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No.403 Sqn RCAF

Name : No.403 Sqn RCAF Founded : 19th February 1941 Disbanded : 30th June 1945 Country : Canada Fate : Disbanded 30th June 1945 More Details : Wolf Stalk and strike Known Code Letters : , KH,

Known Service Details :
Pilot or Aircrew	Rank	Start of Service	End of Service	Known Dates	Aircraft	Airframes	Notes
J H Ballantyne	Flying Officer	unknown	8th March 1944		Spitfire	MJ876	Killed in Action
A J Bryan	Flying Officer	unknown	unknown	21st May 1944	Spitfire	MJ645
A B Clenard	Warrant Officer	unknown	unknown	17th June 1944	Spitfire	MK570
L Foster	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	28th January 1944	Spitfire	MA844
John Hodgson	Flight Lieutenant	unknown	2nd June 1944		Spitfire	MK742	Killed in Action
W G M Hume	Flight Lieutenant	unknown	unknown	03rd May 1944	Spitfire	MK179
E. D. Kelly	Flying Officer	unknown	unknown	07th May 1944 09th June 1944	Spitfire	MH719 MJ951
James Leon Lanfranchi	Flying Officer	unknown	28th June 1944		Spitfire	MJ988	Killed in Action
N P Murphy	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	22nd June 1944	Spitfire	BL969
W H Rhodes	Flying Officer	unknown	28th June 1944		Spitfire	ML248	Taken prisoner
Robert Harry Smith	Flying Officer	unknown	19th May 1944		Spitfire	MJ480	Killed in Action
C P Thornton	Flight Lieutenant	unknown	13th May 1944	28th January 1944	Spitfire	MA628 MK507	Taken prisoner.
J C Trull	Flight Lieutenant	unknown	unknown	20th February 1944	Spitfire	MJ944
Douglas Warren		unknown	unknown		Spitfire
Claude Weaver	Pilot Officer	unknown	28th January 1944	30th December 1943	Spitfire	MA642 MH840 MH829	Killed in Action
E C Williams	Flight Lieutenant	unknown	9th June 1944		Spitfire	MJ827	Taken prisoner.

Pilots and Aircrew for : No.403 Sqn RCAF
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
Name	Info
Ballantyne, J H Click the name above to see a profile of Ballantyne, J H    Died : 8 / 3 / 1944	Ballantyne, J H Killed on 8th March 1944 when his Spitfire Mk.IX MJ876 of No.403 Sqn RCAF was shot down by flak near St Andre de l'Eure.
Bryan, A J Click the name above to see a profile of Bryan, A J	Bryan, A J On 21st May 1944 his Spitfire Mk.IX MJ645 of No.403 Sqn RCAF was hit by flak near Achiens and he baled out, evading capture successfully.
Clenard, A B Click the name above to see a profile of Clenard, A B	Clenard, A B On 17th June 1944, his Spitfire Mk.IX MK570 of No.403 Sqn RCAF was shot down by Fw190s over Caen. He baled out and evaded capture.
Finlay, Hartland Click the name above to see a profile of Finlay, Hartland    Died : 22 / 1 / 2009	Finlay, Hartland Born in Montreal, 1920 and educated at McGill University. Former COTC and RCA. Hartland Finlay enlisted for the RAF in Montreal, on the 14th of September 1940 and trained at No.1 ITS, graduating on 21st December 1940. He then went to No.4 EFTS followed by further training at No.9 SFTS graduating on the 28th of May 1941. Commissioned from Warrant Officer to Pilot Officer in 1942 and Flight Officer in January 1943, he went to Britian in 1943. Posted to 1 Sqn in June 1943, he moved to 416 later in the month. On August 12th Flt Off. Hartland Finlay bailed out of a malfunctioning Spitfire and was rescued from the English Channel. Transferred to 443 Sqn in September 1944 and promoted to F/L in March 1944. Attended Fighter Leaders course in May-June 1944 and posted to 53 OTU in July as an instructor. In March 1945 he rejoined 403 Sqn and in April was posted to 443 Sq. Successfully bailed out at 200 ft when his Spitfire was set on fire by return fire from a Ju88 he was attacking. Returned to unit 3 days later and was awarded DFC on 24th July and promoted to S/L later that month. Joined RCAF HQ in September 1945 and returned to Canada in November1945. Squadron Leader Hartland Finlay DFC after leaving the air force flew for KLM from 1946 to 1948. Served with the Canadian Department of Transport. Sadly, Squadron Leader Hartland Finlay DFC passed away on January 22nd 2009.
