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No 437 (RCAF) Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations


[1944 | ]

Personnel Movements: Sep - Dec 1944

Rank Name Date Notes
September
Wg Cdr J A Sproule DFC, RAF  4 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 437 Sqn
Flt Lt E L Joynt  4 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting for duty as Adjutant
Wg Cdr J A Sproule DFC, RAF  5 Sep 1944 Proceeded on sick leave
Plt Off J Tuskey 10 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting for duty as Intelligence Officer
Sgt F A Walker 10 Sep 1944 Clerk Admin, arrived on posting
Cpl E Kasperski 10 Sep 1944 Clerk Sterno, arrived on posting
Wg Cdr J A Sproule DFC. RAF 14 Sep 1944 Returned from sick leave and resumed command of No 437 Sqn
Flt Lt R W Alexander 15 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting with his crew and allocated to 'A' Flight
Fg Off G P Hagerman 15 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting with his crew and allocated to 'A' Flight
Fg Off J A Delahunt 15 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting with his crew and allocated to 'A' Flight
Fg Off F E Fitzgibbon 15 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting with his crew and allocated to 'A' Flight
Fg Off W E McLean 15 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting with his crew and allocated to 'A' Flight
Fg Off R L Pearson 15 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting with his crew and allocated to 'A' Flight
Fg Off O A Simmons 15 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting with his crew and allocated to 'A' Flight
Plt Off K E Rasmussen 15 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting with his crew and allocated to 'A' Flight
Plt Off R S Purkie 15 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting with his crew and allocated to 'A' Flight
Sqn Ldr C N McVeigh AFC, RAF 18 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting for duty as Sqn Ldr - Flying
Fg Off N W Faulafer 18 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting for duty as Squadron Equipment Officer
Flt Lt J T Reed 20 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting and assumed command of 'B' Flight
Flt Lt A Hebert 20 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting from RCAF 'R' Depot for duty as Medical Officer
Sqn Ldr R A Alexander 21 Sep 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off W S McLintock 21 Sep 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off J Rechenuc 21 Sep 1944 Failed to return from an operation but returned the following day
Flt Sgt A McHugh 21 Sep 1944 Failed to return from an operation and was admitted to a US Hospital in Leopold
Fg Off G P Hagerman 21 Sep 1944 Failed to return from an operation
WO J P E DeChamplain 21 Sep 1944 Failed to return from an operation
Plt Off M S R Mahon 21 Sep 1944 Killed in action
Flt Sgt J C H Hackett RAF 21 Sep 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off C H Cressman 21 Sep 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off J S Blair 21 Sep 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off P Steffin 21 Sep 1944 Killed in action
Plt Off T J Brennan 21 Sep 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off R A Kenny 21 Sep 1944 Failed to return from an operation
Sgt L Evans 21 Sep 1944 Failed to return from an operation
WO R E English 21 Sep 1944 Failed to return from an operation
Plt Off H H McAloney 21 Sep 1944 Failed to return from an operation
Fg Off W R Paget 23 Sep 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off D L Jack 23 Sep 1944 Killed in action
Sgt D J O'Sullivan 23 Sep 1944 Killed in action
Flt Sgt R I Pinner 23 Sep 1944 Killed in action
Flt Lt A Hebert 24 Sep 1944 Proceeded to Royal Army Medical Course for course in Tropical Medicine
Flt Lt A C Blythe RAF 25 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting and assumed command of 'A' Flight
Flt Lt H C MacNeill 26 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting for duty as Squadron Navigation Officer
Plt Off H M Slichter 26 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting for duty as Education Officer
Flt Sgt A Goucher 28 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting from No 63 Base to fill WO Disciplinary vacancy
October
Wg Cdr J A Sproule DFC, RAF  4 Oct 1944 Transferred to the RCAF, retaining his rank
Sqn Ldr C N McVeigh AFC, RAF  4 Oct 1944 Transferred to the RCAF, retaining his rank
Fg Off J M Steling  4 Oct 1944 Attached to RAF Bramcote for BAT Course
Plt Off G L Breckon  4 Oct 1944 Attached to RAF Blackpool for ASR Course
Flt Lt A Hebert  8 Oct 1944 Returned from Royal Army Medical Course on completion of course in Tropical Medicine
Flt Lt C Sheard  9 Oct 1944 Medical Officer, ceased to be attached from HQ RCAF Overseas
Sqn Ldr W C Sanderson 11 Oct 1944 Arrived on posting from HQ Transport Command and assumed command of 'C' Flight
Flt Lt R J Roach 11 Oct 1944 Relinquished command of 'C' Flight
Fg Off G P Hagerman 11 Oct 1944 Attached to RAF Bramcote for BAT Course
