Swanton, S. Lloyd: my Air Force recollections (July 9, 1985)
An interview/narrative of S. Lloyd Swanton's experiences during World War II. Flight Lieutenant Swanton served with the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Air Force. Interview took place on July 9, 1985.
Rank: Flight Lieutenant.
ABSTRACT: Flight Lieut. S. Lloyd Swanton Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Air Force Swanton_S_0137_01.mp3 Swanton, born on Jan. 21, 1918 in St. Thomas, Ont. Graduated from high school in 1936, trained in a commercial radio school. In Nov. 1939 he joined the R.C.A.F. as a ground radio operator. Manning pool in Toronto. No. 1 Wireless School in Montreal. Took a number of radio courses before being posted to the radio station at Rockcliffe. In 1943, as a sergeant, transferred to No. 4 Wireless School at Guelph. Transferred to air-crew. Because of previous experience was required to take only a shortened course. Graduated in 1944, commissioned as a pilot officer. Posted to R.A.F. Landing Transport Group at Dorval airport. Part of a crew that ferried a large variety of aircraft in Canada and to Europe via Africa. (30:00) Very large base at Dorval: about two thousand air crew of all nationalities, including many civilians. Last trip to Europe in June 1945, discharged in July. Asked to join the Interim air force as a flight sergeant. In 1946, as part of a general rank reduction plan, he became a sergeant. (45:00) Received an offer of a short-term commission of four years from the R.A.F. Joined transport command and initially worked with British airborne troops. Converted to new Handley Page Hastings transports and, in No. 53 Squadron, R.A.F., Swanton_S_0137_02.mp3 supplied Berlin in the 1948 Airlift. Aircraft carried ten tons of coal to Gatow airport, was unloaded and swept out in twenty minutes. Sixty-four sorties in total. Accurate navigation required as planes flew at three-minute intervals. Transferred to No. 47 Squadron. Flew to the Far East and to southern Africa. Anecdotes of flights to the Far East and of a serious air crash. In Nov. 1951 he rejoined the R.C.A.F. in the Air Observer Corps. Established observation posts throughout the Arctic. Vigilance had to be maintained against low-flying aircraft, and trained observers were useful in locating downed aircraft. An effective system when sufficient numbers of the population were trained. Ground Observer Corps disbanded in 1964. Retired the same year due to rank and age. Enjoyed the military life, would not change it. (40:00)
Interviewee: Swanton, S. Lloyd, b. 1918
Interviewer: Hill, Mark C.
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 45.50884, -73.58781
- One original sound tape reel (ca. 40 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette copy : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- SSL_137
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- July 27, 2007
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 64 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by AN, 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 2007. 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
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