Flight Lieutenant John Norbert Vincent (Bud) Cleary

John Norbert Vincent “Bud” Cleary was born at Grand’Mère, Quebec, on 8 January 1911. Before the Second World War he had already accumulated considerable military and civilian experience. He served with the 17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars from 1926 to 1933, eventually attaining the rank of Troop Sergeant. In civilian life he worked in clerical, telephone, forestry and mining positions, and by the time of the war was employed by Waite Amulet Mines at Noranda, Quebec, as a purchasing agent. He married Mary Edith Angela Richards at St. Patrick’s Church in Quebec City on 19 April 1938, and they had a daughter, Patricia Edith, before his enlistment in the RCAF. He listed his hobbies as stamp collecting and reading, a lifetime hobby and one he, in later life, instilled as a passion into others. He played sports, and in 1925 had been knocked unconcious for 10 minutes in a hockey game.

Cleary returned to military service in August 1940 with the 3rd Pioneer Battalion, Royal Canadian Engineers, rising to Sergeant-Major before being discharged on 10 June 1941 to enlist in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He joined the RCAF at North Bay the following day and trained as a pilot. After completing Initial Training School at Victoriaville, he attended No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School, where he placed fifth in a class of thirty, and continued his flying training before receiving his Pilot’s Flying Badge on 10 April 1942.

Much of Cleary’s wartime flying was as a staff pilot and instructor rather than on operations. He served at several training establishments, including wireless schools at Montreal and Guelph, No. 9 Service Flying Training School at Centralia, No. 8 Air Observer School at Ancienne Lorette, and No. 2 Service Flying Training School at Uplands. His record contains repeated favourable assessments of his leadership, reliability and ability as a pilot. He was recommended for commissioned rank in 1942 and was ultimately commissioned as a Pilot Officer effective 16 November 1942. He was promoted to Flying Officer in 1943 and Flight Lieutenant in November 1944.

Cleary repeatedly sought overseas and operational flying service. In 1943 he was selected for overseas service, although refresher training initially found him below the standard then required for an overseas operational posting. He continued staff-pilot duties in Canada and accumulated extensive flying experience. By the end of his service he had recorded approximately 1,815 hours of flying time, although his service record specifically records no operational flying hours overseas.

In October 1944 Cleary finally proceeded overseas, embarking from Canada and arriving in Britain later that month. His overseas service continued until July 1945. While in Britain he continued non-operational RCAF service rather than flying combat operations. Near the end of the war he volunteered for service in the Pacific theatre, but the war ended before such service took place.

Cleary returned to Canada in July 1945 and was released from the RCAF at No. 2 Release Centre, Lachine, on 11 September 1945 after completing his voluntary wartime service. His decorations and service distinctions included the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, General Service War Service Badgeer and his Pilot’s Flying Badge. After the war Cleary returned to northern Quebec and resumed his civilian career with Waite Amulet Mines. He initially returned as a storekeep,  and was subsequently promoted to accountant. He remained interested in the RCAF after the war, applying for continuing Reserve service and, in the 1950s, for further training under the Mobilization Assignment Training Plan.  Cleary later lworked for Noranda Mines and lraised a family of four. He ived for several years in Valleyfield, Quebec before moving to Mississauga, Ontario. Known as “Bud,” he and his wife Edie had four children, Patricia, Brian, Sheila and Maureen, and nine grandchildren. His funeral was held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Mississauga, and he was interred in Assumption Cemetery..

John “Bud” Cleary was a founder, driving member and longtime president of the Peel Association of Handicapped Adults. In 1987, the Ontario Office for Disabled Persons recognized him for outstanding contributions to the community. Following his death in May 1989, Mississauga moved to name a new city-centre park in his honour.