Foster, L Click the name above to see a profile of Foster, L	Foster, L On 28th January 1944, his Spitfire Mk.IX MA844 of No.403 Sqn RCAF was shot up and damaged by Fw190s during a ranger mission to Amiens. He managed to get the aircraft to base safely.
Godefroy, Hugh Click the name above to see a profile of Godefroy, Hugh	Godefroy, Hugh Born on the 28th of October 1919 in Java while his Dutch father worked there, Hugh Godefroy returned to Canada to be educated in Ontario. Hugh Godefroy enlisted in Toronto on 22nd June 1940 and trained at No.2 ITS, graduating on 27th July 1940, with further training at No.7 EFTS and No.1 SFTS, graduating on 30th January 1941. Hugh Godefroy was commissioned 21st January 1941 and arrived in the UK on 4th February 1941 going to No.56 Officer Training Unit a month later. He then joined No.401 Squadron,on 15th April 1941. Hugh Godefroy was promoted to Flying Officer on 23rd January 1942 and was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 4th March 1942. On 12th November 1942 Flt Lt Hugh Godefroy joined No.401 Squadron, and transferred to No.403 Squadron on 4th March 1943. On 13th June 1943 Godefroy was promoted to Squadron Leader and joined No.17 Wing on 16th August 1943. He was promoted to Wing Commander on 16th September 1943. On 1st May 1944 he went to the Royal Canadian Air Force Overseas HQ and returned to Canada on 17th August 1944. Between 10th September 1944 and 2nd January 1945 served on the War Staff in Toronto.
Hodgson, John Click the name above to see a profile of Hodgson, John    Died : 2 / 6 / 1944	Hodgson, John Killed aged 22 on 2nd June 1944 when his Spitfire Mk.IX MK742 of No.403 Sqn RCAF was shot down by flak and crashed near Herbecourt. He is buried in St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens. Son of John and Susanna Hodgson; husband of Doreen Lydia Hodgson, of Southgate, Middlesex.
Hume, W G M Click the name above to see a profile of Hume, W G M	Hume, W G M On 3rd May 1944, his Spitfire Mk.IX MK179 of No.403 Sqn RCAF was hit by flak and he baled out 12 miles off Le Treport. He was rescued by an Air Sea Rescue Walrus.
Kelly, E. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Kelly, E. D.	Kelly, E. D. On 7th May 1944, his Spitfire Mk.IX MH719 of No.403 Sqn RCAF ran out fuel over the English Channel, and he was forced to bale out. On 9th June 1944, his Spitfire Mk.IX MJ951 of No.403 Sqn RCAF was damaged by naval anti-aircraft fire over Normandy and he was injured.
Lanfranchi, James Leon Click the name above to see a profile of Lanfranchi, James Leon    Died : 28 / 6 / 1944	Lanfranchi, James Leon Killed age 26 on 28th June 1944 after his Spitfire Mk.IX MJ988 of No.403 Sqn RCAF suffered engine failure after combat with an Fw190 near Falaise. He baled out but was killed. He is buried in Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery. Son of Guido Lanfranchi, and of Martha Lanfranchi, of Montreal, Province of Quebec.
