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McLEISH, Wallace Angus Grayton Squadron Leader, No.428 Squadron, J4886 Distinguished Flying Cross RCAF Personnel Awards 1939-1949
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McLEISH, S/L Wallace Angus Grayton (J4886) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.428 Squadron - Award effective 10 May 1944 as per London Gazette dated 23 May 1944 and AFRO 1380/44 dated 30 June 1944. Born in Toronto, 27 April 1915; home in South Hamilton. Obtained a BA at McMaster University, then taught at Ashbury College, Ottawa, 1938-1940; enlisted in Hamilton, 16 September 1940. To No.2 Training Command, 10 October 1940. To No.2 ITS, 5 November 1940; graduated and promoted LAC, 10 December 1940; posted next day to No.15 EFTS; graduated 28 January 1941 when posted to No.32 SFTS; graduated and commissioned, 11 April 1942. To Trenton, 25 April 1942. To No.5 SFTS, and then to Summerside to instruct. Promoted Flying Officer, 11 April 1942. To “Y” Depot, 24 January 1943; to RAF overseas, 18 February 1943. Further trained at No.14 (P) AFU, No.22 OTU and No.1664 HCU before posting to No.428 Squadron, 26 August 1943. Served as Deputy Flight Commander, Flight Commander, and finally as CO, 9 May to August 1944. February 1945 to command Station Dalton. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 11 April 1943; promoted Squadron Leader, 28 November 1943; promoted Wing Commander, 9 May 1944; reverted to S/L 1 October 1946. DFC presented at Buckingham Palace, 11 August 1944. With No.664 Wing (Tiger Force) as of 6 August 1945. To No.1 Air Command, 1 September 1945. To No.14 SFTS, 6 September 1945. To No.1 WS, 5 October 1945. To No.1 Air Command, 1 November 1945. Postwar served in flying and administrative positions. To No.103 Search and Rescue Unit, 9 August 1948. Awarded AFC in April 1951 for work with No.103 Search and Rescue Unit. To Training Command Headquarters, 15 February 1952. Later CO of RCAF unit at Churchill, and from 1953 to 1956 was Director of Air Equipment Engineering, AFHQ. Then assigned to flying duties. Trained at No.3 AFU (Gimli), No.1 AFU (Saskatoon) and No.3 (AW) OTU, Cold Lake, posted to Bagotville as CO, No.434 Squadron. Led unit overseas in May 1957 (NIMBLE BAT III) in record time of 28 hours 50 minutes. Killed in crash of a CF-100 near No.3 (F) Wing, Zweibrucken, 21 June 1957 when he was a Wing Commander. Photo PL-26860 (ex UK-7326 dated 13 January 1944) shows him as Squadron Leader; caption notes, “His share in the bombing offensive brings to mind the fact that the Hamilton airman visited Berlin during the 1936 Olympic Game when he was a member of the Hamilton crew representing Canada. He is a graduate of McMaster University, Hamilton, where he was an outstanding athlete.” RCAF photos PL-31163 (ex UK-12599) and PL-31164 (ex UK-12600), both dated 21 July 1944 show him soon after taking command of No.428 Squadron. RCAF photo PL-31165 (ex UK-12601 dated 21 July 1944) shows F/O W.M. Barnhart, DFC (Ottawa, navigator), W/C W.A.G. McLeish, DFC (Hamilton) and F/O M.W. Robson, DFC (Transcona, Manitoba, navigator). Photo PL-32667 shows him in wartime. Photo PL-36370 is a portrait. // This flight commander has a fine operational record. He has completed numerous sorties against targets in the Ruhr Valley, Berlin and Central Germany and has at all times displayed a masterly skill both as captain of aircraft and pilot. On one occasion while making a bombing run over Berlin his aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter and although severe damage was inflicted on his bomber the bombs were released successfully. On the return flight Squadron Leader