #JB 419 missing during night operations, an attack on Berlin, Germany. Six of the crew, not Canadians, missing believed killed. Pilot Officer Pilot MacGillivray is buried in the Berlin War Cemetery, Charlottenburg, Germany.

RALPH NORTHCLIFF P/O(N) J19367. From Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Killed Mar 20/44 age 23. #82 Operational Training Unit, RAF Station, Silverstone, England. The crew of Wellington aircraft #LN 181 were engaged in a night exercise when they crashed at Yardley, Gobin, Northampshire, England. F/Os C.R. Floyd, M.L. Fullerton, W.J. Mohring, R.F. Calnan, D.L. Jacobs, P/O N.C. Millen, and Sgt L.H. Johnston were also killed. Pilot Officer Navigator MacGillivray is buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Woking, Surrey, England.

JOHN GEORGE HENRY P/O(P) J86399//R136437. From Toronto, Ontario. Killed in Action May 11/44 age 24. #11 Squadron (Octores Acrioresque Aquilis). P/O Magill made a crash landing after strafing enemy positions three miles north-east of Kohima, Assam. He was killed when his Hurricane aircraft #LD 185 overturned. Pilot Officer Pilot Magill was buried in the Military Cemetery at Dirnapur, Assam, exhumed, and reinterred in the Imphal Military Cemetery, Imphal, India.

EDMUND THOMAS FS(WAG) R58817. From Winnipeg, Manitoba. Killed in Action Jun 9/42 age 27. #405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus). Target - Essen, Germany. Please see Pethybridge W.J. for casualty list and flight detail. Flight Sergeant Wireless Operator Air Gunner McGill was buried in the Military Cemetery at Cologne, Germany, exhumed, and reburied in the War Cemetery at Rheinberg, Germany.

JACK LAURIE F/O(P) J24400. From London, Ontario. Killed in Action Mar 24/44 age 27. #166 Squadron (Tenacity). Target - Berlin, Germany. Please see F/O E.J. Underhill for casualty list and flight detail. Flying Officer Pilot McGill was buried at Treunbrietzen, exhumed, and reinterred in the Berlin War Cemetery, Charlottenburg, Germany.

ROBERT SMITH F/O(N) J25551. From Paisley, Ontario. Killed in Action May 13/44 age 21. #104 Squadron (Strike Hard). Wellington aircraft #MF 238 failed to return from a raid against Port Ferrajo, Italy. Sgts W.R. Banner (RAF) and J. Mawer (RAF) were also killed. Two of the crew, not Canadians, missing believed killed. Flying Officer Navigator McGill has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Malta War Memorial, Malta.

CRAIG EDWARD P/O(BA) J85248//R146838. From Toronto, Ontario. Killed in Action Nov 19/43 age 23. #431 Iroquois Squadron (The Hatiten Ronteriios). Target - Ludwigshafen, Germany. Please see Carefoot G.O. for casualty list and flight detail. Pilot Officer Bomb Aimer McGillivray is buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Woking, Surrey, England.

EARL LEWIS SGT R61819 - aero engine mechanic. From Central Butte, Saskatchewan. Killed Nov 29/42 age 21. #405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus). Halifax aircraft crashed. Please see Stanley M.J. for casualty list and flight detail. Sergeant McGillivray is buried in the Dishforth Cemetery, Yorkshire, England.

D.S. R134421. The aircraft crashed at Arlesey, not Arlesley. Detail provided by A E. Barnard, Burlington, On.

A.S. R200515. The aircraft crashed at Ravensthorpe, not Rotherthorpe. Detail provided by A.E. Barnard, Burlington, On.

J.W. R89875. Six RAF members of the crew, Sgt.s H.G.V. Read, R.W. Bettinson, P.A.U. Goodyear, R. Burnett, F/O.s J.G. Millar A.F.M., and G. Lockie were also killed.

N.M. R97720. The emergency aerodrome was at Woodbridge, Suffolk not Sussex. Halifax aircraft LL 115 (NF-A) was returning from a special operation over France and encountered adverse weather conditions. The aircraft struck some trees and crashed at Capel Green near the emergency aerodrome at Woodbridge, Suffolk, England. FS. J.G. Watson (RAF), Sgt. H. King (RAF), G. Osborne (RAF), and J.R. Hoddinott (RAF) were also killed. One RAAF and two RAF members of the crew were injured. Correction provided by A. E. Barnard, Burlington, On.