1911-01-08 — Born. Place / Unit: Grand'Mère, Quebec
1926-11-18 to 1933-09-01 — Served with the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars, attaining Troop S... Place / Unit: Montreal, Quebec / 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars
1933-05 to 1937-02 — Employed as clerk and timekeeper. Place / Unit: Valcartier, Quebec / Dominion Forest Service
1940-08-02 to 1941-06-10 — Served continuously with the 3rd Pioneer Battalion, Royal Canadian Engineers,... Place / Unit: Noranda, Quebec / 3rd Pioneer Battalion RCE
1941-02 — Interviewed for RCAF service; assessed as officer calibre, suitable for commi... Place / Unit: Noranda, Quebec / RCAF Recruiting Centre (Noranda Mobile)
1941-06-11 — Enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Place / Unit: North Bay, Ontario / RCAF Recruiting Centre
1941-06-11 — Began RCAF training and security-guard duties. Place / Unit: No. 4 Manning Depot, St-Hubert, Quebec
1941-08-20 — Commenced Initial Training School, Course 34. Place / Unit: No. 3 ITS, Victoriaville, Quebec
1941-09-25 — Commenced elementary flying training, Course 39. Place / Unit: No. 4 EFTS, Windsor Mills, Quebec
1941-09-25 to 1941-11-21 — Completed No. 4 EFTS Course 39 with 69:20 flying hours on Fleet Finch plus 10... Place / Unit: Windsor Mills, Quebec / No. 4 EFTS
1941-11-21 — Commenced service flying training. Place / Unit: No. 9 SFTS, Summerside, Prince Edward Island
1942-04-09 — Awarded pilot's wings. Place / Unit: No. 9 SFTS, Summerside, Prince Edward Island
1942-04-10 — Promoted to Sergeant. Place / Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force
1942-05-28 — Underwent annual medical recheck; recorded height 5 ft 7 in, weight 151 lb, 1... Place / Unit: No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec
1942-10-10 — Appointed Acting Flight Sergeant (paid) and Temporary Flight Sergeant. Place ... Place / Unit: No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec
1942-11-07 — No. 1 Wireless School confidential assessment described Cleary as a good pilo... Place / Unit: No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec
1942-11-13 — No. 1 Wireless School supported his appointment to commissioned rank, describ... Place / Unit: No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec
1942-11-16 — Commissioned in the RCAF. Place / Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force
1942-12-14 — Recommended for appointment to commissioned rank and described as good office... Place / Unit: No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec
1942-12-21 — Requested that a proposed posting to No. 2 Wireless School, Calgary, be chang... Place / Unit: No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec
1943-01-04 — Proposed posting from No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, to No. 2 Wireless Scho... Place / Unit: No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec / No. 4 Wireless School, Guelph, Ontario
1943-01-06 — No. 1 Wireless School confidential assessment still carried Cleary administra... Place / Unit: No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec
1943-01-11 to 1943-01-12 — Posted from No. 1 Wireless School to No. 4 Wireless School effective 11 Janua... Place / Unit: Guelph, Ontario / No. 4 Wireless School
1943-01-18 — Posted for twin-engine checkout. Place / Unit: No. 9 SFTS, Centralia, Ontario
1943-03 — Underwent annual medical re-examination; recorded height 67 in, weight 150 lb... Place / Unit: Burtt, Ontario
1943-04-10 — Personnel-assessment record identifies Cleary as R90818 W.O.2 and carries a s... Place / Unit: No. 9 SFTS, Centralia, Ontario
1943-04-17 to 1943-06-21 — Attached for refresher flying after selection for an overseas posting; additi... Place / Unit: Centralia, Ontario / No. 9 SFTS
1943-06-09 — AFHQ advised No. 9 SFTS that Cleary had been selected for overseas service. P... Place / Unit: No. 9 SFTS, Centralia, Ontario / AFHQ
1943-06-21 — Taken on strength at No. 8 AOS; subsequently completed the pilot ground cours... Place / Unit: No. 8 AOS, Ancienne Lorette, Quebec
1943-06-22 — Signed the officers' service-roll oath and Special Reserve commission declara... Place / Unit: No. 9 SFTS, Centralia, Ontario
1943-06-30 — Served as second pilot during a pilot-check flight in a Norseman IV that made... Place / Unit: St-Hubert, Quebec / No. 1 Wireless School
1943-08-30 — No. 8 AOS confidential assessment recorded reliable/satisfactory service; for... Place / Unit: No. 8 AOS, Ancienne Lorette, Quebec
1943-09-06 to 1943-09-18 — Hospitalized for meningitis, origin unknown. Place / Unit: Jeffery Hale's Hospital, Quebec, Quebec
1943-11-03 — Acknowledged receipt of his Pilot Officer commission script. Place / Unit: Ancienne Lorette, Quebec / No. 8 AOS
1943-11-23 — Headquarters correspondence recorded that he had completed the No. 8 AOS pilo... Place / Unit: No. 8 AOS, Ancienne Lorette, Quebec
1943-12-15 — No. 8 AOS confidential assessment on change of command recorded satisfactory ... Place / Unit: No. 8 AOS, Ancienne Lorette, Quebec
1944-01-07 — Posted for staff-pilot/flying-training duties. Place / Unit: No. 2 SFTS, Uplands, Ontario
1944-01-08 — No. 8 AOS confidential assessment on posting recorded reliable and satisfacto... Place / Unit: No. 8 AOS, Ancienne Lorette, Quebec
