NO. 4 BOMBING & GUNNERY SCHOOL FINGAL: April 10, 1941

Sunday, October 21, 2012

April 10, 1941

2 comments:

UnknownJuly 8, 2016 at 9:08 PM
Hi, Do you have any class photos for course 16 April 13 - May 24 1941. Hoping to see D. A. Blue in a photo. There are two photos of him at http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/2714899

Thanks, Claire Clark [Family historian)
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UnknownJuly 8, 2016 at 9:09 PM
Hi, Do you have any class photos for course 16 April 13 - May 24 1941. Hoping to see D. A. Blue in a photo. There are two photos of him at http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/2714899

Thanks, Claire Clark [Family historian)
ReplyDelete
Replies

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C-12333 Pg. 193

✡

From wireless school the WAG (wireless air gunner) trainee proceeded to a B&GS (Bombing and Gunnery School) for a 4 week (later 6 week) course on air firing. Air Observers also went to bombing and gunnery schools upon completion of their training at the Air Observer School, for a 6 week air bombing course. When the Air Observer trade was abolished and replaced by 4 more specialized trades, the Navigator/Bomber and the Air Bomber both received training in bombing at a B&GS, the courses running 6-8 weeks and 8-12 weeks respectively. In 1942, a separate course with a 12 week syllabus, was also introduced for the training of air gunners to meet the great demand in that trade to man the heavy bomber.
Graduates from No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School during the Second World War
Wireless Air Gunner: RCAF 1703, RAF 140, RAAF 105, RNZAF 252
Navigator/Bomber: RCAF 502, RAF 256, RAAF 82, RNZAF 170
Air Gunner RCAF: 409, RAF 36, RAAF 14, RNZAF 49
Flight Engineer: RCAF 437
Total: 4142 graduates

Staff Pilots

(R/66199) Magee Charles Fuller, (R/67760) Millard Weartley Lossing, (R/68374) Donald Edwin White, (C2504) Roger Armstrong Stevenson, (C6040) Paul Arthur Shelton, (C2241) Stuart Smith Knickerbocker, (C2493) Edwin Howard Pate, (2566) Louis Carman McLure, (C2324) George E. Campbell, +(C2488) Kenneth Marion Caldwell, (C2646) Bernard Foster, (C2789) Leon Arthur Hood (KIFA), (C2794) Ernest Montgomery, (C2838) Maynard Frank Gaudlin, (C2840) Guy Harrison Colby, +(C2841) James Cary Cunningham, (C2941) John Robert Sinclair, (C2944) Roy Leslie Long, (C2946) Norman Robinson, (C2991) John Lincoln Cousins, (C3160) Frederick Conrad Nagle, (C3164) John Wiley Erwin, (C3295) Donald Leroy Packard, (C3664) Victor John Proffatt, (C3825) Peter Mikkelsen, (C4008) Archie Dewey, (C4011) Maurice Joseph Rondelez, (C4194) Glen Gerald Elasser, +(C4352) Edwin Scarrit Parsons, (C4546) Ralph Nelson Wiltsie, +(C4571) Harry Stanley Garber, (C4576) Ralph Wiltsie, (C4811) Alfred Charles Fox, (C4967) Louis Karl Nading, (C5512) Thomas Charles Wilkinson, (C5518) Donald Hugus Riggs, (C5589) John Albert Christensen; (C5592) Norman Henry Price; (NZ415427) Frank Ernest Stott, +(R/123271) Robert Prentice - killed in Lysander crash January 6, 1943; +(R/67554) James Alexander Riddell, Windsor, (R/54310) Donald Francis Bertrand, (R/115040) Robert Thomas Stolze, Lloyd Woodland, William Arthur Sprinkle, Robert John Schiffhouer, Charles Howard Shores, Joseph Harold Swisko, Curtis John Townsend; +(C7350) Lester Eugene Zeiders; (C7831) Frederick Newton Mills; +(R/53186) William McKinley Solberg; (R/83242) Orville Everett Sparks; Ted Verdone; (J/10558) Walter Werlet Kistler - (Co. 43 14 SF) PoW 257 Sqn.; (J/11334) James Barr Duff, (Co. 45 9 SF) South River; (J/11331) John Wilbert Dryden, (Co. 45 9SF) Paisley; +(NZ415037) Eric W. Tanner; (R/54225) V.F. Emerson; (NZ415069) H. Harries; (NZ41718) L.G. Wallace; (J/15705) Gordon Robson Craddock - DFC Gunnery Leader; (J/9933) M.G. Cleworth - 1 SF; (J/22709) H.D. Alexander; (J/21877) W.A. Eaton; (J/22044) W.N. Rivers; (J/22466) W.G. White; Herbert Ingraham, Hamilton; Robert Lockwood Marwick, Hamilton

(C2494) Regan Durwood Ormand; (C3164) John Wiley Erwin; (C3005) Theodore Louis Morella; (C3873) Woodbury Allison Jamieson; (C4192) William Floyd Blackwell; (C3888) Kee Hastings Harrison; +(C2991) John Lincoln Cousins; +(R/114060) William James Shaffer (6 SF); (J/11347) William Clifford Adler (8 SF); +(C2842) Leonard Gage Larsen; (C2499) Albert Richard Ribansky; +(C2488) Kenneth Marion Caldwell; (NZ415392) Charles Gordon Washer - DFC 75 Sqn.; +(J/4556) John Wylie Wood, Shawness, Alta.; +(C3879) Charles Prichard Lesesne - 425 Sqn., Sumter, N.C.; (J/23830) R. Finn; (C.6038) Joseph Pawell; Gerald Ralph 'Pete' Prince (8 SF); (R/145390) M.G. Fife; +(R119124 - J11981) William Harvey Jacobs - 416 Sqn., Toronto

+(C2789) Leon Arthur Hood - KIFA December 8, 1940

+(1334648 - 137255) Richard Owen Gray - KIFA November 23, 1942 - Lysander 2332 crashed into Lake Erie 1 1/2 miles southeast of Eagle. (R/76059) R.H. Hilchie killed as well.

+(R/123271) Robert Prentice - KIFA January 6, 1943

+(R/78838) Norman Thomas Lavoie - KIFA October 19, 1943

+(J/42808) Keith Mayhew Joyce - KIFA Aug. 1, 1944

+(R/203152) Edwin Donald Hawkins - KIFA August 12, 1944

+(R/209421) Robert Douglas Sharp - KIFA August 12, 1944

+(J/29114) James Davidson Allan - KIFA January 20, 1945

May 24, 1941: Battle Aircraft 1710 piloted by F/L P.D. Iverson struck power line 10 miles east of Fingal. Plane made safe landing on Aerodrome. No one injured. Low flying.

Flying Officer Donald Hugus Riggs was an American staff pilot serving at Fingal. On October 13, 1941, he wrote the following letter to Captain Ernest Benway and staff at the Clayton Knight Committee Hollywood office.

"I don't remember whether or not I've written to you since arriving at Fingal, No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School. Of course, at all B&G Schools, we use the ubiquitous old Fairey Battle, but at times we manage to get our hands on other types.

"Oft-times I wonder if you realize the number of American pilots serving here in Canada, and most of them recruited through your organization. "We find the residents here most hospitable. Mrs. Riggs and myself both have commented upon the fact that there is comparatively little discussion as to nationality. Of course, there is the odd one that is convinced of the innate superiority of the Briton race of people but I usually manage to point out that the foremost military chiefs of Britain are really Irishmen. That makes me very popular with that particular type of stuffed shirt. Thank God we have very few of them in the Air Force.

"The greater part of the boys we are training are Canadians, New Zealanders, Australians and Americans. There are a surprising number of the latter among the enlisted men preparing to go overseas."

After transferring to the USAAF in May 1942, Captain Donald H. Riggs was killed in a B-24 flying accident at Smyrna Army Air Field, Tennessee, July 10, 1943.

January 1942 - Front row (left to right) - LAC's Clarke, Struchinsky, Ravey, Cpl. Hilchie, LAC's Asselin, Wigg, Wingfield and Wilson Back row (left to right) - P/O Paul Eugene Metcalf, F/O John Wiant Furrow, F/O Donald Hugus Riggs, F/O Victor John Proffatt, F/L Weaver and P/O Thomas Charles Wilkinson. Melcalf, Riggs, Proffatt and Wilkinson transferred to the USAAF in May 1942. Furrow remained with the RCAF until 1945. Cpl. Ralph Howard Hilchie was killed in a flying accident November 23, 1942 along with Pilot Officer Richard Owen Gray, RAF pilot.

Misc. Course Personnel

Robert Kenneth Stein, Jack Richard Sipple, Ray William Romick, Frank Edward Sheridan, John Dickson Williams, Herbert Roy Story, Louis Mitchell Stribling, Richard Ward Stuart, John Riley Sullivan, Carl Joseph Van Horn; (Co. 44 Obs.) Allan Mackenzie Wyneken; Herbert Fiddes; Virgil Thomas Rice - 415 Sqn.; George Sapsford, Baltimore - Co. 91; +(J/7649) August Nowosad, Vonda, SK; +(R/69562) Cyril Garfield Taylor - 77 Sqn., Grand Falls, Nfld.; (R/65625) James Blake Stephenson - PoW 75 Sqn.; +(R/65224) Francis Leo Capstick - 149 Sqn., Capstick, N.S.; +(R/51644) Lloyd Eldon Dodge - 405 Sqn.; +(R/64386) Stanley Gordon Westbrooke - 99 Sqn., Branchton, Ont.; +(R/62018) Charles Arthur Whidden - 107 Sqn., Lansing, Ont.; +(R/68121) William Harold Stanley Byers - 57 Sqn.; +(132016) Ronald Stakes - 158 Sqn., Wakefield, Yorkshire - married on Station October 3, 1942; +Raymond Bradley, Hamilton; +(R/65358) Robert Emerson Drocourt Nickerson; Benjaminsen RNAF; +(1058228) Sydney Street; +(R/58453) George Thomas John Woodhams; +(R/62091) John William Boyce; (GB1166164 - 106040) Ronald Edgar Curtis - DFC 44 Sqn. DSO 109 Sqn.; (R/136325) Harvey Martin - PoW 426 Sqn., Toronto; +(R/105300) Robert Bruce Prentice - 405 Sqn., Agincourt - AG April 42; +(R/79107) Francis James McKeown -12 Sqn.; (R/67064) Thomas Oswald McIiquham - DFM 102 Sqn.; Joseph Jean Charles Ubald Masse - DFC 425 Sqn.; Ernest Raymond Henry - DFC 109 Sqn.; Reginald George Conrad - DFC 166 Sqn.; Adolphe Antoine Henri Jules Noel Andre Duchesnay - DFC 10 Sqn.; (1387623 - 133074) Colin Arthur Sinclair Drew - DFC & Bar 83 Sqn.; (R/156289) Keith de Haviland Hamblin - DFM 463 Sqn.; David Biggs, Toronto; (R/79681) Frederick Joseph Moritz - DFM 420 Sqn.; +(J/14392) Howard Paul Morris - 426 Sqn., Sarnia; +(R59112) Cecil Robert Spratt - 149 Sqn.

Class No. 3 Wireless Air Gunners: November 25 - December 22, 1940

29 graduates

First group of WAG graduates received their wings in a presentation parade at 1130 hours in the Drill Hall. Badges were presented by Wing Commander W.D. Van Vliet. He believed they had been given a training in aerial gunnery that "the Jerrys will regret."

Top student: +(R/54979 - J/15861) Moses Lewis Usher - 35 Sqn., Montreal

+(R53944) Joseph Arthur Donis Rheaume - 104 Sqn.; +(R/65845) William John 'Jack' Elder - 214 Sqn., Toronto; David Hammond 'Dick' Kinsey, Lethbridge, Alberta; +(R/52648) Evan Ellis Nelson - 70 Sqn., Merritton; (R/65069) A.W. Clarke - PoW; +(R54913 - J15599) James Robert 'Jim' Hanson DFC 149/408 Sqns., Montreal

Posted in from No. 1 Wireless School (Co. 3): Usher, Hanson

Course (4) Graduates

Class No. 4 Wireless Operator Air Gunners: December 18, 1940 - January 18, 1941

58 graduates - one pupil failed due to medical reasons and one held over due to injuries received in automobile accident.

William Chisholm, (R/54028) Clifford Douglas Clendinnen; +(R/61354) Ronald Percy Mann - 405 Sqn., Vancouver

WAG's: +(R/59292 - J/14851) Harold Lundy Flynn - later remustered to pilot, Teulon, Manitoba; +(R/64143) Lorne Edwin Brown - 76 Sqn., Pt. Rowan; +(R/63745) Donald Leslie Ballingall - 57 Sqn., London; (R/54229 - J/88353) William Gordon Venner - 214/215 Sqns., Brantford; +(R/52075) Ronald George Postans - 57 Sqn., Windsor; +(R/69586) John Emerson Weir - 40 Sqn., Wingham; +(R/68055) Robert William Hexter - 405 Sqn., London; +(R/63731) Bruce George Wilbee - 77 Sqn., Stratford; +(R51905/J/15849) Francis Conn Brooks - 76 Sqn., Windsor; +(R/68046) Leroy Frances Joseph Murphy - 420 Sqn., Stratford; +(R59125) Thomas Lincoln Duxbury - 40 Sqn.; Lionel Raymond 'Ray' Silver - 10 Sqn.; +(R/64553) Toussaint Joseph Arsenault - 40 Sqn., Wellington, P.E.I.; +(R/69765) Rene Leonidas Joseph Lizotte - 58 Sqn., Toronto; +(R/65531) Hugh Browning Johnston - 148 Sqn.; +(R54032) Gordon Harry Rowe - 102 Sqn., Pembroke; Malcolm Ian Martin; +(R/58102) Alexander Gibson Buchanan - KIFA 102 Sqn., North Battleford

Posted in from

No. 1 Wireless School: Brooks, Buchanan

Course 8 (Air Observers): December 23, 1940 - February 1, 1941

29 graduates

Presentation parade was held Saturday evening at 1700 hours in the Drill Hall. Wings were presented by Squadron Leader Judd Kennedy, chief instructor

This was the first class of air observers to graduate, along with the first brothers, Frank and John Mylrea, to graduate from Fingal.

(J/4529) Harold Thomas Beare - PoW 104 Sqn., Calgary - top in class

+(J/4528) Joseph Peter William McCarthy - PoW; +(J/4530 - R/56177) William Hugh Fetherston - 405 Sqn. - KIFA Miles Master L8162; (J/4531) Duncan William Carmichael - DFC 104 Sqn., Vancouver

(R/58214) Frank Henry Mylrea - DFC 102 Sqn., Vancouver; +(R/58213) John Edward Mylrea - 500 Sqn., Vancouver; +(R/58206 - J/15170) Frederick Arthur George Wilmott Gerty - 408 Sqn.; (R/58184) Hugh Ross Wilson - Evader 51 Sqn.; +(R/60253) Jack Lloyd Gibson - 97 Sqn., Edmonton; +(R/60897) Hudson Eric Marshall - 408 Sqn., Edmonton; +(R/60887) William Archibald Bartleman - 10 OTU; +(R65193) Warren Ellwood McKenzie - 419 Sqn. PoW march killed Greese friendly fire, Durham, N.S.

'Billie' Fetherston married Helen Clark in February 1941 before going overseas. He never got to see his infant daughter.

Posted in from:

No. 2 AOS (Co. 8): Fetherston, Bartleman

Posted to:

No. 1 ANS: Fetherston, Bartleman, McKenzie

Class No. 5 (Air Gunners): January 20 - February 15, 1941

Presentation Parade held at 1700 hours in the Drill Hall. Group Captain Reginald Collis, Officer Commanding the RCAF Technical Training Centre, presented wings and addressed the graduates.

January 19, 1941: 61 WAGS arrived from No. 2 Wireless School, Calgary along with 12 Air Gunners from No. 1 Manning Depot, Toronto.

57 WAGS and 12 Air Gunners graduated

"Today is the beginning of a grand adventure for you who leave for distant places to do your part."

+(R/67579 - J/15856) John Joseph Kelly was top student. He was killed in action November 5, 1941 - 82/18 Sqns.

+(R69695 - J36684) Wilfred Stuart Morton 115/11 Sqns., Ailsa Craig, Ont.; (J/16711) Ross Alexander Gordon Fiddes, Tara; +(R/68142) Neil Williamson - 419 Sqn., St. Thomas; (J/15236) John Murray Forman DFC - 428 Sqn., +(R/54110) Elmer John Mutton, (R/64752) Robert Lewis MacAfee, Millstream, N.B.; John B. McDougall; (R/52692) Alfred H. Hayward - PoW 158 Sqn.; +(J/15687) John William James - 86 Sqn., London, Ont.; +(R/65205) Clarence Edmund Wheeler - 51 Sqn.; (R/64413) Isaac 'Ike' Hewitt - PoW 97 Sqn., Pt. Dover; (R/52049) Edward Arthur Lowther - 109 Sqn., Walkerville; +(J/4560) Arthur Williams – 74 Sqn., Vancouver (SP?); (R64480 - J18296) Joseph Edgar Galloway - DFM 408 Sqn., Milton; (J/15167) John Frederick Percival Clark - DFC 405 Sqn., London, Ont., returned as instructor in 1943; +(J/17147) Albert Edward Shaw - 70 Sqn., Paris; +(R/64409) James Morley Broddy - 405 Sqn., Brantford

Course No. 11 (Air Observers) and Course No. 6 (Air Gunners): February 1 - March 15, 1941

Largest graduating class since the school opened. Presentation Parade was held in the Drill Hall at 1500 hours. Wings presented by Wing Commander W.D. Van Vliet

"At this time your training ceases, but your work begins. Please remember that because you have gone out from this school, that you have not learned all there is to know. You will find that you will be learning every day that you are in the RCAF.

