BUCKHAM, F/L Robert Andrew (J15246) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.416Squadron - Award effective 25 May 1943 as per London Gazette dated 4 June 1943 and AFRO 1187/43 dated 25 June 1943. Born in Golden, British Columbia, 5 October 1914. Educated at King Edward High School, Vancouver, 1928-1930, Prince of Wales School, Vancouver, 1930-1931, and Vancouver Technical School, 1931-1932 (mechanical engineering, drafting, engine drawing). Employed in “carriage work”, 1932-1935 and as driver and salesman, 1935 to 1939. Took flying lessons in Vancouver and logged 60 hours total, November 1939 to June 1940 (Luscombe and Fleet aircraft). Enlisted in Vancouver, 23 October 1940 and posted to No.1 Manning Depot, Toronto. To No.1 WS, Montreal (non-flying duty), 15 November 1940 To No.1 ITS, Toronto, 8 February 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 16 March 1941 but not struck off strength until 29 March 1941; reported next day to No.10 EFTS, Mount Hope; may have graduated 16 May 1941 but not taken on strength of No.2 SFTS, Uplands until 28 May 1941; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 8 August 1941). To “Y” Depot, 10 August 1941. To RAF Trainee Pool, 27 August 1941. To No.59 OTU, 29 September 1941; posted to No.416 Squadron (22 November 1941-1 July 1943). Promoted Flight Sergeant, 1 March 1942. Commissioned 8 March 1942 (Appointments, Promotions, Retirements dated 1 April 1942). Promoted Flying Officer and Acting Flight Lieutenant, 18 December 1942. Attached to Central Gunnery School, Sutton Bridge as instructor, 2 June to 30 June 1943 or 1 July to 1 August 1943, when posted to Station Digby to instruct in gunnery. Confirmed as Flight Lieutenant, 3 June 1943. To No.421 Squadron, 13 September 1943; promoted Acting Squadron Leader and posted to No.403 Squadron as Commanding Officer, 5 October 1943; attended Fighter Leader School, Milfield, 23 February to 1 March 1944. to No.127 Wing HQ, 13 June 1944. Promoted Acting Wing Commander, 14 June 1944. Repatriated to Canada, 7 August 1944. To War Staff College, 10 September 1944. To Station Patricia Bay, 19 November 1944. To Canadian Joint Staff, Washington, 8 May 1945 for American staff course. To No.6 Release Centre, Regina, 7 August 1945 to command. Retained in service and posted on 1 November 1945 to No.2 Air Command, Winnipeg. To Northwest Air Command, Edmonton, 16 December 1945 (staff duties). To Station Grande Prairie, 21 December 1945. To Northwest Air Command Headquarters, Edmonton, again as of 29 December 1945. To Station Watson Lake, 27 January 1946. To Station Whitehorse, 25 February 1946. Confirmed as a Permanent Force member of the RCAF, 1 October 1946 with rank of Squadron Leader. Killed in flying accident, Whitehorse, 15 January 1947 (passenger aboard Expeditor 1394, pilot F/L R.L. Curtin; en route Whitehorse to Teslin; accident report on National Archives of Canada microfilm T-12342; aircraft had run into a snowstorm and made an error in selecting fuel switches; Pilot appears to have attempted to land with wheels up but aircraft exploded on striking ground; five servicemen and one civilian killed). Credited with the following victories: 19 August 1942, one FW.190 destroyed and one Ju.88 damaged; 3 February 1943, one FW.190 destroyed; 3 April 1943, one FW.190 destroyed (shared with another pilot); 3 May 1943, one FW.190 destroyed; 14 May 1943, one FW.190 destroyed; 16 May 1943, one FW.190 damaged; 19 September 1943, one Bf.109 destroyed; 24 September 1943, one FW.190 destroyed and one FW.190 damaged. See Chris Shores, Aces High. DFC presented a Buckingham Palace, 9 November 1943; invested with Bar by Governor General, 10 December 1947. The subject of a portrait by artist Edwin Holgate (Canadian War Museum collection). See RCAF photo PL-19870 (ex UK-5440 dated 7 October 1943, outside tent in England); PL-19877 shows F/L R.A. Buckham and F/L Dean Dover, 24 September 1943 (Dover shining shoes after losing a coin toss); PL-22164 shows him with Buck McNair; PL-22285 shows Buck McNair, R.A. Buckham and Hugh Godefroy, 12 November 1943. RCAF photo PL-28400 (ex UK-8308 dated 24 February 1944) shows S/L R.A. Buckam with new badge of No.403 Squadron; with him are his two flight commanders, F/L John Danforth Browne (left, Madison, New Jersey) and F/L R.G, Middlemiss (right, Montreal). RCAF photo PL-28554 (ex UK-8460 dated 8 March 1944) shows him in his Spitfire. Photo PL-28556 shows Buckham leaning on Spitfire wing. // This officer has taken part in a large number of sorties and has proved himself to be a fine fighter and a first class leader. He has destroyed four enemy aircraft and damaged five locomotives. // BUCKHAM, F/L Robert Andrew, DFC (J15246) - Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) - No.416 Squadron - Award effective 17 July 1943 as per London Gazette dated 20 July 1943 and AFRO 644/44 dated 24 March 1944. Public Records Office Air 2/ 9599 has USAAF 8th Air Force General Order No.104 dated 16 July 1943 which gives citation. // For extraordinary achievement while escorting bombers of the United States Army Air Force on seven bombing raids over enemy occupied Europe. Flight Lieutenant Buckham has fervently sought out the enemy on each occasion and has destroyed three enemy airplanes in aerial combat. The courage and skilful airmanship displayed by Flight Lieutenant Buckham on all these occasions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of His Majesty's