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Re: Flt Sgt S C Cosburn & Flt Lt E L Neal, 401 Sqn
https://www.rcafassociation.ca/herit...d_all&type=all
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COSBURN, P/O Stanley Cyril (J15709) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.401 Squadron - Award effective 6 December 1942 as per London Gazette dated 15 January 1943 and AFRO 232/43 dated 12 February 1943. Born in Calgary, 19 August 1914. Attended King Edward School, Calgary, 1928-1929 (Diploma), Institute of Technology and Art (1930-1934 (Auto mobile Engineering and Machine Shop), and Commercial High School (1935-1936, business course). Home in West Calgary; enlisted Calgary, 29 July 1939 as Aero Engine Mechanic. To No.10 (BR) Squadron, 23 September 1939. Promoted LAC, 19 April 1940. Promoted Corporal, 1 November 1940. Remustered to aircrew, reverted to AC2 and posted to No.1 ITS, 12 February 1941; graduated and regained LAC rank, 16 March 1941 when posted to No.7 EFTS; may have graduated 4 May 1941 but not posted to No.1 SFTS until 16 May 1941; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 30 July 1941 Posted next day to Embarkation Depot. To RAF overseas, 23 August 1941. To No.53 OTU, 16 September 1941. To No.401 Squadron, 25 November 1941. Commissioned 11 July 1942. To Station Kenley, 8 January 1943 (Staff Pilot). Promoted Flying Officer, 11 January 1943. Repatriated on medical grounds (duodenal ulcers), 12 May 1943. Graded fit for flying in Canada only. Noted that he had flown 425 hours on Spitfires. Originally he was to tour Canadian training units, but as of 13 July 1943 he was excused this as arrangements have been made for another decorated Fighter Pilot to proceed.” To No.1 OTU, Bagotville, 17 July 1943. To Western Air Command, 26 May 1944. To No.135 (Fighter) Squadron, 5 June 1944. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 August 1944. Early in September 1945 he applied unsuccessfully to be commissioned in the postwar RCAF, To Patricia Bay, 11 September 1945. To No.8 Release Centre, 9 December 1945. Retired 12 May 1946. Died in San Diego, California, 23 February 1987. Invested with award by King George 6 April 1943. Credited with the following victories: 3 June 1942, one Me.108 destroyed (shared with another pilot); 5 June 1942, one FW.190 damaged; 19 August 1942, two Do.217s damaged; 2 October 1942, one FW.190 damaged; 11 December 1942, one FW.190 destroyed; 12 December 1942, one FW.190 damaged. // During the past year Pilot Officer Cosburn has participated in numerous operational sorties. He has proved himself to be a courageous and skilful fighter and has destroyed one enemy aircraft, shared in the destruction of another and damaged others. He has at all times set an inspiring example of enthusiasm and determination. // Application for Operational Wing: Submitted 2 February 1944 with the following sortie list: // 13 December 1941 - Convoy Patrol, Thames Estuary (1.30) // 28 December 1941 - Convoy Patrol, Thames Estuary (1.25) // 2 January 1942- Convoy Patrol, Thames Estuary (1.40) // 9 January 1942 - Convoy Patrol, Thames Estuary (1.45) // 13 January 1942- Convoy Patrol, Thames Estuary (1.30) // 30 January 1942- Convoy Patrol, Thames Estuary (1.00) // 8 February 1942 - Convoy Patrol, Thames Estuary (1.20) // 10 February 1942 - Convoy Patrol, Thames Estuary (1.05) // 12 February 1942 - Bomber Escort, Gneisenau and Scharnhorst - English Channel (2.10) // 13 February 1942 - Scramble over Canterbury (1.35) // 13 February 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (45 minutes) // 24 February 1942 - - Fighter Sweep, France (1.20) // 1 March 1942 - Convoy patrol, Thames Estuary (1.40) // 3 March 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (1.15_ // 9 March 1942 - Bomber Escort, Lens (1.30) // 13 