"You are going out to deal with an enemy that has no sense of decency or honor. Never let him get the jump on you. Give him the same dose of poison that he is trying to give you, only in larger measure.

"Be confident but not overconfident. Acquit yourselves well and we at home will follow your record against the enemy with pride and interest."

WAGS posted in from No. 2 WS, Calgary (Co. 2): Freestone, Cooper

Course No. 6 (Air Gunners and WAG's) Feb. 17 - March 16, 1941

Charles Fletcher, Toronto, top air gunner

+(R69906 - J15424) John Handel Freestone; +(R/68206) Alfred John Childs - 12 Sqn., Woodstock; (R/68074) Marshall Angus Johnson, PoW - 214 Sqn.; +(R/64467) David Young Nurse Crosby - 40 Sqn.; +(R/64416) Harry Robert Hamilton - 12 Sqn., Beamsville; +(R/68209) Donald MacLachlan Duffy - 10 Sqn. Alvinston; +(R/56204) Joseph Vincent Chicoine, 103 Sqn.; (J85624) Georges Yvon Lebel - DFC - 429 Sqn.; +(R/65242) Gerald John Patrick Kearns, 7 Sqn., Halifax; +(R/62780) Harry Joseph Thomas Gray - 420 Sqn.; +(R/61931) William Patrick Grant - 15 Sqn., Saskatoon, Sask.; +(R/59110) Earle John Stevenson - 104 Sqn., St. Vital, Manitoba; +(R/57938) Julian Lee Byron Martin - 405 Sqn., Vancouver; +(R/65249) Donald Alexander Joseph Cameron - 138 Sqn., Cape Breton, N.S.; (J/15594) Robert Joseph Campbell - DFC 405 Sqn.; Douglas Harold Giffin, North Bay; +(R55387) James Francis Cooper - 408/50/61 Sqns., Beaupre, Quebec

Course No. 11 (Observers and Bombers) - 34 graduates. Posted to Fingal from No. 3 AOS Regina, February 1, 1941.

(J/5077 - R/54208) Lyle George Schell, Williamsburg, top observer, killed in flying accident - 240 Sqn. Jan. 19, 1942; (J/5078) John Lefroy McCaul - DFC & Bar - 114 Sqn.; (J/5079) E.M. Sangster - PoW

+(R/68178) Walter Henry Plant - 267 Sqn.; +(R/68173) Leonard Albert Stock - 102 Sqn.; +(R/54356) John Bowman Spero; D.M. Elliott, Toronto; +(R/69780) Arthur Henry Lawrence - 144 Sqn., Jamaica

(J/5097) Joseph Gilbert Middlemass - DFC (NAV) 35 Sqn., Wainwright, Alberta; (J/85497) Lloyd W. Hammond, Brantford, Howard Krampp, Walkerton; Peter Emblem, Warwickshire, Eng.; (R/64393) Donald M. Godard - PoW - 77 Sqn.; Manders, +(R/64462) Joseph James Thompson - 40 Sqn.; (R/69827) Frank J. Tatro - (WAG) 406 Sqn., Toronto; Thomas Arthur Sylvah (WAG), Smith's Falls; R.A. Arthur, Welland; Albert J. Filce - 37 Sqn., Beamsville; Cliff Bryan, (J/16264) Robert Bonnar - DFC 205 Sqn. and (R/54380) Charles J. Kelly - PoW, of Ottawa, Joseph Pilon, Quebec; J. Barclay, Hamilton; Jack Westpole, East Angus; J.C. Guertin, L.B. St. Pierre, Montreal; +(R/69732 - J/16610) Harry Bertram Parliament - 423 Sqn., Cannington; +(R/65358) Robert Emerson Drocourt Nickerson; (R/62173 - J/16715) David H. Davidner - PoW 103 Sqn.; Jack Lundy

F.J. Hind, Dundas; William A. Harris, Toronto

Air Observers posted to No. 1 ANS, Rivers, Manitoba: Middlemass, Parliament

Air Gunners posted to Debert, N.S.

Pickle Barrel Club: Lyle Schell - 2 hits; M.E. Taylor - 2 hits; Reg Brown - 2 hits; Walter Plant; Robert Nickerson; Dave Davinder; Jack Lundy; John McCaul; Ralph Morris; (J/5090) Edward 'Ed' Saunders Baker - DFM 7 Sqn.

Bomb carrier instruction, RNZAF personnel identified: (N.Z.403776) Wallis George Finlay (D.S.O., D.F.C. & Bar- 109 Sqn. (Auckland), +(N.Z.403610) Edward Basil Hamilton Openshaw – 10 Sqn. (Marton), +(39061) Alexander Donovan McConnell (D.F.C. – 550 Sqn.) (Dunedin), Sgt M J Reilly (RAF), Ivan H. Collett (Gisborne), Cliff D. Clark (Hastings), (403613) Percy Henderson Stewart (Whakatane), +(403773) Robert Birnie, Helenville (458 Sqn.); Ralph H Chaplain (Hastings), +(403603) Nathaniel Edmund Hodson, Wellington (57 Sqn.); (N.Z.403605) Arthur Gordon Huggett – 142 Sqn. (New Plymouth),+(N.Z. 403777) Ian Gordon Harrowby – 99 Sqn. (Hamilton), +(N.Z.403778) Albert Henry Leeds Jackson – 217 Sqn. (Auckland), +(N.Z.403606) Frank Colwyn Jones D.F.C. – 7 Sqn. (Auckland).

Course No. 12 (Air Observers): March 29, 1941

Presentation Parade was held at 1500 hours. First class of 37 New Zealand air observers to be trained under the Empire Air Training Plan graduated.

Wing Commander W.D. Van Vliet introduced Group Captain L.M. Isitt, RNZAF Liason Officer. G/C Issit presented the Wings to each graduate of the RNZAF and shook hands with each of the 3 Norwegian graduates, who were not eligible for Wing under the Joint Air Training Plan.

The class was headed by Sgt. Observer Basil Openshaw, who left the sea to become an airman. He had been wireless operator on the S.S. Niagara, which sank after striking a mine in 1940.

(N.Z.403776) Wallis George Finlay - D.S.O., D.F.C. & Bar- 109 Sqn., Auckland; (401262) Bruce Telford Drummond, Masterton, NZ; (403613) Percy Henderson Stewart - DFM 142 Sqn.; +(N.Z.403610) Edward Basil Hamilton Openshaw – 10 Sqn. (Marton); +(403599) John Raymond Francis 'Jack' Ganderton, Palmerston North, N.Z. (10 Sqn.); (403601) Robert George Albert 'Bert' Burgess, Gisborne; +(403593) Ray John Baxter, Waimate; (403614) Jack Stanley 'Red' Small, Putaruru; (402020) Selwyn Guy 'Sel' Cooper, Wellington; +(401296) Geoffrey Fraser Williams, Ngongotaka (106 Sqn.); +(403603) Nathaniel Edmund Hodson, Wellington (57 Sqn.); +(403777) Ian Gordon Harrowby, Auckland - 99 Sqn.; +(403773) Robert Birnie, Helenville (458 Sqn.); +(39197) Thomas Benson Blackburn - DFM 141 Sqn., Christchurch; (403775) Ivan Henry Collett - PoW 57 Sqn., Gisborne; +(403615) Michael von Dadelszen - 10 Sqn.; (403779) Maurice Osborne Stephens - PoW 35 Sqn., Timaru, George William Mackenzie, +(NZ403608) Raymond Edgar Lloyd - 37 Sqn.; and his brother +(NZ402197) Eric Lloyd - 75 Sqn.; Stanley F. Hall, Auckland; (403764) John Gilmour Smith, Morton, North Island; +(N.Z.403606) Frank Colwyn Jones D.F.C. 149 Sqn.– KIA 7 Sqn., former financial editor of the Auckland Star; (403613) Percy Henderson Stewart - DFM 142 Sqn., Auckland; (403782) Dallas Harley 'Dal' Yeoman, Auckland, was presented his wing in the station hospital

Royal Norwegian Navy Air Arm: Student Observer Fjallstad, Ltn. Alf. Steffen-Olsen and Petty Officer Chris Krogh

Posted in from No. 4 AOS Crumlin

Course No. 7 Air Gunners: March 17 - April 12, 1941

Posted in from No. 1 Wireless School Montreal and No. 2 Wireless School

Wing Commander Desmond presented wings and addressed the 83 graduates.

"The great day has arrived and you are now fully fledged to take your place in the service squadrons with your gallant comrades.

"You will have to develop that team spirit that exists in the air force today, for you will play a vital part in this war. Each gunner and observer has a grave responsibility.

"Of all the crew, you air gunners will play an important part. The pilot flies the plane, the observer-bomber navigates the plane and drops the bombs, but neither can do his job without confidence in the alertness in the ability of the air gunner.

"Everything depends on his courage and determination. In the words of a famous airman of the last Great War, 'hit first, hit hard and keep on hitting'."

57 WAGS RCAF: (J/5099) Osmond Frederick Allcock, +(R/70094) William George Gittings; (J16128) Robert Charles Berry - DFC 408 Sqn., Hamilton; Lewis John Rymal, +(R/54196) Alexander Francis Pearson, Ottawa; +(R/51583) Walter Thomas Tabor, +(R/67111) John James Price, Mark Cornish, Toronto; +(J/17136) William Edward Suddick (DFC), +(R/54187) Robert Joseph O’Leary, Robert Read, Toronto; +(R/68143) Cameron Albert 'Bud' Powles, +(R/54368) James Gibson Park - 115 Sqn., Cornwall; +(J/15857) Herbert Roy Crowe, +(R/69704) Joseph Seberras - 9 Sqn., Toronto; +(R/70095) Patrick John Nelson Coady, +(R/71697) Geoffrey Charles Evans, Toronto; (R/70100) Cedric Stanley Marsh (DFM), +(R/63733) Stanley Raymond Lupton,(J16079) Leslie James Toms (DFC), (J/15548) Raymond Arthur Gardiner - DFC, Hanover; +(J/16516) Russell John 'Jack' Hunter - 15 Sqn. London, Ontario; +(R/69761) Donald Cole Lindsey - 16 OTU, Toronto; +(R/70107) Howard Cameron Watson - 103 Sqn.; Durham; +(R/54884) Gerald Finnbarr McHugh - 149 Sqn.; (R/82128) Georges Thomas Bon Croisiau - 70 Sqn., Belgium; +(R/56334 - J/15443) Michael Joseph O'Sullivan - 106 Sqn., Montreal; +(R/64912) Charles Gerrald Nugent - 44 Sqn., Salisbury, N.B.

Upon arrival in England, Sergeant Bill Gittings stated: "I'm looking forward to getting as many Huns as I can."

Sergeant Gittings was killed in action August 12, 1942 while serving with 408 Squadron.

Croisiau was an air gunner in the Loyalist air force during the Spanish civil war - escaped from Spain and went to Finland, where he served as an air gunner against the Russians. He went from there to Norway and escaped back to Finland when the German invasion took place. He made his way to England, thence to Canada.

20 Air Gunners RCAF: Ross Vance, Hillsburg; J. Lindsay Chapman, Toronto; Hugh Frederick Smith (DFC - 428 Sqn.), Niagara Falls; Bruce Robertson, Toronto; (R/71717) Robert Walker Wagstaff - PoW, Ottawa; C.D. Jane - 419 Sqn., Thorold; +(R/56327) Allan David Cuthbert - KIFA 22 OTU, Cochrane; +(R/66159) George Charles Fisk - 83 Sqn.; +(R/69734) Thomas Edward Crothers - 420 Sqn.); Russell Clifford Donaldson, +(R/72165) Thomas Hill Park - KIA 10 Sqn.; (R/65366) Tracy Goreham Harding Hatfield - PoW, Tusket, N.S.; (R/65753) Gordon Ernest Reid (DFC), R. Lucas, Miami, Tim Clark, Cornwall; Jack Price, Belleville; +(R/54187) Robert Joseph O'Leary - 16 OTU, Carleton Place; Bert Calloway, Calgary; Hugh Frederick Smith (DFC), (R/70097) Gordon Leslie Hennings 'Scotty' Goodall - DFM 15 Sqn., Brantford; Jack Meredith, Toronto; Jack McDonald, Toronto; Alastair Barron, Windsor; +(R/69575) John Stephen Lappin - 115 Sqn., Hamilton; C.A. Powells; +(R/75095) Howard Robert Franklin Johnston - 51 Sqn., Saskatoon; (R/69731) P.V. Brazier - PoW

1 RNZAF: +(NZ404037) Timothy Rowley Murphy

+(NZ401413) Reuben Acton Scragg, Napier; +(NZ401753) Daniel Joseph Clifford, +(NZ403833) David Giffin Doole; Y. Thompson, Te Awamutu; M.G. Cooke, Wanganui; G. Roy, Gore; A. Wells, Wellington; James A. Robinson, Wanganui

Course No. 7 Air Gunners: April 12, 1941

Wing Commander W.D. Van Vliet presented wings and addressed the graduates. 57 WAG's RCAF; 20 Air Gunners RCAF and 1 Air Gunner RNZAF. Presentation Parade was held in the Drill Hall

"You are going to deal with an enemy that has no sense of decency and honor. Never let him get the jump on you. Give him the same dose of poison that he is trying to give you, only in larger measure. Be confident but not overconfident. Acquit yourselves well and we at home will follow your record against the enemy with pride and interest."

Course 6 Air Gunners and Wireless Operators

Course 11 Sergeant Air Observers and Bombers

(J/19290) Robert Gordon Donaldson - PoW 432 Sqn.

Course 14 Air Observers

Course 14 Air Observers - 2nd class at Crumlin and Fingal

Dave Doole, Hasting, NZ; William Griffith; Don Sisley; Dick Powell; Roy Lindsay; J.A. Fleming; Jack Goodlet, Dunedin; E. Johnson, Ruatapu

+(404029) Bert Gordon Hibell – 77 Sqn., Roy Lindsay, Dick Powell, +(401756) John Earle - 75 (NZ) Sqn.; McLeary, Johnstone, Holtom, +(404028) Claude Joseph Harris - 75 (NZ) Sqn.; Alex Galbraith made members of the Pickle Barrel Club by attaining at least one direct hit apiece. Johnstone was the only air observer to score a direct hit from 10,000 feet.

Course 8 Air Gunners and Course 16 Air Observers: May 24, 1941

April 14, 1941: 41 Airmen RNZAF from No. 4 AOS arrive for training

April 28, 1941 WAG's posted in from 1 Wireless School, Montreal (Co. 8): Jenner; Clarkson (Co. 7 2 WS); Loomer; Mitchell; Pleasence

Wings presented in the Drill Hall at 1500 hours.

Squadron Leader Frank Gobiel presented wings on behalf of Wing Commander W.D. Van Vliet, officer commanding, who was laid up with a sprained ankle.

"There are difficult days ahead. You are part of a gigantic scheme embracing the whole of the British Empire and our good friends to the south of us.

"Let us see you give them all you've got and make us proud of you."

Course 8 Air Gunners: 64 RCAF WAG's and 3 RCAF Air Gunners graduated

Wireless Air Gunners: S. Bernard, +(J/16871 - R/71542) Robert Guy Clarkson - 9 Sqn., Toronto; +(R/78169) Patrick Earl Lacey - 23 OTU; R.W. Wood, R.H. Dawe, C.B. Hart, E.J. Tucker, Toronto; Ken Kellar, W.G. Rice, T.G.W. Adams, +(J/15700) William John Sibbald - DFC 101 Sqn.; +(R/74264) Harold Jason Thurston - 9 Sqn.; (R/78386) Anthony Stefanowski and E.D. Bind, all of Toronto, +(R/69808) George Albert Firman - 44 Sqn., Barrie; +(R/74266) Kenneth H. Paul - POW 419 Sqn., Ottawa; J.C. McLean, Welland; +(R/78640) William Joseph Valkenier - 419 Sqn., Wallaceburg; +(R/68698) John Willard Whear - 142 Sqn., Port Arthur; W.R. Lane, Ottawa; +(R/74275) David Donald Taylor - 207 Sqn., Kemptville; +(R/75683) Alexander Stelman - 218 Sqn., Caledonia; +(J/15706) Robert Oscar Evans Goodwin - 419 Sqn., Niagara Falls; J.T. Hodgson, Niagara Falls; Lloyd (George) Irving - 423 Sqn., Meaford; +(R/54295) Charles Howard Cobbett - 101 Sqn., Ottawa; +(R/54195) Donald Archibald Blue - 20 OTU, Ottawa; +(R/68171) John Gordon Holmes - 419 Sqn., London; +(R/67907) John Beverly Pleasence - 408 Sqn., Chatham; +(R/78631) Edward George Jenner - KIFA 22 OTU Wellington T.2714, Goderich; +(R/62650) John Gordon Forbes - 419 Sqn., Mille Roches, Ont.; Robert Sommerville Daniel - PoW Italy/Escaped 99 Sqn., Pembroke; Robert George Marshall - DFC Melancthon, Ont.; +(R/64434) Charles Arthur Parke, Hamilton; R. Marshall Pearson, Stratford; +(J/15417) Jack Stanley Dafoe - 408 Sqn., Woodstock; (R/68135) Jack Caddey Shuttleworth (DFC) 460/138 Sqns., Ingersoll; (J/16136) Wilbur Leon Moots - 419 Sqn.; Elijah Isaiah 'Kit' Loomer, Truro, N.S.; (R/75687) Francis Edward 'Frank' Mitchell - DFM 15 Sqn., Brantford; +(R56267) Kenneth Andrew Fogg - 460 Sqn., Mt. Royal, Que.

