SMITH, FS James Pender (R86554) - Air Force Medal - No.10 Squadron (Canada) - Award effective 1 January 1943 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 55/43 dated 15 January 1943. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, 30 July 1912. Educated at Badger Public School (1920-1927), Kinsella High School (1927-1930) and Edmonton College (1930-31, commercial). Home in Sedgewick, Alberta. Truck driver, time keeper for a lumber company, watchman for Hudson Bay Company and clerk. Enlisted in Edmonton, 27 December 1940 and posted to No.2 Manning Depot, Brandon. To No.10 Repair Depot, Calgary, 31 January 1941. To No.2 WS, Calgary, 30 March 1941; promoted LAC, 1 May 1941; graduated 15 August 1941 when posted to No.5 BGS, Dafoe; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 15 September 1941. To No.31OTU, Debert, 5 October 1941. To Eastern Air Command, 13 December 1941. To No.10 (BR) Squadron, 24 December 1941. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 15 March 1942. Commissioned 10 September 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 10 March 1943. Remustered to pilot and posted to No.4 ITS, 31 December 1943. To No.5 EFTS, High River, 24 March 1944. To No.2 WS, 1 July 1944. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 10 September 1944. To No.15 SFTS, Claresholm, 19 October 1944. To No.11 (BR) Squadron, Dartmouth, 19 April 1945. Moved with that unit to Patricia Bay, 24 May 1945. To No.1 ACU, Centralia (whatever that is), 24 July1945. To No.8 Release Centre, 8 September 1945. To Composite Training School, Toronto, 12 February 1946. To Western Air Command, 2 April 1946. To Patricia Bay, 8 April 1946 for flying control course. To Trenton, 7 May 1946. To Northwest Air Command, Edmonton, 5 August 1946. To Winter Experimental Establishment, Station Namao, 10 August 1946. Reverted to Flying Officer in postwar RCAF, 1 October 1946 (20182). To Grande Prairie Detachment, 1 November 1946. To Station Edmonton, 2 January 1947. Attended Flying Boat School, Vancouver, 1 November 1948 to 7 February 1949. To “K” Flight, Edmonton, 3 December 1948. To Canadian Joint Air Training Centre, Rivers, 1 May 1951. Released 30 September 1952. Later in Montreal. Died in Surrey, British Columbia, 27 May 1994. Award presented 16 April 1943. Photo PL-8666 shows crew of No.10 (BR) Squadron - Sergeant T. Fraser (WAG, Vancouver), Sergeant G.B. Armstrong (observer, Toronto), P/O E.J. Padden (pilot, Chicago), F/L J.E. Young (pilot, Oakville), Sergeant J.P. Smith (WAF, Viking, Alberta), Sergeant V.H. Munro (WAG, London, Ontario). PL-8665 shows Sergeant J.P. Smith, Sergeant B.H. Munro, P/O E.J. Padden (since reported missing), S/L J.M. Young, Sergeant T. Fraser, and Sergeant G.B. Armstrong). Photo PL-16006 shows him with parents after investiture. Photo PL-16055 shows presentation with AFM by Governor General. // Flight Sergeant Smith is an outstanding Wireless Air Gunner who has made 80 operational sorties over the North Atlantic for a total of 625 hours. His work and devotion to duty have been the means of inspiring others in his trade. He has at all times given of his best and is most conscientious in carrying out all assigned tasks. // Recommendation raised 6 October 1942 by S/L J.M. Young; wording as above. Endorsed 7 October 1942 by W/C F.H. Coghill (Station Gander), on 16 October 1942 by A/V/M A.L. Morfee (Eastern Air Command) and thereafter by Air Marshal L.S. Breadner (Chief of the Air Staff). // Selected Assessments: “This officer has been Deputy WAG Leader in this squadron for some time and has shown himself well qualified to fill this position. His outstanding asset is his ability to keep up to date in all phases of his work and trade. Strongly recommended.” (S/L R.F. Milne, No.10 Squadron, 17 September 1943. To this is added, “I thoroughly concur in this recommendation for promotion.” and signed by G/C C.L. Annis). // “Flying Officer Smith is a General List pilot and employed as Officer