March 1942 - Bomber Escort, Lille (1.45) // 23 March 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (1.30) // 24 March 1942 - Bomber Escort, Abbeville (1.20) // 27 March 1942 - Ramrod, Ostend (1.30) // 29 March 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (1.25) // 4 April 1942 - Bomber Escort, St. Omer, (1.50) // 8 April 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (1.15) // 10 April 1942 - Air/Sea Rescue, English Channel (1.25) // 12 April 1942 - Convoy Patrol, Thames Estuary (1.30) // 12 April 1942 - Air/Sea Rescue, English Channel (2.00) // 12 April 1942 - Air/Sea Rescue, English Channel (1.35) // 13 April 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (1.20) // 19 April 1942 - Convoy Patrol, Thames Estuary (1.50) // 19 April 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (1.10) // 24 April 1942 - Escort for Hurricane Bombers, France (1.30) // 25 April 1942 - Escort for Bostons, France (1.40) // 28 April 1942 - Escort for Hurricane Bombers, France (1.20) // 28 April 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (1.40) // 29 April 1942 - Fighter Sweep, Le Havre (1.40) // 30 April 1942 - Bomber Escort, Le Havre (1.50) // 1 May 1942 - Bomber Escort (45 minutes) // 1 May 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (1.45) // 3 May 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (1.25) // 3 May 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (1.30) // 4 May 1942 - Bomber Escort, France (1.55) // 6 May 1942 - Bomber Escort, Le Havre (1.55) // 6 May 1942 - Bomber Escort, Boulogne (1.45) // 9 May 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (1.25) // 9 May 1942 - Convoy Patrol, English Channel (1.15) // 16 May 1942 - Convoy Patrol, English Channel (1.15) // 17 May 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (1.30) // 17 May 1942 - Air/Sea Rescue, English Channel (1.45) // 17 May 1942 - Air/Sea Rescue, English Channel (1.35) // 18 May 1942 - Fighter Sweep, Dieppe (1.20) // 19 May 1942 - Fighter Sweep, Le Havre (1.25) // 19 May 1942 - Air/Sea Rescue, English Channel (1.05) // 23 May 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (1.20) // 24 May 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (50 minutes) // 25 May 1942 - Patrol, Hastings (1.00) // 25 May 1942 - Patrol (1.25) // 27 May 1942 - Fighter Sweep, Dieppe and Fecamp (1.25) // 29 May 1942 - Fighter Sweep, Ostend and St, Omer (1.10) // 29 May 1942 - Patrol (1.20) // 29 May 1942 - Patrol (30 minutes) // 30 May 1942 - Fighter Sweep, Fecamp (1.25) // 2 June 1942 - Fighter Sweep, Le Touquet and Abbeville (1.15) // 2 June 1942 - Fighter Sweep, France (1.35) // 3 June 1942 - Bomber Escort, Le Treport (1.20) // 5 June 1942 - Fighter Sweep, Abbeville (1.30) // 14 June 1942 - Convoy Patrol (1.20) // 14 June 1942 - Convoy Patrol (1.30) // 14 June 1942 - Convoy Patrol (1.30) // 17 June 1942 - Fighter Sweep, Abbeville and Le Toquet (1.20) // 20 June 1942 - Fighter Sweep, St, Omer (1.30) // 21 June 1942 - Convoy Patrol (1.40) // 26 June 1942 - Sweep, Abbeville (1.35) // 26 June 1942 - Patrol (1.30) // 12 July 1942 - Bomber Escort, Abbeville (1.20) // 15 July 1942 - Rhubarb Cover, Dieppe (1.25) // 19 July 1942 - Cover for Bostons, Le Touquet (1.20) // 20 July 1942 - Rhubarb, Le Touquet (1.15) // 21 July 1942 - Rhubarb Escort, Ostende (1.20) // 21 July 1942 - Patrol (1.20) // 22 July 1942 - Convoy Patrol (1.30) // 22 July 1942 - Convoy Patrol (1.30) // 26 July 1942 - Sweep, St. Omer (1.25) // 11 August 1942 - Patrol (1.30) // 17 August 1942 - Fortress Escort, Rouen (1.25) // 19 August 1942 - Fortress Escort, Abbeville, Dieppe (1.50) // 19 August 1942 - Top Cover, Convoy, Dieppe (1.15) // 20 August 1942 - Fortress Escort, Amiens (1.30) // 21 August 1942 - Fortress Escort, Rotterdam (1.40( // 24 August 1942 - Fortress Escort, Le Havre (1.45\) // 26 August 1942 - Patrol (1.10) // 27 August 1942 - Patrol (1.10) // 27 August 1942 - Fortress Escort, Rotterdam (1.45) // 2 September 1942 - Patrol (1.10) // 3 September 1942 - Air Sea Rescue (1.10) // 5 September 1942 - Fortress Escort, Rouen (1.35) // 6 September 1942 - Fortress Escort, Meaulte (1.35) // 7 September 1942 - Fortress Escort, Rotterdam (1.45) // 16 September 1942 - Sweep with Lightnings (1.30) // 17 September 1942 - Patrol (1.10) // 19 September 1942 - Scamble (50 minutes) // 19 September 1942 - Scramble (35 minutes) // 1 October 1942 - Patrol (1.15) // 2 October 1942 - Patrol (1.30) // 2 October 1942 - Fortress Escort, Meaulte (1.50) // 6 October 1942 - Patrol (1.40) // 9 October 1942 - Fortress Escort, Lille (1.15) // 10 October 1942 - Patrol (1.30) // 11 October 1942 - Sweep (1.25) // 18 October 1942 - Patrol (1.45) // 18 October 1942 - Patrol (1.35) // 19 October 1942 - Patrol (1.20) // 21 October 1942 - Fortress Escort (35 minutes) // 25 October 1942 - Sweep, Gravelines (1.05) // 27 October 1942 - Patrol (1.30) // 27 October 1942 - Sweep, Hardlot to Fecamp (1.20) // 30 October 1942 - Patrol (1.30) // 31 October 1942 - Scramble (1.00) // 2 November 1942 - Sweep, Somme Estuary (1.30) // 6 November 1942 - Sweep, Caen (1.30) // 8 November 1942 - Fortress Escort, Lille (1.40) // 9 November 1942 - Patrol off Dover (1.25) // 9 November 1942 - Sweep, Ambleteuse (1.20) // 10 November 1942 - Sweep, Le Havre (1.30) // 4 December 1942 - Rodeo, Lille (1.00) // 4 December 1942 - Sweep, France (1.25) // 4 December 1942 - Patrol (45 minutes) // 5 December 1942 - Patrol (1.35) // 6 December 1942 - Patrol (40 minutes) // 7 December 1942 - Circus, Lille (1.40) // 11 December 1942 - Patrol (45 minutes) // 12 December 1942 - Rodeo, Rouen (1.55) // 13 December 1942 - Patrol (1.15) // 14 December 1942 - Sweep, Beauvais (1.25) // 14 December 1942 - Sweep, Cap Gris Nez (1.05) // 15 December 1942 - Patrol (1.15) // 17 December 1942 - Patrol (1.30) // 20 December 1942 - Escort, Beauvais (1.45) // 23 December 1942 - Sweep, Cherbourg (1.30) // 25 December 1942 - Patrol (1.35) // 31 December 1942 - Sweep, Dunkirk-St, Omer (1.20) // 2 January 1943 - Bomber Escort, Cherbourg (1.35) // Training: As of 31 December 1940, when remustering to aircrew, he stated he had Private Pilots License No..3821 issued 15 November 1940, having flown 10.05 dual and 10.15 solo on DH.60 Moths. With No.10 (BR) Squadron, as passenger, he had flown 100 hours in Digby aircraft and 20 hours in Wapiti. “Apparently suitable for training as a pilot; has been strongly recommended by his former Officer Commanding.” ( W/C W.W. Brown, No.8 SFTS). // Course at No.1 ITS was 1 February to 14 March 1941. Courses in Mathematics (58/100), Armament, practical and oral (91/100), Signals (98/100), Hygiene and Sanitation (36/40), Drill (80/100), and Law and Discipline (50/60). Placed 140th in a class of 208. “Average material. Originally enlisted as aero-engine mechanic. One year eight months in service; six years with Royal Canadian Engineers; ten hours solo flying time. Needs prodding occasionally,” // Course at No.7 EFTS was 17 March to 4 May 1941. Fleet Finch (27.55 dual, 33.00 solo; spent 5.30 on instruments; logged ten hours in Link. Rated average with no outstanding faults. Ground courses in Airmanship (110/200_. Airframes (72/100), Aero Engines (63/100), Signal, practical (89/100), Theory of Flight (71/100), Air Navigation (149/200), and Armament, oral (141/200). Graded 158/200 in Qualities as NCO. Placed 15th in a class of 26. “Conduct satisfactory. Ability average.” // Course at No.1 SFTS was 16 May to 30 July 1941. Flew Yale and Harvard 36.45 day dual, 41.05 day solo, 3.15 night dual, 6.45 night solo. Logged 18.10on instruments and 19 hours on Link. “Has made satisfactory progress to finish an