Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: No. 1 Air Observers' School - Malton


Aircraftsman 1st Class

Status: Offline
Posts: 3
Date:
No. 1 Air Observers' School - Malton
Permalink   


Hello,

I'm helping a friend to locate a 'class list' for a specific course (81A)
of No. 1 Air Observers' School at Malton, Ontario. His uncle (a Polish airman) was a trainee there under the BCATP between July and December 1943. He has a group photo of his uncle's course with a number of signatures on the back - unfortunately, most of the names are illegible. A list would really help him to identify the airmen in the photo.

Could anybody advise where I might find personnel lists, photos, etc. for BCATP training units? I've searched the catalogue of the National Archives of Canada but haven't found any direct reference to aircrews. According to an Archivist at the Canadian War Museum, these sorts of records are difficult to locate as most are still restricted under Canadian privacy legislation.

Any help in tracking down a listing of personnel would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
James



-- Edited by James W at 15:32, 2007-10-01

__________________


Flight Lieutenant

Status: Offline
Posts: 44
Date:
Permalink   

James,
I do not know what catalogue you looked through, I have a reference number for a microfilm reel.
C-12328, this indicates No.1 Air Observer School at Malton covering the years 1940-1945. No idea what is on the microfilm, but if anything like ORB microfilm there should be a lot of info to go through.
You can get the film through inter-library loan at National Archives Canada website.
Good luck.
Alan

__________________


Air Commodore

Status: Offline
Posts: 206
Date:
Permalink   

I was at Malton for Air Navigation training; started February 22 of 1943 and earned my wing on April 2nd.  I was there again last week, but goodness only knows if a B.C.A.T.P. station was ever there, with that horrendous Pearson International on top of it.  But, God Bless the Royal York; they gave us a whopping big party 2 days before Wings Parade.

__________________
John A. Neal


Aircraftsman 1st Class

Status: Offline
Posts: 3
Date:
Permalink   

ALLYOOP wrote:

James,
I do not know what catalogue you looked through, I have a reference number for a microfilm reel.
C-12328, this indicates No.1 Air Observer School at Malton covering the years 1940-1945. No idea what is on the microfilm, but if anything like ORB microfilm there should be a lot of info to go through.
You can get the film through inter-library loan at National Archives Canada website.
Good luck.
Alan



Thank you for that microfilm reference number. I searched through the Library and Archives Canada online catalogue and was only able to locate a handful of administrative files relating to changes in command structure, acquisition of RCAF lands, etc. I'm planning to visit the Archives later this week and hopefully will be able to dig up that microfilm...

-James

__________________


Air Vice Marshall

Status: Offline
Posts: 350
Date:
Permalink   

James,

Somehting else that you may want to try is this nespaper search at the Hamiltonn Specatator's Newspaper archives.
http://collections.civilisations.ca/warclip/pages/warclip/ResultsList.php?QueryName=WarclipCustomQueryForm&WarclipCounter=WarclipCounter&RelevanceRanking=WarclipRelevanceRanking&lang=0&any=AdmWebMetadata&subject=WarSubjectMetaData&headline=WarHeadline&title=ObjTitle&SearchWord=Malton&QueryWord=all&QueryOption=any&StartAt=21


If you can make out a few of the last names in the photo try to do seasrch on them there, or try using Malton as the criteria. I have had success in this manner before and soe of the articles that come up list the entire graduating class.

__________________


Aircraftsman 1st Class

Status: Offline
Posts: 3
Date:
Permalink   

Thanks very much for that tip, Matt - I managed to find a list of Ontario airmen that graduated from 1 AOS Malton in the 10 Dec 1943 issue of the Toronto Star. The dates match and the article states that the class was headed by "two Polish students" so the odds are pretty good that this is the correct course.

I also paid a visit to the Library and Archives of Canada and read through the unit's Daily Diary on microfilm but unfortunately it wasn't of much help. Seems the unit had just gone through a big move to a new facility and record-keeping was sparse for the latter months of '43. I looked at the subsequent microfilm in the series (1944-45) and the records were much more complete, including copies of the programmes from graduation ceremonies, photographs, etc. Unfortunately, my colleague's uncle was already long-gone by then and busy as a navigator in Mosquito squadrons overseas.

Thanks again for everyone's help in this matter!

James


Attachments
__________________


Air Vice Marshall

Status: Offline
Posts: 350
Date:
Permalink   

James,

I'm glad that worked out for you.

FWIW, on my site I am trying to build a BCATP gallery, if possible I would love to add the class photo of your friend's relative.

http://www.bombercrew.com/BCATP.htm

Matt

__________________


Air Commodore

Status: Offline
Posts: 206
Date:
Permalink   

Dear Matt:

I htink that in your posting of BCATP Schools, you missed a few.  No. 5 Manning Depot was in Lachine, Quebec, where I did my basic training.  From there I went to No. 4 in Quebec City which was more of a school than a Manning Depot.  I learned mathematics and science which I needed for aircrew training.  From there I went to No. 3 I.T.S. in Victoriaville, Que.