WO H N Elliston 11 Oct 1944 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off
Fg Off W K Murphy 12 Oct 1944 Attached to RAF Pershore for ferrying duties to the Middle East
Fg Off W G Gray 12 Oct 1944 Attached to RAF Pershore for ferrying duties to the Middle East
Plt Off H A Smith 12 Oct 1944 Attached to RAF Pershore for ferrying duties to the Middle East
Flt Sgt R F Pearson 12 Oct 1944 Attached to RAF Pershore for ferrying duties to the Middle East
Capt W B Smeaton 15 Oct 1944 Canadian Dental Corps, arrived on posting (with 1 x Sgt and 1 x Pte)
Flt Lt J T Reed 16 Oct 1944 Promoted to Act Sqn Ldr
Fg Off G E MacNeill 16 Oct 1944 Promoted to Act Flt Lt
Sqn Ldr J T Reed 18 Oct 1944 Attached to OATS, Cranwell for Junior Commanders' Course
Flt Lt J L Robertson 18 Oct 1944 Arrived on posting from No 3 PRC (2nd operational tour)
Flt Lt R S Down 18 Oct 1944 Attached to RAF Bramcote for BAT Course
Fg Off G P Hagerman 18 Oct 1944 Ceased to be attached to RAF Bramcote for BAT Course
Plt Off G L Breckon 19 Oct 1944 Ceased to be attached to RAF Blackpool for ASR Course
Plt Off J Tuskey 20 Oct 1944 Intelligence Officer, posted to HQ, No 6 (RCAF) Group
Flt Sgt D O Schneider 24 Oct 1944 Killed in action
Flt Sgt J W Lockwood 24 Oct 1944 Failed to return from an operation
Sgt S A Gumbrell RAF 24 Oct 1944 Killed in action
WO II J H Soper 24 Oct 1944 Killed in action
LACW M Campbell WAAF 24 Oct 1944 Killed in action
WO M H F Conrad 24 Oct 1944 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off
WO R W Fox 24 Oct 1944 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off
Fg Off G E MacNeill 25 Oct 1944 Attached to No 14 Radio School for No 16 Signals Leaders' Course
Fg Off O A Simmons 25 Oct 1944 Attached to RAF Bramcote for BAT Course
Sqn Ldr W C Sanderson 27 Oct 1944 Attached to No 1057 OTU for course
November
Fg Off O A Simmons  1 Nov 1944 Ceased to be attached to RAF Bramcote for BAT Course
Flt Lt R A Murrey  3 Nov 1944 Arrived on posting from No 483 GCC for duty as Intelligence Officer
Fg Off W K Murphy  4 Nov 1944 Ceased to be attached to RAF Pershore and posted to No 271 Sqn
Fg Off W G Gray  4 Nov 1944 Ceased to be attached to RAF Pershore and posted to No 271 Sqn
Plt Off H A Smith  4 Nov 1944 Ceased to be attached to RAF Pershore on completion of ferrying duties to the Middle East
Flt Sgt R F Pearson  4 Nov 1944 Ceased to be attached to RAF Pershore and posted to No 271 Sqn
Capt J L Wilson  5 Nov 1944 Arrived on posting from No 2 CARU for duty as ALO
Sqn Ldr J T Reed  8 Nov 1944 Ceased to be attached to OATS, Cranwell for Junior Commanders' Course
Flt Lt R D Anderson  8 Nov 1944 Attached to RAF Bramcote for BAT Course
Fg Off J F Andrews 13 Nov 1944 Authorised to wear RCAF Operational Wings
WO W A Milne 14 Nov 1944 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off
Flt Lt A C Blythe RAF 15 Nov 1944 Attached to OATS, Cranwell for Junior Commanders' Course
Plt Off G E Jones 15 Nov 1944 Attached to RAF Bramcote for BAT Course
Flt Lt R D Anderson 16 Nov 1944 Ceased to be attached to RAF Bramcote for BAT Course
Fg Off G P Hagerman 17 Nov 1944 Promoted to Temp Flt Lt
Fg Off J H Fram 17 Nov 1944 Promoted to Temp Flt Lt
Fg Off O A Simmons 17 Nov 1944 Promoted to Temp Flt Lt
Fg Off J A Delahunt 17 Nov 1944 Promoted to Temp Flt Lt
Fg Off D A Cox 17 Nov 1944 Promoted to Temp Flt Lt
Fg Off V C Smith 18 Nov 1944 Gunner (S), posted to RAF Blakehill Farm
Fg Off F A McLeod 18 Nov 1944 Gunner (S), arrived on posting from RAF Blakehill Farm
WO G A A Murdoch 19 Nov 1944 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off
WO J P E DeChamplain 26 Nov 1944 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off (missing)
Flt Lt G E MacNeill 29 Nov 1944 Ceased to be attached to No 14 Radio School for No 16 Signals Leaders' Course
Fg Off N W Gustafson 29 Nov 1944 Attached to RAF Bramcote for BAT Course
December
Flt Lt A C Blythe RAF  3 Dec 1944 Promoted to Act Sqn Ldr
Sqn Ldr W C Sanderson  6 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU and allocated to 'C' Flight, wef 5 Dec 1944
Flt Lt E J Boland  6 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU and allocated to 'C' Flight, wef 5 Dec 1944
Fg Off T C Hoy  6 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU and allocated to 'C' Flight, wef 5 Dec 1944
Fg Off H J Lancashire  6 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU and allocated to 'C' Flight, wef 5 Dec 1944
Sqn Ldr A C Blythe RAF  8 Dec 1944 Ceased to be attached to OATS, Cranwell for Junior Commanders' Course
Flt Lt B M Clarke 10 Dec 1944 Posted to No 233 Sqn
Fg Off W H Wetherilt 10 Dec 1944 Posted to No 48 Sqn
Fg Off G R Tozer 10 Dec 1944 Posted to No 233 Sqn
Fg Off H B Sedgwick 10 Dec 1944 Posted to No 575 Sqn
Fg Off R G McDonald 10 Dec 1944 Posted to TCHS, Morecombe pending posting overseas
Fg Off J H Wurtele 10 Dec 1944 Posted to TCHS, Morecombe pending posting overseas
Fg Off P Eisenbraum 10 Dec 1944 Posted to TCHS, Morecombe pending posting overseas
Fg Off J A Spirock 10 Dec 1944 Posted to TCHS, Morecombe pending posting overseas
