Robert Tremagne Pillsbury
"Bob" Davidson

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CANADIAN AIRMEN SCORED SUCCESSES AGAINST JAPANESE

Ottawa, June 26, 1942 - (CP) - Air Minister Power announced today that seven Canadian airmen destroyed eight Japanese bombers and one fighter during the Easter raid on Colombo — "exactly one-third of the total number of enemy aircraft destroyed over the Ceylon port."
The seven airmen, all recently posted to Ceylon, were P/O Jimmy Whalen, of Vancouver; S/L. R.T.P. Davidson, of Vancouver; Sgt. Jack Hurley, of Vankleek Hill, Ont.; Sgt. George C. Bate, of Saskatoon; Sgt. Creighton L Nutbrown, of Sherbrooke, Que.; P/O Donald A. McDonald, of St. Thomas, Ont., and Sgt. Grant Bishop, of Mount Royal, Que.
"They avenged the death of Sqdn.-Ldr. L. J. Birchall, of St. Catharines, Ont., who first spotted the enemy fleet and flashed back the dramatic message which warned the island defenders of the impending attack," the air minister said.

(note - Birchall, the "The Saviour of Ceylon", was not killed but taken prisoner by the Japanese. It would be 2 years before the Allies knew he was alive. He was Knighted (OBE) after the war for his outstanding service while a prisoner)

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Nine Jap Planes Felled By Seven Canadians

Ottawa, June 26, 1942 - (CP) - Air Minister Power announced today that seven Canadian airmen destroyed eight Japanese bombers and one fighter during the Easter raid on Colombo — "exactly one-third of the total number of enemy aircraft destroyed over the Ceylon port."
The seven airmen, all recently posted to Ceylon, were P.O. Jimmy Whalen, of Vancouver; Sqdn.-Ldr. R.T.P. Davidson, of Vancouver; Sgt. Jack Hurley, of Vankleek Hill, Ont.; Sgt. George C. Bate, of Saskatoon; Sgt. Creighton L Nutbrown, of Sherbrooke, Que.; P.O. Donald A. McDonald, of St. Thomas, Ont., and Sgt. Grant Bishop, of Mount Royal, Que.
"They avenged the death of Sqdn.-Ldr. L. J. Birchall, of St. Catharines, Ont., who first spotted the enemy fleet and flashed back the dramatic message which warned the island defenders of the impending attack," the air minister said.
Pilot Officer Whalen "destroyed three Japanese bombers," the statement said.
"I climbed to 15,000 feet above the City of Colombo," he related, "and saw a formation of seven bombers at 18,000. I climbed above them, dived and shot down two. I broke away, climbed again and got another. Then I was attacked by Jap fighters, but Squadron Leader Davidson saw my trouble, attacked the Japs and shot one of them down."
Sergeant Hurley destroyed one Japanese bomber and shared another with Davidson. Taking off with Davidson they both spotted a bomber and went after him. The Japanese was soon falling in flames. "I then went into cloud," said Hurley, "and emerged over the harbor where I ran into a Jap bomber formation flying in a 'Vic.’ I tackled No. 2 of the formation, and after I put some bursts into him he blew up. I was then attacked by Jap fighters, but none of them hit me.”
Bate got two Japanese bombers.
"I came down from above on them," he said. "There were several kites in a tight 'Vic.' I gave my first a few short bursts and blew off his tail. I shot across another, spraying him with fire, and he went down with flames streaming from his cockpit."
Sergeant Nutbrown chalked up a "probable." He chased the Japanese machines for more than an hour and returned with many holes in his aircraft to tell of the battles he had waged.
McDonald caught up with seven bombers at 2,000 feet, attacked one and sent it crashing down. As he turned away a Japanese fighter pumped cannon shell into his aircraft and oil sprayed all over him, but a Royal Air Force pilot came to the rescue and shot the attacking enemy plane down.
"I passed over the harbor with all the ack-ack fire blazing away," said McDonald, "and managed to make a forced landing in an open space. I clambered out of the machine and made my way to a local hotel for a bath."

Takes On Five Fighters
Bishop ran into five Japanese fighters, but took them on. After giving one of them a few bursts he found an enemy plane on his tail, and his controls and a chunk of his propeller were shot away.
"It was toward the end of March that Japanese fleet movements in the Indian Ocean portended an attack on Ceylon within two or three days," the Air Minister's statement said. "Catalina aircraft patrols were therefore well on the lookout. It fell to the lot of Squadron Leader Birchall to sight the enemy first and to him Ceylon owes a heavy debt. A few minutes past four on the afternoon of April 4 he flashed back the dramatic message that a large Japanese force was 350 miles south of the island. Then, silence.”
"He, and Pilot Officer A.W. Abbot of Aerschal, Sask., who was in the same crew, were never heard from again.”

One Catalina Lost
"Other Catalinas were immediately sent up to shadow the enemy and of these one was lost, but the Japs were sighted about midnight 270 miles south of the island. The enemy fleet was lost in the darkness then but it was evident it was moving against Ceylon and Command ashore spent the night calculating, issuing orders and making all ready for the attack. It was estimated that the Japanese would be in position for their onslaught at 7:30 next morning.
"Catalinas were sent up with the first light of dawn, and, prowling the approaches to the island, contacted the enemy 180 miles southeast of Colombo.
"Ashore all was ready. The fighter pilots were standing by, impatient to get to grips with the Japanese. Eager as any of the defenders were the seven Canadian airmen. Soon the order was given for the fighters to take off and soon the Canadians were back, flushed with their victories and happy in the knowledge that they had avenged Birchall."

