TAYLOR, S/L Kenneth Garth (RAF 41331) - Air Force Cross - No.1 General Reconnaissance School - Awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 January 1945 and AFRO 89/45 dated 19 January 1945. Born 18 June 1914 in Port Elgin, New Brunswick; home there. Educated at Port Elgin, 1920 to 1932, at Mount Allison University (Sackville), September 1932 to January 1934, and Acadian University (Wolfville, Nova Scotia), January to June 1934 (pre-medical studies). Then took an Aero Engine Mechanics Course at Curtiss Wright Institute of Aeronautics, California. "Worked for Amelia Earhart Union Air Terminal, California, 1936-1937". Received Private Pilots License in California, having flowm 32 hours dual and solo by the time he applied to the RAF. Also a local surveyor and scaler in lumber industry. When interviewed in September 1937 by Lieutenant-Colonel A.H.W. Landon for RAF consideration, he was described thus: "Good type - smart - intelligent. Keenly interested in aviation. Has a good personality and is considered suitable to hold a commission. Has gone to great pains to endeavour to fit himself for professional aviation". Enlisted August 1938; appointed Acting Pilot Officer on Probation in RAF, 29 October 1938. Attended Elementary Flying Training School at Middlesex, August to 9 November 1938; No.3 Service Flying Training School, South Cerney, November 1938 to May 1939; Torpedo Training Unit, Gosport, June-30 July 1939; No.42 Squadron, Thorney Island, August to 15 December 1939; No.254 Squadron (Blenheims), January to July 1940 (anti-submarine patrols and fishing fleet patrols); No.42 Squadron, Wick, July to November 1940 (Beauforts and torpedo training); promoted Flying Officer, 3 September 1940. At No.1 School of General Reconnaissance, Blackpool (instructor), November 1940 to January 1941. To No.31 School of General Reconnaissance, Charlottetown, January 1941 to August 1942; promoted Flight Lieutenant, 3 September 1941. With No.1 General Reconnaissance School, Canada, August 1942 to February 1945; promoted Squadron Leader, 1 June 1943. No.1 Radio and Navigation School, Summerside, February 1945 to end of war. AFRO 1129/41 dated 3 October 1941 reported his promotion from Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant, effective 3 September 1941; promoted to Squadron Leader, 1 July 1944. Applied for transfer from the RAF to the RCAF on 29 March 1943; transferred to RCAF 20 October 1944 while serving at No.1 General Reconnaissance School (C49078); to No.1 Radio and Navigation School, 4 February 1945; to Air Navigation School, 16 September 1945l ; to Station Greenwood, 17 December 1945; to Eastern Air Command, 10 March 1946; to Dartmouth, 5 November 1946; to Goose Bay, 7 December 1946. To Dartmouth, 8 February 1947; released 13 February 1947. Died 28 December 1987 in Saint John, New Brunswick as per Royal Canadian Legion “Last Post” website and Legion Magazine of March 1988. Recommended on 3 August 1944 by G/C A. Lewis; as of that date he had flown 2,381 hours (142 in previous six months) of which 1,550 hours had been on instructional duties (142 in previous six months). As of that date he was also credited with 355 operational hours (78 sorties). // This officer, who has had an extensive career in operational and instructional flying, has displayed energy, efficiency and organizing ability far above the ordinary course of duty. As officer commanding a flying squadron, he has proven himself to be a capable and efficient leader. The consistently high record of flying hours with no casualties maintained at this unit are largely due to this officer's capable supervision. // Recommendation raised 3 August 1944 by G/C A. Lewis, No.1 GRS, Summerside. To date he had flown 2,381 hours (142 in previous six months) of which 1,550 had been instructional (142 in past six months). Also credited with 78 sorties (355 operational hours). // This officer has displayed energy, efficiency and organising ability far beyond the ordinary course of duty. By night and day he has consistently been on duty many long hours over and above the normal working hours and by personal supervision has been responsible for the consistently high record of monthly flying hours with no loss of life during his regime as Flying Squadron Commander. // Notes: Assessed 20 March 1943 - “Flight Lieutenant Taylor has had considerable experience as a Flight Commander and has fulfilled those duties most satisfactorily, He is dependable, respected by his subordinates and has proved his ability to accept greater responsibilities.” (S/L A.J. Mould, No.1 GRS). // Application for Operational Wing dated 18 January 1946 listed the following sorties: // With No.22 Squadron: // 11 November 1939 - Anson I - Convoy Patrol (3.20) // 14 November 1939 - Anson I - Convoy