TAYLOR, Corporal George William (R100327) - Mention in Despatches - No.97 Squadron - Award effective 14 January 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 874/44 dated 21 April 1944. Born 11 September 1913; enlisted in Winnipeg, 7 April 1941; began as radio mechanic; remustered to Radar Mechanic, 22 May 1942. Posted overseas February 1942; repatriated 21 August 1945; released 5 October 1945.

TAYLOR, F/O James Edgar (J27472) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.419 Squadron - Award effective 6 January 1945 as per London Gazette dated 19 January 1945 and AFRO 508/45 dated 23 March 1945. Born 21 September 1911 in Shebo, Saskatchewan; home in Fillmore, Saskatchewan (clerk); enlisted in Montreal, 8 June 1942. To No.5 Manning Depot, 1 July 1942. To No.7 SFTS (non-flying duty), 17 August 1942. To No.1 ITS, 24 October 1942; promoted LAC, 30 December 1942; to No.5 AOS, 6 February 1943; graduated and commissioned on 25 June 1943. To “Y” Depot, 9 July 1943. To United Kingdom, 15 July 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 25 December 1943. Repatriated 14 August 1945. To Lachine, 21 August 1945. Released 4 December 1945. RCAF photo PL-41577 (ex UK-18421 dated 22 January 1945) taken on the occasion of his marriage to Lieutenant Dietician Myrtle I. Sharp (Prince Albert, Saskatchewan). Award presented 6 September 1947. 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.3260 (RG.24 Vol.20637) has recommendation dated 7 October 1944 when he had flown 33 sorties (158 hours), 22 May to 25 September 1944. // Flying Officer Taylor has maintained an exceptionally high standard of determination, skill and navigational efficiency on a large number of operational sorties to the enemy's most heavily defended targets. // On the night of May 24th, 1944, when attacking Aachen, Flying Officer Taylor found that his compass had veered over forty degrees for some little time. By his speed and accurate reactions to the situation, he put his aircraft back on track by the best possible means and so reduced materially the danger of his aircraft and crew. // He has invariably shown great resource in maintaining a high degree of accuracy in the navigation of his heavy bomber and his enthusiasm and devotion to duty have set a very high example to the remainder of his crew and to the squadron as a whole. // I consider the undoubted courage and enthusiasm that this officer has shown to attack the enemy fully merits the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. // The sortie list was as follows: // 22 May 1944 - Dortmund (5.05) // 24 May 1944 - Aachen (5.25) // 27 May 1944 - Bourg Leopold (4.40) // 31 May 1944 - Mount Couple (3.35) // 4 June 1944 - Calais (3.30) // 5 June 1944 - Longue (5.00) // 15 June 1944 - Boulogne (4.20, day) // 16 June 1944 - Sterkrade (5.10) // 21 June 1944 - St. Martin l’Hortier (5.20, day) // 23 June 1944 - Bientiques (3.55) // 24 June 1944 - Bamiers (4.05) // 27 June 1944 - Forey d’Eawy (4.33) // 6 July 1944 - Siracourt (4.20, day) // 12 July 1944 - Thiverny (4.45, day) // 15 July 1944 - Bois Desjardin (4.30) // 18 July 1944 - Caen (4.35, day) // 20 July 1944 - L’Hey (4.00, day) // 1 August 1944 - Acquet (4.30, day) // 3 August 1944 - Bois de Casson (5.05, day) // 4 August 1944 - Bois de Casson (4.55, day) // 5 August 1944 - St. Leu d’Esserent (4.45, day) // 8 August 1944 - Foret de Chantilly (5.25, day) // 9 August 1944 - Pas Acquet de Calais (4.10) // 12 August 1944 - Brunswick (6.20) // 14 August 1944 - Pontigny (4.30, day) // 15 August 1944 - Soesterburg (4.10, day) // 18 August 1944 - Bremen (5.00) // 6 September 1944 - Emden (3.45, day) // 10 September 1944 - Le Havre (5.00, day) // 12 September 1944 - Dortmund (4.45, day) // 14 September 1944 - Wilhelmshaven (3.05, recalled) // 15 September 1944 - Kiel (5.35) // 18 September 1944 - Domburg (5.00, day) // 25 September 1944 - Calais (5.10) // The website “Lost Bombers” describes an incident in his career. Lancaster KB735, No.419 Squadron (VR-O), target Walcheren, 18 September 1944. This aircraft was delivered to No.419 Squadron on 20 May 1944. Known to have flown on operations against Caen (7/8 August 1944) and Stettin (16/17 August 1944), subsequently crashing on return from Walcheren at which time it had a total of 314 hours flying . Airborne 1534 hours from Middleton St.George to bomb gun emplacement near Domburg. Due to adverse weather conditions, the Mosquito target marker aircraft were unable to identify the Aiming Point and the Master Bomber called off the attack. On return, the crew tried to land at East Moor airfield, but over-ran the runway and crashed at 2036. No injuries reported. Crew (mostly RCAF) were F/L W.R.Chalcraft (later awarded DFC), Sergeant J.R.Gunn (RAF), F/O J.E.Taylor (later awarded DFC), F/O C.D. Christian (later awarded DFC), P/O P.E.Bourassa (awarded DFC), Sergeant E.G.Legault and Flight Sergeant H.C.Annable (later awarded DFM).

