CAMPBELL, F/O Graham (J26921) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.162 (BR) Squadron - Award effective 28 July 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1729/44 dated 11 August 1944. Born in Nottingham, England, 9 August 1922; educated in Saskatchewan (Mayfair Public School, Saskatoon Technical School); home in Saskatoon; attempted to enlist at age 17; finally enlisted there, 31 December 1940. At No.2 Manning Depot, Brandon, 31 December 1940 to 5 February 1941; at No.32 SFTS (non-flying duties), 6 February to 30 March 1941; to No.2 WS, Calgary, 31 March 1941 (promoted LAC 1 May 1941 and graduated 17 August 1941). To No.5 BGS, Dafoe (graduated 15 September 1941 and promoted Sergeant). At No.31 OTU, Debert, 5 October to 13 December 1941; to Western Air Command, 14 December 1941; to No.32 OTU, Patricia Bay, 17 December 1941 (Beauforts and Ansons); to No.7 (BR) Squadron, Prince Rupert, 24 March 1942 flying Shark aircraft; commissioned 17 November 1942; to No.3 OTU, Patricia Bay,17 February 1943; to Eastern Air Command, 30 May 1943; to No.162 Squadron, 1 June 1943. Moved with that unit to Dartmouth (October 1943) and Iceland (2 January 1944). To Moncton, 14 April 1945; to Release Centre, 9 September 1945; released 28 September 1945. Thereafter he made his living mostly on the water, working in the BC Packers fishing fleet and one of the last whaling boats on the British Columbia coast. In 1953 he was onboard the White Swan when at night it hit the towing cable between a towboat and its barge. Graham pulled the skipper, who was only semi-conscious due to a head injury, out of the wheelhouse and helped him into the lifeboat. That skipper named one of his sons after Graham. Graham became a marine engineer and after BC Packers worked for Coast Ferries on small freighters serving logging camps and native communities on the BC coast. After Coast Ferries he worked for the White Pass and Yukon from Vancouver to Skagway, Alaska. Retired in 1985 after several years as an engineer with Rivtow Straights. In retirement Graham enjoyed his home in Tsawwassen. With his wife Magdalene he attended many Commonwealth Aircrew and Air-gunner reunions all across Canada. At one reunion in Ottawa he was able to meet, more than 50 years after the event, the Norwegian airman who, while flying on patrol with the RAF, spotted the flare that Graham had shot off from the dinghy thereby fixing their position for rescue. Having started on boats as a cook, he liked to get involved in the kitchen when he was home. Cooking fish was a specialty, but he also enjoyed making muffins and scones and his own wine, which he liked to pour generously for family and friends. He canned many jars of Sockeye salmon and gave many away. He was a generous and agreeable man who was liked by everyone who met him. Died 28 November 2006 in Delta, British Columbia. Award presented by Governor General in Calgary, 18 May 1953. RCAF photo PL-33828 (ex UK-16170 dated 31 October 1944) is captioned as follows: “At the RCAF Coastal Command Squadron Base in Iceland every Thursday night in the officer’s mess is ‘Srulka’ - Icelandic for ‘young unmarried woman.’ Here are seven Stulkas and their escorts; left to right are Dave Waterbury, DFC, of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, P/O J.A. Smith of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Pilot Officer Bud Conday of Springhill, Nova Scotia, F/O George Campbell, DFC, Vancouver, and (caption card indicates a Flying Officer from Clarence Avenue North, North Vancouver, but fails to provide name). The caption is confusing in that “George Campbell. DFC” appears to be Graham Campbell. Cited with F/O B.C. Denomy (DSO), F/O Sidney E. Matheson (DFC) and Flight Sergeants Israel J. Bodnoff and Sydney R. Cole (DFMs). See his article, “How the VC was Won”, Airforce Magazine, Volume 8, No.2 (June-July-August1984). // These officers and airmen were members of the crew of the aircraft captained by Flight Lieutenant Hornell, who successfully engaged a U-boat in northern waters. In the engagement they displayed a high degree of courage, discipline and devotion to duty, co-operating skilfully with their captain in his determination to destroy the enemy submarine. Subsequently they suffered great hardships whilst adrift on the sea. During this long period each member of this crew assisted the others to the utmost extent, unmindful of his own distress. // NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/9158 has recommendation raised 1 July 1944 by the Officer Commanding, RAF Station Wick. It noted that Campbell had flown approximately 70 sorties (400 operational hours): // Flying Officer Campbell was the first Wireless Officer of Canso "P" of 162 Squadron on 24th June 1944 when, during the run in to attack a U-Boat in