Wilfred Curtis
Encyclopedia
Air Marshal
Wilfred Austin "Wilf" Curtis, OC
, CB
, CBE
, DSC & Bar
, ED
, CD
(August 21, 1893 – August 14, 1977) was a Canadian
airman and Chief of the Air Staff
of the Royal Canadian Air Force
(RCAF) from 1947 until 1953.
(RNAS) as a fighter pilot.
In 1917 Curtis was promoted to Captain and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
(DSC) for his skill and courage. The award citation read:
In 1918, Curtis was awarded a Bar to the DSC.
He proved his worth as a highly successful fighter pilot by shooting down 13 enemy aircraft confirmed; his final tally was 4 enemy planes destroyed, 3 of which were shared victories; also, he drove down 9 enemy planes out of control, one of which was shared.
He transferred to the Royal Air Force
(RAF) in April 1918, but relinquished his commission on account of ill health in June 1919.
and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He received French, American and Italian decorations in recognition of his contributions. He remained Chief of the Air Staff until his retirement in January 1953.
On his retirement from the RCAF he accepted the position of Vice-Chairman of Hawker Siddeley Canada, where he continued to have a substantial impact on the development of aviation in Canada. He always devoted time to other aviation concerns: was President of the RCAF Association for two years until he was appointed Grand President of that organization, founded and organized the Canadian National Air Show in 1939 and served as chairman of its scholarship fund and was appointed the Honorary Wing Commander of the No. 400 (City of Toronto) Squadron.
Other interests included the chairmanship of the committee that formed York University
, of which he was elected Chancellor in 1960. He served as Chairman of the Canadian Opera Company and President of the Canadian Inter American Association.
The Air Marshal had a great interest in the development of the Canadian aircraft industry. During his term of office, he continually and successfully directed his efforts to secure money for experimental work on and production of a jet trainer and twin engine fighters, the CF-100 Canuck and the CF-105 Arrow
suitable for interception operations in the northern Canadian climate. Early in the Cold War
, he convinced the cabinet that the RCAF should make a major contribution to NATO. This resulted in an air division of twelve F-86 Sabre squadrons being dispatched to Europe. This major contribution of 300 front line aircraft was the principal air defense force on that continent during the 1950s. He had a great interest in the development of the Canadian aircraft industry.
If there could be named a "Father of Canada's Post War Air Force", Wilfred Curtis would be the outstanding nominee. Through his drive, interpersonal skills, sense of humor, compassionate understanding of aviation and effective leadership, the RCAF became a well-knit, effective and efficient fighting force. He materially contributed to the glorious saga of Canada's military and industrial aviation accomplishments.
|-
Air Marshal
Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Wilfred Austin "Wilf" Curtis, OC
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, CB
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, 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...
, DSC & Bar
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
, ED
Efficiency Decoration
The Efficiency Decoration is a defunct medal of Britain and the Commonwealth awarded for long service in the Territorial Army of the UK, the Indian Volunteer Forces and Colonial Auxiliary Forces....
, CD
Canadian Forces Decoration
The Canadian Forces Decoration is a Canadian award bestowed upon members of the Canadian Forces who have completed twelve years of military service, with certain conditions. By convention, it is also given to the Governor General of Canada upon his or her appointment as viceroy, which includes the...
(August 21, 1893 – August 14, 1977) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
airman and Chief of the Air Staff
Chief of the Air Staff (Canada)
The Chief of the Air Staff is the commander and institutional head of the Royal Canadian Air Force...
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...
(RCAF) from 1947 until 1953.
Early years
He was born in Havelock, Ontario, having received his early education in Toronto.First World War
He then joined the infantry of the Canadian Army in 1915; however, he requested a transfer and returned from overseas to take flying lessons at his own expense at the Curtiss Aviation School at Toronto, Ontario, graduating on August 11, 1916 and joining the Royal Naval Air ServiceRoyal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
(RNAS) as a fighter pilot.
In 1917 Curtis was promoted to Captain and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
(DSC) for his skill and courage. The award citation read:
In 1918, Curtis was awarded a Bar to the DSC.
He proved his worth as a highly successful fighter pilot by shooting down 13 enemy aircraft confirmed; his final tally was 4 enemy planes destroyed, 3 of which were shared victories; also, he drove down 9 enemy planes out of control, one of which was shared.