TAYLOR, F/L John Dineen (J12337) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.404 Squadron - Award effective 27 April 1945 as per London Gazette dated 8 May 1945 and AFRO 966/45 dated 8 June 1945. Born in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, 11 December 1920; home in Victoria. Educated at University of British Columbia; enlisted in Vancouver, 2 August 1941 and posted to No.2A Manning Depot. To No.38 SFTS (guard duty), 18 August 1941; to No.4 ITS, 10 October 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 6 December 1941; posted that date to No.18 EFTS; to No.15 SFTS, 28 February 1942; graduated and commissioned 19 June 1942. To No.1 GRS, 3 July 1942. To “Y” Depot, 19 September 1942. To RAF overseas, 2 October 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 19 December 1942. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 19 June 1944. Repatriated to Canada, 8 September 1945. Released 19 November 1945. Award presented 29 January 1947. RCAF photo PL-28086 (ex UK-8975 dated 18 March 1944) shows him at tail of Beaufighter; describes him as “a former engineering student at the University of British Columbia” and “a recent recruit to the Buffalo squadron.” Died in British Columbia, 29 October 2014. // Since February 1944 this officer has completed a large number of operational sorties, several of which were attacks on the enemy's shipping off the Norwegian and Dutch coasts and in the Bay of Biscay. These attacks were made against heavily defended convoys and in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from the shore defences and ships and were pressed home with fearless determination. // Public Record Office Air 2/9078 has recommendation drafted by W/C E.W. Pierce, 28 March 1945 when he had flown 48 sorties (198 hours 35 minutes). // Flight Lieutenant Taylor joined this squadron on the 15th of February 1944 and during the past year has completed 198.35 operational hours for 48 sorties, of which no less than ten were anti-shipping strikes on the Norwegian and Dutch coasts and in the Bay of Biscay. The targets have included enemy destroyers, naval auxiliaries, mine sweepers and merchant vessels. His attacks have taken place against heavily defended convoys, defended by balloons, shore-based flak as well as ship-borne flak. On very many occasions he has led this squadron forming part of the strike wing, and has always given the wing leader every confidence and the fullest support. He himself has always pressed home his attacks with fearlessness and the determination to inflict the maximum possible damage to the enemy. // Flight Lieutenant Taylor is one of the most experienced and capable operational pilots on the squadron and I have no hesitation in recommending him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. // RCAF Press Release No.6530 dated 12 September 1944 from F/O T. Mosher, transcribed by Huguette Mondor Oates, reads: // The only enemy action encountered during an anti-shipping sweep off Norway this morning by a RAF Coastal Command Beaufighter Wing occurred as the aircraft left their base. Beaufighter “S for Sugar” of the RCAF Buffalo squadron flew into a flock of seagulls while only 10 feet off the runway during the take-off. One bird flew between the propeller blades to clash into the leading edge of the port wing just inboard of the engine nacelle damaging the oil feed line. F/L J.D. Taylor, the captain, of Victoria, B.C., quickly feathered the propeller shutting off that engine, completed the take-off and limped to a neighbouring airfield to make a successful one-engined landing. // F/L Taylor showed great presence of mind in not returning to his own airfield to interrupt the take-off of other aircraft leaving for a sweep. With him as navigator was P/O Stan Paget of St.Catharine’s Ontario.

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, Flight Sergeant Ralph Edgar (R98213) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.420 Squadron - Award effective 10 March 1943 as per London Gazette dated 23 March 1943 and AFRO 757/43 dated 30 April 1943. Born at Broomville (Boonville ?), Indiana, 1916; home there (farm hand); enlisted in Windsor, Ontario, 22 November 1941. Trained at No.2 ITS (graduated 15 July 1941), No.19 EFTS (graduated 31 August 1941), and No.12 SFTS (graduated 22 November 1941). Award presented at Buckingham Palace, 18 May 1943. Killed in action, 288 May 1943 (Wellington HE294, No.432 Squadron). Name on Runnymede Memorial. Had been commissioned (J18109). One night in February 1943, this airman was the pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack Wilhelmshaven. Although the constant speed unit of one of the propellers became unserviceable early on the outward journey, Flight Sergeant Taylor flew on to the target and bombed it. Shortly afterwards, while [when ?] the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, trouble developed in the port engine and it went out of control. Flight Sergeant Taylor quickly regained control and a few minutes later, when the bomber was attacked by an enemy fighter, he skilfully evaded its fire and enabled his own rear gunner to deliver a damaging burst. Sometime later the port engine ceased to function but Flight Sergeant Taylor succeeded in flying the damaged aircraft back to this country. He displayed great courage and devotion to duty throughout.