1944-02-07 to 1944-02-13 — Annual leave, seven days inclusive; leave address 148 St. Augustine St., Queb... Place / Unit: No. 2 SFTS, Navigation Section, Uplands, Ontario
1944-03-09 — Underwent annual medical re-examination; recorded height 67 in, weight 144 lb... Place / Unit: No. 2 SFTS, Uplands, Ontario
1944-03-20 to 1944-03-26 — Annual leave, seven days inclusive; leave address 148 St. Augustine St., Quebec City, Quebec. Place / Unit: No. 2 SFTS, Uplands, Ontario
1944-04-24 — No. 2 SFTS forwarded a flying-time certificate for income-tax abatement and stated that Cleary had flown 741 hours while not occupying an annotated position. Place / Unit: No. 2 SFTS, Uplands, Ontario
1944-05-29 — Completed a staff-pilot flying test with 1,587:15 recorded flying time to dat... Place / Unit: Uplands, Ontario / No. 2 SFTS
1944-05-30 — Completed annual musketry course. Place / Unit: Uplands, Ontario
1944-08-07 to 1944-08-13 — Annual leave, seven days inclusive; leave address Valcartier Village, Quebec, c/o Mrs. E. Richards. Place / Unit: No. 2 SFTS, Uplands, Ontario
1944-08-21 — Notified that, although posted overseas, he would be used on non-operational duty. Place / Unit: No. 2 SFTS, Uplands, Ontario
1944-09-05 — Confidential personnel assessment recorded very strong officer/pilot qualities; the assessing officer described Cleary as a very capable officer and the commanding officer recorded no weaknesses and recommended ordinary promotion. Place / Unit: No. 2 SFTS, Uplands, Ontario
1944-09-21 to 1944-09-30 — Posted to No. 1 Y Depot effective 21 September; taken on strength/reported at... Place / Unit: No. 1 Y Depot, Lachine, Quebec
1944-10-02 — Embarked for the United Kingdom. Place / Unit: Halifax, Nova Scotia / RCAF overseas movement
1944-10-03 — Taken on strength for overseas processing/training. Place / Unit: No. 3 PRC, Bournemouth, United Kingdom
1944-10-12 — Disembarked in the United Kingdom. Place / Unit: Greenock, Scotland / RCAF overseas movement
1944-11-08 to 1944-12-05 — Attended a recorded course/attachment; ambiguous unit abbreviation is not exp... Place / Unit: United Kingdom / RCAF-RAF course or attachment
1944-1945 — Declared a first preference for service in the Pacific Theatre and answered Y... Place / Unit: No. 3 PRC / RCAF Flying Training Command
1945 — Underwent RCAF medical re-examination; recorded height 5 ft 7 in, weight 154 ... Place / Unit: No. 2 Release Centre, Lachine, Quebec
1945 — Transition application recorded 1,815 total flying hours, all entered as non-... Place / Unit: RCAF flying service
1945-01-26 — Posted to 6 EFTS. Place / Unit: 6 EFTS, United Kingdom
1945-03-07 — Recorded UK posting/attachment; ambiguous abbreviation retained only in sourc... Place / Unit: United Kingdom / RCAF-RAF posting
1945-03-23 — Recorded RAF posting. Place / Unit: RAF, United Kingdom
1945-04-18 — Personnel counselling recorded plans to return to Waite Amulet Mines, continu... Place / Unit: RCAF personnel counselling
1945-07-10 — Entered repatriation/depot processing. Place / Unit: United Kingdom / RCAF repatriation
1945-07-22 — Returned from overseas and Canadian service resumed. Place / Unit: Canada / Royal Canadian Air Force
1945-09 — Returned immediately after discharge to his former employer at Noranda and wo... Place / Unit: Noranda, Quebec / Waite Amulet Mines
1945-09 — Declared intended post-service residence as Noranda, Quebec; release to be carried out through No. 2 Release Centre. Place / Unit: No. 2 Release Centre / Noranda, Quebec
1945-09-07 — Chest X-ray recorded normal heart shadow and negative chest. Place / Unit: No. 2 Release Centre, Lachine, Quebec / No. 3 R.M.B. Hospital
1945-09-10 — Final Medical Board employment assessment found him fit for any type of emplo... Place / Unit: No. 2 Release Centre
1945-09-11 — Released from active RCAF service as a Flight Lieutenant on completion of war... Place / Unit: No. 2 Release Centre, Lachine, Quebec
1945-09-11 — Transferred on release to the RCAF Reserve, General Section, Class E. Place /... Place / Unit: No. 2 Release Centre, Lachine, Quebec / RCAF Reserve
1945-11-17 — Applied for RCAF transition-period service; recorded 1,815 non-operational fl... Place / Unit: Noranda, Quebec / RCAF transition-period application
1946-03 — Promoted in civilian employment to Accountant (described in 1954 as chief acc... Place / Unit: Noranda, Quebec / Waite Amulet Mines
1948-03-17 — Applied for continuing service in the RCAF Reserve, General Section, Class E;... Place / Unit: Noranda, Quebec / RCAF Reserve
1950-04-10 to 1950-05-30 — Updated his RCAF records address from 18 Sixth Street to 633 Second Avenue. P... Place / Unit: Noranda, Quebec / RCAF records correspondence
1954-06-08 — Mobilization Assignment Training Plan review considered Cleary for Supply Officer training based on his service and civilian experience; a 14 June handwritten assessment found him not suitable for that training. Place / Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force / Noranda, Quebec
1954-09-13 — RCAF advised Cleary that no vacancy was then available for training under the Mobilization Assignment Training Plan; his application was placed on a waiting list and he had not been selected for training at that time. Place / Unit: Noranda, Quebec / Royal Canadian Air Force