The very last of Canada?s World War I Fighter Pilots has taken to the air for his final flight!
Henry Botterell, 106 years old, passed into history on 3 January 2002 at a Toronto (Canada) nursing home. One of only 15 remaining veterans of WWI from Canada, this gentleman lived through three centuries, no small feat in itself!
As a pilot in the ?First World War?, Botterell was wounded in aerial combat when a Hun slug ripped through his ear, smashing his goggles. He was knocked out cold from the shell impact and only came to, seconds before crashing into the Earth!
By his own admission, Henry Botterell was a great bank teller (before the War), but not one of the best fighter pilots to ever take to the skies. He did, however, get credit for downing an enemy observation balloon, and was even injured severely in a training crash before entering actual combat!
At a point in time when even World War II pilots are getting scarce, it is amazing indeed to encounter a man who flew in the ?War To End All Wars? by the seat of his pants, literally!
?God Speed Hank!!?
VERITAS
