Dear Editor:
Re: Air Force pays tribute to last surviving WWII Demon Squadron member
I was so pleased to see your article on Ran Clerihue, the last surviving wartime member of the 407 Demon Squadron.
My father, Maj.-Gen. Bill Garton, served most of his overseas tour in the Demon Squadron as a WAG (wireless, air gunner) early in the war in Lockheed Hudson dive bombers patrolling the North Sea to find and attack enemy shipping and U-boats.
It was a very harrowing tour, with two crash landings back in the U.K. – one on a golf course in Scotland – after being shot up by heavy flak over the North Sea at night.
Many of his Squadron friends did not survive their tours, but those who did were bonded for life, and although I never met Ran I fondly remember some of the Demons from the Squadron reunions decades ago.
The Demons were exceptionally brave at a time in history when the will of the free world was severely tested, and I was so glad to see Ran honoured by today’s 407 Squadron.
Billy Garton
North Vancouver
