Category Archives: Instructors

From the collection of Richard Merrick

by

Dick’ Merrick was a pilot instructor in the BCATP, most probably in 1942 and 1943. His son is sharing his late father’s photos.

Most of these photos were taken by his father at Fort Macleod (No. 7 SFTS MacLeod). If anyone wishes to use these photos for non commercial use, please give due credit to Dick Merrick.

Dick Merrick is on this photo labeled BCATP # 7SFTS Anson1943.

His son is sharing these photos so possibly someone will recognize these students on these photos. The white flash indicates they are LACs training to be pilots.

Other photos taken. These two are most probably instructors.

 

 

 

Again, please give due credit if you use all these photos for non-commercial purposes. You might also link this post.

For other uses, contact us by leaving a comment in the comment section.

 

Dick Merrick flying an Albatross in 1968 over the ocean off of Denman and Hornby Islands.

Ripples in the water – No. 20 E.F.T.S. Oshawa revisited

by

The original post has been updated on November 12, 2020 when I learned Flight Lieutenant Ken Williams was taken on strength at No. 20  Elementary Flying Training School on March 7th 1943.

This is the information shared by John Engelsted about Flight Lieutenant Williams a Spitfire pilot with 416 Squadron.

5 ITS December 28th 1942

20 EFTS March 7th 1943

6 SFTS May 1943

1 OTU August 27th 1943

3 PRC February 1st 1944

61 OTU March 21st 1944

3 TEU June 2nd 1944

1690 Flight June 6th 1944

83 GSU December 10th 1944

416 Squadron December 25th 1944

Rodolphe Lafrenière was in the same course as Ken Williams.

This ended the update, but there is more at the end of the original post.

It has been a long time since I have written a post on this blog. I had one on the back burner and I had forgotten to post it.

Bad day flying

I only write when I have something to share. I have something that might be of interest to someone who was stationed at No. 20 E.F.T.S., Oshawa or a relative. (broken link)

   Logbook pages 3-4

These are two pages taken from this logbook.

Logbook cover

This is Rodolphe Lafrenière, a Handley Page Halifax pilot with 425 Alouette Squadron during WWII.

Rodolphe Lafreni+¿re

His son André shared his father’s logbook and several photos with me.

None were taken at No. 20 EFTS Oshawa. These are two I found on the Internet.

OshPL002289292f

Oshawa Public Libraries’ online image collection

OshPL002290608f

Oshawa Public Libraries’ online image collection

These logbook pages are interesting artefacts because we have the name of Rodolphe Lafrenière’s instructor: WO2 J. P. Lumsden.

Maybe someone knew this instructor, and maybe he or she has pictures to share. This is why I am writing this post on this blog about the BCATP.

There were also others names.

Flight Sergeant John Mac Keller, instructor, and Bert Pearson, engineer in charge.

End of the original post

 

If you have any information, you can contact me using this form.

ROSE, F/L Richard John (J12271)

by

Information from Airforce. ca

ROSE, F/L Richard John (J12271) – Distinguished Flying Cross – No.150 Squadron – Award effective 6 March 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 625/45 dated 13 April 1945. Born 1923 in Toronto; home there (clerk). Trained at No.1 ITS, No.3 EFTS and No.1 SFTS. Commissioned 1942.

 Johnny Rose Toronto DFC 1

 

 

This officer has completed numerous operational missions and throughout has set a fine example of devotion to duty. One night in January 1945 he piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Munich. Some distance from the target the aircraft sustained damage making it difficult to control. In spite of this, Flight Lieutenant Rose continued his mission. Later the port outer engine failed. Height was rapidly lost and the aircraft came down to 1,000 feet. Flight Lieutenant Rose succeeded in regaining control and, displaying outstanding airmanship, flew the badly damaged aircraft to base. His skill, coolness and determination set an excellent example.

Johnny Rose who was an instructor in Uplands became a Lancaster pilot.

 

 

Flight Lieutenant John Douglas Hopkins

by

A post I forgot to publish

Found on Airforce.ca Website

HOPKINS, F/L John Douglas (J5812) – Distinguished Flying Cross – No.113 Squadron – Award effective 20 December 1944 as per London Gazette dated 2 January 1945 and AFRO 471/45 dated 16 March 1945. Born in Orangeville, Ontario, 1919; home there. Was educated at the University of Toronto, ex-COTC. Enlisted in Toronto, 10 October 1941. Trained at No.1 ITS (graduated 27 January 1941), No.9 EFTS (graduated 17 March 1941) and No.2 SFTS (graduated 16 June 1941). Commissioned 1941.

This officer has commanded his flight since February 1944. He has flown on a large number of sorties over Burma and India, often in adverse weather over mountainous and jungle-covered country. In the absence of the commanding officer he has led the squadron with conspicuous success, setting an inspiring example by his enthusiasm, courage and devotion to duty.

Flight Lieutenant John Douglas Hopkins was an instructor at No. 2 S.F.T.S. Uplands.

Pilots

How to reach me…

by

You can use the comment section like this reader…

I noticed you identified my father, Donald C. Ford.  Are there other links with additional information?  My dad passed away in 1975.  I have his log books and training record.

Or use this contact form…

I know more than you think about No. 4 EFTS Windsor Mills.

Click here.

Eric Pook

by

Eric Pook Ottawa

Eric Pook is in Walter Neil Dove’s collection.

I found him on the Internet

Eric A. Pook

Obituary

POOK, Eric A. WWII Fighter Pilot (F/Lt.) 54 Squadron RAF (11 Group) and 412 RCAF

On May 17, 2005 at Nepean. Born in England, March 30, 1919. Beloved husband for over 61 years to Evelyn V. Pook (nee Macdonald). Dear father of Dr. John G. Pook and wife Jill M. Pook (nee King). Proud grandfather of Eric A. Pook. Private funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers donations are encouraged to the Palliative Outreach Program, 1455 Woodroffe Avenue South, Nepean, Ontario, K2G 1W1.

Very special thanks to the exceptional care provided by Dr. Barb Yeats and Dr. Margaret Farncombe.

– See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ottawacitizen/obituary.aspx?n=eric-a-pook&pid=3567228#sthash.0OauDZd1.dpuf

Instructors No. 2 S.F.T.S. Uplands

 

P/O Rose from Toronto

Walter Neil Dove

F/L Sprague, Ottawa

F/O Teters, California

S/P Baker, Hamilton

Rear

F/L Pook, Ottawa

WO Couse, St. Catherines

Instructors of G. Flight

No. 2  S.F.T.S. Uplands, Ontario

Walter Neil Dove’s Record of Service

by

uplandslogbook-training-of-walter-neil-dove

Walter Neil Dove documented well his war years, and his grandson has shared everything with me since September 2011. I had never realised Walter Neil Dove was an instructor at No. 2 S.F.T.S. Uplands before Greg sent me all these pictures.

I was awestruck when I saw them, and the reason is for everyone to see why…

Instructors at No. 2 S.F.T.S. Uplands – 1942

by

Instructors No. 2 S.F.T.S. Uplands

P/O Rose from Toronto

Walter Neil Dove

F/L Sprague, Ottawa

F/O Teters, California

S/P Baker, Hamilton

Rear

F/L Pook, Ottawa

WO Couse, St. Catherines

Instructors of G. Flight

No. 2  S.F.T.S. Uplands, Ontario

Instructors No. 2 S.F.T.S. Uplands back

What became of those instructors during the war?

I know what became of Walter Neil Dove.

Everything is in the blogs that pays homage to the squadrons he was with: RCAF 128 (F) Squadron (37 posts) and RCAF No. 403 Squadron (399 posts).