H. L. R64935. - GILL, FS Harry Lewis, (R64935) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.607 Squadron - Award effective 17 March 1942 as per London Gazette dated 17 March 1943 and AFRO 611/42 dated 24 April 1942. Born in South Devon, New Brunswick, 1922; home there (labourer). Enlisted in Moncton, 22 August 1940. Trained at No.1 ITS and No.11 EFTS. Graduated from No.2 SFTS, 10 April 1941. Arrived in UK, 24 April 1941 and further trained at No.55 OTIJ. The citation reads - "Since joining the squadron in July 1941, this airman has carried out several offensive fighter patrols over enemy territory both by day and by night. Targets attacked included power stations, large concentration distilleries and factories. On one occasion Flight Sergeant Gill sighted two of our aircraft which had been forced down onto the sea and remained over them until driven off by a formation of enemy fighters. On 12th February 1942 this airman participated in operations against a German battleship and their escorts and pressed home his attack with great determination in the face of fierce enemy opposition. He damaged at least one enemy motor vessel and one enemy aircraft. This airman has always displayed initiative and keenness and has proved himself to be an inspiration to his fellow pilots." Detail provided by H. Halliday, Orleans, Ontario.

GILLSON, W/C Albert Henry Stewart (C1537) - Officer, Order of the British Empire - No.1 CNS - Award effective 1 January 1943 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 55/43 dated 15 January 1943. Born in Soham, England, 4 December 1889; studied mathematics at Cambridge University, graduating in 1911. He then studied astronomy under Sir George Darwin, son of naturalist Charles Darwin. An interest in art led him to study for a time at the Slade School in London. At the outbreak of the First World War he enlisted in the Royal Navy. With his knowledge of mathematics and astronomy, he helped in the organization of a navigation system for Royal Naval Air Service pilots. In 1920 he left the Navy and accepted an appointment as a professor of mathematics at McGill University in Montreal. Enlisted in RCAF at Montreal, 21 December 1939 as Navigation Officer and granted rank of Squadron Leader that day. As of 21 November 1940 he was at No.1 Air Navigation School, Rivers (Chief Instructor). Promoted Wing Commander, 15 January 1942. To Trenton, 1 April 1944. To No.3 Training Command, 11 September 1944. Released 12 September 1944. Became Chair of the Mathematics Department at McGill, taking a secondment for three years to the Sir William Dawson Veterans College at St. Johns, Quebec. He was recalled to McGill in 1947 to become Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science. He left a year later to become President of the University of Manitoba, serving from 1948 to just before his death. He oversaw a period of unprecedented growth of the University and its consolidation at the Fort Garry Campus, and he was an enthusiastic supporter of research, establishing the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Retired from the University in September 1954, due to a lengthy illness, and died at Winnipeg on 10 September 1954. He is commemorated by Gillson Street at the University of Manitoba. Wing Commander Gillson has been responsible for the organization and the present state of high efficiency of the ground instruction of this navigation school. This school, under the direction of Wing Commander Gillson, has specialised exclusively in celestial navigation and has set a very high standard in this particular phase of training. As a direct result of the training received at his school, Observers on active service overseas have done markedly fine work.