John

__________________
John A. Neal


Air Vice Marshall

Status: Offline
Posts: 350
Date:
Permalink   

Thanks John, No 5 ITS has been added to the list.

http://www.bombercrew.com/BCATP.htm

__________________


Flight Sergeant

Status: Offline
Posts: 19
Date:
Permalink   

Hi Guys,
A newie here,so catching up on old posts. I have a series of pictures taken at Malton, by a Navigator, Fritz Giacomelli, if anyone is interested.

__________________

Ludwigshafen

A. Fraser



Flight Lieutenant

Status: Offline
Posts: 40
Date:
Permalink   

Matt thats some site, the Canadian one, I even found some info on one of my guys on it

Jim

__________________


Leading Aircraftsman

Status: Offline
Posts: 6
Date:
Permalink   

Hi there.

I am new at this.  I am very impressed by the amount of knowledge in the forum.  It is complusive reading.

RE: the canadian newspaper clippings website.  Does it only concentrate on Canadian serviceman or does it also include British or other serviceman.

My father trained as a navigator at No.1 AOS, Malton end of 1944.  He also attended 16EFTS in 1945.

I have photos that I could post on this site, I will need to dig them out of the garage.  My father took many photos of the Canadian and American sights.  He seemed to spend quite a lot of time flying around the country having a good time.
Unfortunately he died just before I was born in 1959 and I have spent many years trying to find anyone who knew him or just more information about his life during WW2.

Ali

__________________


Air Vice Marshall

Status: Offline
Posts: 350
Date:
Permalink   

Hi Ali,

If your father attended a BCATP school in Canada then he should appear on the list, usually they listed all graduates but not always. The archive is somewhat incomplete in that capacity as some of the articles focus on "local" airmen. I would encourage you to give it a try. Also if you have some photos for the site you can email them to the webmaster matt@bombercrew.com

__________________


Leading Aircraftsman

Status: Offline
Posts: 6
Date:
Permalink   

Hi Matt.

I will start looking, thank you.

I will email the photos I have this weekend.

Ali

__________________


Leading Aircraftsman

Status: Offline
Posts: 6
Date:
Permalink   

I tried to find my father on the above Canadian website but no luck.

Shame but a great site anyway.

Ali

__________________
K for Kitty Crew

Date:
Permalink   

Hi Alisonjar,

You may wish to scroll thru the current posting that I put up regarding 'Wartime Memories Project' trust me, there is a wealth of information from the many squadrons listed.

Or, you may wish to target the 'National Archives' for your father / crew, Operational (ORB's) to identify their each and every operation.

Best of Luck,

John

__________________


Leading Aircraftsman

Status: Offline
Posts: 6
Date:
Permalink   

Hi John.

I will check out the Wartime Memories Project. Thank you

According to my father's service records, he does not appear to have been in a squadron. A lot of training, holding and then to India.

Ali

__________________


Aircraftsman 1st Class

Status: Offline
Posts: 1
Date:
Permalink   

Hi Alisonjar,

I have just seen your posts on this forum. I think my father may have been at the same navigator training school as your father.  Mine was there Nov 6 1944 to Dec 15 1944.  I have his log book which shows date, aircraft type and no., pilot, duty and where they went on each flight, and some photos, if you're interested.  My Dad was posted to Burma after training, dropping supplies and doing air/sea rescue (I think). Unfortunately, he died in 1994 so I don't know much more than that.

Cheers,
Sam

__________________
Anonymous

Date:
Permalink   

Hi Sam.
Great to make contact with you.  I would be very interested in any info you have and I will send you any relevant photos of Malton etc.  What was your Dad's name?
You can contact me on alisonjardine@btinternet.com
Look forward to hearing from you.
Ali

__________________
Andrew Harland

Date:
Permalink   

Vincent%2520Harland%2520airforce%2520training%2520in%2520Canada%25201944.jpg



__________________
Mieszko Syski

Date:
Permalink   

Hello everyone,

I have a copy of an airman's logbook who was in No. 1 AOS from July 26th 1943 to Dec. 1943. In this logbook he has "V3" as being "Anson 6837", possibly the same Anson as in the above photo.

Take care,

Mieszko



__________________
Anonymous

Date:
Permalink   

It Is Interesting To Do Such Excavations. I Would Also Be Interested In Doing Such Research, If Only In Order To Write A Research Paper Using The Site https://www.collegepaperworld.com/do-my-homework.html, Because The Topic Is Really Interesting.



__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse
Powered by ActiveBoard