Robert Anthony BUTTS

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.

Return to Remembering Those Who Served Page
Return to Pennfield Ridge Air Station Page
Return to Pennfield Parish Home Page