Date of birth:

November 23rd, 1917 (Brandon, Manitoba)

Date of death:

June 7th, 1995 (Ottawa/Ontario, Canada)

Service number:

39693/C.89500, RAF/RCAF

Nationality:

Canadian

Sproule, joined the R.A.F. in March, 1937. Before that he had received his first flying lessons at the Brandon Flying Club. He was placed with the No. 58 Squadron at Boscome Down in November 1937. The squadron then flew with Armstrong Whitley bombers. Sproule took part in the first raid on Germany at night on September 3rd 1939.

After some time being placed as a Specialist Navigation Instructor at St Athans (Wales) and Port Albert (Ontario), he started Trans Atlantic and Middle East flights with No. 24 Squadron, that flew Bostons as of Jan 1944.

Posted to 575 Sqn (Dakotas) on 2 Feb 1944.

During D-Day he acted as Second in Command of the Airborne Invasion with No. 48 Squadron that also flew Dakota’s, pulling gliders. Posted to 48 Sqn as Commanding Officer on 16 July 1944.

He was shot down on 21 August 1944 while CO of 48 Sqn. Suffered minor injuries, flak fragment in leg. Ammunition resupply mission to Polish forces near Falaise.

In 1944 he was transferred from the RAF to the RCAF (Service number 89500). Posted to 437 Sqn as Commanding Officer on 14 September 1944.
As Commander of this squadron he also took part in the Rhine Crossing on March 24th 1945.

Served in post war RCAF, achieved rank of Group Captain, retired in 1968.

Promotions:
May 9th, 1937: Acting Pilot Officer;
Match 8th, 1938: Pilot Officer;
September 8th, 1939: Flying Officer;
September 8th, 1940: Flight Lieutenant;
December 1st, 1941: temporary Squadron Leader;

Career:
October 4th, 1944: Transfer RAF to RCAF.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Unit:

No. 48 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

October 20th, 1944

Citation:
“One morning in August 1944, Wing Commander Sproule led his squadron on a vital supply mission to France. While over the target his aircraft was hit by light anti- aircraft fire in many places. Although the aircraft had sustained much damage and the rudder was useless, a course was set for a landing ground which was safely reached. Almost as the aircraft touched down it collided against a tree.
Even so, a successful crash landing was effected. This officer displayed exceptional skill and great determination in the face of most adverse circumstances.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Wing Commander

Unit:

No. 437 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force

Awarded on:

July 31st, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With "France and Germany" clasp.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With "Overseas Service" bar

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Robert Sproule
• - MEIJER, H.G., Bronzen Leeuw, Bronzen Kruis, De Bataafsche Leeuw, Amsterdam, 1990.
  - The London Gazette of 25th May 1937, Issue 34401
  - The London Gazette of 15th March 1938, Issue 34493
  - The London Gazette of 14th November 1939, Issue 34733
  - The London Gazette of 22nd October 1940, Issue 34976
  - The London Gazette of 16th December 1941, Issue 35383
  - Fifth Supplement to The Lonfon Gazette of 17th October 1944, Issue 36756, dated 20th October 1944
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 10th November 1944, Issue 36792, dated 14th November 1944
  - Ninth Supplement to The London Gazette of 28th December 1945, Issue 37415, dated 1st January 1946
  - Allison, L., Canadians in the Royal Air Force, Roland, MB, Les Allison, 1978
  - Coughlin, T, The Dangerous Sky, Toronto, The Ryerson Press, 1969
  - Royal Canadian Air Force
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