PL - William Roy 'Sambo' Irwin Survived

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"A" Able flying through the Eiffel Tower? (although this event likely happened, this photograph is likely fake.) It is signed by the late Bill Bryant RAF who was the navigator of that aircraft piloted by Bob Boorman RCAF. The caption reads "This Stars Stripes photograph was taken on 14 September 1944 and shows a Mosquito Mk XIII of 409 Squadron RCAF. Pilot - W/O Bob Boorman RCAF Navigator F/S Bill Bryant RAF Flying through the Eiffel Tower."
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Irwin, William Roy 'Sambo' MBE (Wing Commander, RCAF)

Survived 1918-March-01

Male Head

Canada

Birth Date: unkown date (age 19)

Born: Ripley, Ontario

Robert Irwin & Marion Jane Reavie

1) Doris Isobel Dickin, m.1921 2) Muriel Anne Store

Home: Ottawa, Ontario

Enlistment: Ripley, Ontario:

Enlistment Date: 1916-06-16

Decorations: MBE, DFC and bar,

Member of the British Empire

Service
RFC

Unit
56 (F) Sqn- Squadron (RNAS)

Base
France

Rank

Position
pilot

Service Numbers

Irwin enlisted in the RNAS in Canada in 1916, transferring to the RFC on arrival in England. He completed flight training in April, 1917 and in November, 1917 was promoted to Flying Officer and posted to 56 Squadron. His first patrol was on March 1, 1918. He was awarded to DFC on August 28. In September he was injured in a dogfight, but escaped and landed safely. Following a short period in hospital, he was sent to the Central Flying School at Upavon, England as an instructor. He ended the war with11 victories.

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