Ernest James Salter
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Ernest James Salter | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 November 1897 Greenbank, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | 23 March 1959 (aged 61) Oakville, Ontario, Canada |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Branch | Royal Flying Corps |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | No. 54 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | French Legion d'honneur and Croix de Guerre |
| Other work | Served as bombing instructor in World War II |
Captain Ernest James Salter was a Canadian World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories. He returned to service during World War II.
Ernest James Salter was born in Greenbank, Ontario, Canada on 9 November 1897. He was the son of Mary Helen Coultis and Theophilus L. Salter.[1] Ernest was living in Mimico when he enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps on 3 June 1917.[2][3]
World War I
Salter trained as a pilot and was awarded Royal Aero Club Pilot's Certificate No. 7211 on 27 August 1917.[4] He was commissioned as a probationary temporary second lieutenant on 13 October 1917.[5] He then sailed from Canada on 29 October 1917. He was appointed a Flying Officer on 26 February 1918, and arrived in France on 15 March 1918. He joined 54 Squadron from 19 March to 12 April 1918, when he was hospitalized. He rejoined the squadron on 19 May 1918. He was promoted to captain on 9 August 1918; such promotions were given to those appointed as Flight Commander. On 2 September 1918, Salter was wounded in action. He was invalided back to England on 7 September 1918.[4] Although he won no British awards, Salter was honoured by the French with the Legion d'Honneur on 30 November 1918[6] as well as the Croix de guerre avec Palme.[2][7]