Name: |
BUTTS, Robert Anothy, DFC |
Nationality: |
Canadian |
Regiment/Service: |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Rank: |
Flight Lieutenant |
Service No.: |
C/854 |
Unit Text: |
582 Squadron |
BUTTS, F/L Robert Anthony (C854) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.582 Squadron - Award effective 23 November 1945 as per London Gazette dated 4 December and AFRO 212/46 dated 1 March 1946. Home in Culverton, New Brunswick; enlisted at Trenton as a Provisional Pilot Officer, 4 July 1938; wings at Trenton, 17 June 1939. Promoted Flying Officer as of 1 October 1940. To No.10 (BR) Squadron, 4 June 1941. On 3 October 1941 he was uninjured while piloting Digby 748 of No.10 (BR) Squadron; aircraft settled into trees just after takeoff from Newfoundland airport, 0854 hours. To No.1 ANS, 5 March 1942. To No.1 CNS, 5 July 1942; to No..16 SFTS, 31 August 1942, presumably to instruct. Posted to “Y” Depot, 24 September 1943; taken on strength of No.3 PRC, 13 October 1943. Repatriated to Canada by VLR aircraft, 18 June 1945; to No.8 OTU, 19 June 1945; to Greenwood for Tiger Force training, 31 July 1945. Retired 14 October 1945. Award presented by Governor General at Government House, 12 June 1953. No citation other than "completed...numerous operations against the enemy in which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty". DHist file 181.009 D.3061 (RG.24 Vol.20635) has letters indicating that in August 1942 he was recommended for an AFC for services with No.10 (BR) Squadron (115 sorties, 851 operational hours); EAC Headquarters queried it because Butts had also been posted following court martial for low flying offence. Public Records Office Air 2/8772 has recommendation dated 14 May 1945 when he had flown 34 sorties (212 hours 50 minutes), 14 October 1944 to 25 April 1945.
14 Oct 1944 | Duisburg | 3 Feb 1945 | Bottrop |
15 Oct 1944 | Wilhelmshaven | 9 Feb 1945 | Goch |
19 Oct 1944 | Stuttgart | 13 Feb 1945 | Dresden |
30 Oct 1944 | Cologne | 14 Feb 1945 | Chemnitz |
31 Oct 1944 | Cologne | 3 March 1945 | Kamen |
2 Nov 1944 | Dusseldorff | 5 March 1945 | Chemnitz |
11 Nov 1944 | Dotmund | 8 March 1945 | Hamburg |
16 Nov 1944 | Duren | 21 March 1945 | Bremen |
29 Nov 1944 | Dortmund | 22 March 1945 | Dulmen |
4 Dec 1944 | Karlsruhe | 24 March 1945 | Sterkrade |
6 Dec 1944 | Merseberg | 3 April 1945 | Lutzkendorf |
12 Dec 1944 | Essen | 8 April 1945 | Hamburg |
15 Dec 1944 | Ludwigshaven | 9 April 1945 | Kiel |
17 Jan 1945 | Ulm | 10 April 1945 | Plauen |
24 Jan 1945 | Cologne | 13 April 1945 | Kiel |
1 Feb 1945 | Ludwigshaven | 14 April 1945 | Potsdam |
2 Feb 1945 | Weisbaden | 25 April 1945 | Wangerooge |
Flight Lieutenant Butts is a very keen and able captain of a Blind Marker crew. His skill and determination throughout his tour have been worthy of the highest praise. He is strongly recommended for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. |
NOTE: RCAF Routine Order 882 of 1942 states as follows:
Flight Lieutenant Robert Anthony Butts (C.854), an officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force serving at RCAF Station Gander, Newfoundland, was tried by a general court-martial on the 8th day of January, 1942, and was found guilty on
a charge of negligently damaging an aircraft belonging to His Majesty.
He was sentenced to take precedence in rank as if his name had appeared 58 places lower in the current Royal Canadian Air Force List, immediately following the name of Flight Lieutenant W.I.P. Innes-Taylor (C.1522).
SOURCE: Air Force Association of Canada website.
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