Joel Hilton Ashton
Distinguished Flying Cross, 1939-1945 Star, Air Crew Europe Star with France and Germany Clasp, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal
Royal Canadian Air Force
137 Squadron Royal Air Force
401 (City of Westmount) Squadron R.C.A.F.
Joel Hilton Ashton was born 19 March 1919 in Mulvhill, Manitoba to William and Adele (Marriot) Ashton. William came from England in 1902 and Adele had emigrated just prior to their wedding 07 June 1905. Hilton was the youngest of three sons, William Harold born 02 November 1907 and John Frederick born 11 May 1910. Hilton initially attended the Butler Union School in the RM of Pipestone and then finished grade school and high school in Virden.
Hilton joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 23 October 1940 in Winnipeg. He took his basic and flying training in Trenton and Kingston, Ontario flying Finch, Yale and Harvard aircraft. Upon graduation he was moved to Embarkation Depot in Halifax on 31 July 1941 and on arrival in England was assigned to 56 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Royal Air Force (RAF) Sutton Bridge for training on the Miles Master and Hurricane aircraft. On 22 November 1941 he was assigned 137 Squadron (Sqn) at RAF Charmy Down and trained on the Oxford, Miles M. 14 Magister, Whirlwind and Lysander aircraft. His first operational flight was with a Whirlwind, a twin engine, single seat fighter on 21 December 1941. Relocated to East Anglian, on the coast of Norfolk along the English Channel he continued to fly the Whirlwind on operations and learned formation flying. Operations consisted of patrolling the channel, protecting allied shipping, disrupting enemy shipping along the French and Dutch coasts and attacks on enemy activities at night over occupied Europe. He was one of the “Rhubarb Boys”, a group of fighter pilots willing to fly very low, particularly in bad weather to achieve a mission. On 08 July 1943 Hilton was transferred to No. 1 Specialized Low Attack Instructors School (S.L.A.I.S.) flying Hurricane and Oxford aircraft.
0n 23 October 1943 Flight Lieutenant Ashton was advised he would be receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross. The medal is awarded for “an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy”. He was awarded the medal by King George VI on 25 November.
On 06 March 1944 he was transferred to No. 1 Air Gunner School (A.G.S.) at RAF Pembrey flying Martinet, Proctor II and Spitfire aircraft, used for target towing to train gunners. On 06 December he was transferred to 53 OTU at RAF Kirton Lindsey flying Miles Master II and Spitfires. While practising aerobatics with a Spitfire IX on 25 February 1945 one of the propeller blades broke off, Hilton shut the engine down and managed to glide the aircraft in safely. In March 1945 he was transferred to RCAF 401 (City of Westmount) Sqn flying Spitfires and remained with the squadron until it was disbanded 03 July 1945. Hilton was repatriated and subsequently released from the RCAF as a Flight Lieutenant 04 October 1945.
After returning to Canada Hilton went to Brandon, Manitoba where he took electrical training and got his trade licence. Upon completion he went to Virden, Manitoba and started his own electrical business which he operated from 1950 until 1981. He married Edna June McMillan of Virden on 06 October 1951. They had five children, Richard, Bruce, Janet, Judy and Glen. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #8 in Virden and also a member of the Odd Fellows. He volunteered at the Aud Theatre in Virden looking after their electrical issues. Hilton’s wife June passed away 21 September 1993.
Flight Lieutenant Joel Hilton Ashton DFC, passed away 08 June 1996 and is buried at Virden Cemetery in Virden, Manitoba.
Information supplied by family.