William Bennett

What will you be when you grow up? This is what my great grandmother said to my grandfather in the summer of 1940. William Bennett started becoming a hero at this moment. In Parry Sound, Ontario at the young age of 16 he said, "I am going to serve in the Canadian army." World War 2 was raging in Europe and the call to defend our country was strong. William answered that call. I think it's obvious what he does next. William joins the Royal Canadian Air Force. He wanted to join the army, just like his brothers, but the Air Force needed flyers. He thought he could help his brothers from the air. He knew the stakes were high and the safety of his country was hanging in the balance.

In September 1941 William shipped out to the English force's military training base and started basic training. He wanted to get into the war before it ended, so he did his research to become a wireless radio operator in a quad engine heavy bomber. In one short year his training was complete and he made it into the war. By the winter of 1943, he had completed training. William said goodbye to friends and family said his prayers. He was off to serve in the Royal British Air Force! William was to be stationed way up north on Arctic submarine patrol. It was quiet, perhaps too quiet for a young man looking for action.

On the mission in the Arctic they came across a German fighter plane attacking the from the starboard. The Germans flew over to the port side and fired several rounds. Then everything went quiet... My grandfather saw that their tail gunner and bow gunner had been killed. Also, one of the English pilots had perished. The other pilot would suffer the loss of his left leg. Luckily, my grandfather and the remaining crew member escaped unharmed. Now my grandfather, an inexperienced pilot, had to take the controls.

As the one crew member held onto the other's leg, he placed the limb out the broken window of the plane. This was a great strategy because the cold air froze the leg, lessening the pain. My grandfather took the controls. It was odd that the man with all of first aid training was flying the plane, while the crew member helped the other survive. My grandfather landed the plane safely in Canada, where he was eventually presented with a medal for his his extreme courage that historic day.

William Bennett...a true Canadian hero