average pilot.” Ground courses in Airmanship and Airframes (160/200), Armament, written (54/100). Armament, practical (70/100), Navigation and Meteorology (140/200), Signals, written (46/100, then 78/100 on supplemental) and Signals, practical (42/50). Placed 54th in a class of 57. // Course at No.53 Operational Training Unit was 16 September to 18 November 1941. Flew 3.55 dual, 47.45 solo including 4.30 on instruments and 15.20 in formation. Also logged three hours in Link. Fired 800 rounds air-to-ground. Graded “Average” in all categories - Natural Aptitude, Skill in Landing, Airmanship, Aerobatics, Cockpit Drill, Instrument Flying, Formation Flying and Map Reading. The following points were noted under “Distinctive Qualities”: // Persistence: Does he keep on trying or is he easily discouraged ? (Average) // Sense of Responsibility: Has be common sense or is he over-confident ? (Above average). // Endurance: Does he put up a consistently satisfactory performance under conditions of strain ? (Average) // Leadership: Has he taken the lead in any activities ? Would he make a good captain of aircraft or Flight leader ? (Above Average). // Method: Does he work systematically to a plan ? (Average). // Deliberation: Does he act decisively for reasons or on impulse ? (Average) // Initiative: Does he want to try things on his own ? (Average) // Dash: Is he quick and decisive in action ? (Average). // Distribution of Attention: Does he find it difficult to do more than one thing at a time ? (Average) // Self-Control: Does he get flustered ? (Average). // General Assessment of Suitability as Operational Pilot: (Average) // Attended No.1528 Beam Approach Training Flight, 12-16 October 1942. Flew 10.05 plus 2.15 in Link. “His beam procedure was quite fair throughout the course, but his height wandered a fair amount. His approaches were quite good but his height was erratic and he does not correct enough.” // Assessments: On 12 February 1941, at No.8 SFTS, as Aero Engine Mechanic, his work was described as “Overhaul of air-cooled aero engines”. Noted that he had an excelled knowledge of these. “Has the ability to direct maintenance work or any work he is put in charge of doing.” // “This officer has been second in command of a Flighty since his arrival ere and has shown himself to be an above the average organizer, worker and pilot. He is highly recommended for promotion immediately.” (S/L F.B. Foster, No.1 OTU, Bagotville, 21 December 1943). // “This officer has been a Flight commander overseas and at No.1 OTU for wight months. His experience and knowledge of operations, etc is invaluable to this unit. His past record is excellent and is highly regarded by all. He is conscientious and a hard worker and his present responsibilities demand this promotion.” (F/L A.E. Harley, No.135 Squadron, 6 July 1944). // RCAF Press Release No.1130 dated December 1942, transcribed by Huguette Oates, reads: // Pilot Officer Stanley C. “Slim” Cosburn of Calgary, veteran of more than eighty Spitfire sweeps over enemy territory, marked New Year’s Day of 1943 – his second new year in Britain – by putting up the purple and white ribbon of the Distinguished Flying Cross under his pilot’s wings. // A former aero engine mechanic who became an air-gunner and later remustered to pilot, Cosburn flies with a Canadian Spitfire squadron commanded by Squadron Leader Keith Hodson, DFC, of London, Ontario. Another DFC winner in the same unit is Flight Lieutenant G.B. “Scotty” Murray of Halifax. Cosburn has taken part in a number of notable operations since he joined his present squadron, the only one he has flown with since leaving his operational Training Unit. // His first “do” came on the day the German warships Scharnhorst and Gneisneau ran the English Channel. The squadron had gone out to look for