Canadian Army Aviation
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Following is an extract from the book “Winged Sentinel” authored by John Gordon and published in 1963: “In June 1944, authority was granted for the formation of three flying units within the Canadian Army Overseas, to provide aerial observation and direction for artillery batteries. Known as Air OP Squadrons (Air Observation Post Squadrons), they were equipped with the “Taylorcraft” (Auster) Mk. IV. Two of these Squadrons, 664 and 665, were in action in North-West Europe in 1945, but No. 666 did not complete its formation before the end of hostilities. Squadron 664 served in the Canadian Army Occupation Force until disbanded in May, 1946”.
During the period 1941-1945, 78 Canadian Artillery officers successfully completed aircrew training with the RAF and, upon graduation, were awarded the Army Flying Badge. Prior to their “wings” course conducted by 43 OTU at RAF Andover, Hants, UK the majority of those officers undertook ab initio flight training at 22 EFTS in Cambridge, Cambs, UK. All 78 Canadian Artillery officers qualified on one of 13 courses run by 43 OTU RAF Andover. Those courses were No. 4 and 5 AOP Courses, 37A and B (the A and B indicating A and B Syndicates), 38A and B, 39A and B, 40A and B, 41A and B and 42A. Course photos for those 13 courses are shown below. 77 of the 78 Canadian Artillery officers are shown in those photos with the exception of Capt GA Eaton who, for some reason, was not in his course photo (Course 38A). |
Following is an alphabetical list, associated course, and eventual squadron assignment (where known) of the 78 Canadian Artillery officers who graduated and were awarded the coveted Army Flying Badge:
Grand Total: 78 Notes: 1. 43 OTU Andover ran a total of 43 Air OP courses during the Wartime period. 2. There were no Canadians on Course 42B. |
No.4 AOP Course - November 1941
Front Row L to R
Lt Montague, Capt Lane (F.L.), S.Ldr (C.O.), Davenport (C.F.I.), Capt Ingram (F.I.), Capt R.A. Donald RCA.Rear Row L to R
Capt Gordon, Lt Hughes, Capt Reynolds, Capt Hill, Capt Rogers, Capt Brundret, Capt Housden.
No.5 AOP Course - 23 March 1942
Front Row L to R
Lt I.G. Bailey RA, Capt W.B. Montague RA (Instr), Capt F.N. Lane RA (Instr), Sqn Ldr J.R. Davenport RAF (CO),Rear Row L to R
Capt J.F.T Scott RA (TA), Lt A.A. Cowan RA (TA), Capt J.G. Daniel RA (TA), Lt I.N.R. Shield RA (to 6 Course),
No.37 Air OP Course - A Syndicate
28 Sept 44 - 19 Dec 44
Front Row L to R
Capt J.T. Duncum RCA, Capt D.A. Donald RA (Instr), Maj A.H. Newton RA (CGI), Maj D.R. Ely RCA, Capt R.H. Bain RCA (IG),Middle Row L to R
Lt L.H. Healy RA (Susp), Capt R.J. Ingle RCA, Capt D.W. Blyth RCA, Capt W.F. Hadley RCA (Susp), Lt R.M. Jones RCA,Rear Row L to R
Lt D.R. Boe RA, Capt E.L. Brereton-Stiles (South Africa), Lt A.L. Davies RA, Lt E.J. Ambrose RCA, Lt W.R. Blundon RCA (Susp),
No.37 Air OP Course - B Syndicate
28 Sept 44 - 19 Dec 44
Front Row L to R
Capt R.V, Waters RA (Instr), Capt H.W. Johnson RA (Instr), Maj A.H. Newton RA (CGI), Flt Lt E.F. Walter AFC RAF (Instr), Maj D.R. Ely RCA,Middle Row L to R
Lt H.H. Wickett RCA, Capt R.L. Morton RCA, Lt G.M. Swan RCA, Lt W.R. Spencer RCA (Susp), Lt J.T. McLean RA, Lt R. Speedie RA,Rear Row L to R
Lt J.M. Owen RCA, Lt D.K. Russell RCA, Lt S.L.N. Slade RA (to 41 Course), Lt H.D. Michie RA,
No.38 Air OP Course - A Syndicate
22 EFTS Cambridge Aug-end Oct 44
43 OTU RAF Andover 9 Nov 44 - 13 Feb 45
Front Row L to R
