Dayton, Francis James: my Navy recollections (May 28, 1987)
Interviewer: Arts, Graham
An interview/narrative of Francis James Dayton's experiences during World War II. Commander Dayton served with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Fleet Air Arm) and the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on May 28, 1987.
Rank: Commander.
Interviewee: Dayton, Francis James, b. 1924
ABSTRACT: Cdr. Francis James Dayton Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Fleet Air Arm) Royal Canadian Navy Dayton_F_0166_01.mp3 (Side 1) Born in Nov. 1924 in Portage la Prairie, Man. Brought up in Vancouver, he attended the University of British Columbia for one year and was a member of the University Naval Training Division. In 1941 he resolved to join the Royal Naval Air Service which he was able to do in 1942. Preliminary selection board in Kingston, Ont. Taken in as a naval airman, second class, although under contract to become a pilot. If this failed he could ask to be released. (10:00) Basic and initial flying training took place at Gosport, near Portsmouth, England. In March 1943 he was sent to St. Louis, Mo. for elementary flying training at a United States Navy school. Service flying training school at Kingston, Ont. Awarded wings, returned to England. Discusses ranks held in which flying pay made a considerable difference. Appointed petty officer-pilot upon graduation. Shortly thereafter he was commissioned. Pay was about one pound per day. Posted to No. 1837 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm where he underwent additional operational training. (45:00) Dayton_F_0166_02.mp3 Much practice in tactics and low-flying in training for operations in the Pacific. Flew United States-made Vought Corsair fighter aircraft. Undertook modest operational sorties in the North Sea, but much hindered by the weather. Comments on shipboard tactics, flying in general. (13:00) (Side 2) Air attacks on shipping. On V-E Day he found out the war had ended when he made a forced landing at a small United States base in Northern Ireland. The squadron was ready to join the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Illustrious (fleet carrier) in the Far East when that war ended. Squadron disbanded almost immediately and he was sent on an indefinite period of leave. Obtained early release from the Navy because of impending return to university. Graduated from the University of British Columbia with an engineering degree in 1950. Joined the Royal Canadian Navy as an engineer officer. Later served as Chief Engineer aboard H.M.C.S. Bonaventure (light fleet carrier). Retired in 1975. (30:00)
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- 54.5, -6.5
- One original sound tape reel (ca. 75 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette copy : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- DFJ_166
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- February 24, 2009
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 32 kHz. Digitized by QL, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