Commanding Grande Prairie Detachment. His previous knowledge of Administration was limited but he has consequently acquired a good knowledge of this phase. He administers his Unit well. He takes a keen interest in all activities of the Unit, has a pleasing personality and exercises efficient control. Recommended for promotion.” (W/C N.W. Timmerman, Station Edmonton, 1 December 1947). // Attended Flying Boat School, Vancouver, 1 November 1948 to 7 Febriary 1949. Examined in written subjects (182/200) and flying test (143/200). Flew in Canso A land (44.35 as pilot, 7.40 as crew) and Canso A water (40.05 as pilot, 9.55 as crew). “Considering the fact that Flying Officer Smith has had little flying experience, he did very well on the course. From a rather poor start he worked very hard and made excellent progress. He is assessed as an average boat pilot. It is suggested that Flying Officer Smith not be qualified as Captain until he has had a chance to get more general flying experience. Qualified as first pilot day and night on land, day on water; second pilot night on water.” (S/L S.D. Turner, Officer Commanding, Flying Boat School, 9 February 1949). // Training: Interviewed in Edmonton, 19 August 1940 by F/O W.M. Thomson. “Average type of applicant. Should fit in for aircrew duties as gunner.” // Attended No.2 WS, 31 March to 17 August 1941. Spent 25 hours in flying classroom as first operator (should this be 2.5 hours ?), 2.35 in flying classroom on listening watch and six hours in two-seater aircraft as sole operator. Ground training in Theory (47/50), Radio Equipment (212/250), Morse, buzzer and lamp (158/200), Procedure (175/200). Signals Organization (128/150). Armament (88/100) and Drill and P.T. (38/50). Placed second in a class of 228. “Recommended for commission.” // Attended No.5 BGS, 18 August to 15 September 1941. Battle aircraft - nine hours 50 minutes. Fired 300 rounds on ground, 300 air-to-ground and 2,400 air-to-air. Scored six percent hits on Beam Test, six percent hits on Beam Relative Speed Test and seven percent hits on Under Tail Test. Scored 83 percent on written test, 71 percent on oral and practical exam. Placed 16th in a class of 31. “Quite keen and intelligent; should make a good officer.” // On 27 September 1943, S/L R.F. Milne (Officer Commanding, No.10 Squadron Detachment, Gander) wrote to Air Officer Commanding, Eastern Air Command, re Smith. // 1. The above reference officer has served with this unit in the capacity of Wireless Air Gunner for the past two years. During this period he has shown himself to be both an exceptionally keen WOAG and a flying enthusiast. // 2. During the latter part of his service here, his flying has been restricted due to the fact that he is Deputy WOAG Leader and, as such, must spend a great deal of his time on ground duties. He has faithfully discharged these duties and, at the same time, has managed to fill in on operational crews as WOAG to relieve sick and leave personnel. // 3. This officer on enlistment was not given the opportunity of being a pilot or observer but, due to the situation existing at that time, was trained as a WOAG. It is my opinion that this officer would be of increased value to the service as a pilot, since he has a background of 1,500 hours flying of which 1,000 hours were operational. During this time he has flown as Wireless Operator in single, twin and four-engined aircraft which gives this officer a varied background which will sere the air force in good stead should be selected for training as a pilot. // 4. It is strongly recommended that this man be given an opportunity to further his flying career in the capacity of pilot at your earliest convenience as a reward for continuous and faithful service in the Air Force during his service career. // Attended No.4 ITS, 3 January to 10 March 1944. Courses in Aircraft Recognition (89/100), Armament (98/100), Principles of Flight(104/150), Engines (82/100), Law, Discipline, Administration