TURNBULL, Sergeant Robert Steele (R61603) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.76 Squadron - Award effective 17 December 1941 as per London Gazette dated 23 December 1941 and AFRO 1/42 dated 9 January 1942. Born in Winnipeg, 14 November 1918; home in Govan, Saskatchewan; educated there; pharmacist apprentice there. Some flying lessons at Regina Flying Club. Enlisted in Regina, 19 June 1940. To No.1 Manning Depot that date. To No.2 ITS, 30 June 1940; graduated and promoted LAC, 8 August 1940; to No.6 EFTS, Prince Albert, 18 August 1940; to No. 4 SFTS, Saskatoon, 10 November 1940; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 28 January 1941). To Rockcliffe, 18 February 1941. To United Kingdom, 6 March 1941. To No.10 OTU, 10 March 1941. To No.78 Squadron, 17 May 1941. To No.76 Squadron, 17 August 1941. To Central Flying School, 17 November 1941. Commissioned 21 November 1941. To No.1652 Flight, 17 January 1942. To No.405 Squadron Conversion Flight, 29 April 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 1 October 1942. Promoted Flight Lieutenant and Acting Squadron Leader, 22 August 1942; confirmed in that rank, 2 October 1942. To No.1659 Conversion Unit, 28 October 1942. Promoted Wing Commander, 6 November 1942. To No.427 Squadron, 3 September 1943. To Overseas Headquarters, 14 June 1944. Leave in Canada, 16 June to 25 July 1944 when returned to Britain. To No.6 Group Headquarters, 28 July 1944. To No.64 Base, 3 August 1944; promoted Group Captain that date.. Repatriated 28 February 1945. To No.5 OTU, Boundary Bay, 1 March 1945. To Trenton, 7 November 1945. To No.1 Air Command Headquarters, 26 January 1946. Retained rank of Group Captain in postwar RCAF (19786). To Station Toronto, 12 October 1947. To RCAF Staff College, 13 October 1947. To Air Transport Command Headquarters, Rockcliffe, 19 July 1948. To AFHQ, 27 July 1949. To Station Saskatoon, 19 January 1952. To No.3 (Fighter) Wing, Zweibrucken, 25 June 1953. To No.4 (Fighter) Wing, Baden-Soellingin, 1 July 1953. To No.1 Air Division Headquarters, 17 April 1955. To AFHQ, 11 July 1957. To Air Defence Command Headquarters, St.Hubert and attachment to 25th NORAD Division, McChord Air Force Base, 17 April 1960. To Comox, 14 August 1965. To Maritime Command Pacific Headquarters, 15 November 1966 as Staff Officer, Personnel and Administration. Retired from RCAF, 14 July 1970; died in Victoria, 8 February 1977. Photo PL-2569 shows Sergeant W.B. Smith (Saskatoon) and Sergeant R.S. Turnbull (Regina), early 1941. Photo PL-26911 (ex UK-8662 dated 9 March 1944) shows him as Commanding Officer of No.427 Squadron. Photo PL-28346 (ex UK-9004 dated 14 March 1944) shows W/C R.S. Turnbull back from a raid, waiting to be interrogated; with G/C J.G. Bryans who commands the station. Photo PL-32492 (ex UK-14108 dated 14 June 1944 taken on posting of W/C R.S. Turnbull (centre) from No.427 Squadron when he was presented with a cigarette case; left to right are F/L A.G. “Mike” McAuley (Belleville, Ontario), S/L George Cribb, DFC (RAF, flight commander), Turnbull, F/L H.O. Holroyde (Toronto, squadron adjutant) and S/L Neville Murray, DFC (Trinidad, flight commander). Photo PL-32663 (ex UK-13669 dated 26 August 1944) shows him. Photo PL-32797 (ex UK-15173 dated 20 September 1944) shows G/C R.S. Turnbull digging potatoes while S/L R.C. Scott bags them; “It’s all a way of setting an example in community spirited activity in RCAF Bomber Group station Turnbull now commands. From it operates the Iroquois and Bluenose squadrons - as well as a number of leisure activities such as the above. Activities cover education, entertainment, and cleanup campaigns, besides gardening.” RCAF photo PL-32802 (ex UK-15198 dated 21 September 1944) shows G/C R.S. Turnbull (left) and S/L F.J. Seidel (Montreal, Administrative Officer at base, recently posted) in Station potato patch paring them. Photo PL-33613 (ex-UK-16039, 21 October 1944) shows FS John G. Wilson (rear gunner, St. Vital), G/C R.S. Turnbull and FS John MacIlroy (Toronto, mid-upper gunner). RCAF photo PL-33941 (ex UK-16239 dated 2 November 1944) showing briefing of Bluenose and Iroquois squadron crews; S/L W.A. Bentley with