Chris Charland,
RCAF associate historian,
Honorary member, 405 Squadron
This story has beer, flying, fighting, beer, hockey, more beer and a pinch of politics. Life does not get any better than that. Did I mention beer?
C1226 Flying Officer Hartland de Montarville Molson (yes, of the Molson Brewery family) from Montreal, Quebec, was slightly injured when landing his damaged Hawker Hurricane Mk. I s/n P3757 coded YO*G at R.A.F. Station Hornchurch, Essex, after flying a sortie from there August 18, 1940. At that time, the squadron commanded by Squadron Ernie “PeeWee” McNab from Rosthern, Saskatchewan. Molson was based at R.A.F. Station Croydon, Surrey, as part of R.A.F. Fighter Command’s No. 11 Group.
Molson flew 62 combat sorties while with the No. 1 (RCAF) Fighter Squadron. He damaged one Dornier 215 (August 26, 1940), damaged two Bf 110s (September 4, 1940) and destroyed one Heinkel He 111 (September 26, 1940). October 5, 1940, Molson was flying Hurricane s/n P3873 and coded YO*R on a patrol. He encountered Luftwaffe fighter opposition and, in the ensuing melee, was shot down. Although shot three times in the leg, he safely bailed out over Canterbury. He was admitted to a hospital in Chatham, Kent, and then repatriated to Canada in early 1941 to recuperate from his wounds.
Now a squadron leader, Molson assumed command of No. 118 (F) Squadron July 23, 1941, from his former commanding officer overseas, Wing Commander Ernie McNab. Based at R.C.A.F. Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, the squadron was assigned East coast air defence duties, and initially flew the portly Grumman Goblin bi-plane until it was replaced by the Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk. I in November, 1941.
Molson relinquished command of No. 118 (F) Squadron to C1328 Squadron Leader Arthur M. Yuile from Montreal, Quebec, June 14. Molson and Yule had been squadron mates with No. 1 (RCAF) Squadron in England
June 9, 1942, Molson assumed command of No. 126 “Flying Lancers” (F) Squadron from Squadron Leader Arthur M. Yule. The squadron, also tasked with defending Canada’s East coast from R.C.A.F. Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; was equipped with the Canadian-built Hawker Hurricane Mk. XIIA. Molson’s command of the Flying Lancers lasted until September 6, 1942.
Molson would be flying a desk with his new posting at Eastern Air Command H.Q. in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He would go on to command R.C.A.F. Station Dartmouth, No. 8 Service Flying Training School, in Moncton, New Brunswick; and after its move to Weyburn, Saskatchewan, as well as R.C.A.F. Station St, Hubert, Quebec. His final posting, effective July 16, 1944, was to the Directorate of Personnel at Air Force Headquarters in Ottawa.
Molson, who retired in September 1945 with the rank of group captain, received the Order of the British Empire Medal effective January 1, 1946. The citation that accompanied the award reads as follows:
“This officer was appointed during the first months of the war and upon completion of advanced training proceeded overseas with No.1 Fighter Squadron, with which he served during the Battle of Britain. He was wounded and repatriated to Canada. Since his return, he has served as staff officer in charge of Fighter Defenses in Eastern Air Command and was subsequently appointed to the command of several stations. In all of these appointments he has displayed outstanding initiative, thoroughness, enthusiasm and devotion to duty. As the result of his excellent record he was appointed to the position of Director of Personnel. For a year he has carried the heavy responsibilities of this position, and continued to display the same outstanding qualities of leadership and loyalty.”
Molson was called to Senate of Canada by Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent in 1955. His long association with the Montreal Canadiens as president and chairman of the team earned him a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973.
Molson passed away September 22, 2002.