and Organization (84/100), Mathematics (59/100), Meteorology (86/100), Navigation (108/150) and Signals (50/100 on supplemental). “Plenty of confidence. Very cooperative. Reliable and industrious.” // Attended No.5 EFTS, 10 April to 16 June 1944. Cornell aircraft - 12 hours 45 minutes dual to first solo, 45.00 day dual, 31.55 day solo, 2.30 night dual, 35 minutes night solo. Was 12.05 on instruments. Logged 14 hours in Link. Flying tests in General Flying (337/450), Instrument Flying (175/250), Night Flying (75/100) Navigation, practical (81/100) and Link (72/100). Ground examinations in Airmanship (243/300), Armament (152/200), Aircraft Recognition (64/100), Navigation (228/300) and Signals (50/100). “Average ground school ability - conscientious and keen - is better than his Examination Results indicate. General flying is high average - no particular faults - instrument flying average - has some difficulty maintaining a steady airspeed. A good officer in every way.” (F/L E.D. Allan) // Attended No.15 SFTS, 6 November 1944 to 29 March 1945. Anson aircraft - 7.10 day dual to first day solo, 81.00 total day dual, 41.50 day solo, 1.50 night dual to first night solo, 11.20 total nigh dual, 8.00 night solo. Was 10.05 in formation, 23.10 on instruments. Logged 25 hours in Link trainer. Flying tests in General Flying (201/300), Instrument Flying (124/200), Navigation (111/150), Armament (104/150), Night Flying (65/100), Formation (33/50) and Link (36/50). Ground examinations in Airmanship (155/200), Armament (155/200), Aircraft Recognition (80/100), Navigation (129.5/200), Meteorology (93/100) and Signals (181.5/200). “A keen and sincere pupil with an average flying ability. He has worked very well throughout the course.” // Twelve week flying control course in 1946 involved 39 hours ten minutes in Link. Courses in Flying Control Airway (117.5/150), Flying Control Airport (130.5/150), Flying Control Operations (116.5/150), Search and Rescue (102.5/125), Navigation and Searches (95/125), Meteorology (80/100) and Signals (91/100). “ A capable, hard working officer. Interest and attitude good, Meets all requirements.” // Application for Operational Wing: Dated 30 May 1944, this lists the following anti-submarine sorties. All sorties, 15 January 1942 to 29 March 1943 were on Digby aircraft; from 4 June 1943 onwards on Liberators: // 15 January 1942 - from Newfoundland (4.15) // 16 January 1942 - from Newfoundland (5.40) // 17 January 1942 - from Newfoundland ((6.30) // 19 January 1942 - from Newfoundland (6.30) // 20 January 1942 - from Newfoundland (4.15) // 22 January 1942 - from Newfoundland (9.20) // 25 January 1942 - from Newfoundland (8.45) // 5 February 1942 - from Newfoundland (7.15) // 15 February 1942 - from Newfoundland (7.00) // 17 February 1942 - from Newfoundland (3.20) // 24 February 1942 - from Newfoundland (7.40) // 2 March 1942 - from Newfoundland (9.40) // 3 March 1942 - from Newfoundland (10.00) // 11 March 1942 - from Newfoundland (7.10) // 15 March 1942 - from Newfoundland (8.10) // 22 March 1942 - from Newfoundland (7.40) // 23 March 1942 - from Newfoundland (8.40) // 4 April 1942 - from Newfoundland (10.00) // 5 April 1942 - from Newfoundland (6.00) // 13 April 1942 - from Newfoundland (11.35) // 14 April 1942 - from Newfoundland (7.35) // 21 April 1942 - from Newfoundland (7.30) // 26 April 1942 - from Newfoundland (10.35) // 27 April 1942 - from Newfoundland (7.00) // 29 April 1942 - from Newfoundland (11.00) // 30 April 1942 - from Newfoundland (7.20) // 3 May 1942 - from Newfoundland (10.30) // 5 May 1942 - from Newfoundland (4.55) // 6 May 1942 - from Newfoundland (6.25) // 31 May 1942 - from Newfoundland (10.30) // 2 June 1942 - from Newfoundland (6.40) // 3 June 1942 - from Newfoundland (10.30) // 8 June 1942 - from Newfoundland (11.45) // 11 June 1942 - from Newfoundland (7.00) // 14 June 1942 - from Newfoundland (9.00) // 16 June 1942 - from Newfoundland (6.45) // 22 June 1942 - from