GILLIATT, F/L Courtney Shippy Spurr (J10269) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.107 Squadron - Award effective 25 September 1945 as per London Gazette dated 2 October 1945 and AFRO 1822/45 dated 7 December 1945. Born 1921 in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia; home there. Attended Nova Scotia Agricultural College where he won the Governor General?s Medal and the Macdonald Medal. Served in West Nova Scotia Regiment. Enlisted in Halifax, 7 May 1941. Trained at No.3 ITS (graduated 31 August 1941), No.21 EFTS (graduated 25 October 1941) and No.9 SFTS (graduated 28 February 1942). Commissioned 1942. Overseas his RAF navigator was one \"Johnie Hill.\" Postwar he attended McGill University (B.Sc., 1947) before rejoining the RCAF. Served at Randolph Air Force Base (Texas) and Portage la Prairie (commanding flight training school). After time at Trenton and Winnipeg he served two tours in Europe (Ramstein, Germany and four years as senior Canadian officer at SHAPE, Mons, Belgium). Also had appointments as aide to Governor Generals Vanier and Mitchener. Rose to Brigadier General; retired 1976 and acquired an MA in International Affairs from Carleton University. Died in Ottawa, 17 October 2008 (obituary gave his name as Courtney Shippey Spurr Gilliatt). Photo PL-128228 is a portrait taken in Trenton, 1959 as a Wing Commander. Flight Lieutenant Gilliatt has completed numerous operational sorties. He has proved himself to be a skilful pilot and has secured excellent results on many of his missions. In December 1944, he executed a telling attack on enemy mechanical transport. In February 1945 he took part in a daylight operation during which a train and several mechanical transport vehicles were attacked. Three submarines in the Kiel Canal were also damaged. Flight Lieutenant Gilliatt has also bombed railway sidings with outstanding success. He has always pressed home his attacks with energy and determination though frequently encountering bad weather and severe opposition. NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/9132 has recommendation dated 6 June 1945 when he had flown 46 sorties (136 operational hours). Flight Lieutenant Gilliatt has completed 46 operational flights, including one during daylight. He has proved himself to be a good operational pilot and has obtained some excellent results from his sorties over Germany and German occupied countries. On the 27th of December 1944 one Mechanical Enemy Transport was attacked on a road at L.0491 and a fire left burning. Later he bombed and strafed a number of Mechanical Enemy Transport, heading east at P.2665. These attacks resulted in one flamer and an explosion. An already burning Mechanical Enemy Transport was located at P.9482 on the night of the 1st January 1945. A direct hit was scored on this Mechanical Enemy Transport causing an appreciable increase in the intensity of the blaze. Two further bombs fell on the road itself. Some tanks were found on the road near a wood at L.0196 and strikes observed when cannon attacks were made. Another aircraft from the squadron flying over this spot later reported fires burning. The night\'s work was completed by an attack on a flying bomb in the area L.08 but no results were seen. Flight Lieutenant Gilliatt took part in the daylight operation CLARION against enemy transportation on the 22nd of February 1945. A train of eight trucks was stopped at N.4105 as a result of bombing and strafing attacks. A near miss was obtained with a bomb and cannon strikes observed on the train. The village of Wiemersdorf and horse-drawn vehicles at S.3895 were strafed. Finally, three submarines, preceded by a white ship in the Kiel Canal were attacked and cannon strikes observed. On the night of the 28th February 1945 the marshalling yards at Birkirchen were attacked. One bomb burst was observed on the rear of a train and a second burst among scattered trucks. Strafing attacks resulted in strikes on a locomotive causing an explosion and much smoke and debris to be thrown into the air. Flight Lieutenant Gilliatt has always pressed home his attacks with determination despite frequent ground opposition from the enemy. He has never allowed adverse weather conditions to prevent him from finding targets to attack. He is conscientious and efficient. For these qualities and the very good results obtained from his operations I recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. GILLIATT, F/L Courtney Shippy Spurr, DFC (J10269) - Mention in Despatches - RCAF Overseas - Award effective 1 January 1946 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 497/46 dated 17 May 1946.

GILLIES, Sergeant Donald John MacPherson (R89693) - Mention in Despatches - Overseas - Award effective 14 January 1944 as per London - Gazette of that date and AFRO 874/44 dated 21 April 1944. Born 23 June 1914. Home in Teeswater, Ontario; enlisted in Hamilton, 4 April 1941 as Radio Mechanic. Granted Leave Without Pay until 27 April 1941 when granted to No.1 Manning Depot. To McMaster University, 13 June 1941. To No.1 Manning Depot, date uncertain. Promoted LAC, 20 September 1941. To No.31 Radio School, 27 November 1941, To \"Y\" Depot, date uncertain; to RAF overseas, 9 February 1942. Promoted Corporal, 1 July 1942. Promoted Sergeant, 4 May 1943. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 1 August 1944. Repatriated 13 August 1945. Released 2 October 1945. Name also shown as John Donald MacPherson Gillies. Died in Toronto, 25 October 1996 as per Legion Magazine of March 1997.

