North Luffenham & Marville

SOMERVILLE, S/L James Dean (C1999)

Distinguished Flying Cross - Mention in Despatches - No.410 Squadron - Award effective 20 October 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2637/44 dated 8 December 1944. Born Exshaw, Alberta, 14 August 1908; educated in England, 1915-1918, Cochrane, Alberta (1918-1922), and Toronto. Trained as an electrical engineer. Home in Ottawa. Formerly in Canadian Militia, May 1933 to February 1934. Joined RCAF, 8 May 1934 as a fitter with No.110 Squadron. Commissioned 1 April 1940. Promoted to Flying Officer on same day; to Flight Lieutenant, 15 June 1941; to Squadron Leader, 1 July 1942; instructed at No.11 SFTS, 10 April 1941 to May 1943; arrived in UK, 13 July 1943;; with No.410 Squadron, 21 December 1943 to 9 October 1944 and No.409 Squadron, 9 October 1944 to 19 March 1945; promoted to Wing Commander, 9 October 1944; to Group Captain, 1 January 1953. Retired 20 February 1960. Cited with F/O George D Robinson (RCAF observer, awarded DFC; see above for citation). DSO and DFC presented 29 November 1947. Awarded Queen's Coronation Medal, 23 October 1953 (Group Captain, No.1 Wing). Photo PL-36168 shows him well. Aerial victories as follows: 12/13 February 1944, one Ju.88 destroyed and one Ju.88 damaged; 1/2 August 1944, one Ju.188 destroyed northeast of Tessy; 2/3 August 1944, one Do.217 destroyed northwest of Pontorson; 6/7 August 1944, one Ju.88 destroyed, St. Hilaire; 14/15 August 1944, one Ju88 destroyed west of Le Havre; 18/19 December 1944, one Ju.88 destroyed, Kaiseworth; 23/24 January 1945, one Ju.188 destroyed west of Diest. Photographs are PL-28994 (Robinson and Somerville), PL-36168 (studio portrait, 1944) and PL-95232 (portrait, 1957).