government. // BUCKHAM, S/L Robert Andrew, DFC (J15246) - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - No.403 Squadron - Award effective 8 August 1944 as per London Gazette dated 11 August 1944 and AFRO 2101/44 dated 29 September 1944. // During May 1943, this officer was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Since then he has flown on a great number of sorties and on many occasions has successfully led his wing, sometimes under very adverse weather conditions. He is a fearless leader and set an inspiring example to those serving under him. // NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/9633 has recommendation drafted about 28 March 1944 when he had flown 167 sorties (327 operational hours), of which 83 sorties (141 hours) had been since his previous award. The text is more detailed than that published. // Since the citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to this officer on May 24th, 1943, he has flown a further 142 hours on operations involving 83 offensive sorties. The types of operations comprise Ramrods, Rodeos, Circus' and Rangers. He has destroyed a further two aircraft and damaged one bringing his total personal score to 6 ½ destroyed, two probable and two damaged. // He is an outstanding fighter leader who is an inspiration to those serving under him. Absolutely fearless personally, he combines this quality with innate good judgement in the air. He has led the Wing on many occasions, always successfully and sometimes under very adverse weather conditions. // This was favourably endorsed by his Wing Commander (Flying) on 30 March 1944, by an Air Vice-Marshal (appointment not stated) on 11 April 1944, by the Air Officer Commanding, 2nd Tactical Air Force (Air Marshal Coningham) on 24 April 1944, and by the Air Commander-in-Chief, Allied Expeditionary Air Force (Air Chief Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory) on 28 May 1944. // Assessments: “A very fine flight commander who should go a long way.” (S/L F.A. Boulton, 15 January 1943) // “A very satisfactory officer and squadron commander.” (W/C M. Brown, 25 October 1943). // “It is felt this officer could fill a staff appointment at the level of his present rank. He would probably make a successful commanding officer.” (G/C R.M. McKay, 17 November 1944, on completion of War Staff course). // “Has commanded No.6 Release Centre. Somewhat lacking in administrative experience. Better employed at a flying unit. A very good type of young officer. Retention in service recommended. With more administrative knowledge and experience this officer should have no difficulty in making a career in the RCAF.” (A/V/M K.M. Guthrie, No.2 Air Command, 30 November 1945). // Other Notes: Damaged Spitfire P7673, Peterhead, 18 December 1941. Non-operational flight. He wrote, “On landing machine commenced to swerve to starboard. Left rudder was applied fully and brake was tried. The brakes did not hold and the aircraft slipped off the runway into the mus and turned on its nose.” Squadron Leader P.P. Webb concluded, “Pilot was inexperienced on Spitfires and did not counteract the swing of the aircraft on its initial stage.” // Damaged Spitfire R7224 at Dyce on 3 June 1942, non-operational flight (ferrying aircraft from Peterhead). At the time he had 325 hours on all types, 126 hours on Spitfires. He reported, “At 1545 hours on June 3rd I was landing Spitfire aircraft R7224 at Dyce aerodrome. On touching down, the port oleo sheared off, due to the drift of the aircraft. I took off again, retracted the other leg and made a belly landing on the grass.” Although there was a crosswind affecting the landing (and S/L P.L.I. Archer seemed forgiving), the Wing Commander concluded, “Accident due to error of judgement. P/O Buckham is being given some dual in the Master on cross wind landings.” // Spitfire EP114 damaged on 26 January 1943 during operational sortie (Escort, Circus 256), category AC (repair by contractor’s working party). No details. // On 12 July 1944 he filled a form in anticipation of repatriation stating he had flown two tours, 250 sorties and 500 operational hours (last sortie on 1 July 1944). He gave his total overseas flying as 810 hours, comprised of 30 hours on Hurricanes (at OTU), 20 hours on Masters, ten hours on Magister and 750 hours on Spitfires.. // His file includes an application for Operational Wings dated 15 November 1945. It includes a sortie list which is obviously incomplete as it does not begin until 7 September 1943. Transcribed for the historical record. Some dates clipped off, hence (?): // 7 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod (1.30) // 8 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod (1.30) // 8 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod (1.30) // 9 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Starky (1.30) // 9 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Starkey (1.15) // 9 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Starky (.30) // 11 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 216 (1.50, Beamont-le-Roger) // 13 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Rodeo 251 (1.10, Ambleteuse) // 18 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 228 (1.40, Beauvais) // 18 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 230 (1.40, Beamont-le-Roger) // 19 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 233 (1.50, Lans) // 21 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 