HILTON, F/O William James (J8345) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.44 Squadron - Award effective 1 September 1943 as per London Gazette dated 10 September 1943 and AFRO 2138/43 dated 22 October 1943. Born in Brantford, Ontario, 18 July 1916; home in Smiths Falls. Enlisted in Hamilton, 5 November 1940. To Trenton, 15 December 1940. To No.1 ITS, 19 February 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 27 March 1941 when posted to No.2 EFTS; ceased training 2 May 1941 when posted to No.2 Manning Depot; to No.3 WS, 19 May 1941; may have graduated 25 September 1941 but not posted to No.5 BGS until 27 September 1941; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 25 October 1941. To “Y” Depot, Halifax, 26 October 1941; commissioned 27 October 1941; to RAF overseas, 20 November 1941; further trained at Central Gunnery School; promoted Flying Officer, 1 October 1942; promoted Flight Lieutenant, 27 August 1943; repatriated 17 February 1945; to No.16 SFTS, 11 April 1945; to Release Centre, 29 September 1945; released 30 September 1945. Died in Brantford, 1993. Photo PL-32380 shows him. Photo PL-32851 (ex UK-14984 dated 18 September 1944) is captioned as follows: “The officer responsible for the efficiency of the Snowy Owl Squadron [No.420] gunnery section is F/L William James Hilton, DFC of Brantford and Smith Falls, Ontario, who is shown in this RCAF photograph. F/L Hilton has 15 trips logged in his second tour of operations. During his first tour with an RAF squadron he was credited with damaging two German fighters, both Ju.88s.” RCAF photo PL-41591 (ex UK-18349 dated 23 January 1945) taken on completion of his second tour; posed with stuffed snowy owl, the squadron mascot. // This officer has always displayed the most outstanding keenness and efficiency in the execution of his duties both as flight gunnery leader and as an operational gunner. Throughout all his many missions the co-operation between this officer and his pilot has been most effective. He has played a courageous and determined part in sorties against major targets in enemy territory. // Public Record Office Air 50/186 has Combat Report for action on the night of 23/24 May 1943; Lancaster ED716, F/44, target Dortmund. Hilton was the Mid-Upper Gunner; one Flight Sergeant Brown was Rear Gunner: // When flying at 19,000 feet, position 10 miles inland from Den Helder, time 01.55 hours, I.A.S. 230 m.p.h., Course 288 Magnetic, the Mid-Upper Gunner sighted a twin-engined aircraft flying on a similar course 90 feet below. The Mid-Upper gunner gave instructions to the pilot to alter course 90 degrees and lose height. This was done and the enemy aircraft still kept in a similar position to the Lancaster. Instructions were given by the Mid-Upper gunner to resume course and do a mild corkscrew. During the entire maneovring of the Lancaster, the enemy aircraft kept in its initial position. Not at any time was it possible to fire at the enemy aircraft. No rounds were fired by either aircraft and the enemy aircraft was lost from sight at 02.05 hours. // No searchlights or any other phenomena were observed. The enemy aircraft was later identified as a M.E.110 with daylight camouflage.