Flying Officer Robert Ness Anderson

Robert Ness Anderson was born in Winnipeg on 24 February 1922. A Canadian National Railways clerk, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on 30 September 1942. He trained as a pilot at Davidson and Gimli, received his wings and commission on 24 March 1944, and served as a flying instructor at Virden and Gimli. Promoted Flying Officer in September 1944, he served entirely in Canada. Following family bereavements, he requested retirement to assist his mother and return to railway work, and was honourably released to the Reserve on 29 May 1945. He later instructed Royal Canadian Air Cadets and served in the RCAF Primary Reserve at Edmonton Flying Club from 1954 to 1958. He married Dorothy Helen Dukelow in 1943; they had two children. He died on 11 July 1960 and was buried at Kildonan Presbyterian Cemetery.

1922-02-24 — Born Robert Ness Anderson; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1942-09-07 — Applied to the RCAF, initially requesting aero-engine mechanic duties; entrance medical recorded sinus trouble and healed childhood fractures; No. 6 Recruiting Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1942-09-24 — Aircrew medical board found him fit for aircrew, proposed navigator category; no previous service; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1942-09-30 — Voluntarily enlisted as Aircraftman 2nd Class, R191408; signed oath and taken on strength; No. 6 Recruiting Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1942-10-01 to 1942-12-29 — Leave without pay pending training; 90 days in corrected gratuity calculation; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1942-12-29 — Posted from No. 6 Recruiting Centre to No. 2 Manning Depot; taken on strength 30 December; Brandon, Manitoba.
1943-01-07 — Smallpox vaccination and initial TABT inoculation; scarlet-fever toxin series followed January–February; No. 2 Manning Depot, Brandon, Manitoba.
1943-02-14 — Posted from No. 2 Manning Depot to Eastern Air Command; taken on strength 15 February; Halifax, Nova Scotia.
1943-04-15 — Posted from Eastern Air Command to No. 16 X Depot; taken on strength 16 April; Debert, Nova Scotia.
1943-05-04 — Completed Pre-Aircrew Education Course under War Emergency Training; qualified for Aircrew ITS with English 84, Science 90 and Mathematics 80; Truro, Nova Scotia.
1943-05-14 — Posted from No. 16 X Depot to No. 1 Manning Depot; taken on strength 15 May; Toronto, Ontario.
1943-05-26 — Medical selection review found him fit, with excellent physique; pilot preference, high-average night vision and normal decompression test; No. 6 Medical Selection Board, Toronto, Ontario.
1943-06-03 to 1943-06-12 — Special/recreation leave recorded before ITS posting; Toronto, Ontario.
1943-06-12 — Posted to No. 5 Initial Training School; taken on strength 13 June; Belleville, Ontario.
1943-06-14 to 1943-08-20 — Attended ITS Course 81; 82% ground result and 69 character/leadership mark; selected for pilot training; No. 5 Initial Training School, Belleville, Ontario.
1943-07-08 — ENT consultation for persistent cold and spasmodic cough after train journey; subacute rhinitis and suspected whooping cough, allowed to continue course; RCAF hospital, Trenton, Ontario.
1943-07-09 — Sinus X-ray showed dense left antrum with remaining sinuses clear; RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario.
1943-08-21 — Promoted Leading Aircraftman, aircrew pilot; No. 5 Initial Training School, Belleville, Ontario.
1943-08-21 to 1943-09-05 — Special leave following ITS graduation; Belleville, Ontario; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1943-08-24 — Married Dorothy Helen Dukelow, officiated by Rev. G. E. Taylor; military permission to marry recorded; West Kildonan, Manitoba.
1943-09-05 — Taken on strength of No. 23 Elementary Flying Training School after posting from Belleville; Davidson, Saskatchewan.
1943-09-06 to 1943-10-29 — Pilot Course 89 on Cornell aircraft; 76.3% ground, 69.2% flying and 70% character/leadership; no flying accident reported; No. 23 EFTS, Davidson, Saskatchewan.
1943-10-30 — Posted to No. 18 Service Flying Training School; taken on strength 31 October; Gimli, Manitoba.
1943-11-01 to 1944-03-24 — Pilot Course 93 on Anson II aircraft; 80.3% ground, 72% flying and 81.7% character/leadership; assessed extremely suitable as instructor; No. 18 SFTS, Gimli, Manitoba.
1944-03-24 — Graduated with Pilot Flying Badge; temporary Sergeant entry and appointment as Pilot Officer, Special Reserve, General List, Pilot Branch, J43370; No. 18 SFTS, Gimli, Manitoba.
