Date of birth:

November 16th, 1910 (Westmount/Quebec, Canada)

Date of death:

February 22nd, 1978 (Montreal, Canada)

Service number:

C1327

Nationality:

Canadian

Promotions:
June 15th, 1942: Wing Commander;
January 1st, 1945: Group Captain;

Career:
1933: Montreal Light Aeroplane Club;
September 15th, 1939: Enlistment No. 115 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force;
?: Training Camp Borden;
1940 - 1941: No. 1 (C) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, Great Britain;
?: Squadron Leader No. 401 Squadron, Royal Air Force;
September 18th, 1940: Canada
September 1941: Squadron Leader No. 14 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force;
December 15th, 1941: Squadron Leader No. 111 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force;
June 15th, 1942: Commanding Officer Station Annette Island;
October 10th, 1942: Commanding Officer Station Boundary Bay;
December 30th, 1943 - March 1944: Commanding Officer No. 6 SFTS, Dunneville;
April 16th, 1944 - July 12th, 1944: Commanding Officer No. 144 Wing, Great Britain;
?: Accidents Investigation Officer Headquarters, No. 83 Group;
January 1st, 1945 - August 1945: Commanding Officer No. 143 Wing;
September 16th, 1945: Canada;
November 1947: Retirement RCAF;
1952 - 1977: President Nesbitt, Thompson and Co..

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 11th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 401 (Ram) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force

Awarded on:

September 23rd, 1941

Citation:
"This officer has displayed fine leadership and exceptional devotion to duty throughout a long period of active operations against the enemy. On a particular occasion in December, 1940, Squadron Leader Nesbitt led a section of aircraft over the sea for two hours without wireless assistance in extremely adverse weather conditions; visibility was practically nil. His judgment enabled the section eventually to land safely, although their petrol was practically exhausted, without loss to personnel. Squadron Leader Nesbitt has destroyed two enemy aircraft."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Group Captain

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1946

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Group Captain

Unit:

No. 143 Wing

Awarded on:

1946

Citation:
"Group Captain Nesbitt commanded No.143 Wing from January 194 to August 1945. He took over command while the Wing was at Eindhoven on the day on which the enemy made their daring attacks on the majority of the airfields in 2nd Tactical Air Force. From the day he took over, Group Captain Nesbitt displayed the greatest devotion to duty and, by his keenness and enthusiasm, imbued the finest fighting spirit into his Wing in their attacks against the enemy. His outstanding organizing ability and forceful personality played a most important part in this Wing's fighting efficiency. Group Captain Nesbitt invariably displayed inspiring leadership and outstanding gallantry."

Awarded 12 September 1947 as per AFRO 485/47 of that date and
Canada Gazette dated 20 September 1947.
Offer and citation communicated 9 December 1946 in letter from
Air Marshal Robert Leckie (Chief of Air Staff) to Minister of National Defence.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Group Captain

Awarded on:

1947

Received with silver star.
Award effective 12 September 1947 as per AFRO 485/47 of that date and Canada Gazette dated 20 September 1947.

• Photo 1: Wilco Vermeer
• - The London Gazette of 23rd September 1941, Issue 35283
  - Supplement to The London Gazette of 28th December 1945, Issue 37407, dated 1st January 1946
  - The Dutch Medals Page
  - Aces of World War II