JOSEPH WARD

 Every November 11, I remember, with much admiration and respect, both my Father, Warrant Officer, Joseph Ward, (July 13 , 1914 - August 12, 1990), of Cranbrook, BC and my Mother, Elizabeth (Betty) Ward, nee Steen, (February 14, 1912 - May 10, 1995) of Vancouver, BC. They were married on Tuesday, October 28, 1941 in Vancouver, had a brief honeymoon on Vancouver Island, then travelled by train to Montreal to say ‘good-bye’ for three and a half years!! They were reunited in Montreal on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1945. I cannot imagine how challenging that must have been in those war years, with a letter exchanged perhaps only every six months!

Dad was a fighter pilot, serving with RAF 113 Squadron, flying Hawker Hurricanes and Blenheims on the Burma Front against the ‘enemy of the day’, the Japanese. He crashed twice, his navigator was killed on one, and Dad walked through the jungles for, I don’t know how long on his next crash!

Upon return to Canada, of course he had PTSD, however, in those days, sadly, it went undiagnosed. In the late 1980’s, during and upon returning home after  attending a Commonwealth Airline Pilots’ Association reunion in England, the PTSD resurfaced acutely.

Dad never talked much about his war time experiences. Sadly, while I was growing up, I didn’t know what questions to ask him. His post war profession was as a pharmacist.

In 1985, Dad contributed some of his war memories and photos to the book, ‘The Air Battle of Imphal’ by Norman Franks. I have treasured rereading that book.

With much gratitude to all the men and women who served, and those still serving to defend the freedom and peace this world needs.

Submitted by daughter, Joy Fera

History of Royal Air Force 113 SQN

After the outbreak of war with Japan the squadron was redeployed to Burma. At this point it was made up predominantly of personnel from other Commonwealth countries, particularly personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and was commanded by a Rhodesian, Wing Commander Reginald Stidolph, DFC. It arrived in Burma on 7 January 1942 and immediately participated in the first allied bombing attack on Bangkok. A second raid was undertaken on 24 January. The squadron suffered heavy casualties while attacking Japanese columns in Burma and the survivors withdrew to Calcutta in March. From Assam, No. 113 bombed Japanese communications and airfields. At least 16 RAAF personnel were killed in action with the squadron as a Blenheim unit in Burma and India.