RAF: A.G. Jenks, Johannesburg; J.K. Hawes, Montserret

Observers Co. 16

40 RNZAF: +(NZ401492) Brian William Miller, +(NZ404496) William George O'Neill, +(NZ403833) David Giffin Doole; William Griffith, (40989) Don Blundell Sisley; (404038) Richard James Lyall 'Dick' Powell; +(NZ402454) James Alexander Fleming - 12 Sqn., +(401396) Royal George 'Roy' Lindsay - 104 Sqn., +(NZ404492) Anthony Joseph William Parker - 106 Sqn.; +(NZ401398) Laurence Matthew George McDonald; +(NZ404492) Anthony Joseph William Parker; +(401302) Douglas Reginald Bradley - 104 Sqn.; +(401492) Leonard John Fairbairn - 158 Sqn.; +(NZ401765) John Whiteside Jasper - 9 Sqn.; +(404014) William (Alan) Baird - 12 Sqn., Foxton; +(NZ402130) Amos Thomas Hall - 500 Sqn.; Campbell, Galbraith; (NZ403986) Sydney Dennes Porter; +(401753) Daniel Joseph Clifford - 142 Sqn.; Bill Fleming

+(NZ401413) Reuben Acton Scragg, Napier; +(NZ401753) Daniel Joseph Clifford, +(NZ403833) David Giffin Doole; Y. Thompson, Te Awamutu; (NZ401255) Michael Grant Cooke, Wanganui; (NZ404040) Gordon Alfred 'Red' Roy? - 58 Sqn., Gore; A. Wells, Wellington; (401409) James Arthur Robinson, Wanganui

3 Royal Norwegian Air Force graduates

RNZAF personnel posted in from No. 4 AOS Crumlin

RNZAF graduates posted in from No. 1 TC and posted to Rivers, Manitoba

Course 16 Observers - Class 5 RNZAF

Back row L to R: (402209) Maurice Bernard Neville; +(NZ404492) Anthony Joseph William Parker; +(NZ404488) Raymond Keith Marshall - 106 Sqn.; (401401) Alister Charles Marks; +(NZ401398) Lawrence Mathew George McDonald; +(NZ401402) Brian William Miller; +(NZ404493) Joseph Allan Johnston; +(NZ404496) William George O'Neill - 13 Sqn. Front row L to R: J.A. McDowall; (404552) Albert Edward Sinclair Mandy; Douglas John Laloli; B.A. McKenzie; (404551) Eric McNae; +(NZ404494) Reginald Andrew Kemp - 77 Sqn.; R. James (RCAF via W. Lindekens)

Air Observers Course No. 17: April 28 - June 7, 1941

Wings were presented at No. 1 Manning Depot, Toronto by Air Marshal W.A. 'Billy' Bishop, V.C.. He addressed the graduates from both Jarvis and Fingal (44 graduates from Fingal).

"If I were a young man today and not in uniform, I would be ashamed of myself.

"I am very proud to be here today and to have the honour of pinning your observer's wing on your chest. For the first time since November 1916, I am wearing my own observer's wing, and I am proud to wear it.

"The observer then, however, was undoubtedly looked upon as being purely a helper for the pilot; in fact, the last war ended more or less on that note. This viewpoint was, of course, entirely wrong and should have been corrected long ago."

Graduates included:

36 RCAF: +(J/6134) Dennis John Richardson; +(J/6135) Robert Arthur Sharman; (J/6136) John Edward McCormack - DFC, AFC; (J/6138) K.M. McMillan; (J/6139) K.C. Dobbin; (J/6140) Nathan Levitin - DFC 212 Sqn., Ottawa; (J/6147) Russel Carl Jones; (J/6149) James Alexander Calder; +(J/6155) Walter Frederick Bond; +(J/6158) Phil Clive Budd; (J/6362) Frederick Charles Ernest Waterman - DFC 40 Sqn.

+(R/60733) Henri Phalempin - 408 Sqn., Vimy, Alberta; J. Edward, P.E. Flanders, +(R/59701) Marcel Stanley Sinclair - 408 Sqn., b. MN r. Giroux, Manitoba; G.W. Sellars, D.W. Britch, D.B. Gosselin, +(R/59536) Cecil Charles David Hinks - 16 OTU Stageman pilot; +(R/54117) Elwood Walace McFall - Hudson AE545, Ottawa; T.C. Thomas, N.C. Turner, +John Kevin Evans (Nfld.), W.F. Palmer; (J/8331) Nicholas Zora, +(R/54171) Allan Charles Vincent Brophy - 419 Sqn., Verdun, Que.; +(R/61061) Austin Newton Van Allen - 116 Sqn.; (J/16091) James McDonald Morrice - DFC 427 Sqn., London; (J/15707) Hugh Burns Hay - DSO, DFC Nav. 61/692 Sqns., +(J/1527) George Thomas Vicary - 427 Sqn.; D.E. Crawford, R.M. Scott, W.J. Jackson, E.J. Hudson, W.M. Wardley - Nav. 423 Sqn., Elora; , +(R/68516) Joseph Melvin Hicks - 420 Sqn., Ft. William; (J/16657) Herbert Chesley Bugden - DFC 571 Sqn., Nfld.

RAF: G.W. Sharp, T.S. Palmer, A.W. Ogilvie

RNZAF: A.J. Smith

RNAF: Per Devold, H. Knudsen, J. Riisnes

Posted to

No. 1 CNS: Waterman, Van Allen

No. 1 ANS: Bugden, Sinclair, Morrice

Course No. 9 Air Gunners: May 26 - June 21, 1941

May 26, 1941: Posted in from No. 1 AOS Malton to attend Co. No. 19. 8 RCAF; 26 RAF; 1 RAAF

May 26, 1941: The following airmen arrived to attend Co. No. 9 Air Gunners - 43 WAG's RCAF; 3 WAG's RNZAF; 1 WAG RAF; 1 WAG RAAF; 6 Air Gunners RCAF

Wing Commander W.D. Van Vliet addressed the 51 graduates. A Presentation Parade was held at 1500 hours in the Drill Hall.

"You have all been following the news, and you know as much about the situation as I do. We shall follow your careers with interest."

48 RCAF graduates: +(R/65A) Herbert Redvers Copeland - 420 Sqn., F.J. Cowling, D.L. Evans, +(R/78064) William Robert Donaldson, W.H. McKay, C.J. Rowe, +(R/78077) Wilbert Lome Sinclair, A.D. Smith, (R/71763) William Barker Townley DFM - 97 Sqn., Edward F. Kane, Calgary; +(R/80540) James Frederick 'Jim' Halward - 420 Sqn., Cannington; Lawrence Joseph 'Larry' McCosham - PoW 115 Sqn., Cornwall; Arthur John Skinner, Essex; (J/15452) George Howard Soper - PoW 420 Sqn., Englehart; +(R/71922) Harold Fulford Taylor, R.E. Walton, Niagara Falls; +(R/67233) Bruce Wilbert Weaver - 407 Sqn.; H.R. White, Fruitville; (R/71755) Eric Alfred Winkler POW - 419 Sqn. +(R/67602) George Vincent Cyril Booth - 115 Sqn.; +(R/74264) Harold Jason Thurston - 9 Sqn.; (R/74266) Kenneth H. Paul - POW 419 Sqn., Ottawa; (J/15138) Thomas Richard Wilby - DFC 78 Sqn.; Frank Mangres, Toronto; +(R/67824) Wilbert George Reid - 20 OTU; (J/3501) John McGuire Taylor - PoW, Northfield, Birmingham, Eng.

H.P. O'Sullavan of Simla, India came to Canada to enlist in the RCAF. "The Irish really get around; they even got to India and when there's a fight going on we're not the type to miss it."

+(R/77122) Alexander Seaton (Sandy) Lorimer, a Scotsman, made headlines the previous year by travelling more than 1,000 miles by dog train, canoe and airplane from the Hudson Bay district to enlist in the RCAF. He was killed in action June 12, 1942 serving with No. 58 Squadron

1 RAAF: +(402623) Kenneth Frederick Thornton

Air Observers Course No. 19: May 26 - July 4, 1941

A Presentation Parade was held in the Drill Hall at 1545 hours. Wing Commander W.D. Van Vliet presented wings to graduates.

26 RAF: Curtis?

1 RAAF: +(AUS.400029) Laurance David Orbuck

8 RCAF: +(R/70035) William Ronald Lance KIFA RAFFC, Hamilton

+(NZ403573) Gordon McDonald Frostick, +(NZ403558) Selwyn Charles Orme, +(R/74283) Harold (Bryan) Livingston Gittins, Argentina; Kenneth Frederick Hampton Hale, Buenos Aires; (R/56265) Hubert Brooks

Posted in from

No. 1 AOS (Co. 19): Lance

Posted to No. 1 ANS: Lance

Air Gunners Course No. 10: June 26 - July 19, 1941

June 21, 1941: 23 RCAF and 36 RNZAF posted in from No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal

Group Captain W.D. Van Vliet presented wings and sergeants chevrons and addressed the WAG graduates. Presentation Parade held at 1545 hours in the Drill Hall.

"Boredom is one of the greatest enemies of an efficient military organization, and it is one of the greatest threats of morale, good training and efficient service. The air force offers better protection against the assaults of this foe than does either the other two services. Weeks and months of marching and drilling, or sailing over a changeless sea, offer little in the way of excitement with which to keep soldiers or sailors interested.

"Everybody becomes fed up at times, but don't forget that the enemy wants you to become fed up and careless. They are past masters at encouraging such things."

RCAF - 23 graduates: R.R. Dougall, Toronto, top in course; (R/67812 - J/16720) Joseph Julius Miesen (DFC); +(J/15415 - R/66082) Walter Wallace Howard Cornelius - 21 Sqn., Niagara Falls

RNZAF - 34 graduates: (404642) Kenneth Carthan McGregor, Masterton, N.Z.; +(404629) Allen Norman Young, Auckland

No. 11 Air Gunners Course: July 7 - August 2, 1941

Presentation Parade was held in the Drill Hall at 1545 hours. Wing Commander Judd Kennedy and Squadron Leader R.K. McConnell, DFC, addressed the graduates and Squadron Leader McConnell presented Wings.

RNZAF - 36 WAG Graduates: +(NZ404621) Charles Edward Le Montais Small, +(NZ405500) William James MacErlich; (404565) Ronald Dunstan Pearce, Invercargill; J. Griffiths; +(405531) Edward Ashton Waters - 44 Sqn.

RCAF - 1 Air Gunner Graduate: L.B. 'Bucky' Graham

July 7, 1941: 35 New Zealand airmen arrive from No. 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg and were posted to No. 11 Air Gunners course.

Course 12 WAG's and Course 22 Air Observers: July 7 - August 16, 1941

Course No. 22 Air Observers: 33 RCAF airmen, 6 RAF airmen and 3 members of the Royal Norwegian Naval Air Force

Course No. 12 Wireless Air Gunners: 29 RCAF

Presentation Parade was held in the Drill Hall at 1345 hours.

Wing Commander Van Vliet told class of WAG's and Observers, "If they could do it in 1914-18, I can do it now, should be the inspiration of Canada's new airmen."

Course 12 WAG's - 33 graduates: +(R/75875) Frank Spino - 59 Sqn., Hamilton; +(R/75877) Roy Cook Fenton - 44 Sqn., Hamilton; Clifford Bell - PoW 431 Sqn., Hamilton; Edwin N. Murphy, Dunnville; Raymond J. Reeves, Brantford; +(R/83563) Clarence Alfred Eastwood - 51 Sqn., Grand Valley; Bernard Krug, James Sterling; +(R/77437) Edward David Simon, Montreal; J.A. Limoges - 614 Sqn. Dieppe, Peace River, Alta.; Charles Woodward?

WAG's: +(R/77445) Hyman Baum - KIFA 7 (BR) Sqn., Outremont; William Flookes, Outremont; Edward D. Simon, Montreal; Masewell W. Graham, Peterboro; +(R/67314) Charles Melville Howes - 148 Sqn., Parnham, Ont.; +(R/83012) William Beverley Lenover - 408 Sqn., Northwood

Course No. 22 Air Observers: (R/67129 - J/7641) Alan Bowen Aylsworth; (J/7644) Ross Thomas Blatchford - 422 Sqn.; (J/7645) Sydney Joshua Joseph Cohen (DFC); John M.H. MacKay, Montreal; Daniel J. Robertson, Cornwall; +(J/7649) August Nowosad - KIFA 31 OTU, Vonda, SK

+(R/66126) Joseph Aleo, Niagara Falls; +(R/59779) Harlow Eugene Johnson, (R/58525) Thomas Ernest Pallas, Eld James Martin, (R78574) Alexander Gerald MacKenzie (DFM), (J/15765) Aaron Eric Glustien - 419 Sqn, DFC - 405 Sqn., New Waterford, N.S.

RNZAF:

RAF:

RNAF from Little Norway: 3 graduates

Posted in from

No. 4 AOS, Crumlin (Co. 22):Nowosad, Glustien

No. 2 Wireless School Calgary: Baum, Simon, Fenton

Posted to

No. 2 ANS (Co. 22) Nowosad, Glustien

No. 13 Air Gunners Course: August 30, 1941

New Zealand Prime Minister Peter Fraser pinned wings on graduates.

"Your duty may take you back home for you may be required there to defend our own country.

"There are New Zealanders training with the forces of the Empire everywhere I have been from Singapore to Fingal, and I am proud to think New Zealanders have been playing their part ever since those first flights over Germany when leaflets were dropped to try to pierce the Nazi armor.

"New Zealand is again earning for herself a high reputation in this war. I know you will follow intelligently in the footsteps of those who have preceded you."

RNZAF - 26 Graduates: +(NZ41514) Tamaturangi Te Tomoana, +(NZ41568) Alexander George Brown, +(NZ404621) Charles Edward Le Montais Small - 203 Sqn.; William Mathias Dowle; (404646) Raymond Joseph Peterson, L.P. McCly

RCAF - 7 Graduates: Robert S. Bailey, Toronto; Thomas H. Clarke, Montreal; (R/83499) Thomas Hilliard Vaughan and (R/83382) Robert Marks gave their address as YMCA Windsor; +(R/70600) Harry Laverne Johnson, Kenneth L. Killings, Sidney Melbourne Nevanas Pozer - 419/429 Sqns. PoW

Course 23 Air Observers: September 27, 1941

30 RAF observer graduates attached to the Station from No. 31 ANS, Pt. Albert

Wings presented by Major General J.M. Ross DSO who urged them to "follow the traditions of the Royal Air Force.

"This class has been above the average, and I am sure it won't be long before you receive commissions.

"If you follow the traditions of the British air force we will come out all right in the end."

E.A. Wood, London led the class

A.E. Squire, Croydon, +(1288982) Jack Norman Wallworth - 217 Squadron

Posted in from No. 31 ANS Port Albert

No. 16 WAG Course: September 15 - October 11, 1941

Wings Presentation on the Drill Square at 1600 hours.

31 RCAF and 1 RAF Graduates

Douglas Dean, Australian-born director of YMCA activities at Fingal addressed the large class of Australian graduates.

"You are half way to the battlefield of Europe, and I know the folks back home will be proud of your record here. I have often been asked why people from Australia and the four corners of the world go to Europe to fight and I think I have the answer. If democracy fails in Europe it fails in the whole world."

Wing Commander Judd Kennedy presented wings to the graduates.

RAAF: Collins James Coote (RAAF) top observer, (402866)

Frederick John Harrold Karnaghan

RNZAF: +(NZ411776) Ernest Trevor Pellow top air gunner in course. +(NZ411793) Peeti 'Patrick' Rotana Karena, +(NZ411758) William Gordon Lloyd Inglis, +(NZ411766) William Robert Kell, +(NZ404641) Gordon Graham Mark McCarthy; Raymond C. Irving; William McKenzie Jones

+(J/8102 - R/74450) Howard Houston Burton - KIA 9 Sqn., Glendale, CA who was first in the class was presented with a fountain pen.

(J/16632) Maurice Coles Smith - DFC 514 Sqn., Plainsfield, N.Y and Toronto., top observer; William Sewell, London, Ont.; +(R/74689) George Robert Ash - 48 Sqn.

Air gunners: (J/8103) George Burton Smith POW, St. Catharines; Russell A. Armstrong, Montreal; Marie Joseph Alfred Jean Aumand POW - 425 Sqn., Frank Reginald Caven, Toronto, +(R/82327) Albert Clifford Challis - 425 Sqn., Ottawa, +(R/100368) Charles Woodrow Wilson Peck - DFM 207 Sqn., Pt. Arthur; +(J/16816) Thomas Kenneth Canning - 408 Sqn.; +(R/85918) John Hannaby - 9 Sqn.; (J/90003) G.E. 'Nick' Carter - 14/203/69 Sqns.; +(R/84563) Winston James Dickinson - 405 Sqn., b. NB r. ME

Posted in from

No. 1 Wireless School (Co. 16): Burton; Dickinson

Course 18 WAG's: November 7, 1941

Wings Presentation ceremony was held at 1600 hours in the Drill Hall. Wing Commander Kennedy presented the Wings to the class.

(J/8632 - R/93358) W.A. Walker, Toronto was first on the course

(J/8633 - R/88564) Ralph Henderson Tierney - 224 Sqn., Guelph; +(J/8634 - R/93255) Francis Edward Vale - 119 Sqn.

+(R/91316) William Oliver Snow, of Milton obtained highest marks in all subjects on the course and was presented with an engraved fountain pen. He was killed in action September 16, 1942 while serving with No. 9 Squadron. He was the oldest brother of the late James Wilfred Snow, former Ontario MPP.

