James Stanley Scott
James Stanley Scott | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 18 February 1889 Roberval, Quebec |
| Died | 19 July 1975 (aged 86) Halifax, Nova Scotia |
| Allegiance |  Canada |
| Service |  Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Years of service | –1945 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Battles / wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Military Cross Air Force Cross |
Air Commodore James Stanley Scott MC, AFC (18 February 1889 – 19 July 1975) was a leading figure in the pre-World War II Royal Canadian Air Force and a Royal Flying Corps officer during World War I.
Career
[edit]Scott was born in Roberval, Quebec in 1889 and graduated from Quebec High School.[1]
In March 1916 Scott was seconded from the Canadian Artillery to the Royal Flying Corps.[2] Only four months later in July 1916, while serving as a lieutenant, Scott was awarded the Military Cross for attacking a train well behind the German lines even though his aircraft was very badly damaged by enemy fire.[3] He transferred to the Royal Air Force in 1918 and after the Armistice he was awarded the Air Force Cross.[4]
After the War Scott returned to Canada, and after promotion to wing commander, he served as the Officer Commanding the Canadian Air Force from 1921 to 1922.[5] Two years later, Scott who was promoted to group captain again held the Air Force's senior post, this time as the Director of the Royal Canadian Air Force.[6] During this time he petitioned his superior Major-General J H MacBrien for permission for the Air Force to stop focussing on forestry and photography work in order to train as a fighting force. Scott's request was refused and he continued in post until 1928.[7]
On 1 April 1931, Scott was granted the honorary rank of air commodore.[8]
Scott left the RCAF and returned to duty in 1939 and served during World War II and retired in 1945.[1]
Scott died in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1975.[1]
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c Air Force awards
- ^ "No. 30416". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 December 1917. p. 12795.
- ^ "No. 29684". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 July 1916. pp. 7429–7434.
- ^ "No. 31098". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1918. pp. 97–98.
- ^ Goodspeed, Donald James (1967). The Armed Forces of Canada, 1867–1967: a century of achievement. Directorate of History, Canadian Forces Headquarters. p. 273.
- ^ Flight Global
- ^ Cameras take flight
- ^ "Honorary Ranks of the RCAF" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 June 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
- 1889 births
- 1975 deaths
- British Army personnel of World War I
- Canadian recipients of the Military Cross
- Royal Air Force officers
- Royal Canadian Air Force officers
- Canadian military personnel from Quebec
- Royal Canadian Air Force personnel of World War II
- Royal Flying Corps officers
- Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)