I received a sad e mail today from Captain Terry Hunter in Ottawa advising me that his father had passed away 08 June 2010. I share with you his Family, his Veteran brothers and indeed Canada. Rest in Peace old Soldier your Duty done.
Leading Aircraftsman Tom Hunter Dec 07 1941
Hi Robby: Just to let you know that I my father, Sgt Tom Hunter, passed away on June 8th 2010. He was from Scotland, a Battle of Britain Veteran who ended up in PEI during the war and marrying my mother. One of the Boys from Away Thought I would let you know along with a pic of him taken Dec 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbour Day)/ A quick resume of his military service: Age 16, joined Merchant Marine sailing to Argentina and other countries 1939 - Joined RAF
1940 - Battle of Britain Veteran 1941 - Volunteered for North Africa - Bismarck chased his convoy and he ended up in Charlottetown. May 1941 - RAF Station Charlottetown serving as a Fitter on Avro Ansons including bombing them up for Ops against U-Boats in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Met my mother in June 1941. Played in many a war bond and community parade with the RAF Station Charlottetown Pipes and Drums. June 7, 1943 - Married my mother. Spring 1944 - Received orders to report to 50 Sqn (Lancasters) RAF at Skellingthorpe, England. (My Mother two months pregnant.) Serviced and bombed up Lancasters for missions in Germany. Hosed his buddies out from smashed Gun turrets hit by flak and 20 and 30mm cannon fire from Jerry night fighters. Trained as an air gunner. Experienced V1s and V2s attacks in London, England. March 1945 - Received orders to report to 2nd Battalion (Glasgow, Scotland) Highland Light Infantry. Went to Italy and then to Greece to guard German POWs and also to help quell riots between Greek nationals and communist parties while also protecting the Greek Royal Family. Shot at several times by snipers and in was in between the two rival parties during riots. Sept 1946 - Returned home. First time seeing my oldest sister who was two years old at the time. 1949 - Joined A Sqn, PEIR and served with them and Regimental band for 21 years. Crew Commanded Honeys, Shermans and Ferrets. Played for countless community and Remembrance Day parades and events. 1970 - Retired from military. 1970s - 80s - Continued playing in Charlottetown Citizens band with many retired PEI Regimental band members. 1950s - present day. Member of Royal Canadian Legion and RCAF Association including stints as President of RCAFA. Tended RAF War Graves at Sherwood Cemetery from 1950s till 1990s when the Commonwealth War Graves Commission took over the duties. Regards Terry
I had the pleasure of sharing a table for dinner with Tom Hunter at the Legion. He laughed when i mentioned that my father was a WW2 Veteran as well, and that he had been in the Royal Artillery. Mr Hunter laughed when I said he is the type of guy my father would have called a Brylcreem boy. He wiped his eyes as he said to me that he had not heard that term in a long time. May you join your brothers in Heaven for a catch up of the years. Thank you for your devotion and service to both Scotland the land of your Birth and to Canada your place of raising a family.
May God Bless and my sincere condolences to his family.
A Soldier's Prayer
(author unknown)Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there; I do not sleep.I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glint on snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rushOf quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
.
Always Remember our Veterans as well as our serving soldiers.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