McGILLIVRAY, F/O Dougal Archibald (J19973) - Distinguished Service Order - No.428 Squadron - Award effective 3 November 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1/45 dated 5 January 1945. Born in Kirkhill, Ontario, 16 April 1918. Home in Dalkeith, Ontario (farmer); enlisted in Ottawa, 10 January 1941 and posted to No.1 Manning Depot. No No.1A Manning Depot, 19 February 1941. To No.16 Explosives Depot, 20 March 1941. To “S”, 13 May 1941. To No.1 WS, 24 May 1941. Promoted LAC , 26 June 1941; to No.6 BGS, 11 October 1941. Graduated and promoted Sergeant, 7 November 1941. To “Y” Depot, 8 November 1941. To RAF overseas, 12 December 1941. Commissioned 22 February 1944. Reported to No.3 PRC, Bournemouth, 7 May 1944 but apparently proceeded on second tour. Promoted Flying Officer, 25 August 1944. Repatriated 28 October 1944. To Mountain View, 5 December 1944. To Release Centre, 24 February 1945. Released 8 March 1945. Died in Alexandria, Ontario, 13 September 2013. Obituary gave name as Dougald MacGillivray. Cited with F/L R.E. Curtis (RCAF, awarded DSO), F/L Hugh F. Smith (RCAF, awarded DFC), F/O Robert G. Marshall (RCAF, awarded DFC), F/O Charles F. Wattie (RCAF, awarded DFC) and Sergeant J.D. Rose (RAF, awarded DFM). Invested by Governor General, 2 December 1946. DHist file 181.009 D.1634 (RG.24 Vol.20604) has initial recommendation dated 15 September 1944 and give name as Douglas Archibald. This was on his second tour. First had been 30 May 1942 to 4 December 1942 (three sorties with No.23 OTU (starting with Cologne, 30 May 1942), 23 sorties with No.15 Squadron; second tour had been 5 July to 12 September 1944 with No.428 Squadron (21 trips) - total of 47 sorties, 298 hours 45 minutes. Date of incident below was 12 August 1944. RCAF photo PL-33265 (ex UK-15273 dated 3 October 1944) shows him; caption describes the incident noting that he had never flown an aircraft before. // These officers and Sergeant Rose have participated in a very large number of sorties and have displayed skill, courage and devotion to duty worthy of the highest praise. In August 1944, they were members of the crew of an aircraft detailed to attack Dortmund. Whilst on the bombing run the aircraft came under heavy anti-aircraft fire and was hit. Flight Lieutenant Curtis was wounded in the head. Despite the severity of his injury, this brave pilot remained at the controls and pressed home his attack. Not until the task was accomplished did he ask for assistance. He afterwards collapsed and was placed in the rest position. Flying Officer McGillivray, the air bomber, then took over the controls and kept the aircraft on a course for home. During the return flight his comrades, Flight Lieutenant Smith, Flying Officers Marshall and Wattie and Sergeant Rose set a fine example of coolness and co-operation and did everything within their power to assist in flying the aircraft home. Eventually an airfield was reached. Although he had never previously landed an aircraft, Flying Officer McGillivray succeeded in bringing it down, being greatly assisted by the advice and directions of Sergeant Rose, the flight engineer. These members of aircraft crew displayed rare determination and great courage in perilous circumstances. Flight Lieutenant Curtis had sustained a compound fracture of the skull. Until the time he became incapable of further action he had displayed the courage and tenacity of a fine leader. // Note: The citation is in error; the date of the incident was 12 September 1944. // DHist file 181.009 D.1634 (RG.24 Volume 20604) has original recommendation by W/C A.C. Hull dated 15 September 1944 when he had flown 47 sorties (298 hours 45 minutes) as follows: // On the 12th August [sic, 10 September], on the attack on Dortmund, the piloy of P/O McGillivray’s aircraft was dangerously wounded by flak and the rear gunner killed. P/O McGillivray took over the controls and piloted the aircraft back to England. His coolness and confidence reassured the crew to a major degree and despite having never landed an aircraft before, his landing would have been successful had not the port tyre (which had been damaged by flak) burst on impact. The remainder of the crew undoubtedly owe their lives to the determination, courage and coolness of P/O McGillivray in this emergency. For his