Royal Canadian Air Force, WW II
George Medal for Bravery
Robert Hooker enlisted in the Canadian Air Force in Regina, Saskatchewan, on June 30, 1941. He was enrolled as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and trained at No. 3 Wireless School in Winnipeg, Manitoba (graduating May 7, 1942) and at No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School in Dafoe, Saskatchewan (graduating June 8, 1942). Once overseas, he formed up with the Reg. Harrison crew and underwent advanced training at an Operational Training Unit followed by a Heavy Conversion Union. The crew was then posted to 431 Squadron, based at Croft. Tragedy struck the Harrison crew on July 5, 1944, when they were on their takeoff roll. Their aircraft was loaded with bombs; it caught fire, and the crew abandoned it. Hooker realized that some of his comrades were wounded and trapped inside. He twice returned to the burning aircraft to rescue two men: Sgt. Samson and F/O Gordon Dumville. Soon after, the aircraft's bombs exploded. Unfortunately, although F/O Dumbille was rescued, he died of the injuries sustained. As a result of his heroism during this event, Hooker was awarded the George Medal.
After the war, Robert returned to Erinferry, Saskatchewan, Canada, and farmed. He also operated the North Star Bulk Plant in the 1950s in Debden, a town near Erinferry. In 1959, Robert moved to British Columbia where he was a foreman with the Canadian National Railway (CNR) on a "Bridge and Building" gang. He retired from CNR in 1973.
Robert was married twice. He had two daughters and a son by his first wife; he had a daughter and a son by his second wife.
George Medal for Bravery
Robert Hooker enlisted in the Canadian Air Force in Regina, Saskatchewan, on June 30, 1941. He was enrolled as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and trained at No. 3 Wireless School in Winnipeg, Manitoba (graduating May 7, 1942) and at No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School in Dafoe, Saskatchewan (graduating June 8, 1942). Once overseas, he formed up with the Reg. Harrison crew and underwent advanced training at an Operational Training Unit followed by a Heavy Conversion Union. The crew was then posted to 431 Squadron, based at Croft. Tragedy struck the Harrison crew on July 5, 1944, when they were on their takeoff roll. Their aircraft was loaded with bombs; it caught fire, and the crew abandoned it. Hooker realized that some of his comrades were wounded and trapped inside. He twice returned to the burning aircraft to rescue two men: Sgt. Samson and F/O Gordon Dumville. Soon after, the aircraft's bombs exploded. Unfortunately, although F/O Dumbille was rescued, he died of the injuries sustained. As a result of his heroism during this event, Hooker was awarded the George Medal.
After the war, Robert returned to Erinferry, Saskatchewan, Canada, and farmed. He also operated the North Star Bulk Plant in the 1950s in Debden, a town near Erinferry. In 1959, Robert moved to British Columbia where he was a foreman with the Canadian National Railway (CNR) on a "Bridge and Building" gang. He retired from CNR in 1973.
Robert was married twice. He had two daughters and a son by his first wife; he had a daughter and a son by his second wife.
Royal Canadian Air Force, WW II
George Medal for Bravery
Robert Hooker enlisted in the Canadian Air Force in Regina, Saskatchewan, on June 30, 1941. He was enrolled as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and trained at No. 3 Wireless School in Winnipeg, Manitoba (graduating May 7, 1942) and at No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School in Dafoe, Saskatchewan (graduating June 8, 1942). Once overseas, he formed up with the Reg. Harrison crew and underwent advanced training at an Operational Training Unit followed by a Heavy Conversion Union. The crew was then posted to 431 Squadron, based at Croft. Tragedy struck the Harrison crew on July 5, 1944, when they were on their takeoff roll. Their aircraft was loaded with bombs; it caught fire, and the crew abandoned it. Hooker realized that some of his comrades were wounded and trapped inside. He twice returned to the burning aircraft to rescue two men: Sgt. Samson and F/O Gordon Dumville. Soon after, the aircraft's bombs exploded. Unfortunately, although F/O Dumbille was rescued, he died of the injuries sustained. As a result of his heroism during this event, Hooker was awarded the George Medal.
After the war, Robert returned to Erinferry, Saskatchewan, Canada, and farmed. He also operated the North Star Bulk Plant in the 1950s in Debden, a town near Erinferry. In 1959, Robert moved to British Columbia where he was a foreman with the Canadian National Railway (CNR) on a "Bridge and Building" gang. He retired from CNR in 1973.
Robert was married twice. He had two daughters and a son by his first wife; he had a daughter and a son by his second wife.
George Medal for Bravery
Robert Hooker enlisted in the Canadian Air Force in Regina, Saskatchewan, on June 30, 1941. He was enrolled as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and trained at No. 3 Wireless School in Winnipeg, Manitoba (graduating May 7, 1942) and at No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School in Dafoe, Saskatchewan (graduating June 8, 1942). Once overseas, he formed up with the Reg. Harrison crew and underwent advanced training at an Operational Training Unit followed by a Heavy Conversion Union. The crew was then posted to 431 Squadron, based at Croft. Tragedy struck the Harrison crew on July 5, 1944, when they were on their takeoff roll. Their aircraft was loaded with bombs; it caught fire, and the crew abandoned it. Hooker realized that some of his comrades were wounded and trapped inside. He twice returned to the burning aircraft to rescue two men: Sgt. Samson and F/O Gordon Dumville. Soon after, the aircraft's bombs exploded. Unfortunately, although F/O Dumbille was rescued, he died of the injuries sustained. As a result of his heroism during this event, Hooker was awarded the George Medal.
After the war, Robert returned to Erinferry, Saskatchewan, Canada, and farmed. He also operated the North Star Bulk Plant in the 1950s in Debden, a town near Erinferry. In 1959, Robert moved to British Columbia where he was a foreman with the Canadian National Railway (CNR) on a "Bridge and Building" gang. He retired from CNR in 1973.
Robert was married twice. He had two daughters and a son by his first wife; he had a daughter and a son by his second wife.
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