|
|
| PERSONALIA |
| |
| Name: |
Ireland, Elgin Gerald |
| Date of birth: | January 12th, 1921 (Melancthon/Ontario, Canada)
|
| Date of death: |
August 26th, 2000 (Comox/British Columbia, Canada)
|
| Nationality: |
Canadian |
|
BIOGRAPHY:
Servicenumber Can/J.9464.
Elgin Ireland enlisted in Toronto on May 3th, 1941 and trained at No.3 ITS (graduated 8 August 1941), No.13 EFTS (graduated 25 September 1941) and No.13 SFTS (graduated 19 December 1941).
Following World War two he remained in the RCAF receiving
the NATO medal with clasp, the UN (EF) Emergency Force Middle East Medal (CCUNMEF) (1975), the Canadian Centennial 1967, Canadian Forces Decoration & clasps (10 years) and posthumously the Medal of Remembrance - Holland Liberated (2007).
|
| |
|
|
 |
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (DFC)
|
|
Rank:
|
Flight Lieutenant
|
|
Unit:
|
No. 411 (RCAF) Squadron
|
|
Awarded on:
|
May 8th, 1945
|
|
Action:
|
Citation:
"Over a long period of operations this officer has displayed a fine fighting spirit, outstanding enthusiasm and devotion to duty. By his coolness and daring in the face of superior odds he has set a fine example to the other pilots in his squadron. During the Arnhem paratroop operations Flight Lieutenant Ireland's aircraft was very badly damaged in an air combat with a Focke Wulf 190. Despite this he pressed home a telling attack and destroyed the enemy aircraft. Since then he has destroyed two more enemy aircraft bringing his total victories to at least three destroyed. In addition this officer has inflicted considerable damage on the enemy's mechanical transport and rolling stock."
|
|
Details:
|
Published in The London Gazette, dated May 8th, 1945.
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
 |
VLIEGERKRUIS (VK)
|
|
Rank:
|
Flight Lieutenant
|
|
Unit:
|
No. 411 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
|
|
Awarded on:
|
July 31st, 1945
|
|
Action:
|
Citation: "This officer completed numerous sorties in support of the airborne troops during the invasion of Holland. Many of these sorties were completed in the face of fierce enemy fighter opposition. On one occasion, whilst in combat with a Focke Wulf 190, cannon fire from the enemy aircraft severely damaged Flight Lieutenant Ireland's aircraft; the ailerons were severed and a large hole was torn in the fuselage. Undeterred, Flight Lieutenant Ireland continued the attack and eventually destroyed the attacker. With great skill Flight Lieutenant Ireland then piloted his damaged aircraft back to base and made a successful landing. This officer's determination to complete his mission is worthy of the highest praise."
|
|
Details:
|
418th Award.
Royal decree No.29.
Permission to wear the decoration received on January 1st, 1946.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
)
