Photo Caption
08/01/44 Flying Officer Dave Taylor DFC, left and Squadron Leader Jim Stewart DFC, (Distinguished Flying Cross) of Montreal Quebec. Are interrogated by Section Officer Sally Morton, Gore Bay, Ontario. One of the few W.D. (Women's Divison) Intelligence officers engaged in interrogation. The men raided Stuttgart with the Moose Squadron of Royal Canadian Air Force Bomber Group Overseas. S/L Stewart is wearing the Stewart Tartan scarf which he takes with him on all trips.
Photo source RCAF/DND Archives Canada
S/L James Stewart DFC
After completing his Tour at 419 Squadron at August 8 1944, with rank of Acting Squadron Leader he was posted to No.1659 HCU with rank with full rank of Squadron Leader.
A point of interest about this operation was the fact that F/L Stewart's aircraft,
VR-Y, carried 14,000 pounds of bombs, representing by far the
heaviest load carried by anyone aircraft out of station Middleton St. George
S/L James Stewart DFC description
STEWART, S/L James Gardner (J10959) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.419 Squadron - Award effective 22 August 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2274/44 dated 20 October 1944. Born in Montreal, 4 November 1921. Attended McGill for one year. Enlisted in Montreal, 10 May 1940. Trained at No.1 ITS (graduated 21 June 1940), No.4 EFTS (graduated 31 August 1940) and No.2 SFTS (graduated 25 October 1940). Went overseas, 2 June 1943. Invested with award by King George VI, 11 August 1944. Died at Lac Brule, Quebec, 19 June 1996.
F/L David Robb Taylor's DFC
The Regina native enlisted on May 30 1941. He had prior to his RCAF enlistment served with the Royal Canadian Army as a member of the Regina Riles.
After his time at Manning Depot he was posted to No.4 ITS. His Pilot training began at No. 5 EFTS then at No.3 SFTS. He then transferred to Bomb Aimer training, which began at No.4 AOS, then No.4 BGS and No .ANS. Graduating in July of 1942.
He received his Commission in 1942.
He served as B/A for the Squadron's Commander W/C Wilbur Pleasance DFC .
Postwar he served as a diplomat until retirement. He passed away on April 16 1988 in Ottawa.
F/L David Robb Taylor's DFC description
This officer has completed 30 bombing operations against the enemy and has always shown the highest courage and devotion to duty. On precision targets his bombing accuracy has been remarkable, he having secured no less than seven photographs plotted within 400 yards of the aiming point. On heavily defended targets, Flight Lieutenant Taylor has shown the greatest coolness and courage, and has invariably given his pilot instructions in a calm voice while insisting on a steady run over the target. On 28th January 1944, while attacking Berlin, he insisted on making a second orbit to ensure accurate bombing.
Flight Lieutenant Taylor's cheerfulness and coolness in moments of danger have been a great inspiration to the rest of the crew and I consider his unflagging zeal and contempt of danger fully merits the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
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