1944-03-25 to 1944-04-07 — Graduation leave; posting to No. 1 FIS effective 7 April; Gimli, Manitoba; Trenton, Ontario.
1944-03-30 — Canadian Volunteer Service Medal/ribbon recorded; Canada.
1944-04-07 — Posted to No. 1 Flying Instructors School; taken on strength 8 April; Trenton, Ontario.
1944-04-19 — Requested permission to live off station with wife at 44 Highland Avenue; flight commander concurred; Belleville, Ontario; No. 1 FIS, Trenton, Ontario.
1944-04-29 to 1944-05-05 — Annual-leave application approved, home address 367 Scotia Street; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1944-05-02 to 1944-05-08 — Compassionate leave recorded following family bereavement; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1944-05-08 to 1944-06-16 — Flying Instructor Course 103; 80.5% ground marks, natural instructional ability; awarded Category C elementary, average, on 16 June; No. 1 FIS, Trenton, Ontario.
1944-06-16 — Posted to No. 4 Training Command HQ for reposting; taken on strength 17 June; Calgary, Alberta.
1944-06-21 — Posted to staff of No. 5 Elementary Flying Training School; taken on strength 22 June; High River, Alberta.
1944-06-22 — Requested compassionate transfer to Virden to assist mother after father and brother died; request supported by medical and family correspondence; No. 5 EFTS, High River, Alberta.
1944-06-26 to 1944-07-09 — Approved annual leave to visit bereaved mother; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1944-07-03 — Air Force HQ amended compassionate transfer to No. 19 EFTS, effective 10 July, report 11 July; Virden, Manitoba.
1944-07-10 — Posted to No. 19 Elementary Flying Training School; taken on strength/reporting 11 July; flying instructor duties; Virden, Manitoba.
1944-08-21 — Medical examination found physically fit, category A1B; Canada.
1944-09-04 — Signed oath and declaration accepting Special Reserve commission; No. 19 EFTS, Virden, Manitoba.
1944-09-07 — Instructor fitness assessment recorded overall score 86; No. 19 EFTS, Virden, Manitoba.
1944-09-24 — Promoted Temporary Flying Officer; No. 19 EFTS, Virden, Manitoba.
1944-09-25 — Confidential report recommended retention and ordinary promotion; competent flying ability and favourable impression, no disciplinary entries; No. 19 EFTS, Virden, Manitoba.
1944-09-29 — Sick parade for head cold/acute coryza, routine treatment; No. 19 EFTS, Virden, Manitoba.
1944-10-09 — Sick parade for acute coryza, treated and returned to duty; No. 19 EFTS, Virden, Manitoba.
1944-10-20 — Acknowledged receipt of commission/warrant script; No. 19 EFTS, Virden, Manitoba.
1944-10-23 to 1944-10-30 — Annual leave; Virden, Manitoba.
1944-11-04 — Posted to No. 2 Flying Instructors School for recategorization; receiving entries 5/6 November; Pearce, Alberta.
1944-11-15 — Sick parade for cut toe, treated with zinc oxide; No. 2 FIS, Pearce, Alberta.
1944-11-24 — Order confirmed commission retrospectively from 24 March 1944; Canada.
1944-12-03 — Forced landing; no injury sustained; Canada.
1944-12-21 — Instructor recategorization examination on Crane and Harvard; categories B twin-engine and C elementary single-engine; 75% ground marks, sixth of seventeen; No. 2 FIS, Pearce, Alberta.
1944-12-23 to 1944-12-28 — Christmas leave; Pearce, Alberta.
1945-01-04 — Posted to No. 2 Air Command Headquarters; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1945-01-07 — Posted to No. 18 SFTS; taken on strength 8 January, duties as flying instructor, reporting noted 10 January; Gimli, Manitoba.
1945-03-02 — Annual medical re-examination found fit as pilot, category A1B; weight 194 pounds; No. 18 SFTS, Gimli, Manitoba.
1945-03-05 to 1945-03-11 — Semi-annual leave; Gimli, Manitoba.
1945-03-12 — Sick-parade entry for pharyngitis, treated with spray; Gimli, Manitoba.
1945-04-09 — Applied for retirement and transfer to Reserve Class E to assist widowed mother and resume railway employment; commander supported request; No. 18 SFTS, Gimli, Manitoba.
1945-04-16 — Release from active service and transfer to Reserve Class E authorized, subject to leave and documentation; No. 2 Air Command, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1945-04-19 — Pilot certificate of ability recorded instrument spin recovery, limited-panel navigation and dark-night flying for Public Transport Pilot licence; No. 18 SFTS, Gimli, Manitoba.