courage and coolness in the face of danger, I recommend the immediate award of the DFC. // The sortie list is very poorly typed - first part unreadable; the rest was as follows: // 1 September 1942 - Saarbrucken (5.20) // 2 September 1942 - illegible (6.00) // 4 September 1942 - Bremen (5.45) // 6 September 1942 - Duisburg (3.50) // 7 September 1942 - Warnemunde (5.40, duty not carried out) // 9 September 1942 - Gardening (5.25) // 13 September 1942 - Bremen (4.50) // 14 September 1942 - Wilhelmshaven (5.05) // 16 September 1942 - Essen (1.50, duty not carried out) // 18 September 1942 - Gardening (7.40) // 21 September 1942 - Gardening (7.00) // 23 September 1942 - Vegasack (5.20, duty not carried out) // 5 October 1942 - Aachen (5.00) // 6 October 1942 - Osnabruck (4.30) // 15 October 1942 - Cologne (5.10) // 22 October 1942 - Gardening (6.35) // 23 October 1942 - Genoa (6.30) // 27 October 1942 - Gardening (6.35) // 7 November 1942 - Genoa (6.25, duty not carried out) // 8 November 1942 - Marseilles, Nickels (9.00) // 4 December 1942 - Frankfurt (9.55) // * * * * * // 5 July 1944 - Gardening (6.35) // 18 July 1944 - Wesseling (6.15) // 20 July 1944 - L’Hey (3.45, day) // 23 July 1944 - Kiel (5.35) // 24 July 1944 - Stuttgart (9.20) // 25 July 1944 - Stuttgart (9.10) // 28 July 1944 - Hamburg (5.20) // 3 August 1944 - Bois de Casson (4.55, day) // 4 August 1944 - Bois de Casson (4.30, day) // 5 August 1944 - St. Leu (5.30, day) // 7 August 1944 - Mer de Magna (4.50) // 9 August 1944 - Coulonvillers (4.25, day) // 10 August 1944 - La Pallice (6.55) // 12 August 1944 - Brunswick (6.20) // 14 August 1944 - Falaise (4.55, day) // 15 August 1944 - Soesterburg (3.55, day) // 25 August 1944 - Russelheim (9.00) // 27 August 1944 - Mimotecques (3.55, day) // 29 August 1944 - Stettin (10.00) // 6 September 1944 - Emden (4.05) // 12 September 1944 - Dortmund (5.20) // The February 2003 issue of Short Bursts (Air Gunner Association newsletter) carried the following narrative by Robert Marshall: // I am a bit hesitant to relate wartime experiences knowing that many of your readers are my peers in experiences both in and out of the ordinary. Actually my 50 plus ops were, for the most part, pretty routine with the occasional minor "prang" and our aircraft being ventilated with a few pieces of stray flak. I never baled out, never ditched, was never shot down and apart from a couple of strafing exercises never fired my guns. Enemy aircraft were sighted on occasion but they always seemed to be going after someone else. // However on what turned out to be the last trip of our second tour we did have an adventure that probably few other crews experienced. On Sept 14, 1944 we ran into heavy flak over Dortmund and took quite a beating. Our tail gunner (Jimmy Flood from Toronto , on his 66th trip), was killed and our pilot (Russ Curtis from Erie, Penn.) seriously wounded. Our bomb aimer (Dougal MacGillivray from Dalkeith, Ont.) took over the controls and put into practice what he had learned in his one session on a link trainer. Although never having been at the controls of an aircraft before he flew it like a veteran to a somewhat precarious landing at an emergency RAF airdrome in East Anglia. I don't remember much of the trip home but one thing I do remember was looking up in the cockpit and seeing Dougal at the controls with his helmet off to one side and, although he may have been churned up inside, looked as calm and collected as would a veteran pilot. I think I knew then that we were going to get home and down safely. // Russ recovered from his head injury - a piece of flak had cut a groove through the top of his head. The rest of us returned to base and a few days later attended Jimmy's burial in the Canadian section of Brookwood cemetery in Surrey. And a month or so later in mid-October, with the exception of Russ, we were on our way home for the last time. // Dougal and I are the only members of the crew still alive with our fond memories of the others---Russ; Charlie Wattie, navigator (from Barrie Ont.) and Hugh Smith, wireless operator (from Niagara Falls Ont.); who all passed away over a decade ago. // A further note on Dougal: Dougal went overseas in late 1941 as one of ours--a w/ag. At that time four motored aircraft were on the horizon with the