Born in Chatham, ON., 5 /11/1921.  Son of Mr. Frank and Kate Gladys Horton of 43 Patteson Ave. He attended Queen Mary Public School and CCI. He also had a brother Clarence who enlisted in the RCNVR “over a tear ago”. 

Prior to his enlistment ‘Les’ was a storekeeper for two years at the Chrysler Motors plant in Chatham. Ernest appears on the “Muster Roll” of the 2^nd Bn., Kent Regiment (MG), N.P.A.N. (date unknown) 

Les enlisted in January of 1942 and would transfer to the RCAF at Hamilton, ON. 6/04/42, service number R116115 and was posted to No.5 Manning Depot. Transferred to No.8 SFTS as a guard 23/05/42. To No.3 ITS 15/08/42 and was promoted LAC 10/10/42  service No. R16115. He was not posted to No.11 EFTS until November 1942, he may have graduated.  LAC Ernest was reported returning to RCAF Victoriaville after a three weeks leave to visit his parents. CDN 4/11/42; he was not posted to No.13 SFTS until 28/01/43. Ernest trained at Hamilton, Lachine,Moncton and Victoriaville before earning his Wings.  Les received his ‘Wings’ at RCAF-St.Hubert, PQ.

He joined the RCAF in April, 1942 and went overseas in June of 1943.  Ernest was posted overseas to the United Kingdom 15/07/43.

Les would transfer to the RCAF first as a  Flt. Sgt. R16115 and later promoted to a Flt. Lieut.

Flt. Lieut. Horton counts himself lucky to be home.   Flt. Lieut. Horton made twelve attacks on major targets after joining his operational squadron just after D-Day. The attacks were against such targets as Essen, Kiel, Duisburg, Cologne, Munster, Bottrop and Sterkrade. His plane was hit by flak on three occasions and twice came back on three engines.

 He thought the fighters were the main worry although they were not molested too much. Several German ‘jets’ never bothered the

Ernest Married to Pat. He died 3 Feb. 1999. CDN8/01/45.

 

A Prayer for Airmen

O Ruler of the earth and sky

Be with our airmen when they fly,

And keep them in thy loving care

Amid the perils of the air

O let our cry come unto thee

For those who fly o’er land and sea.

CDN 11/11/13

Trained in Canada one year. Posted to overseas duty July 27th, 1943 as Pilot in the Air Force. Was attached to the R.A.F. in England. Received three stripes and promoted to Pilot Officer May 14th, 1943. Made thirty seven operational trips over Germany and the Western Front, which included some of the Biggest raids. Won the D.F.G.

The CDN 21/05/43 reported that Sgt. Pilot received his ‘Wings’ Friday, 14 May, 1943 at St Hubert’s PQ. age 22 years.

The CDN 6/09/44 reported that he had been on several operational flights and had a week’s leave in Edinburgh.  Promoted to Flying Officer 18/10/44 and  Flt. Lieut. J38137.

Ernest was repatriated 9 February 1945 and he retired from the RCAF 12 April, 1945.

The CDN 26/03/45(P) reported that Flt.-Lieut Horton was the second local airman to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for “his skill, fortitude and devotion to duty” .

Ernest devotion to duty is best shown in his flight log of 37 sorties (154 hours 36 minutes) on daylight missions which included:

11 June 44 – Massy Palaiseay, 23 June – Oisemont, 27 June – Marquis Minoyecques, 28 June – Wizerness, 30 June – Villers Bocage, 1 July – Oisemont, 4 July – St. Martin I’Hortier, 6 July – Croixdale, 9 July – Les Cartellieres, 12 July – Thiverney, 18 July – Caen H.2, 20 July – Battrop, 1 August – Anderbelck, 5 August – Foret de Nieppe, 6 August – Hazelbrrouck, 7 August – TOTALIZE*, 9 August – Foret de Mormal, 11 August – Somain, 15 August – Tirlemot, 16 August – Keil, 18 August – Sterkrade, 27 August – Homburg, 10 September La Havre, 12 September – Munster, 15 September – Kiel, 17 September –  Boulogne, 24 September – Calais, 25 September  Calais, 26 September Cao Gris Nez, 14 October – Duisburg, 15 October – Duisburg, 23 October – Essen, 29 October – Domburg, 31 October – Cologne, 29 November – Essen, 30 November – Duisburg.  

Curators Note: – *TOTALIZE: Was an offensive in the First Canadian Army area during the later stages of Operation Overlord (aka: D-Day). During the 8^th and 9^th of August, 1944 the intention was to capture the city of Caen, France. It was not so easy though the city was eventually taken by Canadian troops.   

Discharged April 14th, 1945.

Leslie would pass away 3/02/1999.

Citation: –

“Flight Lieutenant Horton carried out 37 sorties totalling 154.36 hours in the course of which he has attacked many important tactical and strategical targets including those in such well defended areas as Homburg, Munster, Duisburg, Essen and Cologne. This Canadian Captain has led his crew courageously and efficiently throughout all his operations. He has always shown, during his operational career a belligerent and fearless spirit combined with skillful and determined handling of his aircraft in all circumstances. His cheerful confidence at all times has inspired a high standard of morale in hi crew and it is strongly recommended that his fine record of achievement should be recognized by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Ernest was repatriated 9 February 1945 and he retired from the RCAF 12 April, 1945.

Ernest Married to Pat.

Ernest Leslie passed away 3 February 1999. CDN8/01/45. 

A Prayer for Airmen 

O Ruler of the earth and sky

Be with our airmen when they fly,

And keep them in thy loving care

Amid the perils of the air

O let our cry come unto thee

For those who fly o’er land and sea.

 

CDN 11/11/13.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	DFC
Sources	2KRMR,, CFF-FD44, PSUC-RH, IODE(P), CCI-RH,, LM-LP, CDN articles.CDN 11/11/16, RCL-LP Oct.1999

Birthplace	Chatham, Ontario
Religion	Park St., United
When Enlisted	January 1942
Next of Kin	Mother- Mrs. Kate Gladys Hortons

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