Date of birth:

October 13th, 1917 (Brantford/Ontario, Canada)

Date of death:

July 9th, 2006

Nationality:

Canadian

Servicenumber J.11211.

Bob Gillin attended McMaster University and Teacher's College before he signed up to serve in 1941. He trained as an Air Observer in Canada from July 28, 1941 and completed his training as Navigator B at the School of G.R. Harrogate, Yorkshire, England in July of 1942. Bob's Log Book indicates that he flew from 17/11/42 and his last entry is dated 15/5/45. He was stationed at the RAF Station, Waterloo, Sierra Leone, Karachi, India, Vavuniya, Ceylon, and Kharagpur, India. He flew with 200 Squadron, RAF, 217 Squadron, RAF and 31 Squadron, RAF.

After returning home in the fall of 1945, Bob Gillin returned to his teaching career at Brantford Collegiate Institute in Brantford, Ontario. He married Joyce Alderson on July 13, 1946 and resided in Brantford for many years. His career teaching English and French in Brantford secondary schools continued until 1969 when he accepted a position as a consultant with the Ontario Ministry of Education in London, Ontario, Canada. Bob retired in the early 1980's. Bob (died July 9, 2006) and Joyce (died June 27, 1992) Gillin had two daughters, and two grandsons.

Career:
28th July 1941: Entered service No. 4A Manning Depot;
1st September 1941 - 7th October 1941: No. 3 ITS;
25th October 1941: No. 10 AOS;
30th January 1942 - 14th March 1942: No. 1 BGS;
14th March 1942 - 13th April 1942: No. 2 ANS;
14th April 1942: "Y" Depot;
8th May 1942: RAF overseas;
? : No. 217 Squadron;
?: No. 31 Squadron;
5th September 1945: repatriated to Canada;
22nd October 1945: honorable discharge.

Promotions:
7th October 1941: Leading Aircraftman;
14th March 1942: Sergeant;
13th October 1942: Flying Officer;
13th April 1944: Flight Lieutenant.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 31 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

November 6th, 1945

Citation:
"This officer has taken part in a large number of operational missions. These include the 1st Chindit operation, the siege of Imphal and supply dropping to the Fifth and Seventh Indian Divisions in the Arakan. He is a navigator of outstanding ability whose courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds has been a source of inspiration to the other members of his squadron."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Received with overseas bar.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Jennifer Day
• - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 2nd November 1945, Issue 37337, dated 6th November 1945
  - Canadian National Telegram: announcement of RC125 66 DL GB RCAF Ottawa Ont. 24 1241P FLight LT R C Gillin DFC
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