|
|
|
|
|
|
Name: |
FRANCIS, Gustave Edwin "Ted", DFC, MID |
Nationality: |
Canadian |
Regiment/Service: |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Rank: |
Flight Lieutenant |
Service No.: |
J/10690 |
Unit Text: |
No.113 (BR) Squadron |
Born: |
19 January 1915 - Stellerton, NS |
Died: |
21 February 1989 - St. Stepehn, NB |
font face="Arial">Name of Spouse: |
BUDD, Elizabeth Jean "Betty" (15 March 1920-29 Sept 2008) (m. 10 April 1941) |
FRANCIS, P/O Gustave Edwin (J10690) - Mention in Despatches - No.113 Squadron (Canada) - Awarded 1 January 1943 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 55/43 dated 15 January 1943. Born at Stellerton, Nova Scotia, 19 January 1915. Educated there and New Glasgow. Home in St.Stephen, New Brunswick. Member of 83rd Field Artillery (Non-Permanent Militia), Stellerton, Nova Scotia, 1932-1937. Seaman and quartermaster with Canada Steamships, March 1934 to June 1936; gold miner in Rouyn, April 1937 to June 1937. Joined RCMP, June 1937 serving at Rockcliffe, Regina and Fredericton. General Orders issued by the Commissioner, 17 May 1941, stated, “Reg. No.12904, 2/Constable Francis is discharged forthwith as Unsuitable for violation of Rules and Regulations, to wit, by marrying without the consent of the Commissioner, effective 15 May 1941.” Enlisted in Moncton, 28 May 1941 and posted to No.1 Manning Depot. To No.1 ITS, 9 August 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 13 September 1941; reposted to No.1 Manning Depot until 29 September 1941 when posted to No.1 AOS; to No.1 BGS, Jarvis, 4 January 1942; graduated and commissioned 14 February 1942 when posted to No.2 ANS, Pennfield Ridge; posted to No.31 GRS, 10 April 1942. To Eastern Air Command, 1 June 1942. To No.113 (BR) Squadron, 10 June 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 1 October 1942. To Station Sydney, 17 May 1943. To Eastern Air Command Headquarters, Halifax, 26 July 1943. To No.113 (BR) Squadron again, 24 August 1943 Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 January 1944. To Pennfield Ridge, 30 June 1944. To No.1 Release Centre, 28 August 1945. Retired 4 September 1945. Died in St.Stephen, New Brunswick, 21 February 1989 as per Royal Canadian Legion “Last Post” website and Legion Magazine of September 1989.
|
This officer, an Observer, has demonstrated considerable skill in navigation and has contributed to the successful completion of several attacks on submarines carried out under adverse weather conditions. By his skill in navigation he also assisted in an attack which resulted in the severe damage of destruction of an enemy submarine. He has by his diligence and devotion to duty set an example which has assisted in maintaining a huge morale in his unit. |
This award began as a recommendation for an Air Force Cross, drafted by S/L N.E. Small, 31 August 1942; reduced to Mention in Despatches at AFHQ; submission worded as
above. FRANCIS, F/O Gustave Edwin (J10690) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.113 (BR) Squadron - Award effective 8 June 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 1380/44 dated 30 June 1944. As of award had flown 933 hours (550 operational hours; 121 sorties). This officer as navigator has completed many hours of operational flying in the North Atlantic area, throughout which time he has displayed exceptional qualities
of coolness, efficiency and devotion to duty. During two attacks against enemy submarines his quick thinking and proficiency in navigation contributed greatly to the success of the attacks. This began as a submission by S/L I.M. Black, No.113 (BR) Squadron on 10 January 1944. He was identified as Squadron Navigation Officer. Text as follows: SOURCE: Air Force Association of Canada website & Hugh Halliday (August 9, 2010). Return to Remembering Those Who Served Page
Recommended for an Air Force Cross, 20 February 1943. Signature of squadron leader, No.113 Squadron at Yarmouth illegible. It was supported at EAC HQ level but did not reach 1943 Birthday List priorities list. Submission was as follows:
This officer has completed 520 hours flying of which 329 hours have been on operations with this squadron from July to November 1942. He has always shown keen devotion to duty and has proven himself to be an
exceptionally skilled navigator. He has participated in two attacks on enemy submarines and by his coolness and clear thinking contributed greatly to the successes achieved on these attacks. His work and
attitude to service duties at all times has contributed greatly to the morale and efficiency of his squadron associates.
