11th day of 11th month

 My grandfather was in the RCN assigned to HMCS Niobe during the great war and was in Halifax to witness the Halifax Explosion of December 6th 1917. My father served in the RCAF as a tail gunner of  a Lancaster bomber during WW2. He remained in service with the Royal Canadian Engineers until his retirement in 1968.

My grandfather as a young man in the RCN

At 66 years of age I count myself very fortunate never having to experience the traumas they lived. I grew up in relative comfort and peace. Thank you to all who have served or continue to serve. 

My Dad and his fellow crewmates, serving with
626 Squadron of the Royal Air Force

Dad with his wartime service medals
displayed under his Air Gunner Wing

Two of my father's crewmates received the DFC for actions in March 1945.

 London Gazette (July 20th 1945) F/O James Carlyle FISK (J89475), 626 Sqn being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Flying Officer Fisk has completed numerous successful operational sorties and has at all times shown the utmost determination to engage the enemy. In March 1945 he was returning from a successful mine-laying sortie in Baltic waters when his aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter. Due entirely to Flying Officer Fisk's determination and his skillful handling of the aircraft the enemy aircraft was shot down in flames. Immediately after this incident another fighter was sighted which shadowed his aircraft with great persistence. This attacker was eventually shaken off. Throughout this incident and in all his sorties Flying Officer Fisk has displayed able captaincy and gallantry.

F/O James POLLOCK (J37724) - also received the Distinguished Flying Cross - No.626 Squadron - Award effective 8 September 1945 as per London Gazette dated 25 September 1945. Citation as follows: As air bomber this officer has completed numerous sorties. On one sortie in March 1945, an enemy aircraft was sighted. Flying Officer Pollock immediately manned his guns and attacked the aircraft which was seen to burst into flames. His action probably saved his aircraft and the lives of his crew. Flying Officer Pollock has always shown tenacity and skill and has been a great asset to his crew.

Operational Sorties preformed by 626 Squadron between November 1943 and the end of the war. The squadron flew 2,728 sorties during the war for the loss of 49 aircraft. In addition another 11 aircraft were non-operational losses.