28 Radio Unit - Cape St. James, BC.

Clark, F/L Sebert Alfred

Clark, F/L Sebert Alfred (C12596) - Mention in Despatches - 28 Detachment (now No.7 RAD) - Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 89/45 dated 19 January 1945. Home at Prosect Lake, British Columbia; enlisted Winnipeg, 20 October 1941.

This officer volunteered to accept the responsibilities of opening this unit despite the hazards of its extremely isolated position. His level headed and responsible management of this Detachment through its first winter, under extremely trying circumstances, prevented any loss of life and maintained a high standard of efficiency in operation. His personal example of energy and cheerfulness have inspired the full co-operation of the members of his unit and have done much to maintain high morale among the airmen in this extremely isolated spot.

DHist file 181.009 D.1688 (RG.24 Volume 20605) has letter dated 25 May 1944 in which S/L FC Aitkens recommends this award in much greater detail; Clark was then a Flying Officer:

This officer has, during his entire service in Western Air Command, shown exceptional devotion to duty, lack of concern for personal advantages, and outstanding ability under difficult circumstances as illustrated in the following example.

Flying Officer Clark was employed at Western Air Command Headquarters in the Radio Branch in a position subject to promotion, and from a personal standpoint, desirable, as his home and family are located in this area.

At the time No. 28 Detachment, Cape St.James was about to be opened he realized that much concern was felt over providing an Officer Commanding with ability to cope with the difficulties presented by the hazards of access, lack of water, and extremely isolated position of this Detachment.

His level headed and responsible management of this Detachment through its first winter under extremely trying circumstances prevented any loss of life through access hazards and maintained a high standard of efficiency in operation. His personal example of willingness and cheerfulness has kept a high standard of morale at this Detachment where due to extreme adverse climatic conditions and extreme isolation, serious consequences might have resulted from low morale among the airmen.