CLELAND, S/L Frederick Donald (C8532) - Mention in Despatches - Overseas - Award effective 14 June 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1395/45 dated 31 August 1945. See Field of Honour (Bank of Montreal, c.1950). Born in Toronto, 1 March 1913.. Attended McGill University. Employed by Bank of Montreal, 1934-1941. Enlisted in Montreal, 31 October 1941 and posted to No. 1 Manning Depot, Toronto; commissioned on enlistment in Flying Control Branch. To No.2 ANS, Pennfield Ridge, New Brunswick, 14 November 1941; to "Y" Depot, Halifax, 17 December 1941. Disembarked in Britain, 5 January 1942. To RAF Station Honington, 20 January 1942; promoted Flying Officer, 1 May 1942; to Tempsford, 26 August 1942; to Ridgewell canal, 1 April 1943; to Oarington (?), 15 April 1943; to Station Topcliffe, 20 May 1943. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 June 1943. To No.6 Group Headquarters, Allerton Hall, 7 October 1943. Transferred to Flying Control Operations Branch, 1 September 1944 with seniority from 1 June 1943. Taken on strength of No. 64 Base, 15 January 1945 and promoted Squadron Leader that date.; To No.63 Base, 8 June 1945. Repatriated to Canada, 5 September 1945. Released 17 October 1945.

NOTE: Although no specific recommendation has been found for his award, he was consistently assessed as efficient and personable. On 13 February 1944, at No.6 Group Headquarters, he was described as "efficient in his present duties and because of his exceptionally good personality and tactfulness is doing a better than average job of work. "(S/L F.W. Stanley, concurred in by A/C C.R. Slemon). On 19 July 1944, again at No.6 Group Headquarters, he was described thus: "This officer has a good appearance, has good ability and is thoroughly reliable with good personalityy"(S/L F.W. Stanley, concurrence of A/C C.R. Slemon)

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

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