Patrol (3.10) // 21 November 1939 - Anson I - Convoy Patrol (3.15) // 23 November 1939 - Anson I - Convoy Patrol (4.15) // 24 November 1939 - Anson I - Convoy Patrol (3.55) // With No.254 Squadron: // 22 January 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Fishing Fleet Patrol (3.25) // 24 January 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Convoy (3.30) // 25 January 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Convoy (4.25) // 28 January 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Fishing Fleet Patrol (3.45) // 30 January 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Fishing Fleet Patrol (3.30) // 31 January 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Armed Patrol (2.45) // 4 February 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Convoy (3.45) // 8 February 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Fishery Fleet Patrol (4.45) // 12 February 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Convoy (3.45) // 13 February 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Convoy (3.25) // 15 February 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Convoy (4.35) // 20 February 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Convoy (3.55) // 22 February 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Fishery Fleet Patrol (3.45) - He,111 V shot down // 24 February 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Convoy (3.25) // 26 February 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Convoy (4.10) // 28 February 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Fishery Fleet Patrol (4.15) - He.111 V escaped in cloud. // 3 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Fishery Fleet Patrol (4.35) // 4 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Fishery Fleet Patrol (3.50) // 5 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Sea search, naval units (4.55) // 7 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Fishery Fleet (3.20) // 7 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Armed Search Patrol, Light Ship (3.45) // 8 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Fishery Fleet (4.20) - downed Heinkel float plane // 9 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Convoy (3.25) // 9 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Convoy (4.25) // 11 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Search, naval units (4.45) // 13 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Dusk Patrol, Light Ships (4.45) // 15 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Convoy (4.45) // 17 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Fishery Fleet (3.45) // 19 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Naval Search (5.05) // 21 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Convoy Escort (4.55) // 22 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Convoy Escort (4.55) // 24 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Armed Search Patrol (3.35) // 27 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Search for buoys, sub nets off Denmark (4.50) // 30 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Skagerak Patrol (5.25) // 31 March 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Fishery Patrol (3.40) // 8 April 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Search (4.25) // 10 April 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - recce and photo of Stavanger airport (5.25) // 11 April 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Patrol (1.45) // 13 April 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Patrol (4.25) // 16 April 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Patrol to Norway (4.25) // 24 May 1940 - Blenheim IV - English Channel - Patrol French coast (2.55) // 28 May 1940 - Blenheim IV - North Sea - Patrol and recce Norway (4.45) // 29 May 1940 - Blenheim IV - Convoy (1.45) // 31 May 1940 - Blenheim IV - Convoy (3.45) // 12 June 1940 - Blenheim IV - Armed Patrol (3.50) - Attacked float plane, crash landed. // 15 June 1940 - Blenheim IV - Search (4.45) // 16 June 1940 - Blenheim IV - Fishing Fleet (3.45) // 17 June 1940 - Blenheim IV - Convoy Patrol (3.55) // 19 June 1940 - Blenheim IV - Fishing Fleet (4.10) // 20 June 1940 - Blenheim IV - Convoy (3.00) // 24 June 1940 - Blenheim IV - Convoy (4.45) // With No.42 Squadron: // 4 July 1940 - Blenheim IV - Convoy (3.25) // 9 July 1940 - Blenheim IV - Convoy (4.45) // 12 July 1940 - Blenheim IV - Convoy (4.15) // 18 July 1940 - Blenheim IV - Convoy (4.15) // 25 July 1940 - Blenheim IV - Convoy (2.55) // 4 August 1940 - Blenheim IV - Convoy (3.45) // 5 August 1940 - Blenheim IV - Convoy (2.25)