pointer; station commander G/C R.S. Turnbull in centre of the aile, W/C A.P. Blackburn on right. Photo PL-33946 (ex UK-16244 dated 2 November 1944) at post raid interrogation are P/O Herb Tucker (Glace Bay, Nova Scotia and Halifax), G/C R.S. Turnbull (station commander) and Sergeant Ralph Fisher (flight engineer, RAF, from Leeds, Yorkshire). Award presented at uncertain date. // Sergeant Turnbull is a reliable and conscientious captain of aircraft. On his last flight to Nuremburg he circled over the target area for an hour to identify it before releasing his bombs which caused many fires. Sergeant Turnbull has displayed high courage and never failing enthusiasm. // NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/9572 has recommendation dated 22 October 1941 when he had flown 25 sorties (161 hours 20 minutes) with sortie list (although text adds little to the published citation); he was based at Middleton St.George but had to make many landings away from his home field: // 29 May 41 - Kiel (6.30) - Target covered by 10/10 cloud; bombed Munsum; landed at Linton // 8 June 41 - Dortmund (7.55) - Full moon; target clear and was bombed; intense searchlights. // 11 June 41 - Duisburg (6.50) - Low fog over target; bombed target area; a "fresher" trip (RAAF slang ?) // 12 June 41 - Schwerte (6.40) - Target area bombed; low fog; another "fresher" trip. // 15 June 41 - Cologne (7.00) - Target foggy but area bombed; another "fresher" trip. // 29 June 41 - Bremen (7.00) - Bombed target; very clear; landed at Linton. // 2 July 41 - Cologne (7.20) - Foggy over target; accurate and intense flak; landed at Bimbrook. // 5 July 41 - Munster (6.20) - Target bombed; easy trip with little flak. // 7 July 41 - Osnabruck (6.00) - Target bombed; attacked by Me.110; tail gunner claims a probable. // 16 July 41 - Hamburg (6.45) - 7/10 cloud over target; poor searchlight cones but accurate flak. // 22 July 41 - Frankfurt (7.50) - Local thunderstorms over target; ice; flew home without airspeed indicator; bombed Aachen; new navigator. // 24 July 41 - Emden (6.45) - Target clear; phot taken; flak intense and aircraft hit 30 times. // 2 Aug 41 - Hamburg (8.20) - Target bombed; new navigator; landed at Acklington. // 6 Aug 41 - Frankfurt (8.40) - 9/10 cloud; bombed target area; ice conditions all the way. // 8 Aug 41 - Kiel (6.55) - Target clear and bombed; exactor trouble; flak intense and hit a dozen times. // 16 Aug 41 - Cologne (5.40) - Target bombed; easy trip with searchlight opposition only. // 28 Aug 41 - Duisburg (4.55) - Target covered by 9/10 cloud; bombed target area; no flak or searchlights. // 31 Aug 41 - Cologne (6.30) - 10/10 cloud over target; bombed target area; encountered flak and searchlights in the Ruhr. // 2 Sept 41 - Berlin (7.45) - Target clear; good pin-points on track. Very good searchlight and flak cooperation. Saw other aircraft hit. // 7 Sept 41 - Berlin (7.35) - Saw and bombed target area; many fires; not place to hang around. Picked up by searchlights; saw two fighters; hit a couple of times. // 13 Sept 41 - Brest (6.05) - Smoke covered target. Picked up coast as good pin-points. Easy trip for all. // 19 Sept 41 - Stettin (8.00) - Target bombed; wizard trip and many pin-points. Good fires started in all areas. Few searchlights and little flak. // 12 Oct 41 - Nuremburg (8.00) - Target bombed; fires started; little flak; landed at Docking. // A Canadian pilot of outstanding capability and personality. A very sound and well above the average Halifax pilot. An exceptionally thorough, reliable and conscientious captain of aircraft. Altogether a gallant fellow whose courage and never-failing enthusiasm should be rewarded. // On his last trip to Nuremburg, he spent one hour circling round in the target area before he definitely identified, to his satisfaction, the target; then he bombed it and started fires. His crew follow him to a man. // TURNBULL, S/L Robert Steele, DFM (J15054) - Mention in Despatches - No.1659 Conversion Unit - Award effective 1 June 1943 as per London Gazette dated 2 June 1943 and AFRO 1247/43 dated 2 July 1943. AFRO does not give unit; No.6 Group Monthly Summary of Operational and Training Activities (June 