face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and at a time when the aircraft was being hit repeatedly, the starboard engine out of action and on fire, he manned the front guns and maintained continuous and accurate fire until one gun jammed, when he kept the remaining gun in action. // In the meantime, the wireless operator was thrown from his seat and partially stunned by blast; Flying Officer Campbell immediately took over the Wireless Telephone set. Immediately after sinking the U-Boat the aircraft was forced to ditch as the starboard engine had fallen out and the aircraft was on fire. At great personal risk he went back into the hull to search for the second dinghy which, unknown to him, had already been launched. At this time the aircraft was full of fumes and smoke and the petrol tanks were in danger of exploding. // This officer throughout the entire action showed extreme coolness and devotion to duty. He set a fine example and is most strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of his gallantry. // To this the Air Officer Commanding, No.18 Group, added (2 July 1944): // I consider that Flying Officer Campbell displayed great courage and determination. He continued to man the front guns despite the fact that the aircraft was being repeatedly hit and subsequently took over the wireless set after Flight Sergeant Cole had been wounded. Strongly recommended for the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. // In application for Operational Wings (19 April 1945) he listed the following sorties: //6 June 1943 - Eastern Air Command - sweep (6.15) // 25 June 1943 - Eastern Air Command - sweep (8.00) // 2 July 1943 - Eastern Air Command - Escort (13.00) // 6 July 1943 - Eastern Air Command - sweep (8.45) // 9 July 1943 - Eastern Air Command - sweep (5.40) // 11 July 1943 - Eastern Air Command - OAS (4.25) // 14 July 1943 - Eastern Air Command - OAS (1.30) // 17 July 143 - Eastern Air Command - OAS (14.25) // 9 August 1943 - Eastern Air Command - sweep (14.45) // 11 August 1943 - Eastern Air Command - sweep (11.15) // 18 August 1943 - Eastern Air Command - escort (10.50) // 20 August 1943 - Eastern Air Command - sweep (12.10) // 26 August 1943 - Eastern Air Command - sweep (8.45) // 29 August 1943 - Eastern Air Command - IAS (5.30) // 4 September 1943 - Eastern Air Command - sweep (8.50) // 7 September 1943 - Eastern Air Command - IAS (12.00) // 18 September 1943 - Eastern Air Command - escort (10.15) // 21 September 1943 - Eastern Air Command - escort (11.35) // 13 February 1944 - Iceland - sweep (12.25) // 24 February 1944 - Iceland - sweep (14.00) // 11 March 1944 - Iceland - sweep (11.20) // 12 May 1944 - UK - escort (6.05) // 21 May 1944 - Ireland - sweep (14.00) // 23 May 1944 - Iceland - escort (14.45) // 2 June 1944 - Iceland - ATR (8.15) // 3 June 1944 - 18 Group - sweep (15.40) // 5 June 1944 - 18 Group - sweep (14.00) // 10 June 1944 - 18 Group - sweep (10.30) // 12 June 1944 - 18 Group - ATR (8.50) // 18 June 1944 - Iceland - ATR (8.10) // 20 June 1944 - 18 Group - sweep (12.45) // 23 June 1944 - 18 Group - sweep (12.15) // 24 June 1944 - 18 Group - sweep (12.00) // 28 September 1944 - Iceland - sweep (13.45) // 2 October 1944 - Iceland - sweep (13.40) // 13 October 1944 - Iceland - sweep (12.50) // 17 October 1944 - Iceland - sweep (7.00) // 21 October 1944 - Iceland - sweep (11.00) // 24 October 1944 - Iceland - sweep (10.00) // 31 October 1944 - Iceland - convoy escort (6.10) // 4 November 1944 - Iceland - sweep (12.55) // 9 November 1944 - Iceland - sweep (12.35) // 12 November 1944 - Iceland - sweep (9.30) // 16 November 1944 - Iceland - sweep (9.30) // 19 November 1944 - Iceland - sweep (10.40) // 22 November 1944 - Iceland - sweep (13.30) // 4 December 1944 - Iceland - sweep (8.50) // 7 December 1944 - Iceland - sweep (12.30) // 10 December 1944 - Iceland - sweep (8.35) // 14 December 1944 - Iceland - sweep (8.15) // 18 December 1944 - Iceland - sweep (10.30) // 1 January 1945 - Iceland - sweep (8.50) // 6 January 1945 - Iceland - sweep (6.15) // 17 January 1945 - Iceland - sweep (7.05) // 22 January 1945 - Iceland - sweep (12.00) // 26 January 1945 - Iceland - search and sweep (13.20) // 31 January 1945 - Iceland - sweep (13.20) // 4 February 1945 - Iceland - sweep (11.30) // 6 February 1945 - Iceland - sweep (10.30) // 9 February 1945 - Iceland - sweep (12.20) // 13 February 1945 - Iceland - escort (5.30) // 15 February 1945 - Iceland - sweep (5.50) // 18 February 1945 - Iceland - sweep (12.10) // 21 February 1945 - Iceland - sweep (8.15) // 1 March 1945 - Iceland -sweep (10.40) // 3 March 1945 - Iceland -sweep (13.10) // 8 March 1945 - Iceland -escort (5.55) // 11 March 1945 - Iceland -sweep (4.15) // 13 March 1945 - Iceland -sweep (12.40) // Total of 69 sorties (708 hours 15 minutes).