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Tatler, Harold John Mason

    Date of birth:
    April 24th, 1917 (Saskatoon/Saskatchewan, Canada)
    Date of death:
    January 15th, 2009 (Saskatoon/Saskatchewan, Canada)
    Service number:
    R.87495 / J.22983
    Nationality:
    Canadian

    Biography

    Harold John Mason Tatler joined the R.C.A.F. on March 7th, 1941 and remained in Canada as a Flight Instructor and a Squadron Commander until he was sent ''overseas'' in July 1944. He served with several Fighter Reconnaissance Squadrons until his repatriation back to Canada and release on September 21st, 1945.

    Promotions:
    March 7th, 1941: Aircraftman 2nd Class;
    July 27th, 1941: Leading Aircraftman;
    December 5th, 1941: Flight Sergeant;
    April 12th, 1942: Warrant Officer 2nd Class;
    November 17th, 1942: Pilot Officer;
    July 1st, 1943: Flying Officer;
    October 1st, 1943: Flight Lieutenant.

    Career:
    1932-1935: Saskatoon Technical Collegiate;
    1935-1941: CNR;
    March 7th, 1941: RCAF Recruitment Center, Saskatoon;
    April 22nd, 1941: No. 2 Manning Depot RCAF, Brandon;
    May 4th, 1941: No. 33 Service Flying Training School RCAF, Carberry
    June 9th, 1941: No. 2 Initial Training School RCAF, Regina;
    July 27th, 1941: No. 14 Elementary Flying Training School RCAF, Portage-La-Prairie;
    September 13th, 1941: No. 11 Service Flying Training School RCAF, Yorkton;
    December 7th, 1941: No. 1 Flying Instructors' School RCAF, Trenton;
    May 3rd, 1942: Instructor, No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School RCAF, Stanley;
    November 17th, 1942: Training Officer, No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School RCAF;
    October 1st, 1943: Flight Commander, No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School RCAF;
    January 1st, 1944: Flight Commander, No. 35 Elementary Flying Training School RCAF, Neepawa;
    January 30th, 1944: Squadron Commander, No. 26 Elementary Flying Training School RCAF, Neepawa;
    July 28th, 1944: No. 1 "Y" Depot RCAF, Lachine;
    August 10th, 1944: No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre RCAF, Bournemouth;
    December 28th, 1944: 5 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit RAF, Tern Hill;
    March 22nd, 1945: Pilot, No. 541 Squadron Photo Reconnaissance Unit RAF, Benson;
    April 10th, 1945: Pilot, No. 41 Fighter Reconnaissance Wing Operational Training Unit RAF, Chilbolton;
    June 14th, 1945: Pilot, No. 51 Night Fighter Operational Training Unit RAF, Cranfield;
    July 23rd, 1945: "R" Depot RCAF, Torquay);
    August 1st, 1945: RAF Station Yarmouth.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Flight Sergeant
    Unit:
    RCAF
    Awarded on:
    December 5th, 1941
    Pilot's Flying Badge
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Flight Lieutenant
    Awarded on:
    January 15th, 1944

    "Overseas" clasp awarded on 21 September 1945
    Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (1939-1947)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    September 21st, 1945
    RCAF Reserve Badge
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1949
    1939-1945 Star
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1949
    France and Germany Star
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1949
    Defence Medal 1939-1945
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1949
    War Medal 1939-1945
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Flight Lieutenant
    Unit:
    RAF
    Awarded on:
    December 28th, 1944
    Flying Badge

    Sources

    • Photo 1: Fred Tatler
    • - Library and Archives Canada - 395 Wellington St., Ottawa ONT. K1A 0N4
      - Veteran Affairs Canada - Honor and Awards - 66 Slater St. Ottawa, ONT. K1A 0P4
      - Royal Canadian Air Force Officers 1939-1945

    Photo