enemy fighter planes protecting the fleeing warships but, in the fog and cloud, they failed to spot any German aircraft. They did see some enemy warships, however, which threw a lot of flak at them as they flew over. Later, he was with the Squadron when it made the first escort trips over enemy territory with United States Flying Fortresses, Bostons and Fightnings. The squadron also was the first to fly as far as Rotterdam protecting the Fortresses and Cosburn took part in this show. He also took part in the squadron’s operations at Dieppe last August. // Inside France near Calias, they spotted the transport, an Me108 and dived down on it, firing as they went. Both pilots observed their fire hit home and watched the machine dive straight into the ground a moment. Afterwards, it was learned that the machine had carried Hahn, who held the Knight’s Insignia of the Iron Cross, an award given only to pilots who have destroyed twenty aircraft, or sunk 100,000 tons of shipping or five destroyers. // Cosburn enlisted in the RCAF in July 1939 as an aero engine mechanic, at Calgary and was later transferred to Halifax where he took an air gunner’s course, training in Wapitis. In his dual capacity, he took part in coastal patrols in Digbys along the eastern seaboard. In his spare time, he took flying lessons at the Halifax Aero Club, flying Gipsy Moths, and in the summer of 1940, gained his private license. // He remustered in February of 1941 and went to Initial Training School at Toronto, then Elementary Flying School at Windsor, Ontario, and Service Flying at Camp Borden where he graduated July 30, 1941. The following month, he went overseas to O.T.U before joining his present squadron where he received his commission in July, 1942. Since joining the squadron, he has served under three commanding officers. // During his total of almost 200 hours of operational flying, he has accounted for an official score of 1½ enemy machines destroyed and five damaged. He was credited with half an aircraft destroyed when he and F/L Neal knocked down the transport bearing Hahn, and with one destroyed when he recently shot down an FW190 off the English coast. On that occasion, Cosburn surprised the FW pilot completely as he dived on him, firing his entire supply of ammunition. Smoke was pouring from the German machine as it dived into the channel. // Cosburn was born in Calgary 28 years ago and attended school there before taking up automotive engineering and welding, which occupied him prior to his enlistment in the RCAF
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https://www.newspapers.com/article/c...eps/179489113/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/t...c-c/179489906/
https://www.rcafassociation.ca/herit...d_all&type=all
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NEAL, F/L Eugene Lawrence (C1640) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.401 Squadron - Award effective 28 May 1942 as per London Gazette dated 29 May 1942 and AFRO 880-881/42 dated 12 June 1942. Born 1917 in Millihochet, Maine. Home in Beauharnois, Quebec; formerly in Canadian Army; enlisted in Quebec, 29 January 1940. Qualified as service pilot at No.1 SFTS, 10 October 1940 and appointed Flying Officer. Attached to RAF, 17 October 1940. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 12 November 1941. Repatriated via No.31 Personnel Depot, 27 July 1942. To No.1 OTU, 31 July 1942. To No.130 (Fighter) Squadron, 31 October 1942. