Longueuil, Quebec
Captain François Dutil, MMM, CD has dedicated himself to researching, compiling documents and creating detailed profiles of more than 2,300 Second World War Veterans of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). He has contributed greatly to websites such as aircrewremembered.com, the Canadian Virtual War Memorial (CVWM) and the Aviation Safety Network. François has also helped organize commemorative ceremonies to honour lost Canadian Aircrew and regularly collaborates with the Westlake Brothers Souvenir Association of Caen, Normandy, during reciprocal visits between Canada and Normandy.
François has been an integral part of the aircrewremembered.com team since 2017. He has documented and posted information regarding the aircrew losses of the Second World War for more than 2,000 Canadian planes. François has also shared documents and photos with the families of lost loved ones, often offering a greater understanding of their service and circumstances surrounding their deaths. He is also a frequent contributor to the CVWM, managed by Veterans Affairs Canada, for more than seven years. Due to his efforts, numerous photographs have been uploaded and many errors have been corrected, greatly improving the CVWM site.
François is a vital contributor to commemorative ceremonies honouring Canadian aircrews of 438 Squadron killed in service. These ceremonies recognized their bravery and sacrifice during the Second World War and are held in Montreal and Sorel.
François regularly collaborates with the Westlake Brothers Souvenir Association of Caen, Normandy, during reciprocal visits between Canada and Normandy. He actively contributes to the organization of commemorative ceremonies, offering assistance and expertise for events in France involving Canadian military and/or Veterans. In 2019, François coordinated an event at 438 Squadron in Saint-Hubert, Québec, which included the reading of the names of 17,000 Canadians who died while serving in the RCAF during the Second World War. This event included 12 hours of reading and François ensured it was rich in emotion and sharing.
Lastly, François is the liaison with the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux, France, and 401 Squadron following the discovery and restoration of a Spitfire engine of this unit, lost in action in 1944. He contributed to the exhibit by providing documents and photos of the pilot in question.