crew format changed from that on the old mainstream two motored Wellingtons, Hampdens and Whitleys. On Wellingtons, for example the crew consisted of two pilots, a navigator ( or observer) who had the bomb dropping responsibilities, two wireless operators, one of whom occupied the front turret, and a tail gunner. With the advent of four motored aircraft the crew, as most will remember, was reduced to one pilot and one wireless operator, with the addition of a bomb aimer, an engineer and a mid upper gunner. Hence Dougal arrived overseas when wireless operators were in excess and bomb aimers in short supply. As a result Dougal and some of his classmates were given minimal training and remustered as bomb aimers. Dougal survived a first tour in 1942/43 on Stirlings. // RCAF Press Release No.6836 dated 19 September 1944 from Sergeant J.D. Badger, transcribed by Huguette Mondor Oates, reads: // WITH THE RCAF BOMBER GROUP OVERSEAS: -- In the last flight of his operational career, a Ghost squadron bomb-aimer and veteran of two tours had to take over the controls of his flak-riddled Lancaster from the seriously wounded pilot. The bomb-aimer, Pilot Officer Dougal MacGillivray, Dalkieth, Ontario (R.R.1), flew back and landed safely despite his inexperience, vital damage to the aircraft and a tire bursting as the plane touched down. // As the heroic young flier was too shy to explain the feat to the press, his navigator, Flying Officer Charles Wattie of Barrie, Ontario, told the story for him. “It happened on the last operation against the synthetic oil plant outside Dortmund, Germany,” Wattie began. He went on to relate how heavy, predicted flak caught the Lancaster as it entered the target area, again in the bombing run and a third time as the riddled aircraft wavered out from the target area. // The first burst killed the rear gunner, a Canadian lad on his 64th sortie. It was scheduled to be the second to last trip of his two tours. The burst also wounded the American RCAF pilot seriously. Without telling the crew, he pressed on to the target. It is considered remarkable that he was physically and mentally able to continue. The Lancaster was riddled. // “After the trip was all over, I counted 100 holes in the kite,” said Navigator Wattie, “and there were still plenty left”. The rear turret was thoroughly perforated, the port rudder damaged, the trimmings wrecked and a tire hit. When the bombing was done, the pilot told Bomb-Aimer MacGillivray to come to the cockpit. He instructed him and the flight engineer, Sergeant Paddy Rose, RAF, Cork, Eire, to give him a shot of morphia to enable him to carry on, and another shot when they reached an aerodrome to help him accomplish the landing. // However, seeing his condition, other crew members carried their skipper to the rest position amidship, while MacGillivray took over the controls. Though the pilot never lost consciousness, speech began to fail him. While he could still talk, he gave Flight Engineer Rose life-saving directions. MacGillivray was unfamiliar with the job and he had a wreck to work with Wattie commented. “The unserviceable trimmings hindered him particularly. He showed wonderful airmanship.” // As Wattie told how they found a British aerodrome, MacGillivray put in a word for the navigator’s calm guidance throughout the flight. Unfortunately, other aircraft returning from an operation were thronging over the airfield, waiting to land. MacGillivray had to run in and overshoot the runway twice before he could touch down. // As the Lancaster rolled in, wheels down, the damaged tire burst. Navigator Wattie and the mid-upper gunner crouched in the “crash position”, but so skillfully did MacGillivray control the aircraft that they were not even bruised. Then the bomb-aimer brought the plane to a halt quickly, and the crew carried the pilot out before the racing ambulance and crash-wagon arrived. // The whole crew has now been screened from further operational flying, with the exception of Rose who has not yet logged the requisite number of sorties. The others are all two-tour veterans. The pilot is recovering in hospital and has regained his speech. // The 26-year-old MacGillivray farmed before the war, while Wattie taught school. The latter hopes to remain in the permanent force after the war.