McLeish's aircraft was twice attacked by hostile fighters but by fine airmanship both attacks were frustrated and the damaged bomber flown back to base. This officer has always pressed home his attacks in a determined and courageous manner, contributing in no small way to the many successes achieved. // McLEISH, W/C Wallace Angus Grayton, DFC (J4886) - Mention in Despatches - No.64 Base - Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 337/45 dated 23 February 1945. This may have been the result of a recommendation raised (Group Captain’s signature illegible), 3 August 1944 for an American Silver Star; he had flown 32 sorties (225 hours 40 minutes). Submission as follows: // Wing Commander McLeish has been an outstanding Captain of aircraft and Officer Commanding a Squadron. He has displayed, during his entire tour of operations, exceptional keenness to attack the enemy and determination in planning his attack on the aiming point with thorough disregard to opposition. He has completed 32 sorties which include attacks on heavily defended German targets, French targets and mine laying operations. This officer’s qualities of leadership and organizing ability have been manifest in that, while carrying on effective operations, his unit converted to a new type of aircraft within two months without outside assistance. In addition, this officer’s unit enjoys a high place in the record of Bomber Command activities. Considerable credit for this achievement is contributable to Wing Commander McLeish in that his high personal efficiency and fine example set has been an inspiration to all concerned. I recommend this officer for the award of the American Silver Star. // The same day (3 August 1944) Air Commodore A.E. McBurney added the following: // This officer’s record of service, first as an instructor, later as a squadron pilot and finally as Squadron Commander, has shown throughout a superlative fighting spirit which he has successfully instilled into the men under him. Not only did he uphold the high standard of bombing operations existing in his Squadron but, under his direction an exceptional number of highly successful mining operations were carried out, resulting in great disruption and destruction of enemy shipping during a crucial period in the offensive in Europe. I strongly recommend this award. // With this was the following sortie list: // 27 August 1943 - Nuremberg (8.40, second pilot) // 30 August 1943 - Munchen Gladbach (6.40) // 5 September 1943 - Mannheim (8.10) // 15 September 1943 - Montlucon (7.25) // 16 September 1943 - Modane (8.50) // 8 October 1943 - Hanover (5.20) // 22 October 1943 - Kassel (7.45) // 3 November 1943 - Dusseldorf (6.45) // 11 November 1943 - Cannes (10.30) // 18 November 1943 - Ludwigshaven (8.20) // 19 November 1943 - Leverkusen (6.30) // 22 November 1943 - Berlin (8.00) // 25 November 1943 - Frankfurt (8.05) // 3 December 1943 - Leipzig (9.00) // 4 January 1944 - Gardening Brest (5.15) // 20 January 1944 - Berlin (8.15) // 28 January 1944 - Berlin (8.50) // 11 February 1944 - Gardening Brest (5.30) // 19 February 1944 - Leipzig (7.00) // 3 March 1944 - Gardening Gironde River (7.20) // 6 March 1944 - Trappes (4.55) // 21 March 1944 - Gardening (2.50, recalled) // 22 March 1944 - Gardening Kiel (6.45) // 23 March 1944 - Laon (6.20) // 25 March 1944 - Aulnoye (6.20) // 29 March 1944 - Vaires (6.05) // 9 April 1944 - Lille (4.50) // 23 April 1944 - Gardening Kiel (6.30) // 21 June 1944 - St. Martin le Hortier (4.20, daylight) // 18 July 1944 - Wesseling (5.40) // 24 July 1944 - Stuttgart (8.40) // 28 July 1944 - Hamburg (5.00) // 3 August 1944 - Bois de Casson (5.15, daylight).
