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Annan, Douglas Bruce

Date of birth:
May 5th, 1917 (Hamilton/Ontario, Canada)
Date of death:
July 1990 (Oakville/Ontario, Canada)
Nationality:
Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

Biography

Service number J4554.

Douglas Annan graduated from Queen’s University, Kingston Ontario in 1940 with a Batchelor of Science degree in Metallurgy.
In September 1940 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and in March 1941, graduated as a pilot and was posted in England at No. 418 Squadron which was a Mosquito intruder unit.
Annan was discharged from the RCAF with the rank of Group Captain.
During 1950-55, Annan served as Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the Rt. Honorable Vincent Massey, the then Governor General of Canada. He retired from the industry as Senior Vice President, de Havilland Aircraft of Canada. From 1970-75 he was Alumni Chair, Queen’s University Capital Program and was a former member of Queen’s University Council.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No.13 Elementary Flying Training School
Awarded on:
June 2nd, 1943
Citation:
"This officer, as Chief Flying Instructor at this school, has fulfilled all his duties in a very satisfactory manner. He can be relied upon to carry through to completion the most difficult tasks. Flight Lieutenant Annan possesses organizing and administrative ability and has, at all times, been an outstanding flying instructor. He has completed 1,400 flying hours, 1,209 of which have been instructional."
King's/Queen's Commendation for valuable service in the air
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Squadron Leader
Unit:
No.13 Elementary Flying Training School (now No.3 Training Command)
Awarded on:
January 1st, 1944
King's/Queen's Commendation for valuable service in the air
Citation:
"This officer has completed 1,200 hours of flying of which 870 have been instructional. Employed as Chief Flying Instructor at this school, his ability to organize and lead and his outstanding devotion to duty have been extremely valuable to flying training. His unfailing zeal and efficiency have been an inspiration to all with whom he has come in contact."
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Wing Commander
Unit:
No. 418 (City of Edmonton) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
Awarded on:
September 14th, 1945
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Citation:
"Wing Commander Annan has completed a successful tour of operations during which he has made many telling attacks on the enemy. He has damaged one enemy aircraft, over fifty motor transport vehicles and eight trains. While in command of his squadron Wing Commander Annan has displayed outstanding eagerness to take part in operations. His untiring efforts have done much to maintain the high level of efficiency prevalent in the squadron."
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Squadron Leader
Unit:
No.13 Elementary Flying Training School
Awarded on:
January 1st, 1946
Air Force Cross (AFC)
Citation not available

Sources

  • - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36034 published on the 28 May 1943
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36310 published on the 31 December 1943
    - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37265 published on the 11 September 1945
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37408 published on the 28 December 1945
    - Air Force Association of Canada
    - Canada Veterans Hall of Valour

Photo