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Jack Cornelison & Don Banting catching up on the latest news
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RCAF AWARDS
Ottawa, Jan. 22, 1945 - (CP) - Air Force Headquarters announced tonight the award of one Distinguished Service Order and 15 Distinguished Flying Crosses to members of the RCAF serving overseas.
The recipients include :
D.S.O.
S/L O.C. Kallio, DFC, of Ironwood, Mich.
D.F.C.
W/C L.H. Randall, Bristol, N.B.;
F/L D.W. Banting, Fort San, Sask.;
F/L R.E. Coffey, Greenview, Ill.;
F/L H.A. Crawford of Edmonton;
F/L H.A. Dean, Vero Beach, Fla,;
F/L J.E. Hogg of Dartmouth, N.S.;
F/L H.R. Hunter of Strathcona, P.E.I.;
F/L G.F. Mercer of 77 Church St., St. Marys;
F/L L.W. Metcalfe of 50 Scott St., St. Thomas;
F/L J.M. Portz, Weyburn, Sask.;
F/O G.P.A. Bodard, Lethbridge, Alta.;
F/O C.L. Burgess of Fredericton;
F/O A.R. Lehman of 307 Niagara St., Welland;
P/O A.D. Fraser of Winnipeg &
F/O J.P. Jessee of Vancouver.
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Born 1 November 1922 in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan.
Home in Fort San, Saskatchewan.
Enlisted in Regina, 20 June 1941.
Posted to No.2 manning Depot.
To No.11 Equipment Depot, 7 August 1941.
To No.4 ITS, 1 Sept. 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 3 Oct. 1941.
To No.6 EFTS, 9 October 1941; graduated 5 December 1941 when posted
To No.11 SFTS; graduated and commissioned 27 March 1942.
To “Y” Depot, 28 March 1942.
Overseas posting cancelled, when posted to “K”.
To No.118 (Fighter) Squadron, 1 June 1942.
Promoted Flying Officer, 1 October 1943.
To “Y” Depot, 26 October 1943.
Taken on strength of No.3 PRC, Bournemouth, 31 October 1943.
Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 27 March 1944.
Repatriated 21 December 1944.
To No.2 Air Command, 31 December 1944.
To No.9 BGS, 7 February 1945.
To No.23 EFTS, 8 March 1945.
To No.2 School RC (?), 4 May 1945.
To Patricia Bay, 2 August 1945.
Retired 13 November 1945.
Invested with medal at Sea Island, 22 October 1949.
Recommended when he had flown 93 sorties (101 operational hours).
Ended up in Nanaimo, BC. |
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BANTING, F/L Donald Wallwin (J10809) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.438 Squadron
Award effective 13 January 1945 as per London Gazette dated 23 January 1945 and
AFRO 471/45 dated 16 March 1945.
This officer has proved himself to be an excellent organizer and a brilliant leader on operations. He has led many successful fighter bomber sorties. In June, 1944, he pressed home an effective attack on one of the main Caen bridges in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire and on other occasions he has participated in attacks on troop concentrations and enemy rail and road transportation. Flight Lieutenant Banting has always displayed exceptional qualities as a leader and flight commander.