TAYLOR, S/L Kenneth Garth (RAF 41331) - Air Force Cross - No.1 General Reconnaissance School, Summerside, Prince Edward Island - Awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 January 1945 and AFRO 89/45 dated 19 January 1945. Canadian serving in the RAF; from Port Elgin, New Brunswick; enlisted August 1938. Later flew Beaufighters in No.254 Squadron and Hudsons in No.233 Squadron. When recommended he had flown 2,381 hours total, 1,330 hours as instructor, 142 hours in previous six months. Transferred to RCAF (C49078). This officer, who has had an extensive career in operational and instructional flying, has displayed energy, efficiency and organizing ability far above the ordinary course of duty. As officer commanding a flying squadron, he has proven himself to be a capable and efficient leader. The consistently high record of flying hours with no casualties maintained at this unit are largely due to this officer's capable supervision.

TAYLOR, F/L Maurice Sidney (J17101) - Mention in Despatches - Transport Command - Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 379/45 dated 2 March 1945. Born 27 May 1921. Home in Victoria, British Columbia; enlisted in Regina, Saskatchewan, 16 October 1940. To Technical Training School, St. Thomas, 31 October 1940. To No.1 ITS, 22 December 1940; graduated and promoted LAC on 27 January 1941; posted that date to No.12 EFTS; graduated as 28 March 1941 and posted next day to No.1 Manning Depot; to No.2 SFTS, 6 April 1941; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 21 June 1941. To Embarkation Depot, 22 June 1941; to RAF overseas, 16 July 1941. Commissioned 19 March 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 19 September 1943. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 June 1944. Repatriated 27 November 1944. To No.6 OTU, 14 January 1945. To Release Centre, 29 September 1945. Release date not known. No citation. Died in White Rock, British Columbia, October 2003 as per Legion “Last Post” site. RCAF photo PL-27838 (ex UK-15239 dated 23 September 1944) is captioned as follows: “The limitless desert stretches into the distance, but on the camp there are green garden oases. This is the front lawn of the Officers’ Mess at one of the RAF camps at the edge of the Sind desert in western India. Canadians taking it easy before the lunch gong sounds are, left to right, F/L M.S. ‘Bus’ Taylor (J17101, pilot, Regina), F/O Carey Gunn (J17842, navigator, Medicine Hat), F/O Jack Ferguson (J12822, pilot, Vancouver), and P/O Norm J. McLaughlin (J86819, WOP/AG, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan). Taylor is a flight commander in Ferry Control, allots crews to aircraft to be ferried to all parts of India. Gunn is navigation instructor with a conversion unit; Ferguson is a pilot with Ferry Control; McLaughlin is a veteran of transport command. All are veterans of service in India.” // RCAF Press Release dated 1 September 1, 1944 (from “Crampton) reads as follows: // // The not very exciting but highly-important job of allotting aircrews to deliver to squadrons or other units the hundreds of aircraft of various types that arrive at western India air-gateway is carried out by a veteran Canadian pilot. // Flight Lieutenant M.S. “Bus” Taylor, J17101, 1844 Retallack Street, Regina, who in civvy street was a draughtsman, has been doing this work for a considerable time, longer than he, as an active flying-man, likes to think. // He first came to India in 1942 and went straight to Ferry Control and for a time flew all types of aircraft delivering them all over the country. He was commissioned a year ago and is now a flight commander in charge of allotments at the air-gateway. // This 23 year-old westerner has, however, had some excitement during his four years of overseas service. He went to Malta in 1941 with No. 1 Blenheim Fighter Unit, and was engaged in long-distance day-fighter patrols intercepting the fleets of JU52s which were then flying reinforcements to the Afrika Korps. // In the two months they were on this duty his unit lost more than half their aircraft and crews, even though for days at a time they could not get airborne because of airfield unserviceability after the enemy’s bombing and strafing. “Actually I got few hours flying there,” Taylor laments. When the Blenheims were withdrawn they were replaced by Beaufighters. // Taylor then flew to India, leading a Blenheim convoy. In India, he has flown Liberators, Dakotas, Vultee Vengeance dive-bombers, Harvards, Blenheims, Bislays and even Ansons. // One of his most interesting experiences in India was when he flew a high-ranking air officer to attend the annual durbar in Baluchistan. It was the occasion when the British resident presents the loyal chiefs with bounties for the work done by their tribes in maintaining roads and other public works. “It was,” says Taylor, “one of the most colorful sights I have ever seen”.

