Wilfred Curtis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Wilfred Austin “Wilf” Curtis | |
|---|---|
| 21 August 1893 - 14 August 1977 | |
| Nickname | Wilf |
| Place of birth | Havelock, Ontario, Canada |
| Place of death | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Allegiance |  Canada |
| Service/branch |  Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1916-1919, 1933 - 1953 |
| Rank | Air Marshall, Chief of the Air Staff (Canada) |
| Unit | Royal Naval Air Service, No. 110 (Army Cooperation) Squadron |
| Awards | CB (1946), CBE (1943), OC (1967), DSC (1917)and Bar to DSC (1918), ED (1945), CD |
Air Marshal Wilfred Austin "Wilf" Curtis (August 21, 1893 - August 14, 1977) was a Canadian airman and Chief of the Air Staff from 1947 until 1953.
Contents |
[edit] Early Years
He was born in Havelock, Ontario, having received his early education in Toronto.
[edit] First World War
He then joined the infantry of the Canadian Army in 1915. He requested transfer and returned from overseas to take flying lessons at his own expense at the Curtiss Aviation School at Toronto, Ontario, graduating on August 11, 1916. Returning overseas that same year, he joined the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) as a fighter pilot.
In 1917 he was promoted to Captain and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) (DSC)[1] for his skill and courage. In 1918, Curtis was awarded a Bar to the DSC.[2] He proved his worth as a highly successful fighter pilot by shooting down 13 enemy aircraft confirmed, and 3 probable. He transferred to the Royal Air Force (RAF) in April of 1918, but relinquished his commission on account of ill health in June of 1919.
[edit] Inter-war
On his return to Canada he maintained his interest in military as well as civil aviation. During the late 1920s and early 1930s, he served as an officer in the Toronto Scottish Regiment Reserve. For some time there were no available non-permanent military aviation positions. However, when the opportunity presented itself in 1933, he became involved in the formation of No. 10 (Army Co-operation) Squadron. Curtis became Officer Commanding in 1935 and initiated experimental air operations in mid-northern Ontario.
[edit] Second World War
Wing Commander Curtis was called to active duty in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on September 1, 1939 and served with distinction in many capacities throughout the Second World War.
[edit] Post-war Years
The singular success that marks his air force career in wartime decisions was rewarded by his appointment in 1947 as Chief of Air Staff. In this appointment he guided the RCAF through the difficult stages of reorganization which followed the war and through the expansion of Canada's participation in the Korean War and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He received French, American and Italian decorations in recognition of his contributions. He remained Chief of the Air Staff until his retirement in January of 1953.
On his retirement from the RCAF he accepted the position of Vice-Chairman of Hawker Siddeley Canada, where he continued to have a substantial impact on the development of aviation in Canada. He always devoted time to other aviation concerns: was President of the RCAF Association for two years until he was appointed Grand President of that organization, founded and organized the Canadian National Air Show in 1939 and served as chairman of its scholarship fund and was appointed the Honorary Wing Commander of the No. 400 (City of Toronto) Squadron.
Other interests included the chairmanship of the committee that formed York University, of which he was elected Chancellor in 1960. He served as Chairman of the Canadian Opera Company and President of the Canadian Inter American Association.
The Air Marshal had a great interest in the development of the Canadian aircraft industry. During his term of office, he continually and successfully directed his efforts to secure money for experimental work on and production of a jet trainer and twin engine fighters, the CF-100 Canuck and the CF-105 Arrow suitable for interception operations in the northern Canadian climate. Early in the Cold War, he convinced the cabinet that the RCAF should make a major contribution to NATO. This resulted in a force of 12 F-86 Sabre squadrons being dispatched to Europe. This major contribution of 300 front line aircraft was the principal air defense force on that continent during the 1950s. He had a great interest in the development of the Canadian aircraft industry.
If there could be named a "Father of Canada's Post War Air Force", Wilfred Curtis would be the outstanding nominee. Through his drive, interpersonal skills, sense of humor, compassionate understanding of aviation and effective leadership, the RCAF became a well-knit, effective and efficient fighting force. He materially contributed to the glorious saga of Canada's military and industrial aviation accomplishments.
[edit] Awards & decorations
- Companion, Order of the Bath (C.B.) (1946)[3]
- Commander, Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.) (1943)[4]
- Distinguished Service Cross with bar (1917 & 1918)
- Efficiency Decoration (1945)
- Canadian Forces Decoration (C.D.)
- Order of Canada (O.C.) (1967)
- Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame (1973)
- Honorary Doctor of Laws from York University (LL.D.) (1968)
[edit] References
- ^ >London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30437, page 13318, 19 December 1917. Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30581, page 3395, 16 March 1918. Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
- ^ CRABE, FS William Eugene (R205588) - Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) - No
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36034, page 2480, 2 June 1943. Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
- Wilfred Austin Curtis. Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. Retrieved on April 7, 2005.
[edit] External links
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by R Leckie |
Chief of the Air Staff (RCAF) 1947 – 1953 |
Succeeded by C R Slemon |
| Academic offices | ||
| New title University established
|
Chancellor of York University 1959 – 1968 |
Succeeded by Floyd Chalmers |
