This is (then) F/L Eric A. Bland with his Spitfire VI, "AE N" with 402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron in 1942. He was a flight commander. Bland appears in many books on the RCAF's role in WWII, his claim to fame being mainly his exploits with the BCATP.
Above right is Bland at what was then #1 SFTS at Camp Borden, Ontario. In the group photo he's in the back row, third from the left. Next he is in his tropical uniform about to receive his wings from G/C A.T.N. Cowley on Sept. 6, 1940. Bland was in the last RCAF pilot class which was commissioned before graduating. For that point on, the BCATP took over and new recruits were "Acey Deuceys" (Aircraftsman 2nd Class) and were raised to the rank of Sergeant on the day they got their wings. A lucky few were then commissioned.
Here's one photo in a series which the RCAF Public Relations boys had a field day with. Billy Bishop visited the 402 in the fall of 1942. In this shot, many of the pilots have rallied around the great air ace on one of their Spitfires. I have pointed out Bishop (as if you didn't know) and also Bland and Lorne Cameron, one of the top scoring Canadian aces of WWII.
After finishing his tour overseas, Bland returned to Canada early in 1943 and was based as an instructor at #8 SFTS, Moncton, New Brunswick, where he was also a member of the base band. He moved with the base in January, 1944 to Weyburn, Saskatchewan, by now promoted to Squadron Leader and here was awarded the Air Force Cross. The citation reads: "After serving overseas with a fighter squadron, this officer has been successively employed as Flight Commander, Examining Officer and Squadron Commander. His untiring zeal, devotion to duty and fine instructional ability have been of great value in the Training Wing and have inspired the confidence and respect of all personnel working with him."
Here he is on the left receiving his A.F.C. and on the right above he is seen at a "Wings Day" in Weyburn, and inspecting the crash of a Harvard. (No details known.) Also here is an example of a programme for a "Wings Day" at the Weyburn base. Eric Bland went back to civilian life, taking up where he left off in the field of journalism. He was one of the best-known photographer/reporters in Western Canada, and also took part in the oil boom in Alberta. The little information I have about his later life includes a story about him participating in the arrest of an estranged husband who stabbed his wife. Bland not only helped subdue the man, but "scooped" the opposition by being the first reporter to file the story!