Lindsay, James Click the name above to see a profile of Lindsay, James	Lindsay, James Born in September 1922, James "Doug" Lindsay joined the RCAF in February 1941, training on Harvards. He was posted to the UK, arriving in March 1943 and joining 403 Sqn in October that year. In his first tour, he claimed 5 Me109s as well as 2 Fw190s, plus another damaged. Of the Me109s he shot down, three of these were in a single minute, earning him a DFC. For his second tour, he rejoined 403 Sqn in April 1945, claiming a probable Fw190 during his short time with this squadron before he moved to 416 squadron until the end of the war in Europe. After the war he stayed with the air force, and in 1952 served during the Korean war with the USAF. He flew F-86 Sabres with the 39th Fighter Squadron of the 51st Fighter Wing, claiming victories over two MiG-15s and damaging 3 others. In 1953, he returned to the UK with No.1 Fighter Wing leading Sabres in formation at the Queen's Coronation. He retired in 1972, having flown more than 30 different types of aircraft (excluding different Mks). These included, Harvard, Anson, Master, Spitfire, Typhoon, Tempest, Hurricane, Mustang, Beaufort, Beaufighter, Oxford, Dakota, Tiger Moth, Vampire and Sabre.
Mackenzie, Andy Click the name above to see a profile of Mackenzie, Andy    Died : 2009	Mackenzie, Andy 421 Sqn RCAF, Flight Commander 403 Sqn RCAF. Born in Montreal, 10th August 1920 and enlisted there 6th June 1940. Attended No.1 Manning Depot, Toronto, 7-24 June 1940. Trained at No.1 ITS (24 June to 21 July 1940), No.4 EFTS (21 July to 6 October 1940) and No.31 SFTS (6 October 1940 to 8 January 1941). Central Flying School, Trenton (8 Jan. to 10 April 1941) on Flying Instructors Course No.30, 3 Feb. to 22 March 1941. Instructed at No.11 SFTS, 11 April to 30 July 1941, at CFS, Trenton, 31 July 1941 to 24 April 1942, and at No.16 SFTS, 25 April 1942 to 24 January 1943. Commissioned 31 March 1942. At Y Depot, Halifax, 25 January to 18 February 1943. No.421 Squadron, 10 August 1943 to 16 May 1943; No.403 Squadron, 16 May to 28 August 1944. Shot down by American AAA over Utah beach. Returned to Canada, flew Kittyhawks with No.133 Sq. (11 Dec 1944 to 28 Jan 1945) and No.135 Squadron (29 January to 7 September 1945). Transferred to Reserve, 1 October 1945; to Special Reserve (full employment), 3 April 1946; to Regular Force, October 1946. Flew in Korea. Shot down by another Sabre Pilot 5th December 1952. POW - not released until 5th dec 1954 - long after the 27 July 1953 cease fire. He was the RCAF's only POW in Korea. Retired in 1967. Home in Oxford Station, Ontario. Wing Commander Andy Mackenzie sadly passed away in 2009. Citation for the the Distinguished Flying Cross. Award effective 15 January 1944 as per London Gazette dated 25 January 1944 and AFRO 410/44 dated 25 February 1944. This officer has participated in numerous sorties and has destroyed four enemy aircraft, three of which he shot down during a sweep over northern France in December 1943. Flying Officer Mackenzie is a skilful and resolute fighter whose determination to destroy the enemy has always been evident.
