Can anyone tell me what he did in the R.C.A.F

[Kimber Sill]

This is my husbands grandfather, his name is James A. Conroe. He volunteered for WW2 in Canada before America became involved. I was hoping someone could tell me what he did for them. He said in his obituary that he was on the Eagle Squadron. I suspect all American pilots wanted to be Eagles, and I have found no solid evidence that this is true. My best guess is that he was a ferrying pilot. After Pearl Harbor he came home and joined the Air Corp. I am including some photos for assistance. On the back of the photo it says....Flying Officers...L to R..Conroe, Jewesbury, McClure.....back row........Peorazinni, Thord-Gray, Glazier, Roberts, Howard, Furguson.Thank you in advance.

[Allan H.]

It looks like he was a bomber pilot, so I seriously doubt that he went to one of the Eagle Squadrons. I'm not sure if he actually went to an Operational Squadron overseas. In 1942, the US and Britain agreed to allow all Americans in "service to the crown" to return to US military control if they wanted to transfer to the US forces. Because the US paid more than the British, most soldiers transitioned, but not all. 

 

A LOT of the Americans who flew with the RAF, RCAF, RAAF, etc. ended up as instructors back in the states.

 

Allan

[Kimber Sill]

Thank you, I appreciate the response. He spent a lot of time in California during his time in the RCAF so it had me thinking maybe a Ferry pilot. I know you can identify certain jobs by their uniforms or their wings. I'm including another picture but it may be too small to see details.

[m4s88]

I had a group to a pilot from OR who went to rcaf and flew bombers on night raids before going to fly b-17’s. In the rcaf he was in a multinational unit. Pretty cool stuff. Had letters from the eagle squadron club in London though he was not an eagle squadron pilot per say.