GILL, P/O Frederick Allan (J89089) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.428 Squadron - Award effective 6 January 1945 as per London Gazette dated 19 January 1945 and AFRO 508/45 dated 23 March 1945. Born in Brandon, Manitoba, 7 January 1923; home in Vancouver (mechanic). Enlisted in Vancouver, 27 October 1942. Granted Leave Without Pay until 3 November 1942 when posted to No.3 Manning Depot. To No.2 WS, 8 January 1943; promoted LAC, 12 February 1943; to No.8 BGS, 21 August 1943; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 4 October 1943. To “Y” Depot, 18 October 1943; taken on strength of No.3 PRC, 21 October 1943. Commissioned 16 August 1944. Repatriated 27 November 1944. To Western Air Command, 16 January 1945. To No.6 OTU, 18 January 1945. To No.1 School of Flying Control, 5 February 1945. Promoted Flying Officer, 16 February 1945. To Northwest Air Command, 21 April 1945. To Fort Nelson, 1 May 1945. To Moncton, 16 May 1945. To No.4 Repair Depot, 26 May 1945. To Scoudouc, 14 July 1945. To No.1 ANS, 29 October 1945. To Gander, 8 January 1946. To Eastern Air Command Headquarters, 1 April 1946. Retired 21 June 1946. Died in Sidney, British Columbia, 24 November 2005. No citation other than "completed...numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty." DHist file 181.009 D.3260 (RG.24 Vol.20637) has recommendation dated 10 October 1944 when he had flown 34 sorties (186 hours), 31 May to 27 September 1944. Recommendation gives number as J89158 (see P/O J. Waddell, below). // This officer has proved himself to be an outstanding member of a gallant crew, possessing great determination, initiative and skill. His co-operation, coolness and devotion to duty have contributed in a large measure to the success of his crew on their operational tour of 34 sorties, many on major targets such as Bremen, Hamburg, Stettin, Stuttgart, Emden, Bottrop, Brunswick and Russelheim. // For his outstanding ability and strong sense of duty I recommend the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. // The sortie list was as follows: // 31 May 1944 - Mount Couple (3.50) // 1 June 1944 - Gardening (4.10) // 3 June 1944 - Gardening (3.50) // 5 June 1944 - Merville (5.50) // 6 June 1944 - Coutances (5.25) // 18 June 1944 - Gardening (3.55) // 23 June 1944 - Gardening (6.50) // 26 June 1944 - Gardening (5.45) // 27 June 1944 - Gardening (5.55) // 12 July 1944 - Acquet (4.30) // 25 July 1944 - Stuttgart (9.45) // 28 July 1944 - Hamburg (5.15) // 1 August 1944 - Acquet (4.20, day) // 3 August 1944 - Ile d’Adam, Paris (4.55, day) // 4 August 1944 - Bois de Casson (4.40, day) // 5 August 1944 - St. Leu d’Esserent (5.10, day) // 7 August 1944 - Mer de Magna, Caen (5.25) // 8 August 1944 - Foret de Chantilly (5.15, day) // 9 August 1944 - Coulonvilliers (4.05, day) // 10 August 1944 - La Pallice (6.35) // 12 August 1944 - Brunswick (6.10) // 14 August 1944 - Falaise (4.50, day) // 15 August 1944 - Soesterburg (4.35, day) // 16 August 1944 - Stettin (8.50) // 18 August 1944 - Bremen (5.50) // 25 August 1944 - Russelheim (6.40) // 28 August 1944 - Mimoyecques (3.30, day) // 29 August 1944 - Stettin (8.50) // 6 September 1944 - Emden (4.30, day) // 10 September 1944 - Le Havre (4.25, day) // 17 September 1944 - Boulogne (4.25, day) // 18 September 1944 - Bomberg (5.40, day) // 25 September 1944 - Calais (5.10, day) // 27 September 1944 - Bottrop (5.30, day)