Myer Cohen, Toronto; Edwin A. Curtin, Toronto; V.A. Richard, Ottawa; (J/36587) Gordon E. 'Ted' Smith - 408 Sqn., Chatham; Philip Holland 'Phil' Owen - PoW 419 Sqn. (2nd tour), North Bay; J.A. Wilson, Georgetown; Donald Joseph Bird - PoW 426 Sqn., Toronto; Ernest Green, Hamilton; F.F. Munro, Fitzroy Harbor; +(R/78934) Austin Jack Shepherd - 61 Sqn., Dieppe? London; +(R/81457) George Taylor Bloomer, Niagara Falls; (R/88517) John Thomas Crouch - PoW 221 Sqn., Toronto; Frederick J. Scott, Elora; William F. Jordan, Copper Cliff; +(J/16430) Rayden Frederick Watson, Chatham - his brother Waldron was also KIA; +(J/17802) Arthur Gordon Fletcher - 83 Sqn., London; John Howard Morrison, Windsor, N.S.; Ronald M. Chaisson, Cape Breton; William Cawley, Thornhill, Manitoba; +(R/76910) Lawrence Murphy - 426 Sqn., St. Thomas and Wasketenau, Alberta; William H. Drew, Boyle, Alberta; Ernest F. McLachlan, Portage la Prairie; William L. Bull, Montreal; Rudolphe Simoneau, Montreal; Francis E. Vale, Toronto; William A. Walker, Toronto

Newfoundland: +(798654) Gerald Aloysius Russell - 13 OTU, St. John's; +(798641) Joseph Guy Stuckless - 415 Sqn., Notre Dame Bay; (798643) Ralph Sterling Taylor - PoW 12 Sqn., Moretons Harbor

No. 24 Air Observers Course - No. 14 Air Gunners Course: August 4 - September 13, 1941

Lieut-Col. H.C. Cameron of the Elgin Regiment presented wings to graduates.

Pen and pencil sets were presented to Ralph Frederick, top observer and (R/77343) Henry Richard George Whittall, Verdun, Quebec, top air gunner

31 RCAF Graduates

Observers - 31 RCAF - 2 RAF

(J/8125 - R/80981) Ralph Gordon Frederick - 415/418 Sqns., Lindsay, Ont. - top in class

(J/8126) Donald Wallace Munro, Vancouver; +(J/8127 - R/77147) Robert Harvie - 50 Sqn., Westmount, Que.; (R/80884 - J/8134) Norman Altstedter, +Chesley Borden Steeves, (J/8128) William Albert Armstrong - DFC 407 Sqn.; +(J/8132) Owen Charles Bellamy Crump; (J/8133) Joseph Donat Victor Lariviere (DFC), (J/8125) Ralph Gordon Frederick, +(J/16383) David MacLeod Crozier - DFM 106 Sqn., Walkerton; Conway Ernest 'Ernie/Bud' Parsons; +(R/75858) Robert John Edgar - 206 Sqn., Hamilton

RAF: +(GB1105548) Alfred Thomas James Barnicott, Gourock, Scotland - 12 Sqn; +(GB1265929) Gilbert James 'Jim' Mugford - 214 Sqn., Ealing, Middlesex

WAGS - 31 RCAF (Aug. 18 - Sept. 15): W.A. West, Windsor, top in class. (R.82996) Maurice Daniel Clar, Frederick Field; +(R/83252) James Patrick Hayes, Souris, Manitoba; (R/90049) Eric W. Earl - PoW 156 Sqn., London; G.T. Green, London; +(R/90051) George Graham Hall - 32 OTU Beaufort N.1026 , London; (R/77343) Henry Richard George Whittall - PoW

2 U.S.

Observers posted in from No. 4 AOS Crumlin : Crump; Edgar; Harvie

Pickle Barrel Club: Alfred Barnicott; Benjaminsen - 2 hits; Owen Crump; Frederick Field; Frederick - 2 hits; Garter; Grossman; Joseph LaRiviere - 3 hits; Leether; Jim Mugford; Munro; McIntosh; McLean; O'Brien; Ernie Parsons - 2 hits; Ritchie - 3 hits; Wood

Course 20 Air Gunners and Course 30 Air Observers: November 9 - December 6, 1941

Received their wings from Wing Commander H.C. Adkin of the St. Thomas Technical Training School.

"When you get overseas tell the people of England what a great job is being done in this country in no uncertain manner."

Course 20: 27 WAGS and 6 Air Gunners from New Zealand and Canada

Top air gunner (J/9132 - R/90159) William Warren Hargrove (DFC - 410 Sqn.), Sombra; +(J/9133 - R/91271) William Neil MacPherson, Wallenstein, Ont., was second

Lyle Cecil Statia, Dundalk; William Harold 'Harry' Tracy, Manitoulin Island; +(J/17692) Albert James Sutton - 408 Sqn., Toronto; +(R/82766) Norman Gerhard Schultz - 142 Sqn., Pembroke; Joseph E. Collinson, Camlachie; +(R/78903) Elwin Thomas Hunking, Clinton; Leslie Walter Tunney - 407 Sqn., Markham; Jack Stewart, St. Thomas; Kenneth St. Louis, Cornwall; +(R/72499 - J/17729) Robert William Nixon - DFC 35 Sqn., Toronto; William Tilbury, Hamilton; James Howe, Toronto; +(R/84381) Norman Henry Arthur Taylor - 405 Sqn., Merriton; William Crooks, Toronto; +(J/17331) Richard Alexander Carney - 405 Sqn., Toronto; +(R/83152) John Austin Parker - 115 Sqn., Windsor; +(R/69378) Joseph Borden Nault, - 218 Sqn., Ansonville; +(R/85916) Horace Russell Kedwell, Toronto; +(R/88514) Gordon Hillman - 156 Sqn., Weston; Walter Slater, Toronto; +(R/79109) Leonard James Patrick Lafleur

Course 30: 39 RAF Observers

(1381661 - 119745) Michael Heathcote Hewes - 12 Sqn., was top observer.

(1285164) William Edward Lanchbery (DFM - 150 Sqn.)

+(R/77463) Joseph Emile Armand Gauthier of Montreal was the only Canadian graduate included in the Observers class.

Course 19 Air Gunners and Course 20 Air Observers: Oct. 27 - November 21, 1941

Presentation of Wings at 1600 hours. Large class of New Zealanders. Squadron Leader Robert J. White, chief instructor, presented the Wings.

"Many more such trainees will be needed not only to maintain replacements but to provide the increased volume of manpower necessary to ensure complete victory."

19 Air Gunners: (NZ391069) Marama Tahu O'Tangi Potiki Te Whati Parata - 75 Sqn., Waikanae, was presented with an engraved fountain pen for attaining the highest marks in all subjects on Course.

(NZ412371) Desmund Percy 'Des' Wadey, Wanganui - top air gunner in course; +(NZ412364) Robert James Stubbings - 101 Sqn., was second; (NZ412367) Leonard Bertie Taylor, Morrinsville

+(R/98366) Francis Wayne Gennett - 20 OTU, +(R/108360 - J/17005) John Rankin Jr. - 405 Sqn.; Robert E. Woods, +(R/74067) Joseph Hector Georges Tasse - 425 Sqn.

20 Air Observers: +(J/16265 - R/90520) George Wilbert Henry Ebert - 269 Sqn., Cache Bay, Ontario - top in course and presented with an engraved fountain pen as well; (R/90515) F.E. Anderson was second

+(R/93062) George Douglas Murray, James G. Edwards, Toronto; +(J/9570) William Harry Donovan - 61 Sqn.; +(R/90192) George Thomas King, Wingham; Lloyd G. Mark, Toronto; Edward L.L. Rowe, Owen Sound; Donald Arthur Harborne, Sarnia; Leslie W. Rogers, Ottawa; +(R/83855) Lloyd Gordon Harvie - 16 OTU; Ronald Dempsey, Cobalt; Jim Edwards, Toronto

Course 21 Air Gunners: November 22 - December 20, 1941

First graduates posted to Fingal from No. 4 Wireless School, Guelph.

Wing Commander A.J. Kennedy addressed the graduates.

"There is a vast army of ground men necessary to make up the organization. You're going to appreciate these men more, probably than you have, when you get on with the jobs assigned to you."

32 WAGS and 1 AG: +(J/9634 - R/98029) Lloyd George Morrison (top in class), St. Thomas

+(J/9635 - R/84293) Thomas Ashton Fillingham - 405 Sqn.; +(J/9636 - R/75832) George Leigh Shaw;

(R/87951) John (Ralph) Woolley - DFM 61 Sqn., Alberni, B.C., received a gift of pen, for heading the course in gunnery subjects.

R.W. Haydon, Ottawa; J.H. Alstadt, Windsor; +(R/78950) Christopher Norman Chalklen - 408 Sqn., St. Thomas; Christopher H. Dallison, Toronto; J.S. Foyle, Port Hope, N.H. Foale, Kingsville; R.D. Fremlin, Clinton; R.G. Gaul, Milverton; W.E. McCutcheon, Hamilton; Ralph Whitney Merkley (204 Sqn.); +(R/90451) Donald Albert Millard; D.E. Moffatt, Guelph; (R/69362) Benjamin Henry Moroney (DFM - 218 Sqn.); W. J. Smythe, Stroud; V. A. Stortz, Kenilworth, +(R/83079) Douglas Arthur White, Windsor; G.L. Shaw, Simcoe; W.J.B. Smythe, Stroud

December 21, 1941: 19 airmen graduates of Course 35 arrived from Crumlin

December 30, 1941

Wing Commander A.J. Kennedy briefly addressed the graduates

"You have all got your wings now and I am sure that each and every one of you is going to keep that wing up for the next five days while you are enjoying your New Year leaves.

"You will soon be getting on the job down there and don't forget to keep that wing flying."

+(J/10050) John Scott MacIntyre - 429 Sqn., Ottawa top observer in Class

+(J/10046) James Adam Weatherbee Melrose, Dunnville;(J/10052) John Fletcher Hawken, Owen Sound; +(J/10056) Arthur Douglas Walker, Toronto; (R/101121- J/10057) William Richard Coleman - 217 Sqn.; (J/10062) Thomas Henry Louis Church, St. Catharines;

(R/101121- J/10057) William Richard Coleman - 217 Sqn.; Robert Mitchell, Vancouver; +(J/17591) Joseph Peter Bulanda - 7 Sqn., St. Catharines; +(J/17311) Robert Brownlee Carlson - 40 Sqn., Haileybury; +(R/90686) Joseph Hilarion Charron, New Liskeard; Arthur W.T. Joyce - 415 Sqn., Hamilton; +(R/83220) Cleveland John Eggleton, Amherstburg; +(R/102761) Frank John Gallagher - 25 OTU, Toronto; +(R/67287) George Armstrong Gray, Kingston; +(J/16996) Frederick William Hodge - 405 Sqn., Windsor; A.V. Laginskie, Bonnechere, (R/75721) H.E. Lashmere, Hamilton; H.F.R. Pender, Toronto; +(R/105148) Kenneth Mitchell Perkins, Toronto; +(J/16261) Byron Ball Reid, Toronto; +(R/103000) Carl Clynton Shook, Toronto; +(R/102783) Robert Douglas Strong - 156 Sqn., Lambton Mills; W.W. Tucker, Toronto; +(J/16639) John Herbert Zealand - 102 Sqn., Hamilton; W.J. Bailey, Vancouver; B.E. Langley, Pt. Hawkesbury, N.S.; L. Goldbloom, Montreal; R.J. Williams, Knowlton, Que.

+(R/67738) Woodrow Wilcox Waddell - 405 Sqn.; +(R/83454) Charles Soloman Snider - 420 Sqn.; (R/79215) Howard Ralph Lang - PoW 10 Sqn.

Course 22 Air Gunners: November 23, 1941 - January 3, 1942

32 graduates

+(J/10050 - R/95962) John Scott McIntyre - 429 Aqn.; (J/10057 - R/101121) William Richard Coleman

+(R/83454) Charles Soloman Snider - 420 Sqn.; +(R/67738) Woodrow Wilcox Waddell - 405 Sqn.

WAGS Co. 22 posted in from No. 1 Wireless School: James Birnie of Victoria led the class; +(R/79133) Donald Robb Ross - 138 Sqn., Maurice P. Houghton, Vancouver, Knox M. Hambly, New Westminster

RAF: Heathcote Hewes, Northampton, England

Posted in from

No. 4 AOS Crumlin (Co. 32): Snider, McIntyre, Coleman, Waddell

Posted to

No. 2 ANS: Snider

49 graduates

+(R/90166 - J/27125) Donald Earle Craig Lawrence - KIA as remustered pilot

Course 22: December 8, 1941 - January 5, 1942

+(R/91742) Robert (Ernest) Tod DFM - 75 Sqn. and +(R/91741) Richard (Douglas) Tod St. Vital. Manitoba both killed June 23, 1943

John Harry and Norman Richard Mihell, Sault Ste. Marie; A.L. Jones, Galt; F.J. Belanger, Toronto; W. Georges, Windsor; K.M. Hambly, New Westminster; Angus McLeod, Niagara Falls; M.P. Houghton, Vancouver; R.W. Beamish, Toronto; C.W. Hollingshead, Edmonton; R.C. Ough, Port Hope

Course 23 WAG's: December 22, 1941 - January 17, 1942

Squadron Leader Gobeil, Officer Commanding ATS, presented Wings to 16 graduates.

(R/106117) J.R. Hughes placed first on course.

+(J/9878 - R/90219) Ronald Bartle Motz - 502 Sqn., Centralia placed second

(R/101037) Alvin Peter Fast - DFM 156 Sqn., received an engraved fountain pen for obtaining highest training marks on course.

Charles Henry Stone, Stayner; +(R/85752) Robert Elmer Paudash - 115 Sqn., Keene; Kenneth W. Graham, Northmount

+(R/90455) John Alan Montgomery

Posted in from

No. 4 Wireless School, Guelph: Montgomery

Course 24 Air Gunners and Course 33 Observers: December 22, 1941 - January 31, 1942

Captain O. Bakke Stene, Royal Norwegian Air Force, presented wings and addressed the graduates.

"This is a war of the United Nations and calls for tean work between nations. Each man is just as important as the next, whether he ne a flier or a member of the ground crew. He has his part to play and must work with his fellows to speed victory."

Sergeant Olaf Jensen received wing stamped with "RS" abbreviation for "Radio Skytter" (wireless air gunner) in the Royal Norwegian Air Force.

RAF Air Gunners: (GB.1057133) William Anderson Summerson 149 Sqn., top in class. He received an engraved fountain pen for obtaining highest training marks on course. E.D. Hines, D.B. Sayer

RNZAF: +(NZ41140) James Michael Burgess - 15 Sqn. - second place in course

RCAF Air Gunners: (R/83488) J.G.Bliss Lewin, Detroit, only air gunner to receive a commission

R.J. Shaw, Orillia; (R/78893) William S. White, Chatham; +(R/78891) Charles Cyril Brook - 102 Sqn., London; (J/17142) Gordon Leonard Glover DFC - 101 Sqn., Barrie; H.E. Hill, +(R/93458) Stephen James Marugg 158 Sqn., Toronto; +(R/78896) William Robert Harold Hewitt - 51 Sqn., Listowel; +(R119377) George William Miller - 425/149 Sqns., Prescott; +(R/83286 - J/16748) John Nelson Peck - 214 Sqn., Windsor; T.D. McKeown, Sarnia

Course 33 Observers (28 graduates): +(R/51824) Joseph Harold Gourley Shaw - 419 Sqn., North Bay - first on course and received an engraved fountain pen.

(RAF123191) William Henry Lugger placed second

+(J/18182) Thomas Donovan Copeland - 434 Sqn., Dundalk; +(R/93162) Robert Doherty - 419 Sqn., Toronto; W.T. Jones, Peterborough; +(R/85779) William McKenzie Martin - 7 Sqn., Toronto; (J/17744) McDonald Charles Tucker - DFC 434 Sqn., Lakeview; G.W. Coburn, Beaton; S.E. Yungblut, Londesborough; +(R79242) James Kenneth Johnston

+(J/19309) Harold Baxter Wareham (Nav.) 100 Sqn., St. John's, Nfld; +(R/51824) Joseph Harold Gourley Shaw - 419 Sqn.; J. M. Burgess; J. R. Lord; W. Stephen; +(J/18106) Walter Craig - (AG) 70 Sqn., Shumacher, Ont.; A. J. Hendry; G. F. Waeckerley; A. O. Mayne

Posted in from

No. 4 AOS Crumlin: Tucker

Pickle Barrel Club Members: Thomas Copeland (2 bombs), Perrott (2 bombs), W.T. Jones (2), Frith, William Lugger (2), William Martin, Scott, A.J. Hendry (3 bombs), G.W. Coburn (2), McDonald Tucker (2), Joseph Shaw, Bywater, Grey (2), Johnston, Lord, Williams, S.E. Youngblut, Doherty

Air Gunners Course 25 and Course 34 Air Observers: January 3 - February 14, 1942

Wing Commander J.H. Keens, A.F.C., presented wings.

