Canadian Raymond John Draper was enrolled in engineering School in England when WW11 broke out. He then joined the RAF and trained as a pilot and engineer. He was subsequently shot down over France and escaped back to England on a Polish freighter.

He then served in India and the Far East and was severely injured while escaping the Japanese invasion. He spent about four months healing from his injuries in England and during this time he completed his engineering degree. Sadly, during time he was notified that his brother, Robert Draper, who was in the RCAF was missing over Holland. His body was discovered some weeks later, and he was buried in a cemetery in Hallem, Netherlands.

Later Ray or "Tex" as he was called, was then deployed to India and then to Egypt where the British fought Rommel in the desert.

His sister, Nora Draper, also served in the WREN's in Halifax for the duration of the war.

This poem was written sometime after the war, and he only shared it with us when he was in his eighties and finally began to talk about his experiences with his family.

The Song of Freedom

Some first saw light in Canada
Some heard from far away
The call of Freedom loud and clear
And came to mark their way.

Tall and straight together stand
Our father's sons today
The footsteps left ar hard to fill
We must not lose our way.

A precious thing is Freedom's soul
It must be sought and gained
It's not a gift, it is a prize
A struggle to maintain.

We are a peaceful people
With all our heart we trust
To others do as we would have
Others do to us.

And so, we pray no challenge make
Against our country dear
The cost so high for Freedom's sake
We hope not have to pay.

Twice past we met such challenge
And for it fought and died
And yet again we'd do the same
Were our precious freedom so defied.

RJ Draper