Roger Del'Haye

Roger Amedee Del'Haye, DFC was a French-born, Canadian officer who died during the Second World War. He had become a flying ace in the First World War, shooting down nine German aircraft.
He was bon 9 January 1889, at Châlons-sur-Marne, the son of Felix and Alice Del'Haye. Educated at the University of Paris, Del'Haye emigrated to Canada, settling in Regina, and, in 1914, becoming a British subject.Franks, Norman (2012), Dolphin and Snipe Aces of World War 1, pp. 25-6. He enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps in October 1915, and was confirmed as a second lieutenant in mid-1916.The London Gazette (29660), p. 6857. 11 July 1916, thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
After being posted to 13 Squadron in April 1916, Del'Haye served on the Western Front, flying B.E.2 and R.E.8 biplanes. Del'Haye later converted to single-seater fighters, and transferred to 19 Squadron in May 1918. With his squadron, he became an ace, shooting down one Fokker Dr.I and eight Pfalz D.IIIs. He was a flight commander at the end of war, and was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Belgian Croix de Guerre. His DFC citation, published in the London Gazette, reads:
A most efficient fighting leader to whose example the high standard of efficiency attained by his squadron is largely due. He has led numerous offensive patrols, accounting personally for eight enemy machines. On all occasions he has shown high courage, ability and fine leadership.The London Gazette (31046), p. 14320. 3 December 1918, thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
On returning to Canada, Del'Haye worked as an income tax assessor and went on to become the manager of an airport in Regina. In conjunction with his civilian career, Del'Haye served in the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserve, and commanded 120 Squadron in the 1930s. During the Second World War, he served as commanding officer of No. 5 Bombing & Gunnery School, at RCAF Dafoe. While stationed as an air commodore at St. Hubert, Del'Haye died on 18 November 1944, when his Harvard Trainer stalled and crashed at St-Famille de Boucherville. He was survived by his wife, Doreenie.R. Barry, William, Chisholm, Doug & Parsons, Beth (2005), Age Shall Not Weary Them: Saskatchewan Remembers Its War Dead, p. 119.
He is buried in Regina Cemetery, Sasketchewan.
==Notes==
==References==
*Delhaye, Roger Amedee, cwgc.org. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
Category:1889 births
Category:1944 deaths
Category:French military personnel
Category:Canadian military personnel
Category:Canadian people of French descent
Category:Royal Flying Corps
Category:Royal Air Force
Category:Royal Canadian Air Force
Category:Buried in Canada
Category:Captains