Observers - 25 RCAF: (J/10676 - R/83388) Victor Rolfe - DFC & Bar 426/424 Sqns., Windsor, top observer; (R/88791) Kenneth P. Munnings, Belleville was second

(J/10691) John Harold Coo, Mimico; D.T. Doughty, Toronto; +(J/85162) Clifford Roy Sullivan - 20 OTU, Ottawa; +(J/10678) Thomas Harold O'Neil - 39 Sqn. DAF, Hamilton; Stanley W. Gentle, Hamilton; C.J. Carrigan, Hamilton; T.H. Dibb, London; D.F. Evans, Hallville; A.K. Young, Owen Sound; T. Halliday, Toronto; +(R/90778) Vincent Armand Hugli - 419 Sqn., Sault Ste. Marie; D.L. Jarrett, Sudbury; E.H. Kingsland, Ottawa; J.T. Kirwin, Toronto; +(R90253 - J17759) Richard John 'Jack' Lee - 156 Sqn., London; (J/10686) Duncan Thomas McQueen, Toronto; +(J/10692) William Adam Miller, Hamilton; J.W. Montgomery, Galt; W.E. Murphy, Mt. Forest; Frederick Charles Stapley III - 420/432 Sqns., Ottawa; G.K. Young, Stratford; (J18603) Elmer Lee Bulman (MiD) - 405 Sqn., Rustico, N.B.; B.L. Miller, Moncton; Hught

2 RAF Observers: S.P. Shaw, Bechenham, Kent; J.C. Jacques, Hasland, Chesterfield

Pickle Barrel Club Members: E.H. Kingsland; J.T. Kirwin (3); Richard John 'Jack' Lee (2); A.K. Young (2); Hught; William Miller (4 bombs); E.H. Kingsland; Victor Rolfe (2 bombs); S.P. Shaw; W.E. Murphy; Frederick Stapley; Duncan McQueen; J.C. Jaques; T.H. Dibb (3); Clifford Sullivan (2); D.L. Jarrett; John Coo; T. Halliday

Air Gunners: (R/95534) Donald MacLeod, Ottawa, top air gunner; (R/99971) Donald Hughes, Toronto, was second

M. Beneteau, LaSalle; William R. Burton, St. Thomas; +(R/130033) James Cannon Carswell, Kirkland Lake; +(R/114486) Grant Depew Cline – 37 Sqn., Aldershot; +(R/127686) Daniel Crossthwaite - 83 Sqn., Madoc; Charles M. Drew, Burlington; +(R/119305) Donald William Dufton - 77 Sqn., Toronto; +(R/123282) John Brown Fleming – 214 Sqn., Toronto; L. Dawson Gilmour, Carleton Place; +(R/127714) Eldred Blakely Hadden – 156 Sqn., Barrie; G. Henderson, Hamilton; J.D. Johnston, Iroquois; E.F. Larsen, Espanola; +(R/99971) Raymond Woods Hughes - 22 OTU, Kent Bridge; V. Leblanc, Cornwall; +(R/115264) Leo Alphonse John Latour - 37 Sqn., Cornwall; W. Marsh, Hamilton; +(R/123004) William James North - 142 Sqn., Toronto; (R/108467) Dorland Gillies Plyley - POW 405 Sqn.; Rodney; Bruce Powell, Toronto; A.F. Smythe, Humberstone; +(R/123498) Allan Frank McCoy - 10 Sqn., (Cdn.) Chicago

(R/101822) Edmund Hinke (DFM), (R/123624) Graham Grey Stafford, Hollywood, E.L. Bulman, Rustico, P.E.I.; B.L. Miller, Moncton and two RAF

Posted to

No. 2 ANS (Co. 34): McQueen, Lee

January 4, 1942: Course 34 graduated from Crumlin and arrived by bus.

Air Gunners Course 26 and Air Observers Course 35: January 17 - February 28, 1942

Wing Commander A. Judd Kennedy presented wings to the graduates

Course 26 Air Gunners - 21 RCAF, 2 RAF and 3 RNZAF: +(1335518) Ronald Alfred Russell - 149 Sqn., Ilford, Essex, top in class and also awarded an engraved fountain pen.

(R/90095) George Henry Newsome, St. Thomas, H.I. Scott, London; Carl Rowland Keller; +(R/95759) Joseph Linwood Nibblet; Thomas James Wilson; +(R/125283) Robert Bruce Bryers - 422 Sqn.; +(R/131821) William Harvey Penn - 9 Sqn.; R.W. Remick, Long Beach; G.G.H. Wright, Overbrook, Phila; H.L. Rose, Vancouver; E.S. Christian, Vancouver; William John Bertram Newcombe, (artist) Vancouver; S.I. Smith, New Westminster; (R/103805) Ross Oliver Elford - PoW 35 Sqn., Calgary; Reginald Jack Booth - DFC 100 Sqn., Saskatoon; John Leonard Hirst - brother James KIA, Stonewall, MB

RNZAF Air Gunners: (NZ403362) John Trevor Vivian Gill - 75 Sqn.; +(NZ412346) Leslie Hunter Martin - 115 Sqn.; +(NZ412593) Henry Woolls Sampson

Course 35 Observers - 22 RCAF, 2 RAF and 2 RNZAF:

(J/11104 - R/76369) George Austin Purvis, Halifax - class leader awarded an engraved fountain pen

(J/11213 - R/108493) Gordon Henry Francis Carter - DFC & Bar 35 Sqn., Bronxville; +(J/17600) John Robert Marriott - 405 Sqn., Ottawa; E.K. Anderson, Stratford; P. Arnold, Toronto; E.A.S. Conway, London; H.C. Irwin, Ilderton; Terrence McNally 'Terry' Moore - Late Arrivals Club Malta, Meaford Toronto; (J/18782) George Sparks - POW 426 Sqn., Toronto; (R/84492) Robert George Craft - DFM 10 Sqn., Brantford; R.C. Everson, Brantford; R.J.W. Hall, Toronto; Francis Joseph Hogan, Ottawa; F.H. McGuire, Schomberg; +(J/17546) Joseph Ovila Peltier - 617 Sqn., Windsor; +(J/16615) Arthur Rotenberg, Toronto; O.A. Webb and J.H. Woodrow, Windsor, +(R/95765) Worcester Graham Burke - 425 Sqn.; +(R/90469) Donald R. Philp - 23 OTU

RAAF Observers: +(404480) Eric Alan Mervyn Deignan - 500 Sqn.; I.H. Kerr both of Brisbane

RNZAF Observers: +(411373) Ian Alister Colquhoun - 36 Sqn., Dunedin; (411450) Ivor William Robyns, Wellington

Posted in from

No. 4 AOS, Crumlin (Co. 35): Burke, Craft, Hogan, Marriott

No. 10 AOS: Carter

Posted to

No. 2 ANS (Co. 36): Carter, Burke, Philp, Craft

January 18, 1942: Course 35 graduated from Crumlin and arrived by bus.

Course 25A Air Gunners and Course 36 Air Observers: February 14 - March 14, 1942

(C450) Wing Commander Norman Irwin, officer commanding No. 14 SFTS, Aylmer, presented wings to the graduates.

Course 36 Observers: 24 RCAF Graduates (R/99516 - J11224) John Frederick Lewis DFC 426 Sqn. & Bar 405 Sqn., London, top observer.

(R/90807) J.P.H. Carrere was second

+(R/88749) Robert Alfred Chapman - 57 Sqn., Toronto; +(R/115498) John Dunham Correll - 12 Sqn., Toronto; +(R/115406) Douglas Robertson Dewar - 76 Sqn., Toronto; +(R/93443) Gordon Carruthers Haig - 102 Sqn., Toronto; D.R. Henderson, Toronto; +(R/99548) John William 'Jack' Warner, London; (J/17377) John Robert Harding - DFC 550 Sqn.; F. Roth, Windsor; (J/17078) Jean Pierre Henry Carrere - DFC & Bar 9/105 Sqns., Cochrane; (R/115419 - J18469) Robert Burns Charters - DFM 199 Sqn. - Croix de Guerre 171 Sqn., Brampton; (J/11216) Edwin Carleton Gerow, Brantford; +(J/16775) John David Hawkins - 405 Sqn., Clinton; (R/96467) Edward John Lowans - DFM 49 Sqn., Gananoque; +(R/82826) Clarence Ames Massey - 102 Sqn., Morganston; +(R/90400) Brock Laverne Owen - 432 Sqn. (AB), Ingersoll; L.C. Watson, Elmira; +(R/11243) Raymond William Wilsdon - 39 Sqn. (AO), Woodstock; Robert W. Campbell, Port Elgin; George H. Nichols, Grosse Pointe; William George Wilson - MiD, Cedar Springs, IA; G.F. Baker, Wainwright, Alberta; H.C. MacNeil, Cape Breton; R.F. Moore, Richmond, Que.;

Course 25A Air gunners: 17 RCAF graduates (R/98491) Eugene Bonner - 420 Sqn., (R/98035) John Murray Clewis; W. Jackson, L.K. Leigh, all of Toronto; W.E. Scott, Actinolite; (R/115098) Howard Robert Welch - DFM 405 Sqn., Belleville; (R/99659) J.J. Garrity - PoW, London; +(R/130109) Joseph Henry Eveline - 426 Sqn., Sudbury; +(R/135101) Harold Albert Horton - 467 Sqn.; +(R/79401) Earl (George) Smith - 428 Sqn.; +(R/130109) Joseph Henry Eveline - 426 Sqn., Sudbury; R.T. Bond, Winnipeg; D.H. Christie, St. James, Manitoba; A.O. Prior, Indian Head, Sask.; W. Jackson, Toronto; W.J. Clark, Vancouver; R. Clarke, Victoria; J. Schofield, Vancouver; T.A. Newman, Notch Hill, B.C.

1 RAF: F.D. Cole Weybridge, Eng.

4 RAAF: +(RAAF411424) Allan Herbert Wright finished second; +(403158) Henry Thomas Augustus Turner - 460 Sqn.; (402683) Warwick Hilliard Tubman - PoW 460 Sqn.; +(404684) Alexander Clive Johnston - 460/156 Sqns.

2 RNZAF: +(NZ40161) Thomas Edward Coles - 75 Sqn., finished first in course; +(412887) Harry Ian Forsyth Connelly - 149 Sqn., Auckland

Wright and Coles expressed hope arrangements would be made for their immediate return to their own countries.

"That is where we would very much like to be in the growing crisis in the Pacific," Coles said.

"We had only three Japs in New Zealand before the war and I don't think they are in New Zealand now."

Observers posted in from

No. 4 AOS Crumlin: 4 - Carrere, Lowans

Posted to

No. 1 ANS: Lewis

No. 2 ANS: Lowans; Massey

February 1, 1942: Trainees from Course 36 arrived by bus from Crumlin

Air Gunners Course 27A and Air Observers Course 38: March 16 - April 13, 1942

Wing Commander Alexander Judd Kennedy presented wings and addressed the graduates.

"You are going into a tough job, but you have had the best training it is possible to give you for the job in hand. The rest depends on you."

Wing Commander Kennedy also explained that this would be the last course of observers who would receive their wing in ceremonies at Fingal. Future graduates would receive their wing upon completion of their navigation course.

Course 27 Air gunners March 16 - April 13, 1942 (33): +(J/11120 - R/97933) Lester McBride Wadman was top student in the class receiving a commission.

(R/107552) J.M. Broughton - second place; Leo Kerr, Denton, Texas; K.A. Hart, London; +(R/109630) David Lloyd George Brown - 408 Sqn., Amherstburg; +(R/99568) William Harold Pym - 166 Sqn., Wingham; +(J/17107) Kenneth Bruce Malcolm - 429 Sqn., Niagara Falls; +(R/125754 - J/17007) Harold Barbour Moore; W.N. Chalk, Kapuskasing; A.J. Kennedy, North Bay; E.G. Payie?, Nobel; J.W. DuBroy, Ottawa; (R/116556 - J/92710) Kenneth Algar Hart - DFM 405 Sqn., London; R.B. Prentice, Pickering; +(R99819) Ralph Matthew Costello - 199 Sqn.; +(R109675) John Richard Gilbert - 78 Sqn.

Observers - 26 RCAF: (R/100530) C.R. Stampe led the class

(R/108397) G. Holz, second place; N.C. MacDougall, London; +(R/98456) George Benson Wigle, Leamington; R.H. Prest, Brussels; C.W. Hockridge, Guelph; W.D. Sargeant, Georgetown; N.G. MacDougall, London; W.G. Laut, Bracebridge; R.C. McNinch, Timmins; +(R/90121) John Joseph Reansbury - 427 Sqn., Brantford; W.S. Berry, St. Marys; D.T. Deans, Sprucedale; +(R/93489) Herman Stanley Fawns - 431 Sqn., Cannington; +(R/109627) Leonard H. Feldman - 145 BR, Windsor; A.W. Hornby, Timmins; +(R/115480) John Edward 'Jack' Melville - 500 Sqn., Midland; T.R. Tinsley, Hamilton

2 RAF: +(GB1380740) Robert John Wendes - 109 Sqn.

All observers were posted to No. 2 ANS

March 1, 1942: Trainees from Course 38 arrived by bus from Crumlin

Course 28 Air Gunners and Course 39 Air Observers: March 28 - April 25, 1942

Wing Commander C.R. Lloyd, No. 1 Training Command, presented badges to the graduates.

"From today on it is not one of personal motive, of individual effort and desire but is is a co-operative motive. It is the sum total of all. You must think in terms of the service. You must think and act with the other members of your crew. The success of an air crew depends on your efforts as integral parts of that crew."

Course 28 Air gunners: 25 RCAF Graduates - (N1601) Quartermaster H.N. Stien, Norwegian top air gunner. (R/93447) H.B. Ward, Toronto, was the top RCAF air gunner

(R78921 - J96297) Angus Grant 'Scott' McArthur - POW 10 Sqn., London; +(R/99543) Michael Ralph Dixon, London (166 Squadron); +(R/90227) William Clifford Colwill, St. Thomas - 207 Sqn.; (R/116771) Claude N. Clemens - PoW 9 Sqn., Thedford; J.F. Mayer, Walkerton; G.W. Kingston, D.A. Moore; +(R/129636) Gordon Campbell McKay - 405 Sqn., St. Marys; +(R/97638) Robert Lloyd Dickie - 9 Sqn.; +(R/97647) Joseph Arthur Firth - 100 Sqn.; +(R/130695) James Alexander Campbell Taylor - 405 Sqn.; A.C. Bailey, +(R/116471) David Edwin Palmatier - 429 Sqn.; W.M. Archibald, G.C. Cale, D.D. Palatana, +(R/124691) Robert Gray MacDonald - 405 Sqn.; +(R/104129) Donald Stewart Rathe - 115 Sqn.; +(R/133263) Benjamin Francis Brown, (44 Squadron), Joseph Swinden Hatton, (R129105) Walter Joseph Mullaney Jr., - PoW - 429 Sqn.; +(R137144) William Malcolm Maisenbacher, +(R/114097) Frederick Montgomery Forrest - 419 Sqn., Brantford

5 Norwegians:

Course 39 Air Observers - 33 RCAF Graduates: (R/103406) Donald George Allan, Hamilton was top observer. (R/106728) Arthur Maitland Lipman, Manchester, Eng. was second

(R/108342) William Alfred Williamson, London; (J/11946) Alexander (Cameron) Wallace - DFC 109 Sqn., Woodstock; John Duncan Jarvis, Donald George Allan, Lawrence Edgar Priest, Hamilton; Robert William Fox, Alastair Bruce Mitchell, (R/115418) Robert Edward Smith; (J/17441) Roy Alexander Henry - DFC 426 Sqn., Toronto; J. Harrison, Hugh Benjamin Kent, Toronto; +(R/115270) James McLean Johnston, Gore Bay; +(R/90867) Francois Rolland Pilon - 408 Sqn., Rockland; (R/112675) Oscar (Ralph) Blackmore, Windsor; (R100929) Gordon Edward Deschaine, Windsor (DFC); +Anthony Albert Herbert, Riverside; +(R/109934) James Murphy, Walkerville; (J/17351) George Lindsay Vogan - DFC 427 Sqn., Millbank; Walter Gordon Johnston, Ottawa; +(R/95518) Joseph Alfred Jean Louis Viau, Hull; Andrew James Phillips, Westmount; Lester Allan Gray, Outremont; Harold Marshall Sterling, (R/119002) Jacques Keshishian, E.R. McGowan, (J11961) Albert John Norton, (R/109824) Russell J. Purner (11998013), (R/113720) Alfred Smith Tait; +(R/115270) James McLean Johnson; R.A. Henry, Toronto; J.W. Kerr, Toronto; R.E. Smith, Toronto

Some airmen posted from No. 4 AOS (Co. 39)

Air observers posted to No. 2 ANS

Course 39 Air Observers

Front Row L to R: Donald George Allan, +Robert Arnold Billings, +Frederick Forrest, John Williamson Kerr, +(R/115270) James McLean Johnson, (R/111749) Walter Gordon Johnston, (R/123102) Robert William Fox, (R/100776) Alastair Bruce Mitchell Back row: (J11961) Albert John Norton, +(R/90867) Francois Rolland Pilon, Lawrence Edgar Priest,( R/117623) Maurice Swailes Robinson, (R/115418) Robert Edward Smith, (R/117708) Harold Marshall Sterling, Arthur Maitland Lipman, (R/105176) Roy Alexander Henry (RCAF Photo)

Course 40 Air Observers and Course 29 WAG's: March 30 - May 9, 1942

Group Captain W.D. Van Vliet, former O.C. at Fingal, presented wings and addressed the graduates.

"I know you will acquit yourselves as gallantry and as gloriously as the airmen of the United Nations have been doing and will continue to do. I am sure that you wireless air gunners and air observers will maintain the traditions of the service."

Joseph Laidlaw was one of the first drogue operators to report for duty at the Fingal school, arriving there in November 1940. He remustered for aircrew training in September 1941.

Group Captain Van Vliet spotted Sergeant Laidlaw in the parade.

"Here's a young fellow who knows what drogue operating really is. I suppose he lay on his stomach inside bombers, looking after drogue lines, for more than 300 flying hours before he remustered for aircrew training. I sincerely hope he has the best of luck overseas."

Sadly, Flight Sergeant Laidlaw and his crew were shot down and killed in 1943.

