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Thomas Swindale Wilson "Tom" Harvey

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HARVEY, F/O Thomas Swindale Wilson (J35172) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.226 Squadron
Award effective 18 January 1945 as per London Gazette dated 26 January 1945 &
AFRO 471/45 dated 16 March 1945

Flying Officer Harvey has completed numerous operational sorties. In August 1944, when over the target at Rouen, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and badly damaged. Nevertheless he continued with his allotted task and executed a successful crash landing. Throughout his operational career this officer has displayed outstanding ability, great courage and devotion to duty.

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Born 2 February 1924 in Victoria
Home in Hines Creek, Alberta (railway watchman)
Enlisted in Edmonton 26 June 1942
Granted Leave Without Pay until 27 September 1942 when posted
To No.3 Manning Depot
To No.7 ITS, 27 December 1942; graduated a LAC, 5 March 1943 but not posted
To No.6 EFTS until 20 March 1943; graduated and posted on 15 May 1943
To No.7 SFTS; graduated and commissioned 3 September 1943
To No.34 OTU, 17 September 1943
To “Y” Depot, 14 January 1944
Taken on strength of No.3 PRC, Bournemouth, 20 January 1944
Promoted Flying Officer, 3 March 1944
Repatriated 19 May 1945
To Edmonton, 27 May 1945
To Northwest Air Command, 1 June 1945
To No.1 Composite Training School, 4 October 1945
To Northwest Air Command, 15 November 1945
Released 12 June 1946
Re-engaged with RCAF Auxiliary (No.418 Squadron), 4 March 1947 (# 120003)
promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 June 1949
Transferred from Pilot to Technical (Construction Engineering), 12 March 1954
Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 January 1963
Released 28 August 1966

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Public Records Office Air 2/9045 has recommendation dated 24 November 1944 when he had flown 50 sorties (110 operational hours) with text more detailed than that published:

Flying Officer Harvey has now carried out 50 operational flights in about three months. Many of these have been flown as sub-formation leader and deputy Squadron and Wing Leader; he had led the squadron itself three times. In the short time he was in the squadron he showed himself to be above the average in every respect, and particularly as an operational pilot, both by day and by night.

During August 1944, whilst running up to a target at Rouen, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and badly damaged. Nevertheless, he continued his job until forced to break formation after which he carried out a successful crash landing without severe injury to his crew. In November 1944, when leading the squadron against the road/rail bridge at Venlo, the anti-aircraft fire was accurate, heavy and intense. Despite this, however, he led his formation on an excellent steady bombing run, and, although he himself did not hit the target, the second box was enabled to do so, largely due to his good leadership.

In general, Flying Officer Harvey has shown outstanding qualities as an operational pilot and as a formation leader. His courage and skill have been of a high order. He is, therefore, recommended for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

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Thanks go out to Geoff for the photo & info !

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