McCall, Fred Robert Gordon DSO (Squadron Leader, RCAF)

Survived 1918-June-28

McCall came to Calgary with his family in 1906. In February 1916 he enlisted with the 175th Battalion CEF.. Eight months later, he was in France with this battalion as a sergeant. McCall transferred to the RFC and received a commission as a lieutenant pilot trainee in March 1917. In December was assigned to 13Sqn RFC, flying the two seater RE-8 reconnaissance aircraft with F.C. Farrington as observer/gunner. His first aerial victory occurred while flying the RE-8, shooting down a German aircraft. McCall was awarded the Military Cross "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty", and two weeks later the accompanying Bar for downing an enemy scout aircraft while on a mission to take photographs. After his third victory while flying the RE-8, McCall was transferred to 41Sqn RAF flying the SE5. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after scoring four "kills" in May 1918. On 1918-06-28 McCall downed four enemy aircraft, including one shared with Eric John Stephens. On 1918-06-30 now Captain McCall downed five more Germans, four in the morning and the fifth that evening. For this McCall was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. On 17 August, he was accompanying William Gordon Claxton when the pair of them ran into Jagstaffel 20, which consisted of at least 40 planes. In the ensuing fight, which saw Claxton shot down, McCall scored a victory and was wounded. He was ordered to England, and eventually to Canada, on convalescent leave. The armistice ending World War I was signed while McCall was in Canada recuperating from illness.