Biographical Data

Edwards, Gordon Cheeseman

Personal Image

Photo Credit: Unknown

 
 
Title Commodore (CF)
Official Number (nk)
 
Birth 00/07/1917 Death 02/02/2005
Place Toronto Place Ottawa
Area ON Area ON
Country Canada Country Canada
 
Titles
Honours M.I.D.
Awards AdC.
Qualifications ndc. psa.
 
Biography
He served in the Merchant Navy as a Cadet with the Anchor Donaldson Line. Afterwards, in 1938, he joined the Aircraft Division of Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montréal PQ. He was the first Canadian in the Second World War to comand a British naval air squadron.
 
Military Service
He was mobilized for World War Two service. He was appointed as a Sub-Lieutenant (Temp.) RCNVR (With seniority dated 12/07/1940). He served in the Montreal Division RCNVR 1940. He served with the Royal Navy on Channel Convoy Duty for Anti-Aircraft Guard 1940. He was appointed as a Lieutenant (Temp.) RCNVR (With seniority dated 12/07/1942) (Later backdated to 1941). He served in the RN for Pilot Training 29 Course 1941. He served in RCAF Kingston for 31 Service Flying Training School 1941. He served in H.M.S. Argus for Deck Landing Qualification 1941. He served in RNAS Lee-on-Solent for 824 Squadron 1942. He served in H.M.S. Unicorn for 824 Squadron (Swordfish) 1943. He served in H.M.S. St. Angelo for 824 Squadron (Swordfish) 1943. He served in H.M.S. Striker for 824 Squadron (Swordfish/Wildcat) 1943. He served in H.M.S. Striker for 824 Squadron (Swordfish/Wildcat) as Commanding Officer of 824 Squadron 1944. He was appointed as an A/Lieutenant-Commander (Temp.) RCNVR 1945. He served as Commanding Officer 729 RN Deck Landing Training Squadron (Barracuda) 1945. He was appointed as a A/Commander (Temp.) RCNVR (With seniority dated 22/08/1945). He served in NSHQ as Director of Air Personnel 1945. He was appointed as a Lieutenant-Commander RCN(R) (With seniority dated 01/01/1947). (He was demobilized), (Short Service Appointment commenced 25/05/1948). He was appointed as a Lieutenant-Commander (SSA) RCN (With seniority dated 01/01/1947). He was appointed as an A/Commander (SSA) RCN 1948. He served in NHQ as Deputy Director Naval Aviation (Air Warfare) 1948. He served in HMCS Cayuga 1949. He was appointed as a Commander (SSA) RCN (With seniority dated 01/07/1950). He served in the RN for Commander (Air) Course 1950. He served in RCAF Staff College Toronto for Staff Course 1950. He served in RCAF for Jet Flying Training, (Selected for permanent commission). He was appointed as a Commander RCN (With seniority dated 24/05/1953). He served in HMCS Shearwater as Commander (Air). He served in HMCS Stettler (In command) 1954. He was appointed as a Captain RCN (With seniority dated 01/07/1956). He served in the National Defence College of Canada (Course 11) 1957. He served in HMCS Athabaskan (II) (In command) and Commander Third Canadian Escort Squadron 1961. He served in HMCS Iroquois (I) (In command) 1962. He served as Commanding Officer HMCS Shearwater 1962. He was appointed as a Commodore RCN (With seniority dated 06/10/1964). He served in HMCS Stadacona as Commodore Personnel Atlantic Coast 1964. He was appointed as a Hon AdC to Governor General 1964. He served as Commanding Officer Naval Divisions and Senior Officer-in-Command Naval Reserves 1965. He served as Naval Member of Directing Staff National Defence College of Canada 1967. He served as Base Commander CFB Borden 1969. (He was retired.)
 
Vessels Owned
Aircraft Flown Total Flying Hours: 1,225 hours. Service Aircraft Flown: Tiger Moth, Harvard, Swordfish, Albacore, Hurricane, Reliant, Chesapeake, Martinet, Fulmar, Firefly, Avenger, Master, Expeditor, Sea Fury, Stinson, Norseman, Oxford, Dakota, Vampire, Anson, Barracuda, HTL, Heron, HO4S, North Star, Tracker, Kaman, Beaver.)
Named Features
 
Anecdotes
 
 
References
Government of Canada The Canadian Navy List Ottawa ON; MacFarlane, John M. (1994);
Last update
2010-11-25 00:00:00

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