RCAF Association Leadership Medal

RCAF Association Leadership Medal – the medal is awarded to each cadet successfully completing the powered-flight and glider-flying courses at the top of their respective classes. Up to five medals are awarded to cadets graduating from the five flying schools, on the powered course, and up to five cadets graduating from each of the flying schools on the glider course. Should a cadet win a second medal, as a consequence of having earned the medal on a previous flying course, the second medal to be awarded will be one with the Maple Leaf clasp, as shown.

Cadet awardees are kindly requested to consult the details below, to learn more about the sponsor of their medal, and in whose name the medal is being awarded. Letters of appreciation are encouraged. Cadets wishing to write a letter of appreciation may send it to the RCAF Association, for forwarding to the appropriate sponsor. The mailing address for the RCAF Association is: RCAF Association, Attn: Dean Black, 222 Somerset St. West, Suite 405, Ottawa, ON, K2P 2G3 – alternatively, letters of e-mail appreciation may be forwarded to director (at) airforce.ca

To Be Awarded in 2015 (See subsequent pages for follow-on years and sponsors)

Fred Sutherland 703 Wing

2015 – Alberta

703 Wing Red Deer, Alberta, sponsored by Mr. Al Low and the members of 703 Wing

This medal is dedicated to Flight Sergeant (Retired) Fred Sutherland who is one of only three surviving members from the famous “Dam busters Raid” which took place on the night of 16-17 May 1943. He was born on 26 February 1923 and raised in Peace River, Alberta. Fred had 25 missions under his belt when he volunteered for this secret mission. At the time of the raid he was 20 years old. Fred and his wife Margaret live in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. In 2014 he was made a Honourary member of 703 (Central Alberta) Wing of the Royal Canadian Airforce Association.

Victor Mulhall 703 Wing

2015 – Alberta

703 Wing Red Deer, Alberta, sponsored by Mr. Al Low and the members of 703 Wing

Squadron Leader (Retired) Victor Mulhall, DFC, was a navigator in Bomber Command during the Second World War. He served with 15 Sqn, 214 FMS and 433 RCAF Squadron flying many different types of bombers until the end of the War. He completed 2 tours of “Ops”. After the war, Victor filled the position of Casualty Liaison Officer in the Missing Research and Enquiry Service whose duty it was to send teams to the continent to search for missing aircrews and document their names and locations. Mr. Mulhall was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on 16 June 1918 and joined the RCMP after high school before joining in the War effort in 1941. Victor lives in Red Deer, Alberta. He is a member of 703 (Central Alberta) Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association. In 2014 he was awarded the title of Knight in the French National Order of the Legion of Honour.

Flt/Lt Victor Allen Mulhall (J4757) – Distinguished Flying Cross – No.214 Squadron – Award effective 7 May 1943 as per London Gazette dated 13 May 1943 and AFRO 1035/43 dated 4 June 1943. Born in Regina, 1918; home in Saskatchewan; member of Militia (Weyburn Regiment), 1934 to 1937 and of RCMP (1937-1940); enlisted in Ottawa 11 May 1940. Trained at No.1 ITS (graduated 21 June 1940, No.1 EFTS (graduated 16 August 1940), No.1 SFTS (ceased training 7 October 1940), No.1 BGS (graduated 17 February 1941), No.1 AOS (graduated 3 January 1941) and No.1 CNS (graduated 20 March 1941). Commissioned 1941. Medal presented at Buckingham Palace 7 December 1943. Flight Lieutenant Mulhall has been navigation officer in his squadron for eleven months, during three months of which he has also performed the duties of bombing leader. Despite his duties as squadron navigation officer, Flight Lieutenant Mulhall has taken part in a large number of operational sorties. Twice on recent occasions he has returned with excellent photographs of the aiming point. The high standard of navigation attained in the squadron is largely owing to the untiring efforts of this officer, while his personal example has been a source of inspiration to his fellow navigators. NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/8950 has recommendation drafted 21 March 1943 when he had flown 32 sorties (173 hours 35 minutes). Sortie list and text add to the record:

23 Aug 41 Le Havre 10 Feb 42 Brest

25 Aug 41 Karlsruhe 12 Feb 42 Sweep for cruisers, North Sea

28 Aug 41 Duisburg 08 Mar 42 Essen

31 Aug 41 Cologne 09 Mar 42 Essen

07 Sept 41 Kiel 10 Mar 42 Essen

12 Sept 41 Frankfurt 23 Mar 42 GARDENING

28 Sept 41 Genoa 25 Mar 42 Essen

14 Oct 41 Nuremberg 28 Mar 42 Lubeck

20 Oct 41 Bremen 02 Apr 42 Poissy

24 Oct 41 Brest 17 May 42 Vichy (Nickel raid)

01 Nov 41 Brest 04 Sep 42 Bremen

07 Nov 41 Berlin 13 Sep 42 Bremen

23 Nov 41 Brest 17 Dec 42 GARDENING

25 Nov 41 Essen 13 Feb 43 Lorient

11 Dec 41 Cologne 01 Mar 43 Berlin

15 Dec 41 Brest 08 Mar 43 Nuremberg

Flight Lieutenant Mulhall has been Navigation Officer in this squadron for over eleven months, during three months of which he has also performed the duties of Bombing Leader. He has carried out 32 operational sorties (involving 173 hours 35 minutes) and is an excellent practical navigator. His work in this squadron has been of a high order, and it has been largely due to his untiring efforts that the standard of navigation has reached such a high level, particularly in astro work. Despite the fact that his work as a Squadron Navigation Officer has entailed his being on duty for long periods, he has continued to operate. Twice in his recent sorties he has been responsible for obtaining excellent photographs. These were obtained in Bremen on two different occasions and were both close to the aiming point. Flight Lieutenant Mulhall’s personal example has been an inspiration to the navigators of this squadron.

