One in every of Canada's most profitable Second World Warfare flying aces, James Francis "Stocky" Edwards of Comox, B.C., has died on the age of 100.
Edwards was 19 years previous when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Power in October 1940. By the top of the struggle, he had risen to the rank of wing commander and achieved an estimated 20 confirmed aerial kills, primarily over North Africa, although the Division of Nationwide Defence admits there may be nonetheless debate over the official tally.
"Flying a P-40 Kittyhawk, he flew 373 operational sorties and was by no means shot down himself," mentioned Nationwide Defence spokesperson Yvette Mills in an announcement to CTV Information.
"There's some discrepancy over the variety of confirmed kills, nonetheless it's a larger testimony to Stocky’s character, and reminiscence, to say that he didn't like to debate this quantity as a matter of professionalism," Mills added.
Edwards earned the nickname "Stocky" for his toughness regardless of his small stature. He was born in Saskatchewan and went on to serve 32 years with the air pressure, in quite a lot of home and worldwide posts, earlier than settling in Comox.
It was on the Canadian prairie that Edwards first honed his taking pictures expertise, in accordance with longtime buddy Dave Mellin, an honourary colonel with the air pressure's 407 Lengthy Vary Patrol Squadron.
"He used to inform the story that he was very lucky as a fighter pilot as a result of he understood to guide his goal – not shoot at his goal however lead it," Mellin instructed CTV Information. "And he acquired that data looking geese together with his father again residence."
'THERE WASN'T AN AWFUL LOT THEY COULD DO'
Edwards was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2004 and a Knight of France's Legion of Honour in 2014.
His longtime buddy was on trip in Mexico when he obtained a telephone name with the information that Edwards was to start with phases of coronary heart failure.
"There wasn’t an terrible lot they might do for him and Stocky, being the gentleman he's, mentioned 'I do not need any heroics and I don’t need to go away within the hospital. I need to be with my family and friends.' And that is precisely what he did," Mellin mentioned.
"He handed away peacefully early Saturday night and it was within the firm of loads of shut buddies and naturally as a lot household as presumably may get there."
Comox Mayor Russ Arnott confirmed the demise Saturday in a Fb submit, saying, "Stocky's intelligence, heat and power by no means ceased to amaze us."
Lately, Edwards had devoted his time to conservation initiatives, together with wetlands safety with Geese Limitless.
Mayor Bob Wells of Courtenay, B.C., mentioned Edwards was "a heroic man of nice character and conviction, and but he was persistently humble, charming, and sort."
The mayor joined others in providing his condolences to the struggle veteran's spouse, Toni, and their household.
A funeral is anticipated to be held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Courtenay.
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