1943) does. // TURNBULL, W/C Robert Steele, DFM (J15054) - Air Force Cross - No.1659 Conversion Unit (AFRO gives unit as No.427 Squadron) - Award effective 1 January 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 809/44 dated 14 April 1944. AFC, DFC and Bar to DFC all presented on 4 September 1945. No citation to AFC. DHist file 181.009 D.2993 (RG.24 Vol.20634) has recommendation for an OBE dated 21 June 1943 when he was CO, No.1659 Conversion Unit and this was most likely the basis of his AFC. // Since completing his tour of operations in April 1942, Wing Commander Turnbull has shown exceptional ability and devotion to duty both as a flying instructor and as Commanding Officer of the Conversion Unit. He has done 396 hours instructional flying and built the unit up from a flight of 405 Squadron to a very efficient full-sized Conversion Unit. He sets a high standard for his officers and is an outstanding example to all pilots screened for instructional duties after a tour of operations. // Further to the above, his service file has another citation for the Air Force Cross which is most likely the official one: // This officer has shown exceptional ability and devotion to duty both as a Flying Instructor and as Commanding Officer of the Unit. He sets a high standard for his officers and is an outstanding example to all pilots screened for instructional duties after a tour of operations. He has shown fine ability in the building up of this Conversion Unit. // Public Records Office Air 2/8959 has recommendation which links his award to No.1659 Conversion Unit and is more precise than above: // This officer has shown exceptional ability and devotion to duty bit as a flying instructor and as Commanding Officer of the Unit. He sets a high standard for his officers and is an outstanding example to all pilots screened for instructional duties after a tour of operations. He has shown fine ability in the building of this Conversion Unit. // TURNBULL, W/C Robert Steele, AFC, DFM (J15054) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.427 Squadron - Award effective 19 May 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1296/44 dated 16 June 1944. // This officer has completed many sorties on his second tour of operations. He is a five leader, whose example of courage and devotion to duty has been worthy of high praise. In addition to his work in the air, Wing Commander Turnbull has displayed great organizing ability and has devoted much energy towards the training of other members of the squadron with excellent results. He has rendered much loyal and devoted service. // TURNBULL, G/C Robert Steele, DFC, AFC, DFM (J15054) - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - No.64 Base - Award effective 1 December 1944 as per London Gazette dated 8 December 1944 and AFRO 293/45 dated 16 February 1945. // Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross Group Captain Turnbull has completed a second operational tour, throughout which he has consistently displayed the highest courage and tenacity of purpose. On many occasions he has pressed home his attack and successfully completed his mission under extremely difficult and hazardous circumstances. Outstanding leadership and coolness in the air together with his initiative and exceptional ability on the ground have set an inspiring example to all. // DHH file 181.009 D.2609 (Library and Archives Canada RG.24 Volume 20627) has a recommendation for a DSO raised on 2 September 1944 by Air Commodore J.G. Bryans, Commanding No.63 Base. Turnbull was described as a Station Commander with 42 sorties (269 hours 35 minutes). This was probably the basis of his Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross. Sortie list and submission as follows: // 27 May 1941 - Cologne (2.00, second pilot, duty not carried out). // 28 May 1941 - Kiel (6.30, second pilot) // 8 June 1941 - Dortmund (7.55, second pilot) // 11 June 1941 - Duisburg (6.50, second pilot) // 12 June 1941 - Scheverie (6.40, second pilot) // 15 June 1941 - Cologne (7.30, second pilot) // 29 June 1941 - Bremen (7.00, second pilot) // 2 July 1941 - Cologne (7.20, captain from this point on) // 5 July 1941 - Munster (6.20) // 7 July 1941 - Osnabruck (6.00) // 16 July 1941 - Hamburg (6.45) // 22 July 1941 - Frankfurt (7.50) // 24 July 1941 - Emden (6.45) // 2 August 1941 - Hamburg (8.20) // 6 August 1941 - Frankfurt (8.40) // 8 August 1941 - Kiel (6.55) // 16 August 1941 - Cologne (5.40) // 28 August 1941 - Duisburg (4.55) // 31 August 1941 - Cologne (6.30) // 2 September 1941 - Berlin (7.45) // 7 September 1941 - Berlin (7.35) // 13 September 1941 - Brest (6.05) // 19 September 1941 - Stettin (8.00) // 12 October 1941 - Nuremberg (8.25) // * * * * * // 30 May 1942 - Cologne (5.30, first 1,000-bomber raid, attacked by Me.110) // 1 June 1942 - Essen 5.30) // 27 June 1942 - Bremen (4.50) // 31 July 1942 - Dusseldorf (4.35) // 22 September 1943 - Hanover (6.00) // 3 October 1943 - Kassel (6.40) // 11 November 1943 - Cannes (9.55) // 26 November 1943 - Stuttgart (6.05) // 20 January 1944 - Berlin (7.55) // 19 February 1944 - Leipzig (6.50) // 13 March 1944 - Le Mans (5.05) // 15 March 1944 - Stuttgart (8.15) // 26 March 1944 - Essen (5.45) // 10 April 1944 - Ghent (4.35) // 22 April 1944 - Dusseldorf (5.35) // 7 May 1944 - St. Valery-en-Caux (3.40) // 11 May 1944 - Boulogne (3.45) // 22 May 1944 - Le Mans (4.50) // Group Captain Turnbull has completed two tours of bomber operations with outstanding accuracy and success. During his first tour he won the Distinguished Flying Medal for exceptional gallantry. In the latter part of his first tour he was granted a commission and won rapid promotion as a result of his organizing ability and power of command. // After a very successful non-operational tour in charge of a Heavy Conversion Unit, he started his second tour in command of a squadron. Immediately this squadron felt and showed the influence of his strength, ability and example. His obvious fearlessness and his natural talent to do the job well, coupled with a personality that caused his aircrews to strive for similar efficiency, made him a natural leader. For his work in Heavy Conversion Unit he was awarded the Air Force Cross, and for determination and dash shown during his second tour, particularly on a sortie against the Rhur, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. // He is now commanding an operational station with two heavy bomber squadrons. // I strongly recommend this officer for the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his long series of successful operations during which he has been decorated twice for outstanding gallantry, and during which his example and leadership have undoubtedly been largely responsible for his comrades completing many successful operations against the enemy. // TURNBULL, W/C Robert Steele, DFC, AFC, DFM (19768) - Croix de Guerre with Silver Star (France) - Award as per AFRO 485/47 dated 12 September 1947. External Affairs file “French Awards to Canadian Armed Forces - Particular Cases” (Library and Archives Canada, RG.25, Box 4140) has the following citation: // Group Captain Turnbull completed two very successful tours on heavy bombers during which time he attacked communications centres, coastal defences and V-bomb installations held by the Germans in France. His influence as a Station Commander had far-reaching effects during the heavy bombing program in support of the advancing allied armies during the French campaign. // Selected Assessments: // “A sterling officer with drive and good judgement. Has commanded a squadron for nine months in very commendable manner and has a distinguished operational career.” (Air Commodore J.G. Bryans, 22 June 1944 when he had flown 257 hours 45 minutes on operations (93.50 in previous six months). // “An outstanding station commander - displays good judgement and commands the respect of all officers and other ranks.” (Air Commodore C.R. Dunlap. 