1945-04-24 — Personnel counselling: intended return to CNR clerk-stenographer occupation, radio-building hobby; No. 18 SFTS, Gimli, Manitoba.
1945-04-25 — Flying ledger reached cumulative 669 hours 5 minutes; No. 18 SFTS, Gimli, Manitoba.
1945-04-30 to 1945-05-06 — Annual leave before release, leave address 367 Scotia Street; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1945-05-07 to 1945-05-26 — Special leave pending release, notice states 21 days though written range spans 20; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1945-05-15 — Certified pilot ability documentation sent to Department of Transport for Public Transport Pilot licence; Ottawa, Ontario; Gimli, Manitoba.
1945-05-26 — Posted to No. 5 Release Centre, reporting and taken on strength 27 May; attached No. 8 Repatriation Depot for quarters and rations; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1945-05-28 — Release medical recorded good health and non-medical retirement; rehabilitation interview planned CNR return, tentatively Saskatoon; declared identification discs lost while riding horses; No. 5 Release Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1945-05-29 — Honourably released from active service and transferred to RCAF Reserve, General Section, Trained Aircrew, Class E, retaining Flying Officer rank; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1945-06-22 — Original birth record, two wills and first-aid certificate returned; reserve-transfer medical papers forwarded to Pension Commission; Ottawa, Ontario; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1945-06-23 — War-service gratuity awarded $217.50 based on 883 qualifying days; overseas service nil; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1946-04-15 — Acknowledged General Service Class War Service Badge 849338 and certificate; Canada.
1946-07-19 — Postwar dental relief: impacted tooth 17 extracted; postoperative care 24 July; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1946-09-10 — Impacted tooth 1 extracted under local anaesthesia; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1946-12-21 — Veterans Land Act regional office requested service confirmation; reply 8 January 1947 recorded 883 paid days and no overseas service; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1948-03-19 — Requested two Class E Air Force Reserve application forms; HQ sent forms and reservist circular 24 March; 408 Childs Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1948-05-24 — Son Robert Brodie born; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1950-09-23 — Placed at position 86 on Chipmunk priority list for Winnipeg area; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1950-11-07 — Reserve aircrew examination found excessive hypermetropia and not fit for pilot; general category A and B approved 20 November; RCAF Station Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1952 to 1954 — Served as Royal Canadian Air Cadets instructor; Canada.
1952-01-23 — Daughter Virginia Irene born; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1954-05-13 — Primary Reserve RFTP enrolment authorized, subject to medical fitness and Edmonton Flying Club vacancy; Pilot Officer appointment with simultaneous Flying Officer promotion; Edmonton, Alberta.
1954-05-28 — Signed reserve application; civilian railway transportation/travel agent, previous aircrew flying total 669:05; Edmonton, Alberta.
1954-05-31 — Civil aviation examination for private pilot licence found fit, category A1; HQ approved 5 June; Edmonton, Alberta.
1954-07-03 — Enrolled in Primary Reserve RFTP, Aircrew List Pilot Branch, 223310; appointed Pilot Officer and simultaneously promoted Flying Officer; assigned TCHQ Administrative Unit at Edmonton Flying Club; Edmonton, Alberta.
1954-11-28 — Phase I 1954/55 completed: 20 air and 20 academic hours, private pilot licence, total first-pilot time 395:40; recommended Phase II; certification 8 December; Edmonton Flying Club, Edmonton, Alberta.
1956-01-02 — Confirmed ability to participate actively in emergency mobilization under RFTP; Edmonton, Alberta.
1956-03-05 — Completed Phase II air and Phase III academic 1955/56, about 25 air and 20 academic hours; commercial licence and Class III instructor rating, first-pilot total 420:00; Edmonton Flying Club, Edmonton, Alberta.
1956-10-05 — Commercial Instructor licence medical examination, category A1; Department of Transport confirmation 19 October; Edmonton, Alberta.
1957-01-08 — Phase III 1956/57 report: 28 air and 20 academic hours, Class II instructor rating and first-pilot total 436:00; training/pay certification 17 January; Edmonton Flying Club, Edmonton, Alberta.
1957-10-29 — Phase III 1957/58 report: 29 air and 20 academic hours, Class III instructor rating retained; recommended repeat Phase III, certification 18 November; Edmonton Flying Club, Edmonton, Alberta.
1958-03-31 — Honourably released from Primary Reserve under QR Air 15.01(5)(a), economy on reduction of authorized strength; Edmonton, Alberta.
1960-07-11 — Died; burial recorded; Kildonan Presbyterian Cemetery.