TAYLOR, F/O Philip Hamnett (J14909) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.619 Squadron - Award effective 19 June 1944 as per London Gazette dated 27 June 1944 and AFRO 1861/44 dated 25 August 1944. Born 1911; home in either Kansas City or Winnipeg; enlisted Winnipeg 23 September 1941. Trained at No.6 BGS (graduated 9 October 1942). Commissioned 1942. Award presented 27 November 1948. No citation other than "completed...many successful operations against the enemy in which [he has] displayed high skill, fortitude and devotion to duty." Public Records Office Air 2/8780 has recommendation dated 15 March 1944 when he had flown 26 sorties (168 hours eleven minutes). 1 July 43 GARDENING (3.03) 29 Sept 43 Bochum (4.58) 3 July 43 Cologne (5.17) 2 Oct 43 Munich (8.18) 8 July 43 Cologne (5.57) 3 Nov 43 Dusseldorf (4.35) 25 July 43 Essen (4.26) 10 Nov 43 Modane (7.47) 27 July 43 Hamburg (5.35) 18 Nov 43 Berlin (8.05) 29 July 43 Hamburg (5.15) 23 Nov 43 Berlin (7.04) 30 July 43 Remscheid (4.57) 1 Jan 44 Berlin (7.59) 9 Aug 43 Mannheim (6.16) 5 Jan 44 Stettin (8.41) 15 Aug 43 Milan (8.35) 20 Jan 44 Berlin (6.59) 22 Aug 43 Leverkusen (4.43) 27 Jan 44 Berlin (8.56) 27 Aug 43 Nuremburg (7.30) 30 Jan 44 Berlin (6.37) 22 Sept 43 Hanover (5.15) 15 Feb 44 Berlin (7.04) 23 Sept 43 Mannheim (6.56) 19 Feb 44 Leipzig (7.23) Flying Officer Taylor has made 26 operational sorties as an Air Gunner. Seven of these sorties have been against Berlin. He has played a very large part in ensuring the success of his crew and by his eagerness and determination has set a very fine example to the flying personnel of the squadron. It is stressed that his alertness and enthusiasm has saved the aircraft in which he has flown on more than one occasion from attack by enemy aircraft.

TAYLOR, P/O Richard Winter (J15535) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.161 Squadron - Award effective 11 March 1943 as per London Gazette dated 26 March 1943 and AFRO 757/43 dated 30 April 1943. Born in Vancouver, 1920; home in Victoria; enlisted Vancouver, 12 July 1940. Trained at No.2 ITS (graduated 27 October 1940), No.2 BGS (graduated 2 March 1941), No.2 AOS (graduated 19 January 1941) and No.1 CNS (graduated 12 April 1941). Commissioned May 1942. Killed in action 14 March 1943 (Halifax BG245, No.161 Squadron; buried in Germany). DFC and Bar presented to his mother by Governor General, 17 April 1947. This officer has completed a large number of sorties invariably displaying outstanding skill and devotion to duty. The successes achieved reflect the greatest credit on his efforts which are worthy of high praise. TAYLOR, F/O Richard Winter, DFC (J15535) - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - No.161 Squadron (deceased) - Award effective 13 March 1943 as per London Gazette dated 24 April 1945 and AFRO 918/45 dated 1 June 1945. This officer has taken part in numerous operational flights including combined operations at St.Nazaire where he participated in a highly successful low level bombing attack. As a navigator he is exceptionally efficient.