27 March 1945) // “Group Captain Turnbull is a young officer who received extremely rapid promotion during the war. As a result of serving for limited periods only in ranks below that of Group Captain, his service experience is not too broad and this reflects in his capabilities as a staff officer. A tour of duty on a flying station would be a logical step in the career of this officer. In spite of the qualifications I make above, I consider Group Captain Turnbull to be keen and enthusiastic in his duties and a reasonably good Director of Manning.” (A/V/M G.G/ Wait, 24 September 1951) // “Group Captain Turnbull is showing first class leadership in his exacting appointment of Commanding Officer of 4 (RCAF) Wing. He organizes well and gets good results from his staff. Conscientious and energetic, he keeps a firm hand on his personnel, while at the same time he tackles Command aggressively to get things done for his Unit.” (Air Commodore K.L.B. Hodson. Air Division Headquarters, 31 March 1954.) // “Group Captain Turnbull’s ability as a staff officer leaves something to be desired. As Director of Air Defence Operations his handling of staff problems was often hasty and incomplete. I believe that he is better employed in the field.” (Air Commodore M. Lipton, AFHQ.VCAS.COPS, 10 May 1960). // Training: Course at No.2 ITS was -27 July 1940. Marked in Mathematics (80/100), Armament, practical and oral (70/100), Drill (80/100) and Law and Discipline (93/100). Placed 130th in a class of 216. “Some flying experience - rather slight - should do well.” (W/C J.H. Burden, 8 August 1940). // Course at No.6 EFTS was 19 August to 14 October 1940. Tiger Moth aircraft (39.45 dual,53.45 solo). Five hours in Link. “Taxying and circuits poor.” Ground courses in Airmanship (176/200), Airframes (156/200), Aero Engines (170/200), Signals, practical (49/50), Theory of Flight (93/100), Air Navigation (169/200), Armament, oral (160/200). Placed fourth in a class of 25. “Quiet, not outstanding.” // Course at No.12 SFTS was 11 November 1940 to 28 January 1941. Flew 32.05 day dual, 35.25 day solo, 2.05 night dual, five hours night solo, plus ten hours in Link. “Needs practice in landing in conditions of poor visibility. Instrument average.” Ground courses in Airmanship (153/200). Armament, written (62/100), Armament, practical (65/100), Air Navigation (123/200) and Signals (138/150). Placed ninth in a class of 58. “Above average student. Satisfactory application and intelligence.” It was also written of him, “Discipline excellent, good personality, shows initiative/” He was considered officer material then. // Course at No.2 Central Flying School, 24 November 1941 to 16 January 1942 (instructor course) involved flying Tutor (10.25 day dual, 13.15 day solo) and Oxford (21.15 day dual, 1.30 night dual, 39.55 day solo, 2.50 night solo). Ground courses in Theory of Flight (75/100), Navigation (63/100), Airmanship (63/100) and Technical Subjects (77/100). Above average. “Turnbull has natural ability and will make a good instructor provided he can control his overconfidence. He should realize that discipline is as essential to an instructor as to his pupils and in this respect must become more amenable.. Night flying average.” (S/L C.W. Lindsay, date unclear). // Note: Accident, 20 February 1942, No.1652 Conversion Flight, Halifax L9544. Repairable by contractor’s working party. Dual instruction in night flying. Flare path indistinct in fog. Heavy tail landing causing tail wheel to collapse. // RCAF Press Release No.804 dated 4 September 1942, transcribed by Huguette Mondor Oates, reads: // S/L Bob Turnbull, DFM of Govan, Saskatchewan, who went on more than a score of operational trips as a sergeant before receiving his commission, was the first Royal Canadian Air Force pilot to fly a Halifax bomber. // The 23-year-old prairie flier has been overseas since February 1941 and just recently put up the two-and-half rings which distinguish him as a squadron leader. At present he is commanding officer of his squadron’s conversion flight. // Bob never did a “nursery” op, as the pilots call a familiarization flight in a new type of aircraft. When he was sent to a Whitley squadron, he did five ops as “second joe”, and his first operational flight as a captain was to Cologne. Today that would not be an unusual situation, but at the time Turnbull did it, it was the custom to send new captains on “nursery” trips. // The Govan, Saskatchewan, pilot says he does not remember much about that first flight as captain of the aircraft, it is so far back, relatively, in