Plt Off M W Little 10 Dec 1944 Posted to TCHS, Morecombe pending posting overseas
Plt Off J E Boyd 10 Dec 1944 Posted to TCHS, Morecombe pending posting overseas
Plt Off E A Chown 10 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 5 Dec 1944
Plt Off M Kachuk 10 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 5 Dec 1944
Plt Off T E Stewart 10 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 5 Dec 1944
Plt Off H Liebman 10 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 5 Dec 1944
Plt Off G R Gilmaster 10 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 5 Dec 1944
Plt Off C Holborn 10 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 5 Dec 1944
Plt Off R H Dickson 10 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 5 Dec 1944
WO W H Faircloth 10 Dec 1944 Posted to No 271 Sqn
WO H J Davis 10 Dec 1944 Posted to TCHS, Morecombe pending posting overseas
WO F H Parsons 16 Dec 1944 Posted to No 107 OTU
WO W H Neal 16 Dec 1944 Posted to No 107 OTU
Flt Sgt G D Mackey 10 Dec 1944 Posted to TCHS, Morecombe pending posting overseas
Flt Sgt B S Davis 10 Dec 1944 Posted to TCHS, Morecombe pending posting overseas
Flt Sgt J A Robertson 10 Dec 1944 Posted to TCHS, Morecombe pending posting overseas
Flt Sgt H O Wells 10 Dec 1944 Posted to TCHS, Morecombe pending posting overseas
Flt Sgt J B Honey 10 Dec 1944 Posted to TCHS, Morecombe pending posting overseas
Flt Sgt J D Hodgson 10 Dec 1944 Posted to No 48 Sqn
Flt Sgt J A Daldorph 10 Dec 1944 Posted to No 271 Sqn
Flt Sgt S Delamere 10 Dec 1944 Posted to No 512 Sqn
Flt Sgt R E Griffiths 10 Dec 1944 Posted to No 575 Sqn
Sgt J W Beazley 10 Dec 1944 Posted to No 512 Sqn
Sgt Green 10 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU
Sgt R E Sutfin 10 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU
Sgt J H Oliver 10 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU
Sgt N Thornley 10 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU
Sgt J Weiner 10 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU
Fg Off P Kertland 18 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 17 Dec 1944
Fg Off J P McGregor 18 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 17 Dec 1944
Fg Off J S Auld 18 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 17 Dec 1944
Fg Off J H Brown 18 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 17 Dec 1944
Fg Off W E Morris 18 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 17 Dec 1944
Fg Off R S Cox 18 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 17 Dec 1944
Fg Off G V Grant 18 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 17 Dec 1944
Fg Off M G Hagglund 18 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 17 Dec 1944
Plt Off C H Butt 18 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 17 Dec 1944
Plt Off T Lindsay 18 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 17 Dec 1944
Plt Off A J P Johnstone 18 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 17 Dec 1944
Sgt L J Greenslade 18 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 107 OTU, wef 17 Dec 1944
Sqn Ldr N J Godkin 20 Dec 1944 Protestant Padre attached from HQ RCAF Overseas
Flt Lt G P Hagerman 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Flt Lt Delahunt 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Flt Lt Fram 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Flt Lt Warrington 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Flt Lt O A Simmons 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Fg Off Pearson 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Fg Off Breckon 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Fg Off Hornsby 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Fg Off Taylor 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Plt Off J P E DeChamplain 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Plt Off J C Pinder 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Plt Off Johnston 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Plt Off Hill 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Plt Off Dahlstedt 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Plt Off Murdock 24 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Fg Off C Dawson 27 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from RAF Ossington for duty as Intelligence Officer
Fg Off N W Gustafson 27 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Fg Off Allen 27 Dec 1944 Posted to No 45 Group, Dorval on being tour expired
Fg Off C F Payne xx Dec 1944 Promoted to Temp Flt Lt, wef 23 Oct 1944
Plt Off J C Pinder xx Dec 1944 Promoted to Temp Fg Off, wef 12 Nov 1944
? G C McConachie xx Dec 1944 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off, wef 25 Sep 1944
? L E Cox xx Dec 1944 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off, wef 27 Oct 1944
? R Mercer xx Dec 1944 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off, wef 24 Aug 1944
? F A R MacKay xx Dec 1944 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off, wef 26 Oct 1944