McLEISH, Walter McDonald Flight Lieutenant, No.13 SFTS, J11075 Commended for Valuable Services in the Air RCAF Personnel Awards 1939-1949
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McLEISH, F/L Walter McDonald (J11075) - Commended for Valuable Services in the Air - No.13 SFTS - Award effective 14 June 1945 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 1127/45 dated 6 July 1945. Born 28 September 1920 at Verdun, Quebec. Home in Montreal; working in an aircraft factory; encouraged to attend night technical school to study aeronautical engineering. Attended a British Air Commission course to train as an aircraft inspectot. Enlisted in Montreal, 5 August 1941. Trained at No.3 ITS (graduated 7 October 1941), No.4 EFTS (graduated 19 December 1941) and No.13 SFTS (graduated 10 April 1942). By mid-1944 he was with a Canadian OTU training on Mosquitos. Sent overseas but no operational posting and repatriated. Retired from RCAF, 11 September 1945. Attended McGill University in Montreal (B.Eng., 1950), and the University of Michigan (M.Eng., 1952). Re-engaged, 19 April 1948 (service number 47294); to No.426 Squadron, 2 May 1948. Formally commissioned as Pilot (Flying Officer), 1 April 1949. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 30 January 1952. Posted to the Central Experimental Proving Establishment at Rockcliffe, Ontario, as the Chief of Airworthiness with the rank of Squadron Leader. Spent the next decade on research and development projects covering ejection seats, fighter aircraft runway arrester gear, autopilots and other projects to enhance flight performance. Another project involved the conversion of the rear seat of a T-33 to hold a caged cat fitted with medical sensors to measure its reaction and balance under the influence of zero gravity, as part of Canada's contribution to the US space program. Promoted to Wing Commander, but resigned from the military on the eve of a promotion to Group Captain (Colonel) in the midst of a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) tour in West Germany at the Fourth Allied Tactical Airforce Headquarters, to work in civil aviation. In 1964 he was appointed to the Canadian Department of Transport, Civil Aviation, as the Chief Aeronautical Engineer responsible for Airworthiness and Aircraft Certification. Over the next 18 years with the Department, his responsibilities increased dramatically. He became Director of Civil Aviation in 1970, Director General of Civil Aeronautics in 1972, and was appointed Administrator of the Canadian Air Transportation Administration (CATA) in 1976, a position he held until his retirement in 1982. Throughout his Transport Canada service he developed a close liaison with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This was particularly important in the areas of security and air traffic control. Upon his retirement in 1982, he was presented with the FAA's Distinguished Service Medal. After he retired, he worked as an independent consultant to governments, airlines, and the aerospace industry. He founded Aerodevco Consultants Ltd., which offers technological assistance globally. He died in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. on 5 January 5, 2004. Inducted as a Member of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 2003. See http://www.cahf.ca/CUSTOMPAGES/907/MemberList.cfm?firstLetter=M#140 for Hall of Fame entry. // This officer has been employed on this unit for about two and a half years. He has carried out his duties as flying instructor, flight commander and examining officer in a highly commendable manner. His hard work and loyalty are deserving of very high praise.
McLEISH, Wallace Angus Grayton Squadron Leader, No.123 Search and Rescue Unit , 19982 Air Force Cross CF Postwar Aviation Services
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McLEISH, Squadron Leader Wallace Angus Grayton, DFC (19982) - Air Force Cross - No.123 Search and Rescue Unit (but with Training Command Headquarters when gazetted) - Awarded as per Canada Gazette dated 14 April 1951 and AFRO 203/51. See file 45-26-1 (McLeish), "Honours and Awards, Recommendation, 19982 S/L Wallace Angus Grayton McLeish", in RG.24 Volume 5378. Born in Toronto, 27 April 1915; school teacher before the war; home in Hamilton when he enlisted, 11 April 1941 (but dates of "war service" are also given as 16 September 1940 to 30 September 1946. Trained at No.2 ITS (graduated 6 December 1940), No.15 EFTS (graduated 28 January 1941) and No.32 SFTS (graduated 10 April 1941). P/O 9 April 1941; F/O 9 April 1942; F/L 9 April 1943; S/L 29 November 1943; W/C 9 May 1944 (CO of No.428 Squadron); G/C 10 February 1945 (CO, Base Dalton); to W/C on 31 January 1946 and S/L 1 October 1946. Joined permanent force, 1 October 1946. No.103 Search and Rescue Flight, 9 August 1948 to late 1950 when posted to Training Command; with JSES, Churchill, February 1952 to August 1953; at AFHQ, August 1953 to early 1956 (Director of Air Equipment Engineering); commanded No.440 Squadron, March 1957 to uncertain date, taking it overseas in May 19957. Recommended by W/C G.A. Hiltz, Station Greenwood, 6 April 1950; A/C R.G. Gordon (Group Commander, Maritime Group) approved on 22 May 1950 and added his own comments. To Training Command, which approved by undated memo signed by A/V/M Slemon and received by AMP/AFHQ, 2 June 1950. This was considered at a meeting of the RCAF Awards Committee (date uncertain) and a decision made to re-write the citation, which was considered too lengthy (as was that for F/O O.G. Nelson). These went back to the RCAF Honours