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Continued from page 27 orderlies and landed in Bournemouth in 1942. His train- ing began and he was assigned to the 408th, posted in York. “I was asked to go up with a four man crew for some circles and bangs (flying around to investigate po- tential problems) and when we landed I was scheduled to do the same thing the next day. I was sent somewhere else and couldn’t go up, but as I watched the kite (plane) circle it lost control and plummeted nose first into the ground.” Tom paused a second, still wounded by the memory. “1 was sent to the crash site and had to dig all four boys out of ten feet of mud. Nothing I would see during the rest of the war compared with the horror of seeing your mates killed and mutilated.” Tom switched to air traffic control and guided planes in and out of the busy airfield. “One day,” he remembered, “five of our kites were returning from a EMMERSON INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED SINCE 1917 193 Queen St., Port Perry ¢ 905-985-7306 www. com 82 FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2011 NOVEMBER.FOCUS.48.indd 32 mission when suddenly, I saw German bombers right behind them. They dropped their goods and demol- ished an entire section of the airfield killing about 125 men. Then they shot down five of our planes as they were landing. A day I will never forget!” While stationed overseas Tom met Brenda, a British Army radar operator, who was assigned to an anti-air- craft division. It was love at first sight and the couple were married. When the war ended all Canadian airmen were funnelled through Bournemouth and the chaos was unbelievable. Tom was posted as a dispatch rider, the best job he had ever had. “All I did was ride my Harley through England non-stop. It was amazing.” Finally returning to Canada, Tom took a position with a small pharmaceutical firm just off the Danforth. The company grew and Pharmacy Avenue was named in its honour. Tom was in charge of the synthetic divi- sion and stayed until the company’s U.S. takeover 28 years later. Brenda joined Tom as a ‘War Bride’ and was present for the 2006 Scugog Choral Society production of ‘Here Come the War Brides” at the Town Hall 1873. Tom and Brenda, along with their three children lived in Brooklin and later moved to Port Perry. Tom retired in 1986 and is enjoying his life among his new friends at the Villa. Tom Wilson, Bob Grant and Ruth Muggeridge are among the many men and women who gave more than the rest of us can imagine. On behalf of Focus on Scugog magazine, Scugog Township and everyone who benefits from their sacri- fices we say ‘Thank You!’ By Jonathan van Bilsen Focus on Scugog In memory of many, In honour of all, Thank you. SCUGOG MEMORIAL LIBRARY 231 Water Street Port Perry 905-985-7686 www.scugoglibrary.ca 40/23/11 10:26:02 AM