One of Canada’s most celebrated aviators has a big birthday coming up and his hometown of Comox, B.C. is rolling out the red carpet, in a COVID-safe way, of course. Stocky Edwards a Second World War fighter pilot who’s been knighted by the French government and is an Order of Canada recipient and inductee into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame will have a parade in his honour in Comox to mark his 100th birthday. Local dignitaries, military representatives and city officials will be on hand and a flypast is being organized according to the Comox Valley Record.
Edwards first flew P-40 Kittyhawks in North Africa but switched to Spitfires and racked up the most victories in the desert campaign of any allied pilot. He quickly earned the Distinguished Flying Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross. Since the war, Edwards has continued to be involved in aviation and those who would like to acknowledge his birthday can make a donation to the Stocky Edwards Legacy Trust, which helps young people, particularly Air Cadets, pursue aviation studies. He’s also a big supporter of Ducks Unlimited and would welcome donations to his fund with them.