Edward (Ted) was born in Swansea, Wales in 1923 and grew up in Cumberland on Vancouver Island.
He completed his pilot training in Alberta, Scotland, and Yorkshire. As a flying officer and pilot, he was stationed at Linton on Ouse, North Yorkshire, about eight miles northwest of York, with the Royal Canadian Air Force 408 Goose Squadron. He flew the 4-engine Lancaster bomber, including 36 successful missions in a Lancaster called ‘Old Faithful’.
Ted flew at night, and was said to have had excellent night vision. On one mission, a ‘friendly fire’ bomb fell through the wing of his Lancaster, causing a fire. He directed his crew to fight the fire, and with the fire extinguished, was able to return the plane to England successfully, running on three engines. This prevented the crew from having to bail out over Germany, or the English Channel. For this, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
Ted flew multiple missions in support of the liberation of France during the period June — August 1944, when the Allied Forces were able to weaken German defenses in preparation for the Allied Invasion of Southern France on August 15, 1944. For this, he was awarded the Légion d’Honneur, French Legion of Honour Medal, in 2019.
After the war, Ted attended the University of British Columbia, becoming a professional forester for his entire career. He married, and with his wife, Janet, raised five children in Victoria, BC. Ted has eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, who see him regularly.
*** In January 2023, with family by his side, Ted passed away. Like all Canadian veterans, Ted gave up so much so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. It was our honour to support Ted while he lived with Broadmead Care, and to continue to support his fellow veterans who live with us now.
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