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 November 1942. To RAF overseas, 4 January 1943. Invested at Buckingham Palace, 11 May 1943. Repatriated 24 January 1944. To Western Air Command, 10 March 1944. To War Staff College, 13 June 1944. To “Y” Depot, 21 September 1944. Taken on strength of No.3 PRC, 4 October 1944. Repatriated 3 September 1945. Retired 11 October 1945. Died at Pierrefonds, Quebec, 22 August 1997. RCAF photo PL-4483 (ex UK-215) shows him standing on wing of his aircraft, “ready to take off at a moment’s notice to protect the drome in case of enemy attack.” PL-4485 (ex UK-218) shows him sitting on wing of his aircraft talking to armourer, Corporal Bill Gunn of Toronto. RCAF photo PL-15870 (ex UK-4018 dated 14 May 1943) shows F/L H.W.J. Stewart and S/L E. “Jeep” Neal at Buckingham Palace after investiture. RCAF photo PL-44770 (ex UK-22158 dated 16 June 1945) shows him as Squadron Leader, serving as personnel counsellor on continent, standing in front of bombed Gestapo Headquarters in Copenhagen. PL-45357 (ex UK-22154 dated 16 June 1945) with two Danish police officers, also at site of bombed Gestapo Headquarters. This officer has proved himself to be a skilful and determined pilot. he has participated in sweeps, convoy patrols and other operations. Throughout he has displayed great keenness and set an inspiring example. On one occasion his aircraft was very extensively damaged by enemy fire; despite this he skilfully landed it in a field. On another occasion after several combats and when running short of petrol he was forced to leave his aircraft by parachute whilst over the sea. He was rescued some two hours later. He has destroyed a Messerschmitt 109 and assisted in the destruction of another. RCAF Press Release 2458 dated 30 July 30, 1942 reads: The comic strip character, ‘Eugene the Jeep’, which is credited with fathoming the unfathomable and discerning the indiscernible, has provided Squadron Leader Eugene Lawrence Neal, DFC, of 159 Bergmont Avenue, Quebec city, Quebec, with the nickname by which he is universally known, “Jeep”. A graduate in science of Queen’s University at Kingston,, Ontario, S/L “Jeep” Neal is a member of the Goldfish Club, which does not mean he became addicted as a university graduate to the American college sport of swallowing goldfish. Members of the Goldfish Club are fliers whose lives were saved by the use of the rubber dinghy carried in aircraft for emergency use over the sea. S/L “Jeep” Neal qualified for membership in the summer of 1942 when his Spitfire ran short of gasoline after several combats with enemy craft over France. He baled out of his Spit, (thereby becoming eligible also for membership in the Caterpillar Club), and clambered into his dinghy from which he was rescued two hours later. This “skilful and determined pilot,” his DFC citation said, has shown “Great keenness and has set an inspiring example” since he first joined a Canadian fighter squadron in the autumn of 1940. After 88 sweeps over enemy territory and many low-level attacks, Squadron Leader Neal was sent home to Canada on leave in July of 1942 with a flying record of 600 fighter hours, nearly 250 of them on operations. On one of these “ops”, he shot down an outstanding pilot of the Luftwaffe who was a confidante of both Hitler and Goering, Oberleutnant Joachim Hahn, a German staff officer who had won the Knight’s Insignia of the Iron Cross which is given a German flier after he had destroyed 20 of his enemies’ fighters. Nearing the end of his leave in Canada, Squadron Leader Neal was married in Montreal. The wedding was New Year’s Eve and three days later, he was over the Atlantic flying back to his Britain-based squadron. He marked his 26th birthday with his fighter-friends July 13.
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https://www.newspapers.com/article/t...own/179489533/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/t...e-n/179489703/
Last edited by alieneyes1; 23rd August 2025 at 00:14.
Reason: added obituaries
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22nd August 2025, 12:25
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