TAYLOR, Robin, Corporal - Medal of Bravery - awarded as per Canada Gazette dated 13 August 1984. From Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Joint award with Corporal Joseph Sylvain Bruno Ross. // On 4-5 December 1983, Cpl. Sylvain Ross and Cpl. Robin Taylor, aircraft technicians on H.M.C.S. Iroquois displayed considerable daring and professionalism in readying the flight deck for the rescue of eleven seamen from the disabled No. 5 Ho Ming, floundering off the coast of Newfoundland. The critical listing of the Ho Ming made it imperative to reach the men as soon as possible. Preparing the first helicopter launch, in ten-metre swells and winds of 110 km/hour, Cpls. Ross and Taylor directed the move of the aircraft from the hangar to the flight deck. The deck motion was so they laboured at the edge of the heaving deck while controlling the unfolding of the rotor blades. During this dangerous operation, Cpl. Ross was almost swept away to sea when a gust of wind lifted him and he found himself hanging precariously from a rotor blade. The launch was successful but the helicopter returned two and a half hours later after a postponed rescue attempt. At great risk to their own safety, Cpls. Ross and Taylor secured the aircraft on the deck in the dark. Just before daybreak the Iroquois answered a second SOS from the Ho Ming. Drenched with freezing spray in the cold morning air, Cpls. Ross and Taylor worked just as diligently and effectively at the two subsequent launches and recoveries of the helicopter, which brought eleven survivors to Iroquois.

TAYLOR, FS Sander Lochhead (R74742) - Mention in Despatches - Station Sea Island - Award effective 14 June 1945 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 1127/45 dated 6 July 1945. Home in Vancouver; enlisted there 10 October 1940 following five years in RCMP. Postwar he was in RCAF Security Services and was awarded Queen's Coronation Medal, 28 October 1953 (Flying Officer). This non-commissioned officer has an outstanding record in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Possessing initiative and high qualities of leadership, he has done great work in building up the morale of all airmen in his section. His investigations have been through and well carried out. His devotion to duty over an extended period has been of a high order.

TAYLOR, F/O Thomas Wissell (J24251) - Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm (deceased) - Awarded 17 July 1948 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 455/48 dated 23 July 1948. Navigator, killed in action with No.426 Squadron, 12/13 May 1944. Buried in Belgium.

TAYLOR, F/O William John (J85567) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.426 Squadron - Award effective 6 January 1945 as per London Gazette dated 19 January 1945 and AFRO 508/45 dated 23 March 1945. Born 1920 in London, Ontario; home there; enlisted there 13 February 1942. Trained at No.6 ITS (graduated 9 October 1942), No.12 EFTS (graduated 22 January 1943) and No.14 SFTS (graduated 11 June 1943). Commissioned 1944. Posted to No.426 Squadron from No.61 Base, 14 May 1944; to "R" Depot, 3 November 1944. Award sent by registered mail 30 March 1949. 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.4431 (RG.24 Vol.20649) has recommendation dated 16 October 1944 when he had flown 35 sorties (157 hours 20 minutes), 19 May to 26 September 1944. Flying Officer Taylor has completed 35 sorties over enemy territory, several of which have been over the most heavily defended areas of Hamburg, Kiel, and Metz. During all these trips this pilot has shown great determination in pressing home his attacks. He is a fine captain whose keenness and ability have been a source of inspiration to all his crew. He is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Non-Immediate).