Phillip Leslie Irving Archer

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Nazis Dodge Scotland As Eager RCAF Waits

With the R.C.A.F., Somewhere in Scotland, May 4, 1942 — Scotland's rare beauty is something to be admired, but the war can't be won by gazing at rolling green hills or tree-fringed locks. That's how airmen of a Canadian Spitfire squadron stationed in Scotland feel.
They are "browned off"—fed up— and want action. Enemy inactivity over this part of Britain has left them virtually jobless.
"We'd like to go to the Middle East," said the squadron commander, Squadron Leader Lloyd Chadburn, 22-year-old pilot from Aurora, Ont., "Even the south of England would be good enough."
Flight Lieutenant W.W. Murray of Woodstock, Ont., a flight commander, felt the same way. Still in his flying boots and Mae West after a cannon-firing test, he said he would go anywhere to "get a little action."
He almost saw his wish fulfilled a little while ago, when the German warships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen were making their spectacular escape from Brest.
Murray and seven other Canadian airmen were ordered to fly to an air station in the south. When they landed there they were sent out to attack aircraft escorting the vessels.
"We raced almost to the Hook of Holland," he said, adding regretfully that "when we got there we found the warships were several miles further away." So Murray and his mates had to return home because they didn't have enough gasoline to take them any further.
"I wouldn't mind at all being back in the south, where you're only a few minutes away from enemy territory. I saw some action when I was down there before with another squadron."
Recalling how he lost a wing tip in a tilt with a Messerschmitt 103 during a sweep over France, Murray said he shot at the Nazi, "and I think I got him, but I wasn't able to confirm it."
Members of his flight who were lounging around in the flight office included Pilot Officers Clyde Scollan, Ottawa; Philip Blades, Victoria; W.T. Johnston, Calgary; Bob Turp, Aurora, Ont.; Flight Sergeants Roy Wozniak, Regina; Doug MacPherson, Edmonton; Jim McNamara, Montreal; Jack Rae, Toronto, and Jack Moul, Port Alberni, B.C.
In the other flight, commanded by Flight Lieutenant P.L. Archer of Barbados, B.W.I., are Pilot Officer Roger Paradis of Shawinigan Falls, Que., the French-Canadian pilot with the squadron; Pilot Officer Buckham of Vancouver; Flight Sergeants Angus Kelly, Regina; Howard MacDonald, Sydney, N.S., and Gene Richardson, Windsor.
The 25-year-old Paradis, who has been with the squadron since it was formed, was a machine operator in a cellophane factory before he joined up.
"This is a very good life," he said, "but I wish we would see some action."
One of the flying control officers at the station is a Canadian, Flying Officer Reg Fisher of Toronto. He supervises the landing and taking off of aircraft from the watch office.

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FOUR CANADIANS RECEIVE AWARDS FOR GREAT WORK
Toronto Pilot Gets D.F.C. For Attacks Deep Into Germany

DEEDS OF HEROISM
London, September 11, 1942 - (CP Cable) - The air ministry today announced the award of Distinguished Flying Crosses to six members of the Royal Canadian Air Force who have been carrying the air war deep into German-occupied territory.
The flyers are: F.O. James Elmslee Walker, of Edmonton; F.O. John Lefroy McCaul, of Toronto; P.O. John William Williams, Chilliwack, B.C.; Acting Flt.-Lieut. P.L.I. Archer, native of Bridgetown, Barbados, B.W.I.; Flt.-Lieut. Frederick Ernest Green, of Toronto, and Squadron Ldr. John Fee, Calgary, Alta.
The citation said Walker destroyed a Nazi plane while serving with the R.A.F. wing in Russia last year and has "shown a keen desire to engage the enemy at all times." Since March he has led his flight continuously on all operations.
Bombs Aerodrome
McCaul was the navigator of a bomber which attacked a German aerodrome last July, the citation said. He got his bombs on the target despite intense searchlight activity and anti-aircraft fire and his "accurate navigation in the face of great difficulties was of the highest orders."
Williams "fought the enemy with great determination," his citation said. "Within a short period he has destroyed at least four enemy aircraft, two of which he shot down in one day. Later his aircraft was damaged by enemy fire but he flew it safely to its base."
Walker and P.O. David L. Ramsay, of Calgary, were the only Canadians in the R.A.F. wing which fought in Russia. On his return from Russia early this year Walker described flying in the Murmansk area much the same as winter flying in Canada except that they saw action.

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ARCHER, F/L Phillip Leslie Irving (J3508) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.416 Squadron
Award effective 24 August 1942 as per London Gazette dated 11 September 1942 and
AFRO 1535/42 dated 25 September 1942.

This officer has completed sorties over enemy territory and has destroyed at least four enemy aircraft. On one occasion, although wounded in the leg, Flight Lieutenant Archer flew his badly damaged aircraft back to the base where he executed a skilful landing. He is a most efficient leader.

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Air Casualties

Ottawa, July 25, 1943 - (CP) - The R.C.A.F. in its 636th casualty list of the war containing 38 names yesterday reported two men killed on active service overseas, one dead from injuries suffered on active service overseas, 12 missing on active service after overseas air operations and four killed on active service in Canada. Including with next of kin:
ARCHER. Philip Leslie Irving - D.F.C. Sqdn. Ldr., missing after air operations overseas. Mrs. F.L. Archer (mother), Belleville, St. Michael, Barbados.

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Air Force Casualties

Ottawa, November 16, 1943 - (CP) - The R.C.A.F. reported tonight in its 734th casualty list of the war, containing 50 names, that nine men have been killed on active service overseas, while 16 others are missing on active service after air operations. In Canada, three men were listed as killed on active service and three others as previously reported missing on active service and now for official purposes presumed dead. Including, with next of kin:
ARCHER, Philip Leslie Irving – D.F.C., Sqdn. Ldr., previously reported missing on active service overseas, now for official purposes presumed dead. Mrs. F.L. Archer (mother), Clovelly, Barbados, B.W.I.

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"They Shall Not Grow Old" has him being from Hasting St. Michael. Barbados. Killed In Action June17, 1943 age 27. It also states he was with 402 City of Winnipeg Squadron flying Spitfire aircraft # KZ 996 and was lost during a cross-channel sweep. This being his last sortie before becoming CO of 421 squadron. Another souce reports him being KIA on his first sortie as CO of 421 squadron, same date. He is buried in the St. Omer Cemetery, Longuenesse, France.

--- Canadian Aces ---

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