Six: Flight Lieutenant G. C. Whitaker, Royal Canadian Air Force

Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; Coronation 1953; Canadian Forces Decoration, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, with Second Award Bar (P/O G. C. Whitaker), mounted court-style as worn along with a Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct oak leaf emblem; together with the recipient’s riband bar; R.C.A.F. Air Gunner’s cloth brevet; and a Gieves tailor’s label inscribed ‘L.2.54.150/63498 G. C. Whitaker.’, good very fine (6) £140-£180

Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct Canada Gazette 7 August 1954.

The original Recommendation states: ‘On 27 November 1953, the cartridge of a Sabre aircraft canopy failed to function during an attempted bail out of flight. On landing, a detailed examination of the canopy ejector mechanism disclosed no reason for the malfunction, though the firing pin had been released. As an alternative to prolonged grounding of 2 (Fighter) Wing aircraft, and possibly all 1 R.C.A.F. Air Division aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Whitaker, the Wing Armament Officer of 2 (Fighter) Wing, volunteered to disassemble the defective cartridge manually, with the full knowledge that the cartridge was alive and that during the disassembly process the firing pin might be unseated. He was also aware that any resulting explosion would undoubtedly cause serious injuries to himself. Flight Lieutenant Whitaker disassembled the cartridge without further incident. However, the fact that the malfunction proved to be of a type not liable to lead to an explosion cannot detract from the noteworthy courage and devotion to duty displayed by this officer.’

George Cosgrove Whitaker was born in Vegreville, Alberta, on 25 August 1918, and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at Vancouver, British Colombia, on 15 April 1937. He was commissioned Acting Flight Lieutenant in the Non-Flying Special Reserve on 28 March 1941, and passed the Armament Instructors and Bomb Disposal courses. At the time of his gallant act of bravery, he was serving as Wing Armament Officer of 2 (Fighter) Wing, Royal Canadian Air Force.

Sold with copied record of service and a photographic image of the recipient.