235 (1.30) // 22 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 237 (1.45, Evreux) // 23 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 239 (1.40, Conches) // 23 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 240 (1.40, Beauvais) // 24 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 242 (1.45, Evreux) // 24 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 243 (1.30, Beauvais-Tille) // 25 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 246 (1.10, St.Omer) // 26 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 248 (1.40, Beauvais) // 27 September 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 252 (1.40, Rouen) // 2 October 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 255 (1.45, Woensbrecht) // 3 October 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 257 (2.00, Woensbrecht) // 4 October 1943 - No.421 Squadron - Ramrod 258 (1.40) // 5 October 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 261 (1.35) // 15 October 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Rodeo 260 (1.45, Flushing area) // 18 October 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 272 (1.45) // 18 October 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 273 (1.40) // 18 October 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 274 (1.35, St. Omer) // 20 October 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Rodeo 263 (1.25) // 20 October 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 277 (1.25, Douai) // 22 October 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Rodeo 280 (1.40) // 24 October 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 283 (1.20, Amiens) // 24 October 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Fighter Sweep (1.30, Holland area) // 4 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Rodeo (1.25, Lille) // 5 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 291A (1.35) // 7 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 197 (1.30, Berck-Rouen area) // 7 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Circus 315 II (1.40, Doullens-St. Omer) // 8 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 300 (1.35) // 10 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 307 (1.50, Lille-Vendrevillers) // 10 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 308 (1.40) // 11 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 311 (1.45, Cherbourg area) // 11 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Fighter Sweep (1.35, Martinvash-Cherbourg) // 18 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Fighter Sweep (1.30, St.Omer-Hrdelot) // 19 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 325 (1.35, St.Omer-Bethune) // 25 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 330 (1.45, Cambrai) // 25 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 333 (1.40, Cambrai) // 26 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 335 (2.00, Fortress escort) // 26 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 336 (1.40, Amiens) // 30 November 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 341 (1.55, Fortress escort) // 1 December 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 343 (1.50, Cambrai) // 1 December 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 344 (2.00, Knocke-Rotterdam) // 4 December 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 349 (1.40, bomber high cover) // 5 December 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 351 (1.40, fighter umbrella) // 20 December 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 376 (1.50, rocket target) // 20 December 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 377 (1.40, rocket target) // 21 December 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 382 (2.00, Paris area) // 22 December 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 385 (1.45, Amiens) // 23 December 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Fighter Sweep (1.55, Nieuport area) // 24 December 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 392 (1.50) // 30 December 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod (2.00, Fortress escort) // 31 December 1943 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 403 (1.45, Cambrai area) // 4 January 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 425 (1.45, rocket target) // 5 January 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 426 (1.50, rocket target) // 8 January 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 427 (2.00, Cherbourg) // 23 January 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 472 (1.50, Lille area) // 24 January 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 475 (1.45, Dieppe) // ? January 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 476 (1.50, Brussels) // ? January 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 479 (1.35, St.Omer) // 30 January 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 499 (2.00, Cambrai) // 21 February 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod (2.00) // 22 February 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod (2.00) // 2 March 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod (2.00) // 3 March 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 616 (2.25, Laon area) // 3 March 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Fighter Sweep (1.20, Lille area) // 4 March 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Fort escort (1.40, from Brussels) // 6 March 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 640 (1.55) // 7 March 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod (2.15) // 8 March 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 637 (2.00) // 8 March 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ranger (1.45, Evreux and Paris) // 16 March 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Rodeo (1.50) // 20 March 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Rodeo (2.10) // 23 March 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod (2.10) // 10 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 713 (1.50) // 19 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 7.50 (1.30, bombing Noball target) // 20 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 757 (1.20, Noball target) // 22 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod (1.05, dive bombing) // 22 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 769 (1,20, dive bombing) // 23 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 777 (1.25, Noball target) // 23 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 779 (1.15, Noball target) // 26 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 795 (2.10) // 26 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 798 (1.55) // 27 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 800 (1,45) // 27 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 801 (1.20) // 27 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 803 (1.20) // 28 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod (1.05, dive bombing) // 29 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 806 (1.10, Noball target) // 30 April 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 811 (1.20, Noball target) // 7 May 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 839 (2.25) // 7 May 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 843 (1.20, Noball target) // 8 May 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 844 (2.30) // 8 May 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 848 (2.00) // 10 May 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 859 (1.55) // 10 May 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 863 (1.10) // 11 May 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 867 (1.25) // 13 May 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 881 (1.30, RR junction, Bourgourgeville) // 13 May 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 883 (1.25, rocket target, Fruges) // 30 May 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 946 (1.25, strafing Noball target) // 31 May 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 953 (1.00, Dieppe) // 3 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Ramrod 962 (1.20, strafing transport) // 6 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (2.00) // 6 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (2.00) // 6 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (2.00) // 6 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (2.00) // 7 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (2.10) // 7 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (1.55) // 8 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (1.55) // 8 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (1.55) // 10 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (2.00) // 10 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (2.00) // 10 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (1.55) // 10 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (1.55) // ?June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (2.00) // 12 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (1.55) // 14 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Fighter Sweep (1.45, Paris area) // 14 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Wing Fighter Sweep (1.55, Evreux and Lehavre) // 15 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (2.00) // 16 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Covering British cruiser (1.50) // 16 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Fighter Sweep (.45, near Caen) // 17 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Fighter Sweep (1.00, Caen and Falaise) // 18 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Bomb line patrol (1.30, Caen area) // 19 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Bomb line patrol (1.35, Caen and Falaise) // 22 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Invasion Beach Patrol (1.05) // 22 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Dive bombing (1.00, Bretteville ammo dump) // 23 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Armed reconnaissance (1.25, Lisieux area) // 23 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Dive bombing (1.30, Cheux) // 25 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Armed reconnaissance (2.30, Chartres) // 26 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Beachead patrol (1.20) // 26 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Beachhead patrol (1.05) // 28 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Bomb line patrol (1.45, Caen, Falaise) // 29 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Bomb line patrol (1.25, eastern flank) // 30 June 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Bomb line patrol (1.30, Bernay to Caen) // 1 July 1944 - No.403 Squadron - Bomb line patrol (1.25, Caen-Bermay- to Argentan).