James Stanley Scott

James Stanley Scott
Born February 18, 1889
Roberval, Quebec
Died July 19, 1975
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Allegiance  Canada
Service/branch Canada Royal Canadian Air Force
Years of service 1945
Rank Air Commodore
Battles/wars World War I
World War II
Awards Military Cross
Air Force Cross

Air Commodore James Stanley Scott (February 18, 1889 – July 19, 1975) MC AFC was a leading figure in the pre-World War II Royal Canadian Air Force and a Royal Flying Corps officer during World War I.

Career

Scott was born in Roberval, Quebec in 1889 and graduated from Quebec High School.[1]

In March 1916 Scott was seconded from the Canadian Artillery to the Royal Flying Corps.[2] Only four months later in July 1916, while serving as a lieutenant, Scott was awarded the Military Cross for attacking a train well behind the German lines even through his aircraft was very badly damaged by enemy fire.[3] He transferred to the Royal Air Force in 1918 and after the Armistice he was awarded the Air Force Cross.[4]

After the War Scott returned to Canada, and after promotion to wing commander, he served as the Officer Commanding the Canadian Air Force from 1921 to 1922.[5] Two years later, Scott who was promoted to group captain again held the Air Force's senior post, this time as the Director of the Royal Canadian Air Force.[6] During this time he petitioned his superior Major-General J H MacBrien for permission for the Air Force to stop focussing on forestry and photography work in order to train as a fighting force. Scott's request was refused and he continued in post until 1928.[7]

On 1 April 1931, Scott was granted the honorary rank of air commodore.[8]

Scott left the RCAF and returned to duty in 1939 and served during World War II and retired in 1945.[1]

Scott died in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1975.[1]

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Air Force awards
  2. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30416. p. 12795. 4 December 1917. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  3. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29684. pp. 7429–7434. 25 July 1916. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  4. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31098. pp. 97–98. 31 December 1918. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  5. Goodspeed, Donald James (1967). The Armed Forces of Canada, 1867–1967: a century of achievement. Directorate of History, Canadian Forces Headquarters. p. 273.
  6. Flight Global
  7. Cameras take flight
  8. Honorary Ranks of the RCAF
Military offices
Preceded by
R F Redpath
Officer Commanding the Canadian Air Force
1921 - 1922
Succeeded by
J L Gordon
As Director
Preceded by
W G Barker
Director of the Royal Canadian Air Force
1924– 1928
Succeeded by
L S Breadner