Middlemiss, Robert G Click the name above to see a profile of Middlemiss, Robert G	Middlemiss, Robert G Bob was born in Montreal in 1920 and was educated at Commercial High School of Montreal. After graduating from high school Bob Middlemiss accepted a track scholarship from an American College but war broke out and he volunteered to join the RCAF. He was told when an opening was available he would be called. In the interim, his Dad's Regiment, of which he was the RQSM, the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars was mobilized as the 3rd Canadian Motorcycle Regiment. Bob decided to join as a trooper but was called by the Air Force and a few months later joined the RCAF on September 14, 1940. He received his flying training at 13 EFTS, St. Eugene, ON and 9 SFTS, Summerside, PEI where he received his wings. He was posted overseas and trained on Spitfires at 57 OTU, Hawarden, Cheshire. He was posted to 145 Squadron and then later to 41 Squadron. They carried out operations consisting of air defence patrols against high level and low level fighter bomber attacks, convoy patrols in the English Channel, fighter sweeps, bomber escort and low level rhubarbs. In June 1942, he was selected to serve with a team of Spitfire pilots posted to Malta. They were taken to within 700 miles of Malta on the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle and then launched to hopefully make the island. During his tour with 249 Squadron on Malta Bob shot down and destroyed three enemy aircraft and damaged two others before he was shot down and wounded. After recuperating, he served as an Instructor at 52 OTU and then 53 OTU in England. From the OTU he was posted to 403 Squadron, part of the 127 Wing commanded by Johnnie Johnson, the highest scoring ace of WWII. Bob had the honour of flying as his number 2 on a number of sorties. After completing two tours of operations he returned to Canada and instructed on Hurricanes and Mosquitos. Colonel Middlemiss was decorated for his war effort with the Distinguished Flying Cross the citation read as follows: This officer completed two tours of operational duty and has completed sorties from Malta and the United Kingdom. He has destroyed three enemy aircraft and damaged others. His standard of leadership as a section leader and flight commander has always been high and he has invariably shown outstanding courage.
Murphy, N P Click the name above to see a profile of Murphy, N P	Murphy, N P On 22nd June 1944 his Spitfire Mk.V BL969 of No.403 Sqn RCAF was shot down by Allied anti-aircraft fire near Foret de Cerisy. He was unharmed.
Rhodes, W H Click the name above to see a profile of Rhodes, W H	Rhodes, W H On 28th June 1944, his Spitfire Mk.IX ML248 of No.403 Sqn RCAF crash landed south of Caen after combat with Fw190s and he was taken prisoner.
Smith, Robert Harry Click the name above to see a profile of Smith, Robert Harry    Died : 19 / 5 / 1944	Smith, Robert Harry Killed on 19th May 1944 after his Spitfire Mk.IX MJ480 of No.403 Sqn RCAF was abandoned 15 miles north of Dieppe. His name is on the Runnymede Memorial.
Thornton, C P Click the name above to see a profile of Thornton, C P	Thornton, C P On 28th January 1944, his Spitfire Mk.IX MA628 of No.403 Sqn RCAF was damaged during combat with Fw190s near Amiens. He managed to get the aircraft back safely. On 13th May 1944 his Spitfir Mk.IX MK507 of No.403 Sqn RCAF was hit by flak and he baled out near Courtrai. He was taken prisoner.
Trull, J C Click the name above to see a profile of Trull, J C	Trull, J C On 20th February 1944, his Spitfire Mk.IX MJ944 of No.403 Sqn RCAF had to be abandoned near Lille after engine failure. He evaded capture.
Warren, Douglas Click the name above to see a profile of Warren, Douglas    Died : 27 / 8 / 2011	Warren, Douglas Douglas Duke Warren was Born in Nanton, Alta., in 1922, along with his twin brother Bruce joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) at the age of 18. After advanced training, the Warren twins flew two tours of operations with Royal Air Force Spitfire squadrons. After joining 403 Squadron, Duke Warren flew as part of 165 Squadron in the air battles over Dieppe. He fought over Falaise, and also served with 66 Sqn and 11 Group at Biggin Hill. In 1945, they were both awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses by King George VI at Buckingham Palace. He returned to Canada in May 1945, and along with Bruce joined the permanent RCAF in October 1946. Douglas became a Flight Commander with 421 Squadron flying DH Vampire jet aircraft at Chatham, New Brunswick. On April 5th, 1951, his brother Bruce was killed as a test pilot at AV Roe aircraft company in Toronto flying the prototype CF100 jet fighter. Duke became Commanding Officer of the F-86 Sabre-equipped 410 Squadron in 1952. The following year, he was attached to the United States Air Force and flew Sabres in Korea. Duke Warren flew 253 combat missions, including flying the F-86 Sabre in Korea. Sadly Duke Warren passed away Saturday August 27th 2011 in Comox at the age of 89. Duke Warren.