history. But a more recent raid, the 1,000 bomber foray over Cologne in May this year, he will not forget so easily. // A Junkers 88 attacked Bob’s Halifax just as the bombload was released over the already flaming target. “With the bomb doors open it wasn’t funny,” Bob said later. Cannon shells hit the outer port engine and ripped a hole in the tail fin. The engine packed up and the gas drained out of one of the big fuel tanks in the wing. // The Nazi didn’t follow up his attack however, apparently losing track of the Halifax in the traffic jam over Cologne, and the pilot brought the cripple safely home on three motors, and characteristically was about to write “good trip” as a finis to his log entry on the operation. // S/L Turnbull flew Whitleys, before converting to Halifaxes and after nine trips in the four meter bombers he was sent to Central Flying School. Completing this course in January of this year, he became an instructor with a conversion unit and in May became commanding officer of the squadron’s conversion flight. // Since he began instructing, more than 30 pupils have passed through his hands in actual flying instruction alone and he now has the responsibility for the conversion training of all categories of aircrew. He has been on all the 1,000 bomber ops and one other major operation since going to the conversion flight, which is teaching aircrew to handle the big four engine Halifax bombers // In the citation which went with his DFM it was noted that, during a raid on Nuremburg, he circled over the city for more than an hour in order to identify his target for certain. // RCAF Press Release No.6676 dated 17 September 1944, transcribed by Huguette Mondor Oates reads as below - associated with photos UK-15171, UK15172, UK-15196, UK-15174, UK-15193), UK-15197, UK-15199. // WITH RCAF BOMER GROUP OVERSEAS: The jealous old saw about beauty being skin-deep doesn’t apply to the operational station commanded by 26-year-old Group Captain Bobby Turnbull DFC, AFC, DFM. Behind his steady campaign to make his muddy assortment of hangars and Nissen huts better-looking and more livable, lies much more than the fact that a bomber station is having its face lifted. The chunky youngster from Govan, Saskatchewan, has two purposes at heart far more important than improvement in the appearance of his unit. // First for the duration comes the bettering of his men’s already good operational efficiency. Turnbull finds their morale is sharpened by giving them something besides shop talk to think about in off-duty hours. The boys derive a real sense of achievement form getting together to improve their quarters. Turnbull believes the contented Canadian is the world’s hardest worker, and the iron fact of improving operational efficiency shows him to be on the right track. His second and deeper aim is to prepare the lads for the postwar period by teaching them through experience to be community-spirited. // When Turnbull took over the station, he resolved to work on the principle that the time and place to get ready for rehabilitation is here and now. He finds the cleanup campaign useful in this direction because it builds a constructive attitude in the boys. The actual teaching of rehabilitation facts he leaves to the two capable educational officers on the station. His job is to make bomber war. For him, the cleanup campaign and educational program must above all put muscle in morale – as well as serve their own good ends. // So well have Turnbull’s plans gone that he’s had occasion of late to congratulate more than one hard-working groundcrew. The boys have labored at all hours in all kinds of weather to keep the Halifaxes of his Bluenose and Iroquois squadrons ready to take the air at any time. The cleanup campaign began before the dynamic Westerner came to the station. It started as a “self-help drive” managed by the Senior Administrative Officer, Squadron Leader F.J. Seidel of 5178 Westbury Avenue, Montreal, a far-sighted executive well-known in Eastern business circles before joining the RCAF. Now posted further overseas, Seidel had the satisfaction of seeing his community projects well-launched and left in the hands of a