2015 – Atlantic Provinces

110 (Northumberland) Wing – Mr. John C. Clark and all members of the Wing

2015 – Colonel (Retired) David J. Lowdon, CD

In memory of Warrant Officer (Retired) John “Jack” Lowdon, CD, RCAF (July 17, 1922 – October 25, 2014)

Warrant Officer (Ret) Jack Lowdon, CD, passed away peacefully, with family by his side, in his 93rd year. Beloved husband of the late Kathleen Hart. Loving and proud father of David (Daisy), Bonnie (Tony Jackson) and Jim (Chris). Cherished grandfather of Jill (Mark), Matthew (Midori). Tim, Erin, Tania (Bryan Shelford), Tyler (Val) and Robin (Jeremy Orr); proud great- grandfather of Aria, Colton, Kayla, Linden, Emma and Hugh. Dear brother-in-law of Arthur Hart (Valerie). He will be lovingly remembered by his many nieces and nephews. Jack was a devoted and loving family man and a proud Canadian. Through a lifetime of service to his country in the RCAF, a second career at TD Canada Trust and a passionate devotion to golf and lawn bowling, Jack was a positive influence on all he met. We are all the better for his presence in our lives. Published in The Times Colonist from Nov. 8 to Nov. 9, 2014

2015 – Colonel (Retired) David J. Lowdon, CD

In memory of Warrant Officer (Retired) John “Jack” Lowdon, CD, RCAF (July 17, 1922 – October 25, 2014)

2015 – Brigadier-General (Retired) Edward Gosden, CMM, CD

WO(II) Edward O’Rourke, RCAF

In memory of Warrant Officer 2nd Class Edward John O’Rourke, Navigator, 626 (RAF) Squadron, RAF Wickenby, Lincolnshire, UK – While on a mission to bomb military barracks near Nordhausen, Germany on the night of 3 April 1945, his aircraft with the entire crew was lost over the North Sea on the outbound leg of the mission. The crew’s names are inscribed on the wall of remembrance at the Runnymede Memorial to British and Commonwealth airmen with no known grave.

2015 – Gerald Frappier

2015 – Don Feduck, George Groff and all members 434 (Niagara Peninsula) Wing

2015 – Major-General (Retired) Robert L. “Bob” Mortimer MGen Mortimer was a graduate of the Air Cadet Flying Scholarship Course No. 4 at the Aero Club of B.C. in July 1949. Today, he is an Honorary Life Member of the Air Cadet League of Canada, and was past President of Pacific Group of the Association in 1998-2000. With his contribution he hopes to help reinforce the value of gliding and powered flight training for air cadets. Two and one-half years after graduating from the air cadet flying program, that training enabled him to attain the highest standing in his class on the RCAF pilot’s Course. During my career as a pilot in the RCAF/CF he accumulated more than 6300 flying hours, and after 39 years of service retired as a Major-General.

Frank West

2015 – Karl West, Honorary Colonel – In Memory of Sergeant (Ret) Frank West, 404 (RCAF) Squadron, and, Officer/Instructor 517 Air Cadet Squadron (Middleton, NS) Frank West served with 404 Squadron (RCAF) during the Second World War. He survived four crashes, and retired from service at the conclusion of conflict. He returned to the Annapolis Valley, to his young bride, whom he had left behind when he went to fight overseas. He served as an officer and instructor with 517 Squadron (RCAC) and as President of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #1, in Middleton, NS. Frank was born in Aylesford, NS, in 1922. He joined the R.C.A.F. in 1941 and served as a Rear Gunner in the UK, France and Germany, returning home in 1945. Frank was later an Officer Instructor of 517th Air Cadet Squadron as well as Band Administration Officer with the West Nova Scotia Regiment. He was a forty-seven-year member and Past President of Middleton Branch 001 of The Royal Canadian Legion. Frank passed away in 1993. Submitted by Middleton Branch 001 of The Royal Canadian Legion.

2016 – Atlantic Provinces

110 (Northumberland) Wing – Mr. John C. Clark and all members of the Wing

2016 – Major-General (Retired) Robert L. “Bob” Mortimer MGen Mortimer was a graduate of the Air Cadet Flying Scholarship Course No. 4 at the Aero Club of B.C. in July 1949. Today, he is an Honorary Life Member of the Air Cadet League of Canada, and was past President of Pacific Group of the Association in 1998-2000. With his contribution he hopes to help reinforce the value of gliding and powered flight training for air cadets. Two and one-half years after graduating from the air cadet flying program, that training enabled him to attain the highest standing in his class on the RCAF pilot’s Course. During my career as a pilot in the RCAF/CF he accumulated more than 6300 flying hours, and after 39 years of service retired as a Major-General.

2016 – Don Feduck, George Groff and all members 434 (Niagara Peninsula) Wing

2016 – Colonel (Retired) David J. Lowdon, CD