James Dean Somerville DSO DFC CD was born at Exshaw, Alberta (AB), located west of Calgary near Canmore. From 1915 to 1918 he was educated at Cochrane AB. From 1922 to 1924, he attended Oakwood Collegiate in Toronto. From 1924 to 1926 he attended Cenral Technical School in Toronto, where he trained as an electrical engineer.

In 1931 he obtained a commercial pilot’s license. On 8 May 1934 he joined 110 Squadron RCAF as a fitter and served continuously to 1940 when he graduated as an RCAF pilot at No. 2 Service Flying Training School at Ottawa (Uplands), with the rank of flying officer.

In July 1943 Squadron Leader Somerville had arrived in the UK, and after further training was posted, as a pilot flying Mosquito aircraft, to 410 Squadron, Fighter Command, based in Cambridgeshire at Castle Camps. By October, 1944 he had shot down five enemy aircraft and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and was appointed commanding officer of 409 Squadron, which also flew Mosquito aircraft.

This squadron was based at Le Culot in Belgium. He flew with this unit through the Battle of the Bulge. Before completing his tour of operations in March 1945, he had shot down another two enemy aircraft bringing his total to seven destroyed and one damaged.

Effective March 16, 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). His citation reads as follows:

"This officer has displayed outstanding efficiency, great courage and determination, qualities which have been well reflected in the fine fighting spirit of the squadron he commands. He has completed very many sorties and has destroyed seven enemy aircraft at night. He has set a fine example of loyal and devoted service."

Postwar he remained in the RCAF and in May 1945 he returned to Canada. In January 1951 he was appointed commanding officer at No. 13 Service Flying Training School at St. Hubert, Quebec (QC), and in January 1953 was appointed to the rank of Group Captain.

Before retiring from the RCAF, on 20 February 1960 he served at Macdonald, Manitoba, St. Jean, QC and Vancouver (Sea Island) airport.