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Trainor, Hugh Charles "Charlie"

Date of birth:
July 17th, 1916 (Charlottetown/Prince Edward Island, Canada)
Date of death:
July 4th, 2004 (Stratford/Prince Edward Island, Canada)
Service number:
C.1697
Nationality:
Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

Biography

Career:
? - 1938: St. Dunstan’s College;
?: Law Student, Charlottetown;
February 16th, 1940: RCAF Moncton, New Brunswick;
June 17th, 1940 - October 5th, 1940: No. 1 Service Flying Training School, Camp Borden, Ontario;
November 22nd, 1940 - July 20th, 1941: Air Crew Instructor No. 1 Service Flying Training School, Camp Borden, Ontario;
July 31st, 1941 - November 26th, 1941: RCAF Station, Trenton, Ontario;
November 27th, 1941 - July 4th, 1942: Instructor No. 9 Service Flying Training School, RCAF Station, Moncton, New Brunswick;
July 5th, 1942 - Ocotber 23rd, 1942: Instructor No. 8 Service Flying Training School, RCAF Station, Summerside, Prince Edward Island;
November 6th, 1942: Great Britain;
November 17th, 1942 - January 4th, 1943: No. 17 (P) AFU;
January 4th, 1943 - March 23rd, 1943: No. 57 Operational Training Unit;
March 23rd, 1943 - May 5th, 1943: No. 402 Squadron;
May 5th, 1943 - September 28th, 1943: Flight Commander No. 411 (RCAF) Squadron, Redhill/Staplehurst;
September 28th, 1943 - November 30th, 1943: Instructor No. 41 Operational Training Unit;
December 1943 - July 26th, 1944: Flight Commander/Commanding Officer No. 411 (RCAF) Squadron, Biggin Hill/Beny-sur-Mer;
July 26th, 1944 - September 19th, 1944: Commanding Officer No. 401 Squadron;
September 19th, 1944: POW;
? - April 1945: Stalag Luft I, Barth;
?: Pilot Maritime Central Airways.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 411 (Grizzly Bear) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
Awarded on:
August 8th, 1944
Citation:
"Within a very short period, Flight Lieutenant Trainor has shot down 5, enemy aircraft. His successes are a fine tribute to his great skill and fighting qualities."
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Squadron Leader
Unit:
No. 401 (Ram) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
Awarded on:
October 3rd, 1944
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Citation:
"On many occasions recently, Squadron Leader Trainor has led the squadron on a variety of sorties and has displayed excellent tactical ability and great resolution. On one occasion a very superior number of enemy fighters were engaged and 8 of them were shot down, one of them by Squadron Leader Trainor who displayed great skill and determination throughout the fight. This officer has shot down at least 9 enemy aircraft."

Second DFC awarded in the form of a bar to be wonr on the ribbon of the first DFC.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Squadron Leader
Unit:
No. 401 (Ram) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
Awarded on:
December 1st, 1944
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Citation:
"Since being awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, this officer has led the squadron on many sorties, during which considerable success has been achieved. Within a period of three
weeks, some 385 enemy vehicles have been put out of action, many of thena by Squadron Leader Trainor. In addition 17 enemy aircraft were shot down, two of them by this gallant and relentless fighter. Throughput these operations, Squadron Leader Trainor displayed magnificent leadership, great determination and devotion to duty.'"
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded with overseas bar.
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (1939-1947)

Sources

  • - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 4th August 1944, Issue 36644, dated 8th August 1944
    - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 29th September 1944, Issue 36728, dated 3rd October 1944
    - Third Supplement to The london Gazette of 28th November 1944, Issue 36820, dated 1st December 1944
    - Hall of Valour - Temple Du Courage
    - Aces of World War II
    - Ciel de Gloire

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