Weaver, Claude Click the name above to see a profile of Weaver, Claude    Died : 28 / 1 / 1944	Weaver, Claude Claude Weaver enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on 13th February 1941. After earning his wings and briefly flying in the UK, he joined No.185 Sqn at Malta, from July to September 1942. With 10.5 victories and 3 probables, he was shot down on 9th September 1942 and taken prisoner. After a year, he escaped from his PoW camp and began flying again, this time with No.403 Sqn RCAF. He scored another two victories before being shot down once more. On 28th January 1944, he was shot down by Gerhard Vogt of JG26, who watched as Weaver escaped from his aircraft. His parachute became entangled in the tail of the stricken aircraft and Weaver was dragged down to the crash site, where he lay, still alive, just metres from his aircraft. He was taken to hospital by the Germans, but died a few hours later.
Williams, E C Click the name above to see a profile of Williams, E C	Williams, E C On 9th June 1944, his Spitfire Mk.IX MJ827 of No.403 Sqn RCAF was shot down near Omaha Beach by naval anti-aircraft fire. He was taken to hospital in Cherbourg as a prisoner, but was later freed on 27th June 1944 when the Allies took the hospital.

Aircraft for : No.403 Sqn RCAF
A list of all aircraft associated with No.403 Sqn RCAF. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
Aircraft	Info
Spitfire Click the name above to see prints featuring Spitfire aircraft. Manufacturer : Supermarine Production Began : 1936 Retired : 1948 Number Built : 20351	Spitfire Royal Air Force fighter aircraft, maximum speed for mark I Supermarine Spitfire, 362mph up to The Seafire 47 with a top speed of 452mph. maximum ceiling for Mk I 34,000feet up to 44,500 for the mark XIV. Maximum range for MK I 575 miles . up to 1475 miles for the Seafire 47. Armament for the various Marks of Spitfire. for MK I, and II . eight fixed .303 browning Machine guns, for MKs V-IX and XVI two 20mm Hispano cannons and four .303 browning machine guns. and on later Marks, six to eight Rockets under the wings or a maximum bomb load of 1,000 lbs. Designed by R J Mitchell, The proto type Spitfire first flew on the 5th March 1936. and entered service with the Royal Air Force in August 1938, with 19 squadron based and RAF Duxford. by the outbreak of World war two, there were twelve squadrons with a total of 187 spitfires, with another 83 in store. Between 1939 and 1945, a large variety of modifications and developments produced a variety of MK,s from I to XVI. The mark II came into service in late 1940, and in March 1941, the Mk,V came into service. To counter the Improvements in fighters of the Luftwaffe especially the FW190, the MK,XII was introduced with its Griffin engine. The Fleet Air Arm used the Mk,I and II and were named Seafires. By the end of production in 1948 a total of 20,351 spitfires had been made and 2408 Seafires. The most produced variant was the Spitfire Mark V, with a total of 6479 spitfires produced. The Royal Air Force kept Spitfires in front line use until April 1954.
Tomahawk Click the name above to see prints featuring Tomahawk aircraft. Manufacturer : Curtiss Number Built : 16802	Tomahawk A total of sixteen Royal Air Force squadrons used the Tomahawk from British bases, and five more squadrons in the Middle East, as well as South African and Australian units. The Curtiss Tomahawk equipped the legendary Flying Tigers of the American Volunteer Group in China, in 1941, before the United States was officialy at war with Japan. In all, 16,802 Curtiss Tomahawks in a succession of improved models, were mainly built for the US Air Force.