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Aikman, Alan Frederick

Date of birth:
March 5th, 1919 (Toronto/Ontario, Canada)
Service number:
J7460
Nationality:
Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

Biography

Alan Aikman received his wings on September 13, 1941 and was commissioned a pilot officer the same day. Having been posted overseas, he arrived in the UK on October 14, 1941 and joined No. 57 Operational Training Unit.
In January 1942 he joined No. 154 squadron, and was wingman to W/C Finucane when the Irish ace was killed. In September 1942 he was raised to the rank of Flying Officer and in November 1942 was with squadron No. 154 when it left the UK for the Middle East Command.
In January 1943 he was made flight commander.
In July 1943 he came down with malaria and was repatriated to Canada, where, after learning to fly Dakotas, he was raised to the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
In November 1944 he joined No. 436 squadron in Burma and in August 1945 was raised to the rank of Squadron Leader. He was repatriated to Canada in November 1945 and released from the RCAF in December 1945.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flying Officer
Unit:
No. 154 (Motor Industries) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
February 26th, 1943
Citation:
"Flt. Lt. Aikman is a keen and tenacious fighter. He has destroyed at least eight enemy aircraft. He has shown a rare zest for battle."
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 154 (Motor Industries) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
October 19th, 1943
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Citation:
"Flight Lieutenant Aikman is a keen and tenacious fighter. He has destroyed at least 8 enemy aircraft. He has shown a rare zest for battle."

Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Sources

Photo