Source - No 437 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1876)

Organisational Movements: Sep - Dec 1944

Date Notes
September
 4 Sep 1944 No 437 Squadron was formed at RAF Blakehill Farm in No 46 Group, Transport Command, equipped with Dakota IIIs
Dakota of No 437 Squadron
16 Sep 1944 'A' Flight was almost up to full strength
17 Sep 1944 Crews from No 437 Sqn took part in Operation 'Market Garden'
19 Sep 1944 Formation of 'B' and 'C' Flights commenced with the arrival of further aircrew
26 Sep 1944 HQ Officers and Flight Commander were as follows: -
 
Wg Cdr J A Sproule DFC, RAF Commanding Officer
Sqn Ldr C N McVeigh AFC, RAF Squadron Leader - Flying
Flt Lt E L Joynt Adjutant
Flt Lt A Hebert Medical Officer
Fg Off N W Faulafer Equipment Officer
Flt Lt H C MacNeill Navigation Officer
Fg Off G E  MacNeil Signals Officer
Plt Off H M Slichter Education Officer
Flt Lt A C Blythe RAF OC, 'A' Flight
Flt Lt J T Reed OC, 'B' Flight
Flt Lt R J Roach OC (Temporary), 'C' Flight
27 Sep 1944 First draft of Canadian ground personnel arrived on posting from No 3 PRC, comprising: -
  • 18 x ACH/GD
  •  4 x Hospital Assistants
  •  1 x Firefighter
October
 7 Oct 1944 2 x crews arrived on posting from No 107 OTU
 8 Oct 1944 1 x crew arrived on posting from No 107 OTU
10 Oct 1944 1 x crew arrived on posting from No 107 OTU
12 Oct 1944 1 x crew attached to RAF Pershore for ferrying duties to the Middle East
15 Oct 1944 1 x crew arrived on posting from No 233 Sqn
16 Oct 1944 1 x crew arrived on posting from No 575 Sqn

1 x AC Postal Clerk arrived on posting

23 Oct 1944 2 x RCAF pilots arrived on posting from No 107 OTU
25 Oct 1944 116 x Canadian ground personnel arrived on posting from No 3 PRC
27 Oct 1944 45 x Canadian ground personnel arrived on posting from No 3 PRC

71 x Airmen arrived on posting to No 4437 Servicing Echelon

28 Oct 1944 Attached RAF personnel began being returned to their parent units

5 x crews arrived on posting from No 107 OTU

30 Oct 1944 124 x Canadian ground personnel arrived on posting from No 3 PRC (final draft)

5 x RCAF Navigators arrived on posting from No 233 Sqn

1 x RCAF Navigator arrived on posting from No 575 Sqn

2 x RAF Navigators posted to No 233 Sqn

1 x RAF Navigator and 1 RAAF Navigator posted to No 575 Sqn

1 x crew posted to No 48 Sqn

2 x crews posted to No 233 Sqn

November
25 Nov 1944 3 x crews proceeded on embarkation leave prior to posting to India

4 x RCAF Crews arrived on posting from No 107 OTU

4 x RCAF Co-pilots arrived on posting from No 107 OTU

4 x RAF Co-pilots posted to No 107 OTU for a course

30 Nov 1944 By this date, in addition to its 24 x Dakota IIIs, the squadron was operating:
  • 2 x Anson Xs
  • 2 x Anson XIs

Anson XI

December
No relevant entries recorded in this month's ORB

Source - No 437 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1876)

This entry was last updated on 13/09/25

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