Phillips, George Hector Reid (Squadron Leader)

Survived 1942-October-01

Squadron Leader George Hector Reid Phillips RCAF

Birth Date: 1893-August-17

Born: Amaranth, Dufferin County, Ontario, Canada

Parents: Son of William Alfred Phillips and Mary Jane (nee Reid) Phillips

Spouse: Husband of Lorna Maria Victoria (nee Cruikshank) Phillips, married June 26,1922

Home: Orangeville, Ontario

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: unkown date

Decorations: MiD

Service

RCAF

Unit

45 Group (RAF)

Base

Natal, Brazil

Rank

Squadron Leader

Position

Pilot

Service Numbers

Home

Orangeville, Ontario

George HR Phillips had joined the 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in the First World War and later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. After the war he became a bush pilot for the Ontario Provincial Air Service (OPAS). He won the McKee Trophy in 1931 for his contributions to Canadian aviation

Over-age at 47 he applied and was accepted into the RCAF in 1940 and assigned to training duties but two years later volunteered and was accepted into RAF Ferry Command where he served for the rest of the Second World War. After the war he became the Superintendent of Algonquin Park until retiring in 1959

George Hector Reid Phillips was inducted as a Member of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 1974 at a ceremony held in Edmonton, Alberta

The Firebirds, How bush flying won it's wings by Bruce West pages 75-81,141,154,173-5,177,198-201,223,238-9

unvetted Source in%201915%20at%20Timmins%2C%20Ontario., George Hector Reid Phillips - Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame

www.findagrave.com

Crew or Other Personnel

Hudson FK499

Flying Officer William G Campbell RCAF

Flying Officer Campbell, William G (RCAF)
Navigator
Survived
1942-October-01
cemetery unknown

Squadron Leader George Hector Reid Phillips RCAF

Squadron Leader Phillips, George Hector Reid (RCAF)
Pilot
Survived
1942-October-01
cemetery unknown

Flight Lieutenant Gordon Anzac Seward RAAF

Flight Lieutenant Seward, Gordon Anzac (RAAF)
Wireless Operator
Survived
1942-October-01
cemetery unknown

Mission

Hudson Mk. VI FK499

Aircraft Ferrying 1942-October-01 to 1942-October-01

(Ferry) Ferry Command (RAF) Natal, Brazil

RAF Ferry Command Hudson aircraft FK 499 having originally departed from West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, made its way south, making several stops along the way before reaching Natal, Brazil. From here the crew flew out over the Atlantic Ocean. During the flight, fuel pump problems arose, which were repaired upon reaching Ascension Island. The crew then elected to continue their flight to Africa rather than wait until the next morning. Nightfall hampered their navigation and after a severe electrical storm knocked out the radio, they made a forced landing at Cotonou, Dahomey, West Africa, an area then under the control of the Vichy French Government. The crew survived the landing but George Phillips, William Campbell and Gordon Seward become interned prisoners until after the Allied landings in North Africa. They were returned to West Palm Beach Florida, USA 1943-01-20 and continued to work for Ferry Command. The impounded Hudson FK 499 was also saved, repaired and went on to serve with the RAF

Ocean Bridge, The History of RAF Ferry Command by Carl A Christie pages 166-8

unvetted Source [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

unvetted Source Post on RAF Commands by Col Bruggy, 2009-03-04

Hudson serial: FK499

Lockheed Hudson
Source National Air Force Museum of Canada.

The Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force (RAF) shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter. The Hudson served throughout the war, mainly with Coastal Command, but also in transport and training roles, as well as delivering agents into occupied France. They were also used extensively with the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) anti-submarine squadrons. National Air Force Museum of Canada.

YouTube Hudson