F.W. Sinclair's Unit

The following entry has been added to my data base on Canadians decorated for aerial services in the First World War (it will not appear on the Air Force Association website for some time). Can anyone assist in determining the squadron with which he was associated when recommended, and whether, indeed, there are one or two Willard Sinclairs.


SINCLAIR, 2nd Lieutenant Findlay Willard - Distinguished Flying Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 10 October 1919. *The records at Directorate of History and Heritage are confusing, for they show a 2nd Lieutenant Findlay. Sinclair from Calgary as joining No.4 Squadron *on 26 June 1918 but being with No.4 Squadron, 7 November 1918. *They also show one F. Willard Sinclair of Calgary who joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force (21st Battalion), 19 June 1916 who transferred to the RFC, 20 February 1918 and as of 1 January 1919 was with No.7 Squadron. *There is nothing indicate that either was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross, and there is even the possibility that they may (or may not) be the same man. *Nevertheless, a DFC is awarded in October 1919 to Findlay Willard Sinclair. *Aeroplane of 16 May 1928 carries a notice that Flight Lieutenant Findlay Willard Sinclair, DFC. "youngest son of Mr. And Mrs, F.D. Sinclair of Calgary, Alberta, Canada" was engaged to "Dora, only daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Washington Jewell, of Bullard, Hadley Grove, Barnet, and Wiveliscombe, Somerset". *There seems no doubt, then, that he was Canadian and was awarded a DFC, but the question arises as to the unit in which he was serving when recommended for this award.

[MilesC]

FWIW there is only one Findlay Willard Sinclair listed on the Archives Attestation Papers database ( Soldiers of the First World War). His address is listed as:

1011 - 19th Ave SW, Calgary
born in Glengarry, Ont.
Feb 18, 1895
Regimental Number 895118
Rank - Sergeant
This was signed June 19, 1916

The CANADIAN VIRTUAL WAR MEMORIAL has no record of him. Don't know if it helps.

Miles

[Frank_Olynyk]

Hugh,
As an additional tidbit of information, Findlay Willard Sinclair, DFC is shown in the October 1940 Air Force List as a Wing Commander with a date of March 1, 1940. His service number is 08113 (but you knew that).

Frank.