Public Record Office Air 2/9043 has recommendation initiated about 24 October 1944 by S/L R.F. Reid. Sortie list and submission as follows:
30 March 1944 - sweep, Channel Islands (1.15)
9 April 1944 - Dive-bombing, “Noball” and Gocen Floss (1.25)
23 April 1944 - Dive-bombing, St. Saveur (1.00)
7 May 1944 - Dive-bombing, bridge at Oissel (1.30)
7 May 1944 - Dive-bombing, “Noball”, Lonqueville (1.30)
10 May 1944 - Dive-bombing, bridge at Lonqueville (1.15)
11 May 1944 - Dive-bombing, bridge at Lonqueville (1.30)
12 May 1944 - Dive-bombing, “Noball” (1.30)
12 May 1944 - Dive-bombing, tanks, Ghent (1.35)
30 May 1944 - Dive-bombing, radar, St. Uandricourt (1.25)
6 June 1944 - Dive-bombing, gun-posts, beaches, France (1.15)
6 June 1944 - armed reconnaissance south of Caen (1.35)
10 June 1944 - fighter escort (1.20)
12 June 1944 - fighter escort (1.45)
14 June 1944 - armed reconnaissance to Bremay (1.20)
15 June 1944 - Dive-bombing, bridge at Amaye-sur-Pine (1.25)
16 June 1944 - Dive-bombing, concentration at Javigny (1.20)
17 June 1944 - fighter cover (1.25)
17 June 1944 - Dive-bombing, bridge at Broucourt (1.20)
18 June 1944 - Dive-bombing, bridge near Caen (1.20)
22 June 1944 - armed reconnaissance west of the Seine (1.45)
23 June 1944 - fighter sweep (1.35)
27 June 1944 - Dive-bombing, bridge at Caen (1.00)
27 June 1944 - Dive-bombing, bridge at Caen (35 minutes)
28 June 1944 - Dive-bombing, Verson (35 minutes)
28 June 1944 - Dive-bombing, bridge at Gaupillard (1.00)
5 July 1944 - Dive-bombing, bridge at St. Andre (55 minutes)
5 July 1944 - Dive-bombing, bridge at St.Andre (35 minutes)
9 July 1944 - Dive-bombing, troop concentration (45 minutes)
12 July 1944 - armed reconnaissance (1.35)
18 July 1944 - Dive-bombing, bridge at Anaye (1.00)
24 July 1944 - Dive-bombing, troop concentrations (50 minutes)
25 July 1944 - Dive-bombing, troop concentrations (45 minutes)
25 July 1944 - Dive-bombing, St. Sylvain (45 minutes)
26 July 1944 - fighter cover (45 minutes)
2 August 1944 - Dive-bombing, Conde (1.00)
3 August 1944 - Dive-bombing, troops (55 minutes)
7 August 1944 - Dive-bombing, troops near Grimbuse (35 minutes)
8 August 1944 - Dive-bombing, troops near Conde (50 minutes)
8 August 1944 - Dive-bombing, troops near Conde (40 minutes)
9 August 1944 - Dive-bombing, troops near Ussy (55 minutes)
9 August 1944 - Dive-bombing, troops in woods (1.00)
11 August 1944 - Dive-bombing, troops near Quesnay (50 minutes)
12 August 1944 - Dive-bombing, bridge across Orne (45 minutes)
14 August 1944 - leaflet drop on Athis (50 minutes)
18 August 1944 - recce to Bernay area (1.10)
18 August 1944 - strafing south of Lisieux (1.15)
19 August 1944 - strafing in Lisieux-Bernay area (1.10)
19 August 1944 - Dive-bombing, concentration near La Folletier (1.10)
20 August 1944 - strafing Bernay-Orbec area (1.15)
25 August 1944 - Dive-bombing, concentrations of MET (1.15)
26 August 1944 - Dive-bombing, bridge northeast of Rouen (1.00)
27 August 1944 - armed reconnaissance northeast of Rouen (1.10)
27 August 1944 - Dive-bombing, MET in Mailleroy (50 minutes)
28 August 1944 - Dive-bombing, woods at Lalandelle (1.15)
31 August 1944 - strafing in Horney area (1.30)
13 September 1944 - armed reconnaissance, Eindhoven area (1.25)
13 September 1944 - armed reconnaissance, Geldern-Arnhem area (1.15)
13 September 1944 - armed reconnaissance, Teil-Breda area (1.00)
17 September 1944 - armed reconnaissance, Teil-Breda area (1.00)
20 September 1944 - armed reconnaissance, Breda-Dardrecht area (1.00)
24 September 1944 - armed reconnaissance, Arnhem-Utrecht area (1.20)
27 September 1944 - fighter patrol, Nijmegen area (1.10)
28 September 1944 - Low-level bombing on railway (45 minutes)
29 September 1944 - Low-level bombing near Lutphen (1.00)
29 September 1944 - Low-level bombing near Hoef (40 minutes)
30 September 1944 - fighter patrol (1.10)
1 October 1944 - Low-level bombing, Udem railways (50 minutes)
2 October 1944 - Low-level bombing, railways near Borken (1.10)
2 October 1944 - Low-level bombing near Drevenneck (1.10)
