William Harold McCAMUS (1917-

Name:	*McCAMUS, William Harold "Mac", DFC*
Nationality:	Canadian
Regiment/Service:	Royal Canadian Air Force
Rank:	Flight Lieutenant
Service No.:	J/10049
Date of Birth:	August 12, 1917

McCAMUS, F/L William Harold (J10049) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.404 Squadron - Award effective 19 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 471/45 dated 16 March 1945. Born 12 August 1917 in Peterborough, Ontario; home in Millbrook, Ontario; enlisted in Toronto, 28 February 1941. To No.1 Manning Depot, 21 April 1941. To No.31 BGS, 15 May 1941 (guard). To No.3 ITS, 20 June 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, 03 January 1942 when posted to No.2 ANS; graduated and commissioned on 02 February 1942; to No.1 ANS, 03 February 1942. To No.9 SFTS, 21 February 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 15 November 1942; posted that date to “Y” Depot; to RAF overseas. 10 December 1942. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 02 February 1944. Repatriated by air and posted to Debert, 23 July 1945. Retired 14 September 1945. Medal presented 22 June 1949. Cited with F/O Louis C. Boileau (pilot), which see for citation. Photo PL-35334 is a portrait.

BOILEAU, F/O Louis Celos (J23870) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.404 Squadron - Award effective 19 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 471/45 dated 16 March 1945. Born September 1920. Home in Fort Francis, Ontario; enlisted in Galt, 30 March 1940 as Airframe Mechanic. To Technical Training School, 19 April 1940. To central Flying School, 28 August 1940. Promoted AC1, 01 October 1940. Promoted LAC, 01 April 1941. Remustered to aircrew and posted on 23 May 1942 to No.5 ITS; may have graduated 18 July 1942 but not posted to No.13 EFTS until 29 August 1942; to No.2 SFTS, 29 October 1942; graduated and commissioned 19 February 1943. To No.31 GRS, 06 March 1943. To “Y” Depot, 29 May 1943; to RAF overseas, 15 June 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 19 August 1943; promoted Flight Lieutenant, 13 February 1945. Repatriated 09 July 1945. Released 10 September 1945. Award sent by registered mail 25 June 1949. Photo PL-35312 shows him. Cited with F/L William H. McCamus (navigator).

These officers have completed many sorties and throughout have displayed a high standard of ability and determination. In November 1944 they were navigator and pilot respectively of one of a formation of aircraft detailed to attack enemy shipping. The vessels were lying in a fiord bounded on each side of high hills. Despite this, and in the face of anti-aircraft fire, the attack was pressed home. In this well executed operation these officers displayed a high degree of skill, courage and resolution.

Mac was born on August 12, 1917 at Peterborough. Pre war he was an office clerk at a Business College.

He joined the RCAF at Toronto in February 1941 and trained at Picton, Victoriaville, St. Jean, Jarvis, Pennfield Ridge and Rivers. He received his Observer Wing at Jarvis in December, 1941.

Posted overseas to Bournemouth and did his advanced training at Catfoss in Yorks. He was posted to 404 Sqadron, Coastal Command (Anti-shipping strike Wing). He served at various stations: Wick: Davidstow Moor: Strubby: Banff and Dallachy.

Mac reports: The place: #2 (C) OTU Catfoss, Yorks. The era: November 1943. The objective: conversion to Beaufighters via the esteemed Bristol Beaufort. An early morning bicycle ride from “the mansion” out to the flight shack. We pause to watch a Beaufort on approach. Rather high, don’t you think? Near the perimeter track - still high! Throttle back - down she comes - rather steep eh? ( We’re both Canadians, so is the man driving the Beaufort). Over the end of the runway now - still throttled back- down - down - WHAM! Open up - he’s airborne once more! But look! Starboard engine has now had enough and departs completely from the dear old Beaufort and rolls across the infield with final bursts of pop-pop-pop. Meanwhile. man operating flying machine apparently unaware that starboard elastic band has broksen and gently opens up to guide the monster back to native land. Port engine responds quite nicely, thank you, and our valiant driver is now contending with early signs of starboard ground-loop as mother Beaufort goes chasing her errant power-plant and comes to rest facing in direction from whence she has just arrived! That was 50 years back and, though my memory fails me on this point, I think I know who bought the first round that evening!”

He received a B.Com from the U.ofT. He was employed by Shell Canada Ltd. in Aviation Sales.