Course 29 Wireless Air Gunners - 22 RCAF graduates: (J/11606 - R/95584) Ernest Charles Shaffer - 21 Sqn., Brockville, finished first on the course. +(J/11607) Lorne Herbert York, Tamworth, finished second

C.C. Carruthers, London; R.C. Wilson, London; W.N. Baker, Parkhill; +(R/90322) James Henry Maxwell Ker - 415 Sqn., Brownsville; D.K.H. Wallace, Collingwood; G. Young, Bath; C.J. Simpson, Timmins; I.R. Parliament, Cannington; A.R. Currie, Beaverton; R.A. Cameron, Alvinston; A.S. Henderson, Beaverton; G.T. Greaves, Toronto; J.H. Smith, Nairn Centre; F.E. Reynolds, Windsor; V.S. Salmons, Windsor; +(R/73968) Joseph Stanley Laidlaw - 21 Sqn., Montreal; A. McPhaden, Quebec; R.W. Noakes, Quebec; +(R/102392 - J/18616) Daniel Dominique Platana - 425/156 Sqns. DFC, Regina

6 RAAF Graduates: +(AUS412179) Reginald Charles Joffre Powell was awarded an engraved fountain pen for obtaining highest training marks on the Course. J.W. McCarthy, Sydney

1 RNZAF Graduate: (412475) Francis Maurice McCarthy?, South Island

Course 40 Air Observers - 18 RCAF graduates: Robert Lloyd Lemon, St. Thomas; J.F. Rankin, Sarnia; D.W. Steele, Guelph; +(R/116656) Franklin Charles Zurbrigg - KIFA 1 OTU, Lucan; W.D. Tye, Milverton; C.J. Sivell, Toronto; A.R. Ruggles, Toronto; +(R/108803) Charles (Grant) Leatherdale - 76/156 Sqns., Toronto; E.H. Edmonds, St. Catharines; H.L. Clemens, Windsor; +(J/12744 - R/108375) Daniel Boyd Sinclair - KIFA 53 Sqn., Montreal; +(R/112684) Lloyd Martin Stormer - 90 Sqn., Toronto

12 RAF Graduates: (GB1068128 - 126654) Neville John Carver finished first on the course. (GB1381560 - 126656) Eric William Harrison was second.

Posted in from

No. 4 AOS Crumlin: Leatherdale, Sinclair

No. 9 AOS: Stormer

RAAF air gunners and a large number of RAF observer graduates from Ireland, Scotland and England.

Posted to

Observers were posted to No. 1 ANS, Rivers: Sinclair, Stormer (became air bomber)

Course 30 Air Gunners and Course 41 Air Observers: April 13 - May 23, 1942

Wing Commander Douglas D. Findlay presented wings to the graduates from Canada, Newfoundland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

Course 41 Air Observers - 16 RCAF: +(J/22508 - R/98498) William Henry Offler - KIA 220 Sqn., Leamington; (J/22516) James Delbert Golds - PoW 106 Sqn., Guelph; J.D. Geddes, Snow Road; +(J/22568) Lloyd George Girty - 21 Sqn., Kingsville; (J/22541) Douglas Hackett - DFC - 424 Sqn., Kingston; J.K. Jewett, Toronto; +(R/122534 - J/12737) Herbert William Rieger, Hamilton; P.J. Todkill, Toronto

13 RAF Observers: +(GB1318601 - 127284) George Richard Rowland, Peterborough, Eng., was awarded an engraved fountain pen for obtaining highest training marks on the course.

Course 30 Air Gunners - 19 RCAF: +(J/11847) Philip Malcolm Matthews - (AG) 408 Sqn., Langruth, Manitoba - top RCAF air gunner and 2nd on course

R. Arnold, Port Arthur; J.G. Budreau, Morson; (R/90427) Robert Herbert Hammett - PoW 76 Sqn., Sarnia; D. King, Aurora; C. Reid, Windsor; +(R/102644) Irving Arbuckle - 405 Sqn., Toronto; H. Fish, Ottawa; M.D. Hampson, Toronto; +(R/123129) William Pearson - 50 Sqn., Toronto; B. Williams, Toronto; F.W. Wright, Toronto; R.R. Wood, Windsor; +(R/144193) Albert Andrew Tschantre - 408 Sqn.

7 RNZAF Air Gunners: +(NZ413250) Edward Hugo Capewell - third on course; +(NZ413087) Lu Henry Kainamu - 178 Sqn.

2 RAAF Air Gunners: +(AUS411704) William Henry Hewson finished first on the course.

Posted from

No. 4 AOS, Crumlin (Co. 41): Rieger

Front Row L to R: 1. +(R/88416) Alphe Baptiste Amirault - 214 Sqn.; Yarmouth, N.S. 2. R. Arnold, Pt. Arthur 3. +(J/17497) Jack Gale Budreau - 426 Sqn., Morson 4. A. English 5. (R/90427) Robert Herbert Hammett - PoW 76 Sqn., Sarnia 6. M. Harding 7. W.E. Hawke

Back Row L to R: 1. D. King, Aurora 2. B.L. Lehew - 408 Sqn. 3. T.O. Love 4. L.C. Main 5. P.M. Mathews 6. K.L. Peck 7. G. Reid, Windsor

Course 31 Air Gunners and Course 42 Air Observers: May 9 - June 6, 1942

Wing Commander J.H. Keens, A.F.C., from the Technical Training School, St, Thomas presneted wings and addressed the 28 graduates.

"From now on team work will tell the story. You will be one of a team on a definite enterprise, the success of which depends on how each of you play your part. The friendships you are going to make will remain with you all your life. I envy you the task that lies ahead."

28 RCAF graduates

(R122034) D.J. Smith, Oliver, B.C., finished first on the course and was awarded engraved fountain pen.

+(R/103890) Jack Tongue - 97 Sqn., B.C. finished second on course

A. Lawson, London; +(R/137695) William John Bowles Bennett, Markdale; +(R/129349) William Edward Hawke - 102 Sqn., Nobel; A.W. Cowan, Toronto; (J/18836) Reginald Wallace Holman, Port Arthur; W.C. Lee, Parry Sound; F.J. McNulty, Peterborough; P.N. Morrison, St. Anne; +(R/106281) John Francis Teskey, Port Arthur; G. Beattie, Webb, Sask.; +(R/87263) Alvin Harold Penner - 83 Sqn., Laird, Sask.; (J/19480) Frank Noel Preeble DFC - 10 Sqn., +(J/18994) Gibson Scott - 432 Sqn., all of B.C.; J.E. Paterson, Edrens, Man.; (J/17048) Robert John Sherrett (DFC - 57/431 Sqn.; J.A. Tremblay, Montreal; +(R/132630) Thomas Ferguson How - 426 Sqn.; J.N.R. Giguere, Montreal; (R135529) Richard L. Barger, +(R126892) Fred Hugh Davis - 100 Sqn.; +(R/137398) Walter Anthony "Wallie" Kopacz - 408 Sqn.; John Richard Moskcowski, William Thomas Kent (DFM), +(R/141400) Joseph Wendelin Kucinsky - 424/432/405 Sqns.; (R/130515) Wilkie William Alexander Wanless, Edmonton

Course 42 Air Observers - 14 RCAF

13 RAF: (1374991) J.W. Bennett finished first on course receiving the engraved fountain pen for obtaining highest marks on the course. (386043) J.C. Jones finished second.

Observers were posted to No. 1 ANS Rivers

Air Observers Course 37: February 16 - March 28, 1942

Wings were presented by (C121) Squadron Leader F.M. Gobeil. He also addressed the graduates.

"You are going out to join those who have trained before you in meeting a treacherous, slimy, yellow foe who has gained some temporary success in the Pacific. Go out and get them. Spring the trap about their yellow necks.

"And never forget that our greater foes are still the more despicable German rats. Go out and get them also. It is your job and I wish you all the luck in the world.

"Give the enemy no rest; give them no peace and give them no quarter - Give them hell!"

Observers - 31 RCAF: (J/11486 - R/108402) Harvard Darrell Frederick McAllister, of Montreal, top observer

(J/11495) Bernard Howard Carpenter, Timmins; Samuel Finestein; Harry Brown, Windsor; M.D. Buchanan, Peterborough; J.G. Cruikshank, Ottawa; +(J/28346) Gordon Elmore Clode, Toronto; +(R/100737) William Colangelo - 51 Sqn. Berlin, Toronto; +(R/90745 - J/11496) James John Pierre Hector Doran, Kapuskasing; H. Ellis, Belleville; (J/11801) Marcel Alphonse Everard, Timmins; (R/90883) Alan William Jessup Larden - 218 Sqn., North Bay; R.W. Hale, Renfrew; R.D. Luscombe, Guelph; H.G. Scott, Hamilton; (J/11503) Ernest Albert Edwards, Toronto; +(R/75979) Arthur Gordon Bartley Gibson, St. Catharines; K.C. Campbell, Galt, B.N. Jones, Montreal; (R/98483 - J/17249) William Malcolm Bradford - DFC 7 Sqn.

Sgt. B.N. Jones had formerly been a flying officer on the administration staff of No. 3 Training Command, but relinquished his commission and re-enlisted as an AC2 in order to take active part in the war. He was a native of Jamaica.

"There isn't any story behind me. I just decided to give up the commission and really get into the fight. If I am commissioned again, all right, but I wanted to get into the thick of it."

Air gunners

9 RNZAF: +(NZ412891) Alexander McIsaac - 75 Sqn., top air gunner; (412918) Harold Reginald Hamerton, Patea, North Island; +(413305) Patrick Paul Deane Freeman - 75 Sqn., Hawkes Bay; (412334)? H. Hughes - PoW 466 Sqn., Wellington; +(413337) Christopher Patrick Middleton - PoW 75 Sqn., Waikato; (412875) William Fitzgerald, Auckland

20 RCAF: +(J/10874 - R/88191) Lawrence Bruce Thistle - 75/427 Sqns., North Sydney, N.S. 2nd in course; (J/10875 - R/106836) Gerald Alfred Lunn - 429 Sqn., Quesnel, B.C.

D.J. Cameron, London; H.N. Richard, Oakville; (J/17114) William Mead Maxwell - DFC 426 Sqn., Leamington b NJ

1 Norge: Roald Olsen Kvarv, Little Norway

Officers at the Fingal school said after the presentation parade that many of the Canadians and Americans had expressed a desire to be posted to Australia for service with the Anzac airmen. There was a strong spirit of comradeship between Americans and Canadians and the Anzacs.

Course 32 Air Gunners and Course 43 Air Observers: May 24 - June 20, 1942

(C2097) Wing Commander D.D. Findlay, officer commanding No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School, presented wings to graduating air gunners Saturday afternoon.

"It would be a brave man who would try and predict where you will be serving in the future, the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Far East maybe. Anyone reading the news the last few days can hardly fail to be impressed by its implications, so that you must be prepared to accept service anywhere on the globe.

" You will face a trecherous and skilful foe. The motto of 'give him the works first,' should be ever before you."

Course 32 Air Gunners - 23 RCAF and 1 RAF

+(J/12329 - R/90029) Howard William McDonald of London, Ontario was top student and received the engraved fountain pen. He was killed in action July 28, 1943

+(R/53011) William Wilson Scrimgeour - 44 Sqn., Toronto was second.

(R104752) Junius Quintus 'Quint' Ashmore Jr. - POW 408 Sqn.; +(R117579) Leonard Joseph Barnard - 149 Sqn., Brooklyn, New York; +(R/104185) Franklyn Roy Burke - 408 Sqn., Halifax, Nova Scotia; +(R/108256) Roger Victor Clitheroe - 408 Sqn., Chambly, Que.; +(R/129563) John Hugh Murdock 'Jack' Fraser, London; +(R/103201) Francis Anthony Garbas - 617 Sqn.; S.W. Gaylord, Regina

J. Hope, Mimico; +(R/121633) Neil Thomas MacAulay - 35 Sqn., Coalspur, Alberta; +(R/104467) Eric William MacDonald - 83 Sqn., Glace Bay, N.S.; +(R/111159) Earl Stewart Rheaume - 431 Sqn., Ottawa; (R/109164) Lorne Hudson Todd - DFC 630 Sqn., Calgary; C.W. Bowman, Winnipeg; (R/132284) Thomas Steele McKinnon - PoW, Regina

+(R/129552) Thomas William John Copeland, Petrolia; Allan Arthur Dawe, A.A. Joseph, all of Toronto; William Franchuk, Kenora; R.J. Steed - 44 Sqn., Port Colborne; D.J. Montgomery, Orlando; F.A. Cerbas, Hamilton; +(R/105883) Curtis MacKinnon Moffatt - 115 Sqn., Edmonton; (R/107015) George Wesley Bowman, Winnipeg; W.K. Farrell, Neepawa; (R/124853) Arthur Tremaine Bowlby - DFM 408 Sqn., Wilmot, Nova Scotia; +(R/104185) Franklyn Roy Burke - 408 Sqn., Halifax, Nova Scotia; T. Whyte, Atlantic City

Four RNZAF graduates: +(413254) Robert Ferguson Edmonds - 487 Sqn.

Course 43 Air Observers:

20 RNZAF: (412210) Raymond Alfred Dalton finished first on the course. (413064) Anthony Charles Harley in second place.

3 RCAF

8 RAF

Course 45 Air Observers and Course 33 Air Gunners: July 17, 1942

Wing Commander D.D. Findlay presented observers and air gunner wings to graduates from Canada, United States, Britain, New Zealand and one Australian.

"Those wings are up now, see that they stay there. Keep them flying and best of luck to you all."

(R/79623) Sgt. Gunner H.C.C. Banks - DFM, of Regina, was top air gunner.

(R/122801) Douglas Raymond Chiswell POW - 78 Sqn.; A.J. Down, Chatham; J.C. Fenton, R. MacDonald, St, Catharines; A. Sheehan, Brantford; (NZ41221) Ivan Francis Urlich POW; G.E. Willis, Peterborough; P.F. Cipparrone, Windsor; +(R/65663) Michael William Fugere - 405 Sqn.; +(R/120164) Harold William Gunn - 405 Sqn., D.R. Lloyd, B.H. McLean, Toronto; J.F. O'Neill, Ridgetown; G.A. Smith, Cobalt; +(R/116029) Raymond Graham Hume - 77 Sqn., Flin Flon, Manitoba; D.J. Montgomery; (R/137150) James Leonard Moulesong; +(R/132700) Benjamin Campbell Harvey - 1483 Flt. (Cdn.); Frederick Arthur Ingram (Scot.); +(R./129207) Henry Clasper Ballinger - 20 OTU (Eng)

RAAF: +(412792) George Robert Newton Wood - 156 Sqn., Bexley, NSW

RNZAF: I.F. Ulrich, Hawera, Taranaki; William M. O'Dwyer, Matamata

(R/105157) King top observer

RCAF Observers: K.S. MacDonald, Barrie; J.W.T. St. Aubin, Stoney Point; H.A. Staugh, Windsor; R.D. Hardy, Barrie; B.K. Kinger, St. Catharines; C.H. MacCulloch, Weston; W.C. Lawrence, Galt

Gordon Doak Anderson (DFC)

RAF Observers:

Course 44 Air Bombers (May 24 - July 18, 1942) posted in from No. 4 AOS: Noble

Course 34 Air Gunners and Course 46 Air Observers: July 31, 1942

Hon. Frank Langstone, New Zealand High Commissioner in Canada presented wings and addressed the graduates. He praised the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. "It is the most marvelous scheme in the world."

Course 46 Air Observers: 30 graduates. (R/117737) Henry Pinckes - 415 Sqn., finished first on the course and was presented with the usual engraved fountain pen. All personnel of this course were granted 14 days leave and posted to No. 1 CNS.

Course 34 Air Gunners: 29 graduates.

Top in class fountain pen winner was +(AUS.412393) Sydney Leslie Cary - 230 Sqn.

(NZ413371) Betram Howard Bedggood, Whangarei and (NZ416652) Ernest Wellesley Cox, Auckland.

Air gunners "sparks" were presented by W/C D.D. Finlay

RCAF air gunner graduates: +(J/13068) Douglas Stewart Milne - 429 Sqn., Campbellford; John Douglas Gray, Toronto; +(R/133968) Melvin Samuel Kahn, Toronto; +(R/129539) John Sherman Ferris - 78 Sqn., Tiverton; +(R/131435) Byron Leo Haley - 467 Sqn., Woodstock; +(R/117309) Orlando Delmar Conrad Hamel - 405 Sqn., Sault; John David McConnell, Windsor; David Basil McMillan, Hamilton; Gerald Francis Newman, Arnprior; A.S. Simmons, London; +(R/129739) John Lewis Sparling - 427 Sqn., London, Ont.; J.A. Stewart, Perth; +(R/111837) Dalton Arnold 'Arnie' Turner - 106 Sqn. (Rosner crew), Carleton Place; James Allen Stewart, London; (R/129752) Frederick Earl Fry, Durham; +(R/72939) Richard Woffendale Lawton, St. John; (R/99253) Edward Thomas McLeod - DFC 50 Sqn., St. John; Stewart John Gibson, Regina; Merritt Jack Cone, Seattle; +(R/141583) Fred Hamilton Bowcock - 218 Sqn., New York/Smithville, Ont.; Joseph Jankun - 426 Sqn., Chicago/Ottawa; Merle Routson - 106 Sqn. (LMF?), Baltimore

Course 35A Air Gunners: June 21 - August 14, 1942

Wing Commander D.D. Findlay presented wings to the graduates.

"It would take a brave man to predict where you are likely to end up, with Canadians serving in so many fighting zones. All you know now is that you have successfully terminated your course and have earned your wings."

7 RCAF: J.A.W. 'Jack' McKenzie, St. Thomas; +(J/19070) George Varnum Andrew - 426 Sqn., Sarnia; U.J. Massey, Montreal; S.A. Jolley, Peterborough; +(R/67642) Charles Norman Beaton - 426 Sqn., Windsor

9 RNZAF: +(415378) Ronald Alexander Smith - 75 (NZ) Sqn., Ashburton, NZ, finished first on the course and was presented with the engraved fountain pen. He had ceased training at No. 14 SFTS Aylmer and remustered to air gunner; +(41556) Ivan Tvrdeich - 15 Sqn.; +(414536) Leslie Edmund Workman - 49 Sqn., Karkoura; +(413778) Deryck Charles Rowse - KIFA 30 OTU, Paraparaumu; +(39570) Frank Gordon McKay - 12 Sqn., Christchurch; +(415538) Hilton Arthur Lister - 156 Sqn., Waikato; +(414863) Jack Leslie Childs DFC - 463 (RAAF) Sqn., Lyttleton; +(415529) Albert Douglas Harris - 214 Sqn., Waikato; +(414491) John Mclaren Boswell - 75 (NZ) Sqn., Petone

1 RAAF: W. Williams, Mt. Isa, Queensland

Course 35B Air Gunners and Course 58 Air Bombers: July 5 - August 28, 1942

Wing Commander D.D. Finlay, officer commanding, presented the wings to graduates.

