George Pepper

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MORE CANADIANS IN R.C.A.F. WIN HERO'S HONOURS
Two of Awards Are For Bravery Displayed in Dieppe Fight
FEATS DESCRIBED

London, September 18, 1942 – (CP Cable) - Canada's ever-growing honors list was increased today with announcement of awards to four Canadian airmen, two of them for heroism during the Dieppe raid.
The Distinguished Flying Cross went to Flight-Lieut. James Whitham, of Edmonton; F.O. George Allan Casey, Mitchell, Ont., and P.O. George Pepper, native of Belleville, Ont., now living in England. Sgt. Clarence Scott, of Tisdale, Sask., was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.
Scott's award resulted from a thrilling episode over Dieppe. He was wireless operator-air gunner in an aircraft detailed to attack a selected target prior to the troop landings. The bombing was accomplished, but on the return flight his aircraft was attacked by a Force-Wulf 190 and set afire.

Gave Enemy Final Burst
As the plane plunged into the sea near the French coast Scott gave the enemy a final burst from his guns. He was thrown clear when the plane struck the water and soon became aware his two flying companions were in the wreckage.
The gunner inflated his "Mae West" jacket and swam to the spot where his crewmates had come up unconscious. Scott held the pilot's head above water while he inflated his jacket, then he inflated the crashed plane's dinghy and pushed the pilot into it. Next he swam to the observer’s side, blew up his jacket and got him into the dingy. He was spotted by a British aircraft which sent a rescue launch.

Others Honored
Royal Canadian Air Force headquarters announced last night award of five Distinguished Flying Crosses and one Distinguished Flying Medal to Canadians serving overseas.
Three of the awards, which were made recently, went to Toronto airmen. Two were to Ottawa district men, and one to a Vancouver flyer, the announcement said.
The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded to Acting Squadron Leader W.C. Wigrnore and Acting Flight Lieut. A.E. Glazer, of Toronto; Pilot Officer George Walter Kusiar, of New Toronto; Flight Lieut. G.L. MacIntyre, of Arnprior, and pilot Officer A.M. Beach, of Vancouver.
Flight-Sgt. C.J. Quinn, of Ottawa, won the Distinguished Flying Medal, while pilot Officer C.D. Harris, St. John, of the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve, who trained in Canada, also won the Distinguished Flying Cross.

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PEPPER, P/O George (104585) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.29 Squadron
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 18 September 1942.

Pilot Officer Pepper, as pilot, and Sergeant Toone, as radio observer, have been together in many night fighting operations. In August 1942 they destroyed a Junkers 88. Throughout their operations, Pilot Officer Pepper and Sergeant Toone have invariably displayed perfect teamwork and initiative.

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CANADA FLYERS PLAY BIG PART IN EGYPT DRIVE
Communiqué Shows They Have Made Many raids on Enemy Forces

REVIEW OF WEEK
Ottawa, November 6, 1942 - (CP) - Canadian flyers in the Middle East have strafed axis troops, bombed axis ammunition dumps and made intensive attacks on enemy land and sea supply lines, Air Minister Power announced last night in the ninth Weekly summary of R.C.A.F. overseas operation.
It was the first time the weekly summary had mentioned operations by Canadians in that theatre of war, where a major allied offensive now is in progress against the axis forces under command of Marshal Rommel.
R.C.A.F. Spitfire fighter squadrons damaged six locomotives in daylight attacks on northern France and a seventh locomotive was blown up during fighter-intruder operations at night, the communiqué said.
Three out of four enemy aircraft which attacked southeastern England last Saturday night were shot down by a Canadian pilot of an R.A.F. Beaufighter squadron.
It was made known in London last Sunday that the sharpshooting airman was P.O. George Pepper, of BelleviIIe, Ont., rated one of Britain's best night fighters. He holds the Distinguished Flying Cross.
R.C.A.F. Wellington bombers attacked objectives in northwestern Germany by daylight last Saturday, the communiqué said.
Coastal command squadrons have been occupied with convoy and escort duties, anti-shipping and antisubmarine patrols.

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NOTED AIRMAN BELIEVED DEAD
Flying Officer Pepper Helped Destroy 18 Huns

Belleville, November 18, 1942 - (Special) - Reputed to be one of Britain's best night fighter pilots. Flying officer George Pepper, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Pepper, Chatham Street, is believed killed in action according to information received here today.
Pepper's wife cabled her relatives from England: "The worst has happened to George, Nov. I7. Letter follows.”
Former Canadian 200-mile motorcycle champion, Pepper had a distinguished career in the Royal Air Force. He won the D.F.C. last August when he brought down a Junkers 88. He shared with his observer, Flying Officer Joseph Toone, credit for eighteen enemy bombers. Their most spectacular achievement came three weeks ago when they brought dawn three Dormer bombers in a single battle over Britain. Pepper comes from a fighting family. Three brothers are in the armed service: Frank in the Canadian Navy; Bill in the R.C.A.F., Trenton, and Jim of the R.A.F., who recently returned to Britain after spending months as a fighter pilot with his squadron in Russia.
Flying Officer Pepper went to England in 1937, where he was associated with many motorcycle clubs. On the outbreak of war he was given a position as superintendent of a Spitfire manufacturing company. He joined the R.A.F. in 1940, and was commissioned the next year. He married a Surrey girl and leaves a fourteen-month old son. Three sisters also survive besides his parents.
Pepper was the "adopted son" of the little village of East Malting, England. Villagers put up large posters announcing each feat after a Pepper victory.

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Air Force Casualties

Ottawa, November 25, 1942 - (CP) - The R.C.A.F., in its 431st casualty list of the war, today reported one man killed on active service overseas, one missing and believed killed during air operations overseas, and seven missing after overseas air operations. Including with next of kin:
CANADIAN IN THE R.A.F.
PEPPER, George - D.F.C., F.O., R.A.F., killed on active service overseas. Mrs. George Pepper (wife), West Malling, Kent, England

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PEPPER, F/O George (104585) - Bar to DFC - No.29 Squadron
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 11 December 1942;
cited with P/O Toone (DFC). Air Ministry Bulletin 8683 refers.

Flying Officer Pepper and Pilot Officer Toone flying together as pilot and observer have formed a perfect and successful night fighting team. They have destroyed at least six enemy aircraft. Their exceptional skill and determination have set a most inspiring example.

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Victories Include:

6 / 0 / 1

* Aces High 2nd Ed. shows this as a probable

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George Pepper was killed testing the new Beaufighter in the United Kingdom at Rochester, November 17, 1942 age 26, while with No. 29 Squadron (Impiger Et Acer). His body was returned to Canada and is buried in the Belleville Cemetery, Belleville, Ontario.

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--- Canadian Aces ---

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