Lt B.D. Baily RCA, Capt K.A. Foster RA, Maj A.H. Newton RA (CGI), Lt Col T.C.J. Willett RA (C0), Maj D.R. Ely RCA, Capt G.A.J. Housden RA (Instr),Rear Row L to R
Lt B.R.H Watch RCA, RA, Lt A.E. Page RCA, Capt R.T.P Merchant RCA, Capt H.B. Trites RCA, RA, Capt W.O. Roney RCA, Lt F.R. Irwin RCA,
No.38 Air OP Course - B Syndicate
22 EFTS Cambridge Aug-end Oct 44
43 OTU RAF Andover 9 Nov 44 - 13 Feb 45
Front Row L to R
Capt D.G. Rouse RCA, Capt N.W. Reilander RCA, Lt F. Barrass RA, Maj A.H. Newton RA (CGI), Lt Col T.C.J. Willett RA (C0), Maj D.R. Ely RCA (FI),Rear Row L to R
Lt J.M. Liston RCA, Lt W.G. Milliken RCA, Lt A.F. Smarden RCA, Capt J.M. Paton RA, Lt D. Swift RA, Lt G.W. Archer RCA,
No.39 Air OP Course - A Syndicate
21 Dec 44 - 27 Mar 45
Front Row L to R
Lt D.J. McCormack RCA, Capt F.A.H. Carbery RCA (to 41), Flt Lt J.B. Rogers RAF (Instr), Capt H.W. Johnston RA (Instr),Rear Row L to R
Lt P.W. Burgess RA, Lt F.P. Cronk RCA (To 40), Capt D.R.V. Tate RA, Lt J.E. Baker RA, Capt T.J. O'Brennan RCA, Lt S.N. Harrisson RA,
No.39 Air OP Course - B Syndicate
21 Dec 44 - 27 Mar 45
Front Row L to R (Instructors)
Lt M. Gwynne RCA (Susp), Capt A.D. Carpenter RCA, Flt Lt A.E. Chapman RAF (Instr), Capt R.V. Waters RA (Instr), Capt D.A. Donald RA (Instr),Rear Row L to R
Lt A.S. Villiers RA, Capt A.W. McLeod RCA, Lt B.L.L. Reuss RA, Lt C.A. Ashfield RCA, Lt L.S. Cowling RA (Susp), Lt P.D.A. Harrison,
No.40 Air OP Course - A Syndicate
15 Feb - 7 May 45
Front Row L to R
Lt F.P. Cronk RCA, Lt H.H. Done RA (To 41 Course), Fg Offr A.C. Beauchamp RAF(Instr), Capt A. Beckett RA (Instr),Rear Row L to R
Lt M.J.S. Cubbage RA, Capt J.T. Saunders RA, Capt J.H. Carver RA, Lt C.E. Campbell RCA, Lt R.E. Russell RCA,
No.40 Air OP Course - B Syndicate
15 Feb-7 May 45
Front Row L to R
Capt D.W.N. Carter RA, Capt T,D, Cronin-Coltsman RA (To 41 Course), Lt J.M. Doohan RCA, Fg Offr A.C. Beauchamp RAF(Instr),Rear Row L to R
Capt S.M. Pinkerton RCA, Lt W.H. Entress RA, Lt P.W. Davis RCA, Capt M.N. Saunders RA, Lt R.C. Wannop RCA, Capt T.H. May RA,
No.41 Air OP Course - A Syndicate
28 Mar-12 Jun 45
Front Row L to R
Fg Offr A.C. Beauchamp RAF (Instr), Capt A. Beckett RA (Instr), Flt Lt F.H.W Moncreiff RAF (Instr), Capt A.W. Misson RA (Instr),Middle Row L to R
Capt D.A. Scott RA, Lt L.R. Swanzy RA, Capt D.F. Roberts RA (TA), Lt D Fawkes RA(From 36 Course), Capt D. Corbett-Thompson RA,Rear Row L to R
Lt S.L.N. Slade RA, Lt J.B. Ogden RA, Capt A.G. Thomas RCA, Capt J.W. Monahan RCA (Susp), Capt L.G. Scribner RCA (Susp),
No.41 Air OP Course - B Syndicate
28 Mar-12 Jun 45
First Row L to R
Flt Lt C.N. Bridge RAF (Instr), Flt Lt A.E. Chapman RAF (Instr), Flt Lt F.H.W. Moncreiff RAF (Instr): Capt A.W. Misson RA (Instr),Middle Row L to R
Lt Z. Opiola (Polish), Capt J.V.W. Robinson RCA, Lt E.L. Gillett RA, Capt T.D. Cronin-Coltsman RA (from 40 Course)(Susp),Rear Row L to R
Lt R.A.S. Perley RCA, Lt J.H. Kilgour RA, Lt R.L. Armstrong RA (Susp), Lt R.J. Everett RCA,
No.42 Air OP Course - A Syndicate
9 May-17 Jul 45
First Row L to R
Capt I.G. Bailey RA (Instr), Capt F.G. Fowler RA (Instr), Flt Lt E.F. Walter AFC RAF (Instr), Lt Col T.C.J. Willett RA(CO),Middle Row L to R
Capt W. Hamilton RA, Capt W.M. Dingley RA, Lt W,G Wood RCA, Capt R.J. Waldie RCA, Lt R.R. Alsop RA (Susp),Rear Row L to R
Capt J.P. Mercier RCA, Lt G.R. Leach RA, Lt R.J. Fuller RCA, Lt D.H. Bottomley RA, Lt D. Stott RA, Capt L.M. Harvey RCA.-Images courtesy of The Museum of Army Flying, Middle Wallop UK-