Burma Star Association - B.C. Chapter
EDWARD (TED) was born in Kelowna (Dec. 18, 1921) and enlisted there in the RCAF on Sept. 2, 1942.
Ted did his basic training in Alberta plus further training in Ottawa, Ont., then more at Boundary Bay in British Columbia. He then served at #31 GRS, Charlottetown followed by #GRS, Summerside, P.E.I., before heading for the Far East to join RAF Squadron 159 at Digri in Bengal, India.
Ted logged 400 hours of Operational Flying. His tour covered many missions including attacking bridges on the infamous Burma-Siam Railway. He also covered many missions against enemy shipping in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean, as well as attacks on Japanese air bases. Also he flew supply-drops to Force 136 behind Japanese lines.
His tour included many memorable events. High on Ted's list of memorable moments is the time when, on take-off, his crew dropped a full load of bomb's (including several of 1000 lbs.) on their own runway, and, survived --both the effects of the bombs and the C.O’s displeasure!
There was also the time when they "lost" two engines on a trip back to base, then on their final approach the third engine packed in. (And once more they made it).
In spite of these traumatic failures the landing was safely made and the crew walked away - proving the old saw as to what constitutes a "GOOD" landing?
Ted logged a total of 2152 hours as pilot. This included his time spent training pilots and navigators pertaining to overseas flying and navigating.
Ted returned to Canada and was discharged in Vancouver on February 11, 1946.