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1. War hero Birchall dead at 89
From: "RVS" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 12:55:59 -0000
From: "RVS" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: War hero Birchall dead at 89
War hero Birchall dead at 89
CANADIAN PRESS
KINGSTON — Retired Air Commodore Leonard Birchall, a decorated Second
World War pilot dubbed the Saviour of Ceylon by Sir Winston
Churchill, has died at age 89.
"He was the finest person I know, an inspiration to all of us," said
retired Lt.-Gen. Peter Dawe, who called Birchall a true hero.
Birchall died in hospital Friday of lung cancer.
His legendary heroism was first documented in April 1942 when the
then-leader of the Royal Canadian Air Force 413 Squadron was piloting
a twin-engine Catalina, a flying boat used for patrolling coastlines.
The aircraft was shot down by the Japanese, but not before the eight-
member crew successfully alerted Allied Forces about an impending
attack on Ceylon, now called Sri Lanka.
Churchill called it "the most dangerous moment" of the Second World
War — the moment when the Japanese fleet was steaming toward Ceylon
for a surprise attack on the British fleet.
The advance warning gave the British and Ceylon time to prepare. As a
result, the losses were limited and the Japanese were stopped in
their tracks.
It wasn't until the war was over that Birchall learned the hastily
dispatched warning had reached Allied Command. He and his men spent
the next three-and-a-half years in a succession of Japanese prison
camps, where they were starved, beaten and tortured.
"I believe honestly that we will not see his like again," retired
Maj.-Gen. Frank Norman said yesterday.
"Here was an individual who was condemned to death on three separate
occasions by the Japanese. Obviously, they didn't carry out the
sentence, but the last time this happened, he turned to the
individual and said, 'You have just made a terrible mistake. We will
win this war and I will live to see you hanged.' "
Following the war, Birchall made good on his promise. He returned to
Japan to testify at a war crimes tribunal and witness the execution
of his captor.
He received numerous awards and honours during his lifetime,
including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Order of Canada and Order
of the British Empire. He was also inducted into Canada's Aviation
Hall of Fame and the U.S. Legion of Merit.
Birchall, who was born in St. Catharines, also served as Commandant
of Kingston's Royal Military College.
Predeceased by two wives, Birchall is survived by his third wife
Kathleen, a large extended family that includes two daughters and a
son, a stepdaughter, stepson, four grandchildren and four great-
grandchildren.
A funeral for Birchall was held in Kingston's Chalmers United Church
yesterday. His coffin was covered by the Air Force flag, on top of
which lay his cap, his medals laid out on the Air Force tartan and a
sword.
The church was packed and the speakers included Air Force veterans
and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Canada, Geetha De Silva, who
said Birchall's contribution to her country would not be forgotten.
A private family burial will take place later this week.
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