Edwin Albert CARTER

Name:	CARTER, Edwin Albert
Nationality:	Canadian
Regiment/Service:	Royal Canadian Air Force
Rank:	Flying Officer
Service No.:	J/10048
Date of Birth:	4 May 1910 - Toronto, York, ON

CARTER, F/O Edwin Albert (J10048) - Mention in Despatches - No.270 Squadron (AFRO gives "Overseas" only as unit) - Award effective 14 January 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 874/44 dated 21 April 1944. Born 4 May 1910 in Toronto. Attended Queens University and University of Toronto; actuary with Mutual Life, 1930-31; office manager, 1931-34; construction superintendent, 1935-40; paving inspector for Department of Transport, 1940-41. Home in Orangeville, Ontario; enlisted Toronto, 7 March 1941. On strength of Station Sydney, 23 May to 2 July 1941. To No.3 ITS, 2 July 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 30 August 1941 when posted to No.9 AOS; graduated 21 November 1941 and posted next day to No.1 BGS; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 3 January 1942; posted that date to No.2 ANS; graduated and commissioned, 2 February 1942. To "Y" Depot, 4 February 1942; embarked from Canada, 24 February 1942. Taken on strength of No.3 PRC, Bournemouth, 10 March 142; to No.3 School of General Reconnaissance, 9 May 1942; to No.4 (C) OTU, 7 July 1942; to No.270 Squadron, 23 November 1942; several attachments in his career (he flew Catalinas out of Gibralter during North African campaign); eventually went to Lages (Azores). Posted from No.270 Squadron at Lages, 15 December 1943 but did not actually leave the island until 24 December 1943, arriving in Britain 2 February 1944. Embarked from Britain to Canada, 3 March 1944; arrived in Canada 16 March 1944. To No.1 GRS, Summerside, 12 April 1944; to No.168 (Heavy Transport) Squadron, 31 January 1945, serving with that unit to 15 January 1946. Released 19 January 1946.

Assessments on his file give some indication of why he was Mentioned in Despatches. A report covering 10 December 1942 to 26 June 1943 noted he had flown 695 hours (380 in previous six months).

This officer is above average as a navigator. His keenness and efficiency have been a good example to the rest of the squadron. (W/C H.V.A. Thewles)

Another report (30 December 1943) gives his flying time as 1,008 hours 45 minutes (370 hours ten minutes in previous six months) which describes him as having "outstanding personality, leadership and common sense".

On 9 August 1944 he was assessed as "doing an efficient job of instructor in navigation".

SOURCE: Air Force Association of Canada website & Hugh Halliday (July 30, 2010)