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).

TAYLOR, Warrant Officer Lionel Patrick (AUS 426929) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.435 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 29 January 1946. Born 22 December 1922 at Roma, Queensland, Australia; home in Charleville, Queensland; educated at De La Salle Brothers College (Roma) and St.Mary's Convent School (Charleville). Enlisted 15 August 1942 in Brisbane. Commissioned from the ranks, January 1945. Discharged as Flying Officer, 18 January 1946 at No.35 PTC. Air Ministry Bulletin 20772/AL.1109 refers. This Warrant Officer has completed many sorties, flying supplies to the Army in Burma. He successfully accomplished these missions in monsoon weather and in the face of enemy opposition. Warrant Officer Taylor has shown keenness and great devotion to duty, setting a high example to all.

TAYLOR, F/O Elmer Franklin (C19526) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.428 Squadron - Award effective 1 December 1944 as per London Gazette dated 12 December 1944 and AFRO 337/45 dated 23 February 1945. Born 20 October 1916 in Nesbitt, Manitoba; educatedin Minnewawa; home in Arcola, Saskatchewan (farm hand and mechanic); enlisted in Calgary, 16 August 1941 as Aero Engine Mechanic. Posted to No.1 Manning Depot on enlistment. To Technical Training School, 12 September 1941. Promoted AC1, 19 January 1942. To No.10 SFTS, 21 January 1942. To “Y” Depot, 12 March 1942. Promoted LAC, 19 April 1942. To RAF overseas, 30 April 1942. Disembarked in Britain, 13 May 1942. To No.3063 Echelon, 11 June 1942. To No.409 Squadron, 7 December 1942. To No.4 School of Technical Training, 2 June 1943. Promoted Sergeant, 26 July 1943 on remuster to aircrew. To No.1666 Conversion Unit, 31 July 1943. To No.428 Squadron, 26 August 1943. Commissioned 17 December 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 17 June 1944. To No.1659 Conversion Unit, 21 August 1944. Repatriated 18 June 1945; to Debert, 19 June 1945; retired 16 September 1945. Died in Trail, British Columbia, 6 August 1997. Award sent by registered mail 11 July 1950. No citation other than "..in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations against the enemy." DHist file 181.009 D.3260 (RG.24 Vol.20637) has recommendation dated 2 September 1944 when he had flown 32 sorties (221 hours 55 minutes), 30 June 1943 to 3 August 1944. This is odd pattern - one sortie on 30 June 1943 (Munchen-Gladbach) and the next one 5 September 1943. Mannheim incident described may have been either 5 September 1943 or 18 November 1943. // As Flight Engineer, Flying Officer Taylor has completed one tour of operations having made thirty-two attacks against the enemy to twenty-seven different targets. He has attacked Berlin four times, Leipzig twice, Hamburg, Kassel, Frankfurt and many other targets in Germany and France. He performed his duties so well that his aircraft reached the target on every sortie with no technical failures and always returned on four engines. On one occasion, just after the bombs were released on Mannheim, only very quick action prevented the failure of one engine through over-heating. He quickly closed the radiator shutters allowing the lubricant to warm up and flow freely, even though the oil temperature gauge was already reading excessively hot. His keenness, above average ability, and crew co-operation made him an ideal member of his crew, and on occasions he have invaluable aid to both the navigator and gunners. // For the completion of an extremely satisfactory tour of operations, for the efforts he put forth in converting crews to a new type of aircraft and for strong support of the squadron at all times, I recommend the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. // The sortie list was as follows: // 30 June 1943 - Munchen-Gladbach (6.40) // 31 August 1943 - Berlin (8.00) // 5 September 1943- Mannheim (8.10) // 15 September 1943- Mont Lucon (7.25) // 16 September 1943- Modane (8.50) // 8 October 1943 - Hanover (5.20) // 22 October 1943 - Kassel (8.00) // 3 November 1943 - Dusseldorf (6.45) // 11 November 1943 - Cannes (10.30) // 18 November 1943 - Mannheim (8.05) // 19 November 1943 - Leverkusen (6.50) // 22 November 1943 - Berlin (8.10) // 25 November 1943 - Frankfurt (8.15) // 3 December 1943 - Leipzig (8.20) // 4 January 1944 - Gardening (5.15) // 20 January 1944 - Berlin (8.15) // 28 January 1944 - Berlin (9.00) // 11 February 1944 - Gardening (5.30) // 19 February 1944 - Leipzig (7.00) // 3 March 1944 - Gardening (7.45) // 6 March 1944 - Trappes (4.50) // 22 March 1944 - Gardening (6.55) // 23 March 1944 - Laon (5.20) // 25 March 1944 - Aulnoye (6.15) // 29 March 1944 - Paris (6.05) // 9 April 1944 - Lille (4.45) // 23 April 1944 - Gardening (6.30) // 21 June 1944 - St. Martin (4.35, day) // 18 July 1944 - Wesseling (5.40) // 24 July 1944 - Stuttgart (6.45) // 28 July 1944 - Hamburg (5.00) // 3 August 1944 - Bois de Casson (6.00, day) // Notes: Application for Operational Wing dated 28 August 1944 states he had flown 32 sorties (226 hours ten minutes), 30 August 1943 to 3 August 1944.

