Geoffrey Wilson Northcott

Group Captain
Royal Canadian Air Force

Service Summary

Geoffrey Wilson Northcott was raised on the family farm in the Roseneath District near Minnedosa. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940 and began pilot training in the first course at the newly opened Elementary Flying Training School in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

He graduated as a Sergeant Pilot in November 1940 and arrived in England in January 1941.

Wartime Experience

Geoffrey became one of Canada’s most distinguished fighter pilots of the war.

He flew Hurricanes and later Spitfires, completing 310 operational flights.

His wartime service included:

• Fighter sweeps over occupied Europe

• Being shot down in July 1941 and surviving

• Flying Spitfires from the aircraft carrier Wasp to reinforce Malta in 1942

• Commanding No. 402 “City of Winnipeg” Squadron

• Shooting down enemy aircraft over Holland and France

• Leading fighter cover over the Normandy beaches after D-Day

• Commanding 126 Wing in Holland in 1945

He later visited Bergen-Belsen concentration camp after liberation.

At Buckingham Palace in July 1945, King George VI personally presented Geoffrey with his decorations.

Post-Service Life

Geoffrey married Corporal Dorothy Edwards, RCAF (W.D.), on August 31, 1945.

He remained in the RCAF, reaching the rank of Group Captain.

Later he flew commercially for Trans-Canada Air Lines and other aviation companies until retiring in 1972.

In retirement, he raised Morgan horses in Langley, British Columbia.

He passed away in October 1978.

Medals & Honours

• Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

• Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Bar

• Polish Eagle

• Order of Orange of Nassau

• Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp

• 1939–45 Star

• France and Germany Star

• Africa Star

• Defence Medal

• War Medal 1939–45

• Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal

• Canadian Forces Decoration and Bar