and Awards Committee (five Air Commodores), all of whom wanted further re-writes. This was done again, and the Committee approved the recommendations on 12 October 1950. Passed to Personnel members Committee, 17 October 1950. This met on 19 October 1950; the decision is recorded by memo dated 25 October 1950 (Secretary of Personnel members Committee to Secretary of Defence Council). The Defence Council met and approved on 29 December 1950, bouncing it back to Personnel Members Committed to prepare final submissions. At the same time, the Chairman of the Defence Council asked that the Personnel Members Committee "consider the matter of setting up standards covering the type of awards to be made in relation to the deed." Personnel Members Committee met on 18 January 1951, ready to act on McLeish and Nelson awards. However, they stated "As so many factors enter into determining the degree of bravery performed in any one incident, it would be almost impossible to catalogue deeds of bravery and lay down the type of award to be made." Claxton sent the recommendations to Government House, 13 February 1951. On 16 March 1951, Norman Robertson (Secretary to the Cabinet) wrote to Claxton stating that the Private Secretary to the King had advised that the King would be happy to grant the awards. Congratulatory signals sent to them, 10 April 1951; announced in Canada Gazette of 14 April 1951. Presented by Governor General, 22 February 1952. The first incident began 21 October 1949 using a Lancaster flying Greenwood-Frobisher Bay-Baffin Island. On the morning of the 23rd the forecast showed poor conditions all the way to Resolute Bay with a good probability of impossible landing conditions. However as the patient's condition was grave, McLeish elected to take off at dawn in a snow storm and gale that was so strong that the landing flares blew out immediately they were lighted - hence the need to use two trucks at end of runway. At Resolute, with ceiling 100 feet, he had to make several passes at field before landing. Returned to base safely, total flying time 24 hours 55 minutes, the last 20 hours continuous except for refuelling and loading. Second Incident was 3 March 1950; details much as in citation; "The landing surface was very rough and the aircraft careened considerably fore and aft and laterally but with cool skill S/L McLeish completed the landing successfully. The snow was so thick that more than half throttles on all four engines was required to taxi the aircraft. The aircraft was rough but successfully completed and the aircraft had an uneventful trip back to Goose Bay." A/C Gordon's description of the landing on 3 March 1950 is more detailed: "After carefully looking over the area and dragging the landing area twice, Squadron Leader McLeish finally set his big Lancaster down on the snow surface. Letting his aircraft down literally an inch at a time and prepared to take off again if the drag of the snow on the undercarriage became too great, Squadron Leader McLeish did not close his throttle until he felt solid ice under the wheels. The ice surface was rough, however, and as the aircraft lost speed, it was subjected to violent jolting but with a cool skill, the pilot completed the landing run successfully." NOTE: the file contains a reference "terms of reference approved by Defence Council at its 40th Meeting on 27th May 1949, i.e. 'Acts of bravery during peacetime should be recognized by the grant of an award." In October 1949, this officer rescued a gravely injured man on Cornwallis Island, Resolute Bay. Despite indicated adverse weather conditions for the entire trip he took off from Baffin Island at dawn in a blinding snowstorm using the lights of two motor transports for guidance, as the runway flares would not stay alight in the gale. Although experiencing heavy cloud and extreme icing conditions, with 100 foot visibility at Resolute, and took off again, safely reaching his home base. Due to unfavourable weather conditions the flight was accomplished without aid of astronomical observations, visual pinpoints or radar fixes, in addition to a magnetic compass made unreliable by proximity to the North Pole. A total of 24 hours 55 minutes flying time was entailed in this mission, the last 20 hours of which was continuous except for loading and refuelling. In March 1950, Squadron Leader McLeish accomplished a mercy flight to Clyde River on the North East coast of Baffin Island to bring out a ten year old Eskimo boy suffering from malnutrition and gangrenous frozen feet. A Lancaster was the only aircraft capable for a flight of this distance. No previous attempt had ever been made by the Royal Canadian Air Force to land an aircraft of this size on an unknown and unprepared ice surface. After making a decision that he could land his heavy aircraft safely on the Clyde River, he touched down using extreme caution. His landing run, although violently rough, was completed successfully with great skill. After a hazardous take off, he flew with the patient to Halifax without further incident. Squadron Leader McLeish's courage, skill and marked determination have been an inspiring example not only to his unit but his comrades throughout the Royal Canadian Air Force.
MCLEISH
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JOHN ALEXANDER MACTAVISH F/O(P) J9562. From Hamilton, Ontario. Killed in Action Aug 28/43 age 23. #428 Ghost Squadron (Usque Ad Finem). Target - Nuremberg, Germany. Please see Hamer J.T. for casualty list and flight detail. Flying Officer Pilot McLeish is buried in the War Cemetery at Durnbach, Germany.