TAYLOR, Sergeant Robert Pinkerton (R66814) - Mention in Despatches - No.427 Squadron (No.62 Base in AFRO) - Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 425/45 dated 9 March 1945. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, 24 February 1915. Home in Verdun, Quebec; enlisted in Montreal, 6 August 1940 as Aero Engine Mechanic. To St. Thomas (Technical Training School), 11 September 1940. Promoted AC1, 18 January 1941. To Central Flying School, Trenton, 22 January 1941. Promoted LAC, 1 October 1941. To “Y” Depot, 11 March 1942. To RAF overseas, 30 April 1942. Promoted Corporal, 1 October 1942. Promoted Sergeant, 22 May 1943. Repatriated by Long Range Aircraft and posted to Debert, 23 July 1945, apparently for Tiger Force. To Release Centre, 1 September 1945. Released 13 September 1945. Died in Langueil (Chambly County), 30 August 1983. DHist file 181.009 D.1729 (PAC RG.24 Vol.20607) has recommendation dated 11 July 1944: // This airman enlisted in August 1940 and was posted overseas to England in May 1942. He has been an Aero Engine Mechanic in this squadron since December 1942 and his work generally has been outstanding. His devotion to duty and loyalty are beyond reproach.

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, S/L William Edward (C22924) - Air Force Cross - No.16 SFTS - Award effective 14 June 1945 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 1127/45 dated 6 July 1945. Born in Copper Cliff, Ontario, 18 September 1912; educated there and Sudbury. Employed by International Nickle before war; home in Sudbury, Ontario; enlisted in Toronto, 17 December 1940. Award presented 27 January 1946. Governor General's Records (RG.7 Group 26 Volume 59, file 190-I, dossier 7) has citation; when recommended he had flown 2,495 hours, 2,215 as instructor, 158 in previous six months. This officer has completed more than three years as an elementary instructor and the exceptional devotion to duty which he showed played a large part in the success of that elementary school. Since assuming his duties in service flying training he has continued to demonstrate the same energy and ability that has characterized his work all the way through. His contribution to the success of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan is worthy of high praise.

TAYLOR, Wg/O Winnifred May (V30031) - Member, Order of the British Empire - AFHQ - Award effective 13 June 1946 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 660/46 dated 5 July 1946. Born in 30 October 1909 in Montreal; educated in Toronto. Employed by Canada Wire and Cable Company, 1927-28, then with Lever Brothers, 1928-41, rising to be in charge of Order Department. Enlisted there 23 October 1941 in Administration Branch. To Canadian Women’s Air Training Depot on enlistment. Commissioned 1 December 1941. Promoted Section Officer, 1 Jun 1942. Promoted Flight Officer, 1 July 1942. Promoted Squadron Officer, 20 November 1942 (first woman CO of an RCAF unit). To No.7 Manning Depot, 18 March 1943. To No.1 Training Command, 31 March 1944. To AFHQ, 12 September 1944 as Senior Staff Officer, WD; continued in that role until WDs disbanded,. Promoted Wing Officer, 1 October 1944. Retired 10 November 1946. Award presented 1 December 1948. Employed by Canada Customs after the war but was brought back to RCAF briefly in 1954 for consultative duties. Died September 1972. Wing Officer Taylor was among the first Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division officers appointed. Her work from the very first was outstanding and as a result she was later assigned to increasingly responsible positions, first as Officer Commanding Training Wing, No.6 Manning Depot (WD), Toronto, the Commanding Officer No.6 Manning Depot (WD), after which she became Commanding Officer of No.7 Manning Depot (WD), Rockcliffe. In these important appointments she displayed outstanding administrative ability, coupled with loyalty and devotion to duty of a high order. By her example, initiative and leadership she created a very high standard of initial training of airwomen, the great majority of whom passed through her hands. This officer is now the Senior Women's Division Staff Officer, and through her character and personality has continued to exercise a tremendous influence for good among the airwomen. It is considered that the splendid Service attitude and discipline of thousands of airwomen are in large measure a result of Wing Officer Taylor's example and effort.