Object Record
Images
Metadata
Accession # |
2016.20.1.04 |
Item Name |
Bar, Service Ribbon Medal Medal, Military Medal, Service Ribbon, Medal Box, Medal |
Description |
Bomber Command Bar dated 2016. This is a rectangular silver bar (.01) with a four-engine bomber aircraft at the centre on a pebbled background, with a beveled border. It is worn on the ribbon of the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM), above the overseas, Dieppe, and Hong Kong bars (if applicable). The bar was issued with a replacement ribbon for the CVSM (.02), which has a wide vertical royal blue stripe at centre, flanked on either side by narrower stripes of scarlet and dark green. The bar and ribbon came in a navy blue cardboard box (.04) with shallow lift-off lid (.03). |
Date |
2016 EQUALS |
Provenance |
This bar was awarded posthumously to James William Cross (February 4, 1925-January 4, 1981) of Eramosa Township and Fergus. James was the eldest son of William James and Mary (Mooney) Cross, who farmed near Everton on Concession 7, Lot 14, Eramosa Twp. James enlisted in the RCAF on 18 November 1942 at the age of 17 (with parental permission because he was underage). His service number was R205817. He earned his wings a year later and went overseas in 1944. He served as a wireless operator/air gunner (WAG) with 429 (Bison) Squadron. He trained at No. 4 Wireless School (No. 4 WS) in Guelph and No.1 Bombing and Gunnery School (No.4 B&GS) in Jarvis. He trained aboard Moth, Norseman, Yale, and Bolingbroke aircrafts. He was posted overseas to No.11 Advanced Flying Unit (No.11 AFU), No. 22 Operational Training Unit (No.22 OTU) at Gaydon, No. 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit (No.1659 HCU) at RAF Topcliffe, and finally to 429 Squadron. He served aboard Wellington, Halifax, and Lancaster aircraft. He was discharged in May 1946 at the age of 21, with a rank of WO2 (Warrant Officer, Second Class). After his discharge, he went to work at the Matthews-Wells Co. pickle factory in Guelph. He then moved to Fergus, ca.1948, and went to work for Beatty Bros Ltd (later GSW) in Fergus. He worked at GSW until he died from a heart attack at age 55. He was a member of the Elora and Fergus Legion branches. The Bomber Command Bar was first issued in 2013. It is awarded to Canadians of any rank or role who served a minimum of one day with Bomber Command between September 3, 1939 and May 8, 1945. |
Person \ Organization |
Cross, James Royal Canadian Air Force 429 Squadron Veterans Affairs Canada |
Place |
Fergus Europe |
Subjects |
Military War |