(Course 36 A) 19 Air Gunners: +(J/13838 - R/145318) Elliott J. Kitt, Chillicothe, Missouri headed the class of air gunners and received the only commission.

James G. 'Jimmy' Bennett, Carleton Place; (20195) J.F. 'Jack' Insell - 100 Sqn., London; A.K. Lawrence, Clarksburg; Reginald George Seaborn - PoW 428 Sqn., Campbellford; +(R/128725) Bernard John Yard, Vancouver; +(R/153603) Roy Munro Ricketts - 419 Sqn, MacTier, Ont.; R.A. Campbell, Stanns, N.S.; +(R/156742) William James Hackett, Meaford, Ont.; (R/144074) Tass John Kanakos - 161 Sqn. evader, Toronto; +(R/109798) Benjamin (Ben) Warren Turner Jr. - 405 Sqn.; R.I. Edwards, LA; Alfred Edwin, Keast, MI

RAF: S. Buckingham, Oxford; +(1337529) Jack Gordon Hole - 467 Sqn., Frome, Somerset; T.M. Mayne, Belfast; H.F. Owen, Hestor, Middlesex; +(1292478) Terence Michael Slattery, Shepherd's Bush, London

RAAF: +(413122) Thomas McCauley Hood - 88 Sqn., Forbes, NSW; (412835) John Edward Pritchard, Grafton

RNZAF: (39558) Ivon George Kaye - DFC 75 (NZ) Sqn.

The first class of bomb aimers completed training and left for navigational school.

Scott, Winnipeg was top in class and received commission along with Newell, Victoria, B.C. and F. Tomlinson, Stratford

+(J/22617) John James Dance - 434 Sqn., Toronto; (J/22618) Gordon Melville Lockie DFC - 635 Sqn., Sutton West; (J/22620) J.E.S. Clare - PoW, Pt. Credit; +(J/22629) Joseph Feldman - 630 Sqn., Hamilton; +(R/136041) Clifford Charles Maw - 199 Sqn., Whitby; E.C. Harris, Toronto; +(J/20482) Alfred Austin Fischer - 434 Sqn., North Bay; J.G. Cairns, Toronto; W. Sterling, Niagara Falls; (R/97052) Frederick Roy Sharrard, Toronto; D.M. Thorpe, New Liskeard; J.A. Burwell, Renfrew; A.S. Miller, Toronto; B.G. Cook, Toronto; George Scott, Toronto; N. Davidson, Hamilton; J.L. Perrin, Toronto; J. Baker, Brighton; Thomas G. Kernaghan, Hamilton; +(R/145924) William James Mayo, Hamilton; Kenneth Braid, Hamilton; G. Barclay, Cornwall; W. Mitchell, Aldershot; +(J/20564) Hugo Oscar Farner, Sarnia; F. Welch, St. Thomas; D. Callaghan, Windsor; S. Barnes, Toronto; E.B. DeBlaquire, Victoria; +(R/137382) Robert (Carson) Jordan - 434 Sqn.

RNZAF: +(414593) Selwyn James Clubb - 75 (NZ) Sqn., Gisborne; (405569) Andrew Albert Haydon DFC - 15 Sqn., Gisborne; +(414310) David Newbury Luxton - 75 (NZ) Sqn., Hamilton

RAF: +(630736) Albert Ernest McWilliam - 83 Sqn., Ballyconnely, Galway; (1394595 - 161280) Richard William Newcomb - 57 Sqn., Valparaiso, Chile; A.B.J. Bartlett, London; Robert H. Burn, London; +(131954) Ronald Dennis Caldecourt - 78 Sqn., Sydenham, London; +(1332768) Henry Stephen Mulholland - 75 Sqn., Holloway, London; +(1386648) Bernard Peter Devine - 9 Sqn., London; W. Mather, Leicester; +(971675) Wilson Hebenton Gordon - 156 Sqn., Gourock, Renfrewshire, Scotland; (176673) M.A. Alvis, Gloucestershire; M.T. Bitton, Wiltshire; W.L. Jones, Skewan, S. Wales; +(160507) Michael Robert Sparrow - 466 Sqn., Codicote, Hertfordshire; +(131953) Neville Sladen Mitchell - 620 Sqn., Rawtenstall, Lancashire; +(1392643) Reginald Charles Pike - DFM 97 Sqn.

Course 36A Air Gunners and Course 59 Air Bombers: August 3 - September 11, 1942

Wings were presented by (C814) Squadron Leader R.D.P. Balgrave, chief instructor and acting commanding officer of the school.

Course 37A Air Gunners

(R/100547) H.G. Cook, of Toronto, led the class of air gunners and was the only member of the class to be commissioned. He was presented with an engraved fountain pen for making the highest marks of the class. +(R/139022) Clinton Landis Pudney - 405 Sqn., finished second.

10 RCAF Graduates: +(R/95646) Adrian James Burwell - 142 Sqn., Renfrew; +(R/156742) William James Hackett, Meaford; +(R/153603) Roy Munro Ricketts - 419 Sqn., MacTier; (R/97052) Frederick Roy Sharrard, Toronto; D.M. Thorpe, Liskeard; J. Belcher, Bield, Manitoba; J.L.M. Giroux, Montreal; +Clinton Landis Pudney; R. Ricketts, Mactier, Ont.; W.J. Hackett, Orangeville;

Sergeant Clinton Landis Pudney
George Medal
Citation: "While engaged on a local practice flight, (January 28, 1943) the Halifax aircraft in which Sergeant Pudney was flying as mid-upper gunner struck high ground, crashed and burst into flames. Three members of the crew were killed and the others, with the exception of Sergeant Pudney, were too severely injured to extricate themselves from the burning wreckage. Though suffering from severe lacerations on his face, and in spite of loss of blood and shock, Sergeant Pudney entered the blazing aircraft several times and finally succeeded in bringing all his companions out. He then struggled over rough moorland for 2 miles to obtain help."

Pudney was killed in a flying accident June 16, 1943

3 RNZAF: +(NZ412889) Frederick Thomas Lovegrove - 37 Sqn.; (411608) Edgar Andrew? Brown, Greymouth, N.Z.; (416661) Andrew Stanley? 'Stan' Miller - DFM 12 Sqn., Invercargill

1 RAF: N.D. Higman - 106 Sqn., Bristol, Eng.

Course 59 Air Bombers

10 RCAF: W. Stirling, Niagara Falls; +(R/136425) Victor Joseph August Wintzer - 419 Sqn., Long Island/Toronto; A.H. MacDonald, Glace Bay, N.S.; J.P.C. Gordon, Montreal

RAF: (132953 - 1331838) Derrick Lionel Paul Justice finished first on the course. (132955 - 1348989) David Carmichael Blair finished second. +(132958) Francis Victor Anderson, Manor Park, London; +(132959 - 1337925) David Neil Allen Griffin, Gunnersbury, London; (132957 - 1388618) Wilfred Gordon Cooper - 97 Sqn., London; W.G. Hutchinson, Dublin; +(1338105) William Arthur Walke - 49 Sqn., Swanee, S. Wales; M.W. Scott, S. Gosforich, Northumberland; J. Down, Glasgow; J.R. Colon,Felling-on-Tyre, Durham; +(1332402) Lancelot Walter Davies, - 199 Sqn., Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk; W. Dodd, Buckley, Chester; G. Duan, Newcastle-on-Tyne; +(156494) Richard James Herbert - 40 Sqn., Chorley, Lancashire; +(133097) Ernest Edward Lawton - 97 Sqn., Colyn Bay, N. Wales; (1312949) T.J. Profit - PoW 44 Sqn., Langland Bay, S. Wales

1 RNZAF: (415390) William Henry Urquhart, Auckland

12 posted to No. 4 AOS Crumlin

Course 36B Air Gunners and Course 60 Air Bombers: September 25, 1942

(C2097) Wing Commander D.D. Findlay presented wings to graduates.

The entire class remustered from ground crew to air crew. Only four of the bomb aiming class were Canadians. The majority of the course were from England, Scotland and Australia. 20 graduates.

+(J/14421 - R/87276) Walter Cecil Davies of Asquith, Sask. was awarded the engraved fountain pen for highest marks and received a commission. He was killed in action June 16, 1943 serving with 405 Sqn.

J.C. Archer, Toronto; +(R/108725) Cecil Armstrong Dean - No. 46 Sqn., +(R/127620) John William McIntosh - 419 Sqn., +(R/148537) John Lyle Perrin - 427 Sqn., G.I. Pridham, Toronto; (R/141385) Gordon Thomas Spiece - POW 12 Sqn.; +(R/83848) James Richard Fitch - 103 Sqn.; +(J/86265) Ernest Stewart Hawkes, DFC - 426 Sqn., Leamington; +(R/10542) Theodore T.J. LaFontaine - 166 Sqn.; W.J. Langdon, Ingersoll; +(R/82062) Thomas Harold Nolan - 405 Sqn., (R/116902) B.W. Scharf - POW 419 Sqn., Sarnia; +(J/19122) Alexander Jamieson Muir - 626 Sqn., Thorold; J.W. Bawden, Toronto; +(R/133638) Edward Butler Capin - 103 Sqn., Collingwood, (R/131001) James Plenderleith - POW 434 Sqn.; T. Woliker, Winnipeg; W. Argo, Oakville, Man.

Posted to No. 4 AOS Crumlin: Plenderleith; Capin; Bawden

Course 60 Air Bombers

5 RCAF

4 RNZAF

18 RAF

Course 37A Air Gunners and Course 61 Air Bombers: August 17 - October 9, 1942

Course 36B Air Gunners

12 RAF graduates: +(132016 - 1052968) Ronald Stakes - 158 Sqn., Wakefield, Yorkshire, was presented with a fountain pen and also received his commission. He was married on Station October 3, 1942.

5 RCAF graduates: +(R/133341) Glen Edwin Lewis - KIA 432 Sqn.; ?+(J/20481 - R/121480) Harry Danninger - 419 Sqn.; Air Gunner graduates included J. E. Audy, L'Eiphanie, Que., and J. D. Bishop, Coaticooke, Que. Wireless air gunner graduates included J. R. Cooper, Outremont, Que.

Course 61 Air Bombers:

19 RAF graduates: (134719 - 1457915) Neville Olsberg top air bomber in class

18 RCAF: +(R129776 - J21171) Hugo Hysert Borchardt - 90 Sqn., Sarnia

2 RAAF

1 RNZAF

Ian Olsen, Hamilton

Course 41 WAG's: October 24, 1942

RCAF - 27 graduates: (R/109788) R.A. Swainston received the fountain pen.

+(R/129078) John Ashwood - 3 OTU, Toronto ; E. O. Barwick, Kingston; E. B. Brown, Corunna; E.O. Brush, Milton ; D. S. Burton, Renfrew; J . W. Card, Lambton; H. J. England, New Liskeard; R. L . Faulkner, Kirkland Lake; E. A. Graham, Ottawa; M. C. Grant, Williamstown; F. R. Hall, Toronto ; J. R. Hemstreet, Sarnia; M. R. Jones, London; C. S. Kinee, Windsor; J . M. Moir, Smiths Falls ; Ralph Russell Poyton - 614 Sqn., Hamilton ; G. A. Slater - 415 Sqn., Fort William; M. E. Smith, Midland ; . D. D. Stemp, Coppercliff; D. K. Stroud, Toronto ; (R/109788) Robert Albert Swainston - 415 Sqn., Chatham

U.S. and British West Indies graduates as well

Course 63 Air Bombers: Sept. 13 - November 6, 1942

D.D. Findlay presented wings Saturday afternoon

15 RAF: (1138431) J.A. Bee stood first in his class and was awarded the engraved fountain pen.

3 RNZAF

25 RCAF: J.E.S. Clare, Pt. Credit; G.B. Pronger, Woodstock; R.W. Braid, Hamilton; J. Feldman, Hamilton; T.G. Kernaghan, Hamilton; W.J. Mayo, Hamilton (3 U.S.); +(R/145244 - J/22055) Edward John Deemer - 115 Sqn. Lanc LL694 Berlin, b. Windsor r. Cleveland;+(R/154030) Adam William "Bill" Mullen - KIFA 1667 HCU

20 graduates posted to No. 9 AOS: Mullen; (J/22055) Deemer

Course 43 WAG's and Course 64 Air Bombers: September 26 - November 21, 1942

Captain Roy Brown, D.S.C., with Bar, First World War ace presented wings and addressed the graduates.

"Pull out fighting and shoot to kill."

Course 64 Air Bombers: (J/22419) Anthony Leo Delaney - DFC 419 Sqn., Lakefield; (J/22425) Murray Edward Talmage - DFC 428 Sqn., Hamilton; (J/86914) Murray M. Hoffberg – POW 90 Sqn., Toronto; John Sinclair Gordon - DFC 645 Sqn., Toronto; +(R/110907) Daniel Joseph LaBerge – 622 Sqn.; F.C. Webster, Guelph; +(R/125780) Donald Joseph Cotter – 48 Sqn.; +(R/156384) John Glen Brislan – 424 Sqn.; D.M. Cooper, L. Alex Nethery - 405 Sqn. evader; J.J. Wilson all of Hamilton; E.R. Apps, Cannington; J.F. Ault, Morrisburg; G.F. Bolger, +(J/85520) Robert George Brock – DFC 50 Sqn.; R.J. Brown, W.E. Dickson, J.S. Gordon, all of Toronto; K.R. Mills, Smiths Falls; +(R/110907) Daniel Joseph Laberge – 622 Sqn.; J.D. Lynch, Ayton; W.J. Mathews, Barrie; R. McKee, Port Dalhousie; D.G. McNaughton, Bracebridge; H.C. Mooney, Hawkesbury; S.D. Athens, W.L. Renner, Preston; S.E. Smith, Ottawa; +(R/145403) Robert Mercer Todd - KIFA 1663 CU, Tecumseh; F.C. Webster, Guelph; +(R/154071) Gordon Everett Cameron - 408 Sqn., Glace Bay, N.S.; +(R/143327) James Edward Dayton - 419 Sqn.; +(R/154088) Harold Omond Spence - 90 Sqn., NYC - British Guiana; Gubbins, Clawson, MI; +(R/146393) George Rodney Walkem

Course 43 WAGS: (R/116900) Charles Thomas Dack, Aberfeldy was presented with the fountain pen in recognition of having stood first in the class.

+(J/21053) Bertram Edward William Hall - 12 Sqn.; D.A. Bebington, +(J/92696) Henry William Ferris, J.A. Fudge, Toronto; V.A. (or A.W.) Hood, +(R/133782) Robert Gerald Huxtable, David A. Melomed, all of Toronto; K.W. Olam, Orillia; S.F. Brown, Newcastle; +(R/125780) Donald Joseph Cotter – 48 Sqn.; B.F. 'Ben' Covil and +(J/41925) Gerard Raymond Styles both of St. Thomas; +(R/125457) Stanley Maynard Craig – 48 Sqn., Ottawa; R.W. Davis, Woodstock; L.H. Dunseith, Stratford; G.L. Hindmarsh, Ailsa Craig; J.T. Warren, Ingersoll; J.L. Wilson, Guelph; A.W. Hall Jr.; Donald James Bonner, (C) Summerville, N.S.; William Frederick Wiltshire (C), Alliston; (R/137325) Bronislaus J. Ambrosiewicz, Hamtramack; Louis Mitchell Stribling, Edinburg, TX; K.W. Bolan; H. Commeford; R.S. Harrie; J.T. Warden; F.H.L. Wilkie; D.A. Bebbington, Toronto; Biddiscombe; Brown; Butts; Cullen; R.G. Huxtable, Toronto; Laffin; Lecompte

Posted to

No. 1 AOS: Talmage

No. 4 AOS Crumlin: Todd

No. 9 AOS: Delaney, Walkem

Course 42 B (WAG's) December 7, 1942

Wing Commander D.D. Findlay presented badges to a class of wireless air gunners.

12 RCAF: +(J/22698) Kendall Bell Begbie - 427 Sqn., Riverside; A.H. Crossland, Toronto; J.R. Campbell, Ocean Falls, B.C.; R.J. Delmage, Hazelcliffe, Sask.; A.R. Dobson, Manitou, Manitoba; S.A. Holman, Victoria; J.J.M. Peron, Chicoutimi, Que.; J.J.P. Palemont, Montreal; W.I. Kennedy, Lakeview, N.S.; E.W. Cleveland, Bloomfield, N.B.; W.J. Low, Brownsburg, Que.; L.G. Preece, Hawksbury; B. Summers, North Bay; S. Young, St. Thomas; W.L. Wolf, Palmerston; G.B. Watts, Toronto; H.J. Venn, Hamilton; F.G. Tilt, Sudbury; S.E. Smith, Barrie; A.B. Radbourne, Owen Sound; R. Pelletier, Toronto; L.W. O'Neill, Rainy River; R.W. Ollett, Ottawa; J.M. Murray, Ottawa; R.J.J. Monaghan, Smith Falls; J.N. McDonagh, Hamilton; J.S. Maloney, Sudbury; D.K. MacGillvray, Toronto; R.R. Lunn, Millbrook; D.R. Lalande, Windsor; D.E. Jackson, Windsor; F.C. Hannan, Toronto; G.P. Gosson, Renfrew; R.H. Freiburger, Kitchener; A.H. Crossland, Toronto; K.B. Begbie, Riverside

5 RAAF: (421038) Athol Johnson, Sydney, was awarded an engraved fountain pen for standing first in his class.

+(421033) Ronald Charles Bellingham - 283 Sqn., Randwick; D. Cox, Red Hill, Tingha; R.C. Green, Sydney

1 RNZAF: (412795) Adam William John Wylie, Dunedin

RAF: K. Pearson, Newcastle-on-Tyne; G.D. Donald, Aberdeen

Course 65 Air Bombers: December 8, 1942: +(R/164088) Clarence William Arthur Britton - KIFA 158 Sqn., Windsor

44 RCAF: (R/154729) Ronald McLelland Girvan - DFC 100 Sqn., received the engraved fountain pen for standing first in his course.