vitally interested C.O. and the successor in his own position, Squadron Leader C.E. Bishop of 165 Lyle Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba. // “Self-help” makes use not only of those who volunteer leisure-time, but also of lads who, for one reason or another, are temporarily not employed in essential operational work. Every section of the station has undertaken to improve its own premises. Personnel of all ranks engage in the painting, gardening and landscaping that this entails. // In addition, the officers painted their own mess and improved its grounds, while senior N.C.O.s painted the sergeants mess, and airmen painted and redecorating not only their dining-hall but even kitchens and food storage rooms. On a rare “stand-down” day when operational flying was cancelled despite good weather, people of all ranks painted the outsides of buildings in a new group of huts, while others laid sod. The larger fulltime projects are organized by a succession of medically grounded aircrew officers. They supervise working crews in the making of concrete parking lots, widening concrete walks around the mud-bound station theater, and building a road and footpath to the local railway stop. Even waste matter gets “rehabilitated”. This valuable sideline is handled by dark energetic Flying Officer Vince Forbes of 2727-15th Avenue West, Vancouver, B.C. His five-man crew collect paper, oil, metal and rubber. Some of the stuff is reclaimed for use right on the station, as when old angle irons and cables were used to make parking racks for the hundreds of bicycles on the widely scattered camp. But Forbes also sends tons of material to salvage depots for conversion into important war products. // The young Vancouverite, who rose from the ranks, finds time to look after sports, welfare and entertainment as well. The welfare and sports work consists in keeping food, athletics and similar matters up to the best possible level. The entertainment job has Forbes arranging everything from dances, stage and movie shows, to bingo, ping pong and horseshoe tournaments. There’s something doing every night on the lonely station. The educational front of this all-inclusive drive is handled by a pair of professional educationalists, Flight Lieutenant Shaw Q. McEwen of Trenton and Ailsa Craig, Ontario, and Pilot Officer W.J. Harris of Toronto, (n.s.a.). // They find the boys deeply interested in rehabilitation. When McEwen called a meeting on the subject one night, he and Harris permitted themselves to hope for an hour’s lecture and discussion with an audience of about 30. They got 200 argumentative airmen who kept them busy explaining for two and a half hours! The talk bounced from government plans to individual problems. // Every man who arrives on the station is interviewed as to his education, occupation in civil life, ambitions and knowledge of rehabilitation. If he’s interested, they do their best to service him with courses. McEwen and Harris even try to corner Australian airmen, to explain the Aussie government’s proposals for them. // Out of hundreds interviewed, these officers find that the lads preparing most seriously for postwar are the ex-farmers. As a result, they’ve arranged talks on aspects of farming by an officer who was both an expert in scientific agriculture and a farmer himself before donning uniform. The concurrence of this intensive educational effort with the cleanup campaign may just possibly have national significance for Canada. Together, they are certain to turnout a number of young Canadians who will be hard-working, ambitious and community-spirited. // Turnbull’s own rise from AC2 to group captain in four years makes him the type of the type. He won the DFC and DFM for valor in the air; but the Air Force Cross and Mention in Dispatches – as well as promotion to his present job – were awarded for organizing ability and long-sighted leadership. // When King George recently pinned the DFC on the chubby Westerner’s chest, he noted the line of ribbons already there and ventured, “You’ve come a long way since you won that DFC”. His Majesty could hardly have realized how long the way was and how fast it was traveled !