TAYLOR, Sergeant Harold Alan (R60723) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.57 Squadron - Award effective 15 November 1941 as per London Gazette dated 21 November 1941 and AFRO 1463/41 dated 5 December 1941. Born in Halkirk, Alberta, 1919; home there (clerk); enlisted in Edmonton, 4 June 1940. Trained at No.1 ITS, No.2 BGS (graduated 9 December 1940) and No.1 ANS. Award presented at Buckingham Palace, 5 May 1942. This airman has participated in attacks on Rotterdam, Bremen, Kiel, Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne and Brest. By hard work and great determination he has reached an extremely high standard as a navigator. He has always shown real coolness and perseverance in his bomb aiming, sometimes spending forty minutes over his target in the face of fierce enemy opposition before dropping his bombs. He has set a very high standard of courage, ability and enthusiasm.

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, 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.

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, 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, Lieutenant Frank Harold - Military Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 22 June 1918. Born 11 August 1896 in Toronto; home there. Service in 109th Battalion of Militia. Enlisted in CEF, 13 September 1916. Embarked from Halifax, 27 September 1916 as part of an Officers Draft.; arrived in Liverpool, 1 October 1916. Posted to Shorncliffe on 6 October 1916. Attached to 180 Battalion, Shoreham, 29 December 1916. Attached to 3nd (Reserve) Battalion, CEF, 6 January 1917. Attached RFC with effect from 4 April 1917. At Hythe or Brooklands, 4 April 1917; to Reading, 14 May 1917; seconded to RFC, 6 June 1917; to Vendome, 10 June 1917; to 45 TS, 17 July 1917. Graded as Flying Officer and formally seconded to RFC, 10 September 1917. arrived in France and posted to No.41 Squadron, 22 September 1917, serving with that unit to to 13 May 1918 when transferred to Home Establishment. To Canada on leave, 14 May 1918; to Southeast area, 29 August 1918; to No.2 Flying School, 9 September 1918; with No.84 Squadron, 14 September 1918 to 5 March 1919. Promoted Captain, 15 November 1918. A card also says that he ceased to be seconded to RAF as of that dated, but his medical reports mention contusions from an aircraft crash in February 1919 and another entry on another form states that he ceased to be seconded to RAF as of 18 March 1919. Relinquished RAF commission, 18 March 1919 on return to 3rd Reserve Battalion. Sailed for Canada, 7 May 1919 but elsewhere it is stated that he was taken on strength of CEF in Canada, 7 May 1919 for general demobilisation, and struck off strength of CEF as of 17 May or 23 May 1919. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion, whilst on offensive patrol, he shot down a hostile scout in flames and a second out of control. On the following day he shot down an enemy triplane, which finally crashed to earth. During the recent operations he has carried out many successful attacks on enemy infantry from low altitudes, and has taken part in over eight offensive patrols. His gallantry and good service merit the highest praise. Public Record Office Air 1/1515 has recommendation as forwarded from Headquarters, 3rd Brigade, Royal Air Force to Headquarters, Royal Air Force on 5 April 1918: For gallantry and good work during the operations March 21st to March 31st, 1918. On March 23rd, 1918, whilst on offensive patrol, this officer attacked a formation of Albatross Scouts. He destroyed one