He transferred to the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
(RAF) in April 1918, but relinquished his commission on account of ill health in June 1919.
Interwar years
On his return to Canada he maintained his interest in military as well as civil aviation. During the late 1920s and early 1930s, he served as an officer in the Toronto Scottish Regiment Reserve. For some time there were no available non-permanent military aviation positions. However, when the opportunity presented itself in 1933, he became involved in the formation of No. 10 (Army Co-operation) Squadron. Curtis became Officer Commanding in 1935 and initiated experimental air operations in mid-northern Ontario.Second World War
Wing Commander Curtis was called to active duty in the RCAF on September 1, 1939 and served with distinction in many capacities throughout the Second World War.Postwar years
The singular success that marks his air force career in wartime decisions was rewarded by his appointment in 1947 as Chief of the Air Staff. In this appointment he guided the RCAF through the difficult stages of reorganization which followed the war and through the expansion of Canada's participation in the Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He received French, American and Italian decorations in recognition of his contributions. He remained Chief of the Air Staff until his retirement in January 1953.
On his retirement from the RCAF he accepted the position of Vice-Chairman of Hawker Siddeley Canada, where he continued to have a substantial impact on the development of aviation in Canada. He always devoted time to other aviation concerns: was President of the RCAF Association for two years until he was appointed Grand President of that organization, founded and organized the Canadian National Air Show in 1939 and served as chairman of its scholarship fund and was appointed the Honorary Wing Commander of the No. 400 (City of Toronto) Squadron.
Other interests included the chairmanship of the committee that formed York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
, of which he was elected Chancellor in 1960. He served as Chairman of the Canadian Opera Company and President of the Canadian Inter American Association.
The Air Marshal had a great interest in the development of the Canadian aircraft industry. During his term of office, he continually and successfully directed his efforts to secure money for experimental work on and production of a jet trainer and twin engine fighters, the CF-100 Canuck and the CF-105 Arrow
CF-105 Arrow
The Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow was a delta-winged interceptor aircraft, designed and built by Avro Aircraft Limited in Malton, Ontario, Canada, as the culmination of a design study that began in 1953...
suitable for interception operations in the northern Canadian climate. Early in 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...
, he convinced the cabinet that the RCAF should make a major contribution to NATO. This resulted in an air division of twelve F-86 Sabre squadrons being dispatched to Europe. This major contribution of 300 front line aircraft was the principal air defense force on that continent during the 1950s. He had a great interest in the development of the Canadian aircraft industry.
If there could be named a "Father of Canada's Post War Air Force", Wilfred Curtis would be the outstanding nominee. Through his drive, interpersonal skills, sense of humor, compassionate understanding of aviation and effective leadership, the RCAF became a well-knit, effective and efficient fighting force. He materially contributed to the glorious saga of Canada's military and industrial aviation accomplishments.
Awards and decorations
- Companion, Order of the BathOrder of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
(C.B.) (1946) - Commander, Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe 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...
(C.B.E.) (1943) - Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
with bar (1917 & 1918) - Efficiency DecorationEfficiency DecorationThe Efficiency Decoration is a defunct medal of Britain and the Commonwealth awarded for long service in the Territorial Army of the UK, the Indian Volunteer Forces and Colonial Auxiliary Forces....
(1945) - Canadian Forces DecorationCanadian Forces DecorationThe Canadian Forces Decoration is a Canadian award bestowed upon members of the Canadian Forces who have completed twelve years of military service, with certain conditions. By convention, it is also given to the Governor General of Canada upon his or her appointment as viceroy, which includes the...
(C.D.) - Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(O.C.) (1967) - Canada's Aviation Hall of FameCanada's Aviation Hall of FameCanada's Aviation Hall of Fame, based in the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada, commemorates and honours those whose accomplishments in aviation contributed so much to Canada's development as a nation...
(1973) - Honorary Doctor of Laws from York University (LL.D.) (1968)
External links
- Wilfred Austin Curtis at The Canadian EncyclopediaThe Canadian EncyclopediaThe Canadian Encyclopedia is a source of information on Canada. It is available online, at no cost. The Canadian Encyclopedia is available in both English and French and includes some 14,000 articles in each language on a wide variety of subjects including history, popular culture, events, people,...
- Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame official site
|-