Ernie McNab returned to Canada and became CO of No 1 (RCAF) Squadron in November 1939. He took the squadron to the UK in June 1940. To gain operational experience, he was attached to No 111 Squadron from 11 August for four days. On 15 August McNab claimed a Do 17 destroyed, flying with 111. On the 26th he claimed a Do 17 destroyed. On this sortie he made a forced-landing at Duxford, his Hurricane having been damaged by return fire from a Do 17.
On 7 and 9 September McNab probably destroyed Bf 109s, on the 11th he damaged a He 111, on the 15th he destroyed a He 111 and damaged another and on the 27th he destroyed a Bf 110 and shared in the destruction of a Ju 88. On October 22 he was awarded the DFC and at the beginning of November he was posted to a staff job.
McNab returned to Canada and commanded a squadron. He was made OBE in 1946 and retired from the RCAF in 1957 as a Group Captain. He died in 1977.