Newfoundland (7.35) // 23 June 1942 - from Newfoundland (12.40) // 24 June 1942 - from Newfoundland (10.10) // 28 June 1942 - from Newfoundland (11.15) // 29 June 1942 - from Newfoundland (6.55) // 30 June 1942 - from Newfoundland (9.35) // 1 July 1942 - from Newfoundland (10.30) // 3 July 1942 - from Newfoundland (8.50) // 7 July 1942 - from Newfoundland (6,40) // 11 July 1942 - from Newfoundland (6.30) // 14 July 1942 - from Newfoundland (6.40) // 17 July 1942 - from Newfoundland (1.40) // 17 July 1942 - from Newfoundland (7.30) // 19 July 1942 - from Newfoundland (3.30) // 23 July 1942 - from Newfoundland (9.15) // 25 July 1942 - from Newfoundland (11.20) // 27 July 1942 - from Newfoundland (8.10) // 28 July 1942 - from Newfoundland (5.40) // 29 July 1942 - from Newfoundland (7.25) // 8 August 1942 - from Newfoundland (8.30) // 9 August 1942 - from Newfoundland (11.10) // 17 August 1942 - from Newfoundland (5.40) // 19 August 1942 - from Newfoundland (11.10) // 20 August 1942 - from Newfoundland (8.10) // 21 August 1942 - from Newfoundland (8.30) // 25 August 1942 - from Newfoundland (9.45) // 26 August 1942 - from Newfoundland (11.45) // 25 September 1942 - from Newfoundland (5.00) // 26 September 1942 - from Newfoundland (11.10) // 27 September 1942 - from Newfoundland (10.20) // 28 September 1942 - from Newfoundland (2.40) // 29 September 1942 - from Newfoundland (4.15) // 1 October 1942 - from Newfoundland (11.25) // 4 October 1942 - from Newfoundland (8.50) // 9 October 1942 - from Newfoundland (9.00) // 11 October 1942 - from Newfoundland (9.25) // 14 October 1942 - from Newfoundland (9.00) // 16 October 1942 - from Newfoundland (6.30) // 18 October 1942 - from Newfoundland (7.20) // 29 October 1942 - from Newfoundland (9.55) // 31 October 1942 - from Newfoundland (11.40) // 1 November 1942 - from Newfoundland (6.30) // 3 November 1942 - from Newfoundland (11.00) // 6 November 1942 - from Newfoundland (12.30) // 8 November 1942 - from Newfoundland (10.00) // 9 November 1942 - from Newfoundland (6.10) // 11 November 1942 - from Newfoundland (10.00) // 15 November 1942 - from Newfoundland (6.20) // 19 November 1942 - from Dartmouth (4.30) // 21 November 1942 - from Dartmouth (6.50) // 23 November 1942 - from Dartmouth (8.15) // 25 November 1942 - from Dartmouth (9.00) // 4 December 1942 - from Dartmouth (7.45) // 5 December 1942 - from Dartmouth (7.15) // 6 December 1942 - from Dartmouth (10.15) // 7 December 1942 - from Dartmouth (10.00) // 15 December 1942 - from Dartmouth (6.40) // 30 December 1942 - from Dartmouth (7.50) // 1 January 1943 - from Dartmouth (10.20) // 2 January 1943 - from Dartmouth (6.50) // 3 January 1943 - from Dartmouth (6.40) // 4 January 1943 - from Dartmouth (4.00) // 7 January 1943 - from Dartmouth (3.00) // 12 January 1943 - from Dartmouth (14.10) // 14 January 1943 - from Dartmouth (7.00) // 17 January 1943 - from Dartmouth (6.25) // 13 February 1943 - from Dartmouth (10.50) // 20 February 1943 - from Dartmouth (12.30) // 23 February 1943 - from Dartmouth (8.50) // 25 February 1943 - from Dartmouth (6.15) // 3 March 1943 - from Dartmouth (6.40) // 15 March 1943 - from Dartmouth (4.00) // 15 March 1943 - from Dartmouth (8.45) // 16 March 1943 - from Dartmouth (8.45) // 29 March 1943 - from Dartmouth (8.20) // 4 June 1943 - from Newfoundland (12.20) // 11 June 1943 - from Newfoundland (15.30) // 22 June 1943 - from Newfoundland (13.15) // 28 June 1943 - from Newfoundland (14.20) // 1 July 1943 - from Newfoundland (15.00) // 4 July 1943 - from Newfoundland (11.30) // 11 July 1943 - from Newfoundland (9.40) // 14 July 1943 - from Newfoundland (12.15) // 15 August 1943 - from Newfoundland (11.50) // 22 August 1943 - from Newfoundland (13.10) // 2 September 1943 - from Newfoundland (15.45) // 8 September 1943 - from Newfoundland (11.50) // 22 September 1943 - from Newfoundland (14.00) // 24 September 1943 - from Newfoundland (14.45) // 30 September 1943 - from Newfoundland (15.40)