HALL, F/L Douglas Irving (J12193) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.414 Squadron - Award effective 29 March 1945 as per London Gazette dated 10 April 1945 and AFRO 802/45 dated 11 May 1945. Born in Timmins, Ontario, 6 June 1922. Early years spent in Schumacher where his family worked for the McIntyre and Hollinger mines. Left the north to join an uncle in Toronto to finish his schooling at North Toronto and then at Lawrence Park Collegiate. He returned to the North after his schooling and listed his occupation as miner. Gave his enlistment home as Milliken, Ontario (miner). Enlisted in Toronto, 7 July 1941. To No.1 Manning Depot, 22 July 1941. To No.1 SFTS (guard), 9 August 1941. To No.1 ITS, 10 October 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 6 December 1941 when posted to No.9 EFTS; may have graduated 13 February 1942 but not posted to No.6 SFTS until 24 February 1942; graduated and commissioned, 19 June 1942. Flew at No.9 Bombing and Gunnery School, Mont Joli, 6 July 1942 to 3 June 1943 (promoted Flying Officer, 1 May 1943). To No.1 OTU, 3 June 1943. To “Y” Depot, 21 August 1943. Embarked for overseas, 12 September 1943. Arrived in UK 19 September 1943. Further trained at No.41 OTU (26 October 1943 to 11 April 1944) and No.8 (C) OTU (11 April to 24 May 1944). No.400 Squadron, 24 May to 20 July 1944 (promoted Flight Lieutenant, 19 June 1944), No.414 Squadron from 20 July 1944 to 31 May 1945. Aerial victories as follows: 21 September 1944, one FW.190 destroyed; 24 December 1944, two Bf.109s destroyed; 2 May 1945, three FW.190s and one Me.108 destroyed, one FW.190 and one Me.108 damaged. Later in UK and with No.411 Squadron. After the cessation of hostilities before repatriation from England he was one of the first test pilots for the first Operational Jet Fighter, the Gloster Meteor. Repatriated 31 March 1946; to No.1 Air Command, 9 April 1946; to Composite Training School, 16 June 1946; released 5 July 1946. Overseas he had married Margaret Flavin, who joined him in Canada after his repatriation in March of 1946 and subsequent release on July 5, 1946. They initially set up home in Millikan, then in Barry’s Bay, and finally settled on a farm outside of Uxbridge. He farmed for many years while supplementing income by working as a miner, a long distance truck driver and a lumberjack (during the winter months) in Northern Ontario. By the mid-1950’s he obtained employment at GM and continued to farm and take courses in Toronto. After receiving his certification from the Radio College in Toronto, he opened his first store in Uxbridge in 1957 and two years later sold the farm and moved to the new family residence on Toronto Street. In 1969 he completed the Technology Program at Durham College in Oshawa. He started teaching night school while working during the day in the technology department. He continued taking advanced courses at the University of Toronto towards his degree and moved to the analytical chemistry area as a Laboratory Instructor and then was promoted to Teaching Master at Durham College in the Chemistry Department where he taught until his retirement. Died in Uxbridge, Ontario, 27 August 2017. // Throughout numerous sorties Flight Lieutenant Hall has proved himself to be a most competent and courageous pilot displaying tenacity and determination of the highest order. Several of his missions have involved deep penetrations into enemy territory in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and adverse weather. He has destroyed three hostile aircraft. On one occasion in December 1944, his aircraft flying with another was attacked by at least fifteen enemy fighters. Throughout the ensuing combat Flight Lieutenant Hall displayed exceptional coolness and skill and although greatly outnumbered destroyed two Messerschmitt 109s. His enthusiasm and tenacity have provided an inspiring example to the other members of his squadron. // HALL, F/L Donald Irving, DFC (J12193) - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - No.414 Squadron - Award effective 17 July 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1453/45 dated 14 September 1945. // Flight Lieutenant Hall has displayed considerable skill and ability both in the air and on the ground. He has completed a large number of sorties, including many reconnaissances. On a tactical reconnaissance mission in May 1945, he engaged a formation of enemy aircraft. In the ensuing combat, Flight Lieutenant Hall shot down three Focke Wulf 190s and a Messerschmitt 108 [?] and damaged two others. His example of keenness and determination has set a high standard to all members of his squadron. // Public Record Office Air 2/9086 has recommendation drafted about 8 May 1945 when he had flown 151 sorties (179 hours 30 minutes) of which 85 hours had been flown after recommendation for the DFC. // This officer joined No.414 Squadron in July 1944, and displayed a natural aptitude for reconnaissance work. On the completion of 95 hours operational flying he was recommended for a non-immediate Distinguished Flying Cross for outstanding achievement as a fighter reconnaissance pilot, during which time he destroyed three enemy aircraft. Since that time he has continued to produce excellent results and has displayed the same persistence in engaging the enemy. // On a tactical reconnaissance mission on May 2nd, he became separated from his Number Two due to low cloud and, despite the superiority in numbers, he engaged a formation of enemy aircraft, destroying three Focke Wulf 190s, one Messerschmitt 108, and damaging a Focke Wulf 190 and a Messerschmitt 108. Flight Lieutenant Hall has set a high standard of courage and devotion to duty for his fellow pilots. // This was endorsed by the Wing Commander (Flying) on 8 May 1945, by the Officer Commanding, No.39 Wing (14 May 1945), by the Air Officer Commading, No.83 Group (18 May 1945) and by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, 2nd Tactical Air Force (28 May 1945).