2 Canadians

[mgeldof]

Hello

I am looking for the birth and death dates of two Canadian fliers from the great war.

Ernest Francis Hartley Davis (a 7 victory ace who flew with No. 41 squadron)
George C. Upson (another great war pilot who, in 1936, became the first pilot to use a parachute in Saskatchewan).

If anyone has a clue about the dates for these two pilots please let me know. There is no readily available information in the regular sources and because the RAF still holds the records for RAF/RFC Canadians of the first war the National Archives are no use.

MG.

[MikeW]

MG,


and because the RAF still holds the records for RAF/RFC Canadians of the first war the National Archives are no use


Who told you that? If your men served in WW1 in the RFC and RAF they will be in the AIR 76 microfilms at the National Archive. Should give dob, place of birth, some of the postings etc.

If they obtained their FAI flying certificates in Canada there's a good chance that the RAF Museum hold a copy of the licence and a photograph. If they trained in the USA, then you are probably out of luck. If they were late into the war they probably didn't bother to get a licence (as requirements were "relaxed").


Mike

[john_g]

I have checked my copy of the RAeC certificates and neither men is listed.
AIR 76, their records would only be available in this class if they were released from the service at the end of the war, if they were offered a permanent commission after the war, then their records are still held by the RAF. Cheers John_g

[Dave_Kent]

Hello:

Have you tried the National Archives Web site for Soldiers of the First World War? I saw nothing for George C. Upson, but the link below is for an Ernest F. H. Davis. Is he your man?

Dave



http://data4.collectionscanada.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=Davis&s2=Ernest&s3=&Sect4=AND&l=20&Sect1=IMAGE&Sect2=THESOFF&Sect5=CEF6PEN&Sect6=HITOFF&d=CEF6&p=1&u=http://www.collectionscanada.ca/archivianet/02010602_e.html&r=16&f=G

[mgeldof]

I had tried the Soldiers of the World War database without any luck. The only way they would be in there is if they enlisted in the CEF first and were then transfered to the RFC/RAF later. Being that I do not have ready access to the Air 76 records the online recources were a dead end. What is more, the RAF records are not searchable from a distance and I really don't have the recources to pay a researcher to do the leg-work in Ottawa or London.

Oh, and the E. F. H. Davis you found is not the same man (I found him myself on my first search). The one I am looking for was from Oxbow Saskatchewan.... Actually upon a second look he does list his next of kin (father) as being in Oxbow, general delivery. And he enlisted in Estevan (also Sask.) the Georgeville Quebec place of birth threw be off. Well that was nice.

mg

[normanf]

MG E F H Davis - born 12 July 1897, son of Rev. E A Davis of Oxbrow. Civil engineer Canadian Pacific Railway. Canadian Cyclist Corps, 2/Lt. 41 Sqn 1 Nov 1917. HE 21/7/18. 41 TDS 1918. Unmployed list 29 Sept 1919. Norman Franks

[normanf]

Do I hear a thank you? Otherwise there is no point in responding. Norman Franks

[Steve]

Dear Norman
Are you THE Norman Franks, if I may be so bold?

Your above information, and indeed several of your books have helped me profoundly with my research, which I'm planning will become a history of 41 Squadron from 1916-1946.

All I can add to the above information is DAVIS, Ernest Francis Hartley, Lt., 1069062, 1/3 OOC Albatros Scout with Capt. M. Thomas & 2 Lt. R. W. Anderson east of Cambrai, 6 Dec. 1917.

A question, though, if I may. What does "41 TDS 1918" refer to, please?

Thanks and regards
Steve

[normanf]

Steve - yes I am, if indeed you mean the author guy! We list this victory on page 136 of Above the Trenches. 41 TDS refers to his time with No.41 Training Depot Squadron, as an instructor during the last year of the war. It would be interesting to learn what happened to Davis after the war. Some years ago I seem to recall that Les Rogers was very up on 41 Sqn. Norman Franks

[Steve]

Hi Norman
Yep, I meant 'the author guy'!
Thanks for the expansion of the abbreviation.
Actually, I wouldn't mind chatting with you further in the direction of 41 Squadron, if I may, but it is rather off the subject of this thread, and indeed of this forum. May I contact you off-board? I would also be interested to know about Les Rogers' work. My e-mail address is brew@clients.ch
Thanks and regards
Steve