This officer has completed 933 hours flying of which 550 hours were spent in operations against the enemy. He has participated in two attacks against enemy U-Boats and his coolness and quick thinking
contributed greatly to the success of these attacks. His work and attitude to service duties at all times have contributed greatly to the morale and efficiency of the squadron.
Navigator for N.E. Small when U-754 sunk. For description of attack of 31 July 1942 see entry for N.E. Small.
Notes: Interviewed 13 May 1941 by F/O H. Wensley, who wrote, “Excellent type. Superb physique. Very good appearance. Winning personality. Alert and self-reliant; agressive. Keen to fly. Good training in RCMP
from whom he gets discharge tomorrow. Appears to have married without permission.” (He had married on 27 December 1940).
In Ventura 2145 (F/O M.H. Bowser) which force-landed at Sydney, 19 April 1944; port engine caught fire on take-off.
Operational Wing: Application compiled 20 March 1944 and listed the following, all with No.113 (BR) Squadron. All sorties, 30 June 1942 to 24 April 1943 on Hudsons; all sorties thereafter on
Venturas.
30 June 1942
(1.15, sweep)
08 December 1942
(5.35, sweep)
03 July 1942
(3.10, search)
02 January 1943
(1.50, sweep)
08 July 1942
(2.15, sweep)
02 January 1943
(2.55, search)
23 July 1942
(4.50, search)
08 January 1943
(6.10, sweep)
24 July 1942
(4.30, search)
11 January 1943
(3.30, sweep)
25 July 1942
(5.00, sweep)
15 January 1943
(4.00, sweep)
27 July 1942
(1.55, sweep)
3 February 1943
(2.10, sweep)
28 July 1942
(3.15, sweep)
?
?
29 July 1942
(3.05, sweep)
?
?
30 July 1942
(3.05, sweep)
?
?
31 July 1942
(3.40, sweep, attacked U-Boat)
?
?
31 July 1942
(4.35, sweep)
?
?
19 August 1942
(3.55, sweep)
?
?
24 August 1942
(5.15, patrol)
?
?
24 August 1942
(2.30, search)
?
?
25 August 1942
(5.40, search)
?
?
26 August 1942
(6.20, search)
?
?
29 August 1942
(5.15, search)
?
?
31 August 1942
(5.50, convoy)
?
?
01 September 1942
(4.35, sweep)
?
?
03 September 1942
(5.50, sweep)
?
?
06 September 1942
(6.30, convoy)
?
?
07 September 1942
(6.00, convoy)
?
?
07 September 1942
(3.35, search)
?
?
08 September 1942
(4.35, convoy)
?
?
13 September 1942
(5.05, sweep)
?
?
15 September 1942
(5.15, sweep)
?
?
15 September 1942
(5.45, sweep)
?
?
16 September 1942
(4.45, sweep)
?
?
16 September 1942
(4.00, sweep)
?
?
17 September 1942
(5.20, sweep)
?
?
19 September 1942
(6.35, sweep)
?
?
23 September 1942
(5.35, sweep)
?
?
24 September 1942
(5.35, sweep)
?
?
25 September 1942
(7.15, sweep)
?
?
25 September 1942
(5.05, sweep)
?
?
30 September 1942
(5.15, sweep)
?
?
04 October 1942
(4.55, sweep)
?
?
07 October 1942
(6.30, sweep)
?
?
09 October 1942
(5.45, sweep)
?
?
10 October 1942
(6.30, sweep)
?
?
