HAY, P/O Hugh Burns (J15707) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.61 Squadron - Award effective 2 November 1942 as per London Gazette dated 6 November 1942 and AFRO 272/43 dated 19 February 1943. Born 26 February 1916 in Edmundston, New Brunswick; home there. Enlisted Montreal, 20 September 1940. To No.2 ITS, 14 October 1940; graduated and promoted LAC, 15 November 1940 when posted to No.15 EFTS; ceased training 17 December 1940 when posted to No.1 Manning Depot; to No.5 AOS, 31 January 1941; graduated 26 April 1941 when posted to No.4 BGS; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 9 June 1941, having been posted to No.1 ANS on 7 June 1941; graduated 8 July 1941 when posted to Embarkation Depot. Attached an navigator to Ferry Command, 4 August 1941, at which time he had some 100 hours on Ansons. In crew that departed Dorval, 8 August 1941 with Hudson V9161 to Goose Bay; departed Goose Bay to Britain, 15 August 1941. Commissioned 20 June 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 20 December 1942. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 July 1944. Repatriated 4 July 1944. Remained in postwar RCAF (19815), being classified as a Medical Officer on 1 January 1949. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 January 1950. Promoted Wing Commander, 1 September 1953. Promoted Group Captain, date uncertain. Died in Ottawa, 27 September 1969. RCAF photo PL-15884 (ex UK-3629 dated 10 April 1943) taken after investiture, with Nursing Sister Theodore Conley, Campbellton, New Brunswick. See Harold Goodwin article, “Hugh Hay, DSO, DFC, Top Navigator ?”, Airforce Magazine, Volume 24, No.1 (Spring 2000) covering both Harold Goodwin and Hugh Hay. // // Pilot Officer Hay, as navigator, has participated in some outstanding attacks on enemy targets and has brought back some highly successful photographs. Undoubtedly a large measure of the excellent results obtained are due to the exceptional navigational skill displayed by Pilot Officer Hay. He has shown great devotion to duty. // NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/9604 has recommendation dated 27 September 1942 when he had flown 23 sorties (160 hours 25 minutes) with sortie list and text more detailed than that published. The reference to a U-boat destroyed pertains to 17 July 1942 when U-751 was attacked by Whitley "H" of No.502 Squadron and then Lancaster "F" (R5724) of No.61 Squadron. See Norman Franks, Search, Find and Kill": the RAF's U-Boat Successes in World War Two (London, Grub Street, 1995), pp.94-95. // 8 April 1942 - Hamburg (7.50) // 10 April 1942 - Essen (6.35) // 13 April 1942 - Dortmund (7.45) // 4 May 1942 - Cologne (7.10) // 31 May 1942 - Cologne (4.30) // 1 June 1942 - Essen (4.20) // 3 June 1942 - Bremen (4.50) // 7 June 1942 - GARDENING, Terschelling (3.00) // 16 June 1942 - Essen (4.50) // 20 June 1942 - Emden (4.30) // 25 June 1942 - Bremen (5.45) // 29 June 1942 - Bremen (5.10) // 3 July 1942 - GARDENING, Helsingor (7.00) // 8 July 1942 - Wilhelmshaven (4.45) // 12 July 1942 - Danzig (10.05, day) // 17 July 1942 - Atlantic patrol (9.35) // 19 July 1942 - ditto (10.40) // 26 July 1942 - Hamburg (7.30) // 29 July 1942 - Saarbrucken (5.30) // 1 August 1942 - Dusseldorf (4.05) // 24 August 1942 - Frankfurt (5.25) // 28 August 1942 - Nuremburg (7.00) // 13 September 1942 - Bremen (5.25) // Pilot Officer Hay has flown as navigator to F/L P.R. Casement, DFC. As a team these two have produced some outstanding attacks on enemy targets and in many cases have brought back successful photographs to justify their claims. // One outstanding success was obtained against a U-Boat which was sunk by an attack made by this crew whilst carrying out anti-submarine patrols in the Bay of Biscay. A photograph was brought back showing the crew of the U-boat swimming in the water. // In addition they have brought back successful photographs taken whilst bombing at night, of the following targets: Bremen (two photographs plotted within three miles of the aiming point), Emden (two photographs plotted within three miles of the aiming point), Hamburg (one photograph within three miles of the aiming point), Dusseldorf (one photograph within three miles of the aiming point) and Nuremburg (photograph almost on the aiming point). // This has proved an outstanding crew and their example has gone far to inspiring other crews in the squadron. Undoubtedly, a large amount of the credit for the successes must go to the navigational abilities of Pilot Officer Hay. He has shown determination and devotion to duty throughout his tour of operations. // HAY, F/L Hugh Burns, DFC (J15707) - Distinguished Service Order - No.692 Squadron - Award effective 29 August 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2274/44 dated 20 October 1944. // This officer has participated in a very large number of sorties, involving attacks on a wide variety of enemy targets. He has invariably displayed a high standard of courage and resolution. He has rendered much loyal and devoted service.