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DAVIDSON, S/L Robert Tremayne Pillsbury (RAF #39968) - DFC - No.182 Squadron
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 October 1943.

No citation other than "in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations." AFRO 1338/44 dated 23 Jun 1944 (reporting him missing on operations) described him as a Canadian in the RAF. Air Ministry Bulletin 11585 refers:

This officer has completed large number of operational sosrties in Far East, Middle East and European theatres. Much of his flying experience gained in the Greek and Cretan campaigns. He has destroyed five enemy aircraft. Squadron Leader Davidson has displayed extreme keenness for operations.

NOTE: In a letter dated 30 January 1945, Air Commodore E.E. Middleton summarized Davidson's career, concluding as follows:

During S/L Davidson's career in the RAF he has flown 55 different types of aircraft for a total of over 1,800 flying hours, 600 hours of which are operational flying time. During this officer's 287 operational sorties he has been officially credited with having shot down six enemy aircraft comprising two German, two Italian and two Japanese. He also has a total of three probables and ten enemy aircraft damaged.

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DAVIDSON, S/L Robert Tremayne Pillsbury, DFC (RCAF #20465)
Croix de Guerre with Gold Star (France) - AFRO 485/47 dated 12 September 1947.

A remarkable pilot, Wing Commander Davidson was shot down in the course of a mission at the station of Douai where he was leading his Group. He immediately decided to join "Maquis" troops, asked that he be allowed to serve as a private, refusing all rank. During five months this officer shared the fate of resistance, hiding in a hole in a stable. He took part in all actions by his Detachment of the French Forces of the Interior of the region. Wing Commander Davidson by his courage and willingness contributed to the success of the operations of the movement of resistance and help in cementing the good will between France and her Allies.

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DAVIDSON, Wing Commander Robert Tremayne Pilsbury, DFC (20465) - Air Medal (US)
335th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (USAF)
Awarded as per AFRO 742/53 dated 11 December 1953 and
Canada Gazette dated 14 November 1953

Of his Korea tour he remarked,
"Got in a few good scraps with the MIGs. I made a couple of them smoke."

Wing Commander Robert T. P. Davidson distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial combat as a pilot of an F-86 type aircraft, 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing, Fifth Air Force, flying missions against enemies of the United Nations from 29 September to 25 October 1952. While flying combat air patrols and various other type missions deep into enemy territory, many times against a superior number of enemy aircraft, his dedication to duty and demonstrated skill were a magnificent contribution to the successful completion of the assigned mission. As a result of his fortitude and courage on these occasions he has brought credit to himself, members of the United Nations Forces, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Far East Air Forces.

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Another form, with flying times to 20 July 1955, credited him with 2,532 hours 25 minutes. Most of the above types (and flying times) were unchanged, but the following additions or amendments applied:

This officer had one of the most remarkable and distinguished careers on all CAN/RAF personnel. During the postwar years he was often assessed as "average" in staff work, but he was sometimes graded above average on that score, and he was invariably praised for his outstanding leadership, discipline and flying skills. On 29 August 1951, for example, G/C H.J. Maguire (RAF Station Odiham) wrote:
My report on this officer must be considered in the light of the circumstances of his service with me. He has had to integrate his squadron in an RAF Wing, and at the same time satisfy RCAF training requirements. With certain qualification I think he has succeeded admirably. He is shrewd, forceful and at times dogmatic. Like John Wesley, he would rather rule in hell than serve in heaven - and a very good leader he makes. His own force of will and determination does at times lead him to doubt the wisdom of other peoples' orders or procedures, but his own frankness saves him from disloyalty. He commands rather than evokes respect and admiration from his men, but a strong sense of humour enable their mutual relations to be cordial. He has acted in an unofficial capacity as a local ambassador socially, with happy results, at some financial loss. With his temperament and experience he will make an ideal Wing Commander Flying or Wing Leader.

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Another assessment, dated 14 November 1956 (completed by A/V/M H.B. Godwin),
was revealing of other traits:

Wing Commander Davidson, up until recently, was Commanding Officer of our Detachment at Rabat, Morocco. This task involved working diplomatically with the French, with the United States Air Force and, at first, only to a minor extent with the Moroccans. However, as time went on, the Moroccan liberation movement became more pronounced. His task became extremely difficult and indeed touchy since there were changes of Sultans and considerable antagonism towards the French. Additionally, antagonism was felt by the Moroccans when Canada sold aircraft to the Israelis. Throughout all these difficulties he capably set up and operated air firing at Rabat, and when the time came to terminate the agreement with the French, he was able to leave a very fine feeling for the Canadians in the minds of all three nations involved. We owe a great deal of our success at Rabat to Wing Commander Davidson.
I consider him to be a good organizer, a strong supporter of the RCAF and an officer on whom we can rely in difficult circumstances.

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On 15 August 1963, G/C C.R. Knowles of 26th NORAD Sector wrote:

Group Captain Davidson has been my Deputy Commander for two years, during which time he has several times assumed command in my absence, the last time being for three months. During these two years I have grown to know the Group Captain as an extremely able officer with traits of character and judgement that are rare even in a select officer corps. There is no question that this officer can assume all the responsibilities of increased rank, and is deserving of such rank. In addition, Mrs. Davidson and their two sons have exemplified the best, in every way, in the RCAF tradition of "ambassadorship". The Davidson family, in toto, is loved and respected by all the many friends and associates they have collectively and individually made during this tour of duty.

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see also "Triple Front Ace",
- Journal of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society, Summer 1964.

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