Arthur Lorne James
Encyclopedia
Air Vice-Marshal
Arthur Lorne James CBE
, RCAF
(September 1903–1964) was a Canadian air force officer who was instrumental in the evolution of the Royal Canadian Air Force
during World War II
and the early years of the Cold War
, leading to its close cooperation with the United States Air Force
in the defence of North America.
Born in Montreal
in September 1903, James was educated there and attended McGill University
where he graduated with a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering. He enlisted in the RCAF during its formative year in 1924. He attained the rank of Sergeant in the technical branch before being commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1926 upon earning his pilot wings. Throughout the rest of the 1920s he was active in many of the RCAF's early missions including forest fire patrols, aerial photography, and test flying. James was sent to London, UK
in 1929 for post-graduate studies in Aeronautical Engineering and in 1937 he returned to attend RAF Staff College, Andover
.
During the early years of World War II
, James commanded several British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
(BCATP) schools at various RCAF stations across Canada. In 1943 he was assigned to special duties at Canadian Joint Staff, Washington. On January 1, 1945 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire
(CBE) by King George VI. He returned from Washington to Ottawa
for a posting at RCAF Headquarters where he was appointed Director of Organization, then Director of Repair, and Air Member for Research and Development. He was promoted to Air Vice-Marshal
in October 1945.
In 1945 Air Vice-Marshal James was one of the first senior military officers in Canada to call for the creation of dedicated facility to house the collection of the Canadian War Museum
. In January 1947 he was appointed Air Member for Technical Services and in November 1949 he became Air Member for Air Plans and was appointed as Air Member to the Permanent Joint Board on Defence; in these capacities he was instrumental in the development of the CF-100 Canuck. On June 5, 1948 he was made Commander, Legion of Merit
(CLM) by the Government of the United States of America.
Air Vice-Marshal James gave the departing word to personnel of No. 426 Squadron RCAF
on July 25, 1950 upon their participation in Operation Hawk, the RCAF codeword for the Korean Airlift
. On August 1, 1951 he was promoted to Air Officer Commanding, Air Defence Command, RCAF. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
on October 23, 1953 while still AOC, ADC.
Air Vice-Marshal James retired in 1957 and became president and general manager of Bristol Aero Engines Limited. The RCAF school for dependent children at RCAF Station St. Margarets
was named "James Park School" in his honour. He died in 1964 and in 1966 the post office at RCAF Station St. Margarets was renamed to "Post Office James Park" in his honour as well.
James' citation for the CBE reads as follows:
His citation for the CLM reads as follows:
Air Vice-Marshal
Air vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in...
Arthur Lorne James CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, RCAF
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
(September 1903–1964) was a Canadian air force officer who was instrumental in the evolution of the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the early years of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, leading to its close cooperation with the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
in the defence of North America.
Born in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
in September 1903, James was educated there and attended McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
where he graduated with a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering. He enlisted in the RCAF during its formative year in 1924. He attained the rank of Sergeant in the technical branch before being commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1926 upon earning his pilot wings. Throughout the rest of the 1920s he was active in many of the RCAF's early missions including forest fire patrols, aerial photography, and test flying. James was sent to London, UK
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1929 for post-graduate studies in Aeronautical Engineering and in 1937 he returned to attend RAF Staff College, Andover
RAF Staff College, Andover
The RAF Staff College at RAF Andover was the first Royal Air Force staff college to be established. Its role was the training of officers in the administrative, staff and policy apects of air force matters.-Foundation:...
.
During the early years of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, James commanded several British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan , known in some countries as the Empire Air Training Scheme , was a massive, joint military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, during the Second World War...
(BCATP) schools at various RCAF stations across Canada. In 1943 he was assigned to special duties at Canadian Joint Staff, Washington. On January 1, 1945 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(CBE) by King George VI. He returned from Washington to Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
for a posting at RCAF Headquarters where he was appointed Director of Organization, then Director of Repair, and Air Member for Research and Development. He was promoted to Air Vice-Marshal
Air Vice-Marshal
Air vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in...
in October 1945.
In 1945 Air Vice-Marshal James was one of the first senior military officers in Canada to call for the creation of dedicated facility to house the collection of the Canadian War Museum
Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history. Located in Ottawa, Ontario, the museum covers all facets of Canada’s military past, from the first recorded instances of death by armed violence in Canadian history several thousand years ago to the country’s most recent...
. In January 1947 he was appointed Air Member for Technical Services and in November 1949 he became Air Member for Air Plans and was appointed as Air Member to the Permanent Joint Board on Defence; in these capacities he was instrumental in the development of the CF-100 Canuck. On June 5, 1948 he was made Commander, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(CLM) by the Government of the United States of America.
Air Vice-Marshal James gave the departing word to personnel of No. 426 Squadron RCAF
No. 426 Squadron RCAF
426 Transport Training Squadron is a unit of the Canadian Forces under Royal Canadian Air Force, located at CFB Trenton in Trenton, Ontario. It originated as a squadron in the Royal Canadian Air Force that fought during the Second World War as a bomber squadron.The motto of the squadron is "On...
on July 25, 1950 upon their participation in Operation Hawk, the RCAF codeword for the Korean Airlift
Korean Airlift
Korean Airlift was a military operations of the Korean War by the USAF and other airforces participating in the United Nations mission during the Korean War.Began in 1950 under the command of Major General William H...
. On August 1, 1951 he was promoted to Air Officer Commanding, Air Defence Command, RCAF. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.-Issue:For Coronation and Jubilee medals, the practice up until 1977 was that United Kingdom authorities decided on a total number to be produced, then allocated a proportion to...
on October 23, 1953 while still AOC, ADC.
Air Vice-Marshal James retired in 1957 and became president and general manager of Bristol Aero Engines Limited. The RCAF school for dependent children at RCAF Station St. Margarets
RCAF Station St. Margarets
RCAF Station St. Margarets is a former Royal Canadian Air Force station and later a Canadian Forces detachment located in the community of St. Margarets, New Brunswick....
was named "James Park School" in his honour. He died in 1964 and in 1966 the post office at RCAF Station St. Margarets was renamed to "Post Office James Park" in his honour as well.
James' citation for the CBE reads as follows:
- "This officer has rendered untiring and devoted service to the Royal Canadian Air Force over a long period of years. Since the outbreak of war, he has successively filled high executive positions in both Canada and the United States. This officer's display of energy, leadership and integrity, combined with a pleasing personality, has been an inspiration to all those with whom he comes in contact. His diligence, devotion to duty, keenness and conscientiousness in his every effort, and his ability and industry to complete the work in hand, have combined to make him an outstanding officer."
His citation for the CLM reads as follows:
- "Air Vice Marshal A.L. James, Royal Canadian Air Force, performed exceptionally meritorious service from November 1942 to December 1943. He served with marked distinction as Senior Air Staff Officer at Canadian Joint Staff Headquarters, Washington. His vital interest in all matters relating to cooperation between the United States Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Air Force gained for him the highest regard of those with whom he so selflessly served. Air Vice Marshal James not only served on many highly important committees, but his pleasing but forceful personality contributed greatly to the fostering of goodwill and the interchange of intelligence which was of mutual value to both countries in the successful prosecution of the war."