1 RAAF

3 RNZAF:

Course 66 Air Bombers: Oct. 26 - Dec. 23, 1942

45 RCAF: +(6035 - J/23462) George Earl Lemmerick - 419 Sqn., Traverse Bay, MB, was first in the class and presented with an engraved fountain pen. His brother, +(R/123711) John Albert Lemmerick, was KIA in 1943.

+(R/159999) Charles Derek Redgrave - 463 Sqn., b UK r. NJ; +(R/139435) Stanley Hale Chidester - 576 Sqn.; +(R/156117) George Albert Long - KIFA 28 OTU; +(R164603 - J.23966) Maxwell Boyd Calhoun - DFC 405 Sqn., St. Lambert, Que.

2 RAF:

20 posted to No. 9 AOS, St. Johns: Chidester; Calhoun

Posted to No. 1 CNS Rivers: Redgrave

Posted to No. 4 AOS Crumlin (Co. 54): Long

Course 44 (WAG's): January 11, 1943

Owen Sound airman, (R/137689 - J/22854) Charles John A. Traynor - DFC 432 Sqn., headed a class of wireless air gunners who received their wings at No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School, Fingal, and received the school prize of an engraved fountain pen for making the highest marks at the station.

Sqdn. Ldr. R. D. P. Blagrave, acting commanding officer, presented the wings and congratulated the graduates on their excellent showing.

There was one Newfoundlander in the class, Sgt. F. J. Cole, from St. John's.

18 RCAF graduates : (R/95874) Forbes Govan Benning - 179 Sqn.?, Newington; A. C. Campbell, St. Catharines ; I.D. Eckford, Cobden; D. L. Hill, Sundridge; J.G. McLeod, Capreol; J. A. Trottier, Windsor; H. H. Smith, Kirkland Lake

(J/89334) Robert Hamilton Cochrane - 433 Sqn. arrived Dec. 4, 42

1 RAF

Course 67 Air Bombers: January 22, 1943

45 RCAF graduates: (J/24140 - R/155231) John Maurice Guse - DFC 420 Sqn., Kitchener, was first in the class and was given a fountain pen.

+(J/24141) Raymond Neil Bartlett - 44 Sqn., Unionville

+(R/161462) Ralph Franklin Mechin, Oshawa; T.R. Armstrong, Toronto; C.G. Avery, Toronto; R.J. Barton, Vankleek Hill; J.G. Shaw, Nashville; B. Haney, Dunnville; J.J.E. Bruce, Niagara Falls; H.W.W. Bucke, Queenston; P.B. Burnett, Haileybury; B.E. Campbell, Forrester's Falls; D.N. Carter, Niagara Falls; N.S. Davidson, Feversham; E.D.A. Dickson, Toronto; T.P. Duffy, Mimico; E.M. Dunn, Toronto; D.A. Forsythe, Ottawa; D.W. Hammond, Port Dover; F.B. Hickey, Toronto; D.R. Irvine, Toronto; J.D. Know, Toronto; W.A. Lamb, St. Thomas; D.G. Leask, Ft. Erie; G.E. Lee, Toronto; +(R/160410) Leslie Walter Mattin - 160 Sqn., Weston; W.S.J. McKee, London; D.D. Morin, Sault St. Marie; J.E. Nevins, Ottawa; James Pappas - PoW 419 Sqn., Toronto; R.E.A. Phillips, Toronto; W.A. Robertson, Toronto; J.R. Sherburne, Toronto; R.W. Smalley, Toronto; W.B. Tobin, Thorold; J.W. Wallace, Weston; W.H. Wells, Windsor; T.E. Wilkinson, Toronto

28 graduates posted to No. 4 AOS Crumlin: Mechin, Mattin

2 RAF graduates

February 1, 1943

Wings Parade held in the Drill Hall and were presented by the new commanding officer, Wing Commander J.G. Kerr.

Gordon McInnis, Fonthill made the highest marks for the class and was presented with an engraved fountain pen from the school.

WAGs

K.G. Calvert, Toronto; C.G. Pallett, Toronto; J.A. Evans-Davies, Smooth Rock Falls; E.W. Gallaher, Strathroy; W.J. Kelly, Chatham; J. Knighton, Toronto; F.W. Murphy, Windsor; L.H. Taylor, Windsor; C.M. Overton, London; R.M. Palmer, Norwich; C. Pearce, Mitchell; Allan Cameron Reid, Hamilton; C.E. St. Germain, Ottawa; E.H. Snyder, Clinton

R.H. Hassett, Middletown; J.C. Martin, Jamestown; Floyd Mangum McRoberts, Forth Worth; G. Tinker, Worcester

Posted to

Greenwood, N.S.: Reid

RAF:

RAAF: 1

Course 68 Air Bombers: Nov. 22, 1942 - February 5, 1943

Air Bombers

(J/23726) Hugh McNabney - DFC 78 Sqn., Toronto

+(R/105215) Jack Luck - 103 Sqn., Newmarket, Ont.; +(J.24533 - R152585) Hiram Farrer - KIFA 17 OTU; +(J/24534 - R130453) Thomas Wilbert Lavery - 50 Sqn., Listowel/Kirkland Lake; +(J/24535 - R/145416) George Franklin Nixon - 57 Sqn., b. Ont. r. MI; +(R/150182 - J.24525) Raymond Victor Lynch; +(R/154553 - J92026) Andrew Hunter Stockton - 550 Sqn., Sussex, N.B.

Posted to

No. 1 AOS Malton: McNabney

No. 4 AOS Crumlin (Co. 69): Luck, Farrer, Nixon, Lavery

No. 9 AOS: Stockton

Course 43 WAG's: November 23 - December 21, 1942

Wings were presented by Wing Commander D.D. Findlay, the commanding officer.

Donald Marvin Thew headed the class of graduates. He was presented with the school prize of an engraved fountain pen for attaining the highest marks.

+(J/22086 - R/137385) Donald Marvin Thew - 3 (C) OTU; (J/22087) Francis John McIntyre, Parkhill - MiD 48 Sqn.

+(J/87169) James Ignatius MacDonald - 429 Sqn., Little Pond, P.E.I.; R.L. MacDonald, Tignish, P.E.I.; A.M. Casey, Omemee; P.E. Doyle, Sarnia; Myles R. Emans, Chatham; J.P.R. Forcier, Windsor; R.K. Harris, Pelee Island; G.F. Noble, Windsor; R.F. Platt, Toronto; J.B. Sproule, Beaverton; W.M. Stewart, Toronto; (R/136141) Donato Anthony 'Dootch' Vitarelli, Peterborough; A. Weir, Toronto; F.R. Wilson, Forest; (R/131492) Russell J. Brunner, MO; +(R/129632) Howard Shuvin Piercy

Posted in from No. 4 Wireless School (Co. 43): Brunner, Thew

Course 59: January 11 - March 5, 1943

Group Captain Elmer Fullerton presented wings. Second course of navigators to be trained at Fingal.

+(NZ415636) Lawrence Seymour Jamieson – 15 Sqn., Brooklyn, Wellington; (NZ421037) William Thomas Fernandez, Orakei; (NZ422193) Charles Thomas Knowles, Naseby

RAAF (NavB): T.F. Bartlett, North Steyne; (420795) Edward Charles Bourne, Arncliffe; +(421786) Roy Vincent Boyd - 58 Sqn., South Grafton; F.J. Brown, Sydney; (421577) Sidney Richard Crook, Canterbury; C. Hughes, Ballina; +(421460) Archibald Pollock Smith, Drummoyne; A.E. Porter, West End, Queensland; (421589) Richard Barclay Giltinan, North Sydney; (420984) Theodore Frederick Charles Neuhaus, Wentworthville

Air Navigators B 2 RNZAF

31 Air Bombers completed training

Air Bomber 24 RCAF Graduates: +(R/174450 - J/26211) Daniel Moriarty - 625 Sqn.

Air Bombers: +(J/25693) Harry Slater - 428 Sqn., Toronto; (J/25696) John Milton Jackman - DFC 424 Sqn., Toronto; (J/25697) R.A. Richards - PoW 432 Sqn., Windsor; +(J/25698) William Ralph Elwood - 434 Sqn., Bolton - Elwood Memorial Public School; +(J/25699) Thomas Wellwood Thompson - 76 Sqn., Toronto; (R/167375 - J/25703) Frederick Henry Moxon; +(J/25704) Kenneth Heron - 420 Sqn., Toronto; (J/25705) John Patrick Lynn, Ashdad; +(J/25706) Ralph Douglas Van Fleet - 640 Sqn., Hamilton

A. Ardrey, Toronto; +(J/25521) Borden Bramshott Ashley - 550 Sqn., Toronto; N.G. Barker, Toronto; P.J.P. Halloran, Toronto; Bernard McGouran - 434 Sqn., Toronto; H. Slater, Toronto; B.R. Armstrong, Madoc; J.M.E. Grenville, Kingston; E.C.W. Johnston, North Bay; C.E. Sproat, Peterborough; G.H. Strang, Ottawa; Joseph Fitzpatrick, Dunnville

Posted to No. 9 AOS St. Johns: (J/25703) Moxon; (J/25706) Van Fleet; (J/25521) Ashley; McGouran; (J/25699) Thompson; (J/25696) Jackman; Fitzpatrick

Course 48 WAG's: March 8, 1943

Flight Lieutenant Frank Jones, DFC, of Sherbrooke, Quebec, presented wings and addressed the graduates.

He advised the graduates to keep their eyes open, keep their minds working and follow the simple rules of health.

"And use lots of common sense. Good old horse sense goes a long way, even on a bombing raid."

16 graduates

Jack Goodfellow was the class leader and received the engraved fountain pen for attaining the highest marks of the class.

P.J.W. Burns, Ottawa; H.F.B. Cooney, Windsor; (R/72025) J.H. Garvie, Owen Sound; W.J. Wallace, Hamilton

Course 55 WAG's: May 17 - June 28, 1943

Wings presented by Group Captain R.C. Ripley, commanding officer of No. 9 B&GS Mountain View.

22 RCAF graduates

W.J. Findlay, Toronto top in class

E.F. Carriere; C. Cassidy and J.A. Charron all of Kirkland Lake; J.D. Johnston, Ridgetown; G.I. Smith, London; W.J. Hatch; C.W. Fraser, Windsor; T.F. Lobzun, Windsor; H.J. Leduc - remustered, Windsor; D. Latner, Hamilton; G.A. Hare, Toronto; W.W. Haskell, Toronto; D.H. Lavalley - remustered, Ottawa; D. Venturi, Sudbury; H.J. Clayton, Lachine; R.S. Knetzer, Montreal; A.B. Boyd, Roxbury; W.W. Reid, Rye; C.W. Rutherford, Detr; W.S. Pringle, Toronto

Course 57: June 14 - July 26, 1943

23 RCAF Graduates

C.R.C. Moxley, Toronto, headed the largest class of wireless air gunners to graduate from Fingal in several months. He was presented with an engraved pen for making the highest marks.

The wings were presented by Group Captain N.O. McDonald.

J.W.C. Ferguson, Peterborough; +(R/176112) Alfred Goodman Wells Blayney, Rutherglen; G.E. Bowes, Hamilton; G.T. Morrison, Hamilton; D.M. Davies, Windsor; F.J. Hennin, Windsor; E.C. Fox, Brantford; H. McCracken, Brantford; J. Mewha, Stevensville; (R/161157) Charles Raymond Thrasher - 424 Sqn., Amherstburg; A.J. Mortimer, Toronto; D. Stewart, Toronto; P.J. Maddigan, St. John's; S.M. Noel, St. John's; D.J. Lewis, Cape Breton; G.D. Thomas, St. John, N.B.; D.C.S. Weed, Fredericton; C.F. Graham, Winnipeg; J.M. Base-Smith, Columbus

11 hours 36 minutes average flying hours per pupil

WAG's: August 23, 1943

Group Captain J.G. Kerr, AFC, presented wings.

L.M. O'Grady of Toronto headed the class

Wings were presented without the customary parade ceremony.

Sgts. S. N. Gold, W. D. Lewis, L. A. Lunan and R. A. Smith, all of Toronto; A. H. Armstrong, J. J. Byrne and R. Chandler, all of Hamilton ; L. W. Hardy, J. Holland, both of London ; F. S. Daley, Sault Ste . Marie; J . A. C. Grant, Gravenhurst ; J. J. U. Lanthier, Ottawa; D. B. Livingstone, Owen Sound; C. R. I. Mark, Cameron; R. J. Misener, Niagara Falls; J. A. Toyne, Leamington, and LAC's George W. Van Iderstine - 98 Sqn., Toronto; L. Waller, Toronto, and O. G. Wickenden, Sudbury

WAG's: August 7 - September 20, 1943

Group Captain A.V. Bax, AFC, commanding officer at Port Albert presented wings.

N.F.M. Callery of Windsor was top student and received the engraved fountain pen.

M.A. Botterill, Windsor; M.A. Dennis, Windsor; F.R. Dupuis, Windsor; A.C.J. Pinnegar, Windsor; C.R. Bradley, Hamilton; A.L. Dodd, Hamilton; H. Doggett, Galt; J.V. Grant, Galt; R.B. Dowding, Oakville; J.W. Fulton, Beaverton; Lloyd T. Graham, Sarnia; D.F. Rodney, Sarnia; G.E. Hawkes, Leamington; J.D. Hogg, Thamesford; J.G. Porter, Teeswater; R. Snell, Londesboro; D.J.J. Swift, London; H.W. Clapham, Toronto; (R/193731) Gordon Benfield Smith - DFM 405 Sqn., Toronto; G.C. Reason, Toronto; G. Nicoloff, Toronto; A.S. Thomson, Toronto

Posted in from

No. 4 Wireless School

Course 63 WAG's: September 6 - October 18, 1943

Course 61: October 4 - November 15, 1943

RAF: Harry Dew Goriah, Maritius - 619 Sqn

Course 65 WAG's November 29 WAG's: Frank N. Fossett, Toronto, headed the Wings presented by Group Captain J.G. Kerr, AFC.

F/Sgt. James A. Milne, a former disciplinarian, who remustered was another class leader.

M . A. Brunelle, Penetanguishene; F. A. Casson, Seaforth ; K. C. Collins, London ; L. M. Hembruff, Little Current ; R. J. Krampp, Walkerton; W. H. Nickels, 'Windsor ; H. R. Wipp, Windsor. F. N. Fossett, W. Gibson, S. L. Goldberg, W. Hayden, J. C. Irving, all Toronto

November 15, 1943: Wing Commander Blagrave presented wings.

J.L. Blanchett, Cabano, Que., topped the class and received a fountain pen Elwood Frank Carpenter, Windsor; Peter English, Windsor; Robert John Freeman, Windsor; Walter Nickels, Windsor; Edward E. Provost, Windsor; +(R/164088) Clarence William Arthur Britton - KIFA 158 Sqn., Windsor (Co. 65), Windsor; William Earl Weir, Toronto; Gordon Andrews, Toronto; William McGill, Toronto; George Rae, Toronto; Clifford Eggleton, Toronto; D.G. Shamley, St. Thomas; D.A. Spitler, St. Thomas; Melvin James Todd, Colborne; S.W. McCarthy, Kingston; Thomas Kenneth Lester, Sarnia; George Rae, Toronto; William Elmer Hall, Guelph; John Walter Dunnigan, Hamilton; H.C. Archambault, Mimico; Frederick Louis Weir, Detroit

Course 78 WAG's: April 10 - May 19, 1944

Course 90A (WAG's): September 25 - November 3, 1944

Wing Commander W.H. Swetman, D.S.O., D.F.C., presented the wings

RCAF 11 Graduates: George F. Alcorn, Toronto; Ralph L. Perry, Sarnia; (R/224529) William Reimer, Kitchener; Robert C. Johnston, Downsview; Myles M. Kelly, Brucefield; Douglas C. Hopgood, Halifax; James R. Ross, Toronto; Charles R. Wilson, Toronto; Henry A. Quellette, Windsor; James Robert Liberte, Hamilton; Norman Bramwell 'Bram' Harley, Orillia

RAF: Eric C. F. Barwell, Redhill, Surrey; Gordon E. Hinks, Buenos Aires, Argentina

RNZAF 13 graduates: Berin Spiro, Auckland; Gordon Brew, Palmerston, N.Z.; (436803) John David Orchard, Wanganui; (432228) Thomas Trevelyan Tremayne, Wellington; (432861) Allan Raymond Wynn, Auckland; Arthur M. Brown, Auckland; (4216035) Thomas John Currie, Auckland; (432031) Ralph Norman Dennis, Auckland; (4217068) Lindsay Garfield Poulton, Auckland; (437343) John George Lonsdale Sharp, Bay of Plenty; (436171) Ivan Morgan, Westport; Donald C. Kirk, Tekuiti; (43513) Nigel John Woodward, Gisborne

RCAF Personnel Have Music Wherever He Is

At Fingal, Cpl. William Carty, from St. John, N.B., turns his talent at the piano keyboard into entertainment for the personnel at the station. Cpl. Carty is a cabinet maker by trade and enlisted as an air frame mechanic, following the footsteps of his father who was a member of No. 2 Construction Batalion in the last war. That his music is appreciated was illustrated last Christmas when his son took pneumonia at St. John. The personnel of Fingal "passed the hat" and with the collection, financed his trip to see hi son come through the crisis. He is one of a family of seven brothers, all musicians, and has led his own dance band as well as played duo in concert and on the radio with his brother, Adolphus, who is also in the air force at Dartmouth.