2 October 1944 - Dive-bombing, marshalling yards, Geldern (1.00)
4 October 1944 - Low-level bombing near Rhide (1.10)
4 October 1944 - Low-level bombing near Aulten (1.10)
5 October 1944 - Low-level bombing and recce, Winterswijk (1.05)
5 October 1944 - Low-level bombing, rails at Geldern (50 minutes)
5 October 1944 - dusk patrol (40 minutes)
6 October 1944 - Low-level bombing near Ahaus (1.25)
6 October 1944 - Low-level bombing near Dieren (1.05)
7 October 1944 - Low-level bombing at Zabanaar (45 minutes)
7 October 1944 - dusk patrol (20 minutes)
9 October 1944 - weather reconnaissance (45 minutes)
12 October 1944 - Dive-bombing, Amerika (1.00)
12 October 1944 - Dive-bombing, near Horst (45 minutes)
13 October 1944 - Dive-bombing, near Wessel (1.00)
14 October 1944 - Dive-bombing, near Winterswick (1.35)
15 October 1944 - Dive-bombing, near Gelderm (50 minutes)
15 October 1944 - Dive-bombing, near Apeldoorn (50 minutes)
18 October 1944 - Dive-bombing, rails near Apeldoorn (1.00)
19 October 1944 - weather reconnaissance (1.00)
20 October 1944 - Dive-bombing, rails, Zwolle (1.05)
21 October 1944 - Dive-bombing, rails, Deventer (1.00)
21 October 1944 - Dive-bombing, rails, Coesfeld (1.10)
This officer has participated in many operational sorties against the enemy in the field since D Day, and has shown great skill as a leader and exceptional fortitude in pressing home attacks against heavily defended targets.
On the 16th June 1944, despite heavy and light intense accurate flak, the pilot pressed home the attack against one of the main Caen bridges scoring hits on the target.
On another occasion, he participated in an attack on a bridge at Broucourt which was completely destroyed.
During the Allied Army’s advance south of Caen, this officer also aided in a dive-bombing assault on enemy troops massing for a counter-attack at Quesnay. As a result of this air support, a Polish armoured division was considerably relieved.
During the Falaise Gap period he logged many Motor Transport Flamers and Smokers. Recently he has been successfully leading squadron sorties engaged in cutting enemy rail lines, and destroying locomotives. On one occasion while thus employed, he assisted in the destruction of an ammunition and petrol train.
Flight Lieutenant Banting has displayed exceptional qualities as a leader and Flight Commander throughout his operational tour.
On 29 October 1944, W/C F.G. Grant endorsed the recommendation, writing:
A fine leader and Flight Commander who has lead many successful fighter-bomber sorties. Recommend a much deserved DFC.
On 4 November 1944 G/C P.Y. Davoud endorsed the recommendation:
An excellent organiser and brilliant leader in the air who has displayed the utmost keenness to engage all types of fighter-bomber targets throughout his tour. He has set a very high standard and I consider that his work merits the award of the DFC.
This was endorsed on 16 November 1944 by an Air Vice-Marshal (signature illegible):
I agree that F/L Banting has given long and courageous service as a fighter bomber pilot and well earned the non-immediate award of the DFC for which I recommend him.
Air Marshal A. "Mary" Coningham endorsed the document on 14 December 1944; final date of approval is not known
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Pilots of 438 Sqn. while still on Hurricanes. In front are Norm Dawber, Roy Burden & Bill Whitmore (only sergeant pilot on 438 at this time, KIA). In the next row are Harry Upham, Bob Coffey (killed in road accident), Vic McMann (POW), Bill Hope (KIFA), Ted Bugg (KIA), George Edington (POW), Jack Beirnes (KIFA), Pete Wilson (KIA), Bob McKenzie (KIA), & Lou Park (KIA). On the wing are Jack Cornelison (KIA), Don Banting, Buck Newsome (KIA) & Ross Reid. The four behind are Ross Johnson (killed in shelling on the ground), Art Brooker, Ron Getty (shot down in Normandy, evaded) & Jack Hilton. (Benson Col.) Photo & text from "Typhoon & Tempest - The Canadian Story" by Hugh Halliday
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