10 October 1942
(5.45, sweep)
?
?
12 October 1942
(5.05, sweep)
?
?
13 October 1942
(6.20, sweep)
?
?
14 October 1942
(6.15, sweep)
?
?
18 October 1942
(4.00, sweep)
?
?
21 October 1942
(5.10, search)
?
?
29 October 1942
(6.15, sweep)
?
?
30 October 1942
(1.50, sweep)
?
?
31 October 1942
(6.55, sweep)
?
?
31 October 1942
(3.40, sweep)
?
?
01 November 1942
(6.20, sweep)
?
?
02 November 1942
(5.50, sweep)
?
?
02 November 1942
(1.55, sweep)
?
?
03 November 1942
(6.05, sweep)
?
?
05 November 1942
(5.45, sweep)
?
?
06 November 1942
(6.00, sweep)
?
?
06 November 1942
(4.05, sweep)
?
?
07 November 1942
(3.00, sweep)
?
?
11 November 1942
(2.50, sweep)
?
?
16 November 1942
(2.45, sweep)
?
?
23 November 1942
(2.55, sweep)
?
?
24 November 1942
(5.45, sweep, attacked U-Boat, 4203N 6228W))
?
?
01 December 1942
(5.15, sweep)
?
?
06 December 1942
(5.40, sweep)
?
?
9 February 1943 (1.45, sweep)
9 February 1943 (4.15, sweep)
16 February 1943 (4.00, sweep)
18 February 1943 (3.30, sweep)
19 February 1943 (4.00, convoy)
22 February 1943 (4.10, sweep)
23 February 1943 (3.30, sweep)
12 April 1943 (4.00, convoy)
22 April 1943 (5.35, sweep)
24 April 1943 (3.55, sweep)
15 May 1943 (2.35, sweep)
15 May 1943 (3.00, sweep)
6 June 1943 (2.00, sweep)
8 June 1943 (2.40, sweep)
10 June 1943 (2.00, sweep)
10 June 1943 (4.30, sweep)
12 June 1943 (2.30, sweep)
17 June 1943 (5.15, sweep)
22 June 1943 (6.20, sweep)
23 June 1943 (3.00, sweep)
27 June 1943 (5.05, sweep)
2 July 1943 (6.00, sweep)
3 July 1943 (5.15, sweep)
10 July 1943 (5.00, sweep)
12 July 1943 (2.40, sweep)
13 July 1943 (2.45, sweep)
17 July 1943 (5.35, sweep)
18 July 1943 (3.00, sweep)
20 July 1943 (4.10, sweep)
21 July 1943 (4.45, sweep)
25 July 1943 (2.10, sweep_
25 July 1943 (6.00, sweep)
date uncertain, August 1943 (50 minutes, strike)
30 August 1943 (5.40, sweep)
31 August 1943 (3.20, sweep)
1 September 1943 (6.20, sweep)
4 September 1943 (6.00, sweep)
5 September 1943 (4.30, convoy)
8 September 1943 (3.35, sweep)
10 September 1943 (4.00 convoy)
11 September 1943 (3.10, patrol)
14 September 1943 (6.40, patrol)
15 September 1943 (5.55, patrol)
16 September 1943 (5.50, convoy)
22 September 1943 (2.30, patrol)
22 September 1943 (2.30, patrol)
27 September 1943 (6.55, patrol)
30 September 1943 (4.20, convoy)
4 October 1943 (5.30, patrol)
11 October 1943 (5.20, sweep)
25 October 1943 (3.35, sweep)
29 October 1943 (3.15, sweep)
15 November 1943 (2.45, sweep)
25 November 1943 (2.35, sweep)
26 November 1943 (3.05, sweep)
6 December 1943 (2.20, sweep)
8 December 1943 (5.45, convoy)
31 December 1943 (5.40, convoy)
07 December 1942
(5.40, sweep)
?
?
Return to Pennfield Ridge Air Station Page
Return to Pennfield Parish Home Page