which fell in flames, and shot down a second out of control. Both these machines fell in the neighbourhood of Bourlon Wood. On March 24th, 1918, whilst on offensive patrol, this officer shot down a Fokker Triplane which crashed near Vaulx. Lieutenant Taylor has taken part in 84 offensive patrols and has done 158 hours flying over the enemy's lines. During the recent fighting he has made many successful attacks on enemy infantry from low altitudes. In all he has destroyed five enemy aeroplanes, one in flames, four crashed, and one driven down out of control. Public Record Office Air 1/1226/204/5/2634/84, copies in National Library and Archive MG 30 D ADM, Box 22 (Reference 1000303862) has the following Combat Reports relevant to him: 3rd November 1918 Squadron 84; SE.5a aircraft F.855 (Vickers and Lewis machine guns) Lieutenant F.H. Taylot, MC Time: 1530 hours Locality: Foret de Mormal Duty: Offensive Patrol Height: 7,000 feet Result: Destroyed - nil Driven down out of control - one Driven down - nil Hostile aircraft: Grey Fokker biplane Narrative At 1530 while on patrol over Foret de Mormal, we encountered five Fokker biplanes, flying just under clouds. I fired 100 rounds at one Fokker, and it was observed to go down out of control by Lieutenants Cooke and MacDonald. Report annotated “1 one out control”; also typed “Confirmed as going down out of control” (Lieutenant H.O. MacDonald and Second Lieutenant J.G. Coote. 10th November 1918 Squadron 84; SE.5a aircraft F.904 and F.855 (Vickers and Lewis machine guns) Major C.E.M. Pickthord, MC (Army Service Corps (Special Reserve and RAF) and Lieutenant F.H. Taylor, MC (1st Ontario Regiment and RAF). Time: 1000 hours Locality: east of Chimay Duty: Low Offensive Patrol Height: 7,000 feet Result: Destroyed - 2 Fokker Biplanes Driven down out of control - nil Driven down - 1 Fokker Biplane; one L.V,G. 2-seater Hostile aircraft: 4 Fokker Biplanes; 1 Two-seater L.V.G. Narrative At 10 p.m. at about 7,000 feet over Mariembourg, patrol attacked four E.A. Fokker Biplanes at varying heights. 1. Lieutenant Taylor fired about 200 rounds into 1 E.A. which went into a spin. Machine flattened out at about 1,000 feet and shortly after nose-dived into the ground S.E. of Fagnolle. 2. Major Pickthorn attacked a second E.A. which landed and turned over east of Matagne. 3. Captain [L.de S.] Duke attacked a third E.A. which went down in a spin followed by Lieutenant [J.M.] Bacon to about 1,000 feet. E.A. then flattened out and Lieutenant Bacon lost sight of it in turning to look for further E.A. 4. At 10.45 a.m. Major Pickthorn and Lieutenant Taylor attacked an E.A. two-seater East of Cimay, firing about 50 rounds each at long range. E.A. dived east and could not be caught. Report annotated in pencil, “Two crash.” According to C.F. Wise, this combat may have been the last RAF aerial victory of the war and the last scored by a Canadian - but see William Stanley Jenkins. Air 1/838/204/5/285 (Brigade Work Summaries, March 1918), copied into Library and Archives Canada MG 40 D.1 Volume 17, has the following under date 18 March 1918: Lieut. Taylor, No.41 Squadron, crashed an E.A. two-seater. This is confirmed by A.A. batteries. Same file, date of 23 March 1918, No.41 Squadron pilots: Lieutenant Taylor drove an Albatross Scout down out of control over Bourlon Wood. Same file, date of 25 March 1918: Captain Smith, Lt. Taylor, 2/Lt Marchant, 2/Lt Goodyear, 2/Lt. Davis and 2/Lt. Hemming fired a total of 3,000 rounds from 1,000 to 500 feet on roads round Bapaume on bodies of enemy infantry in artillery formation.