UNITY – This past week, the community said its final goodbye to Silas Campbell. He was the last of the Second World War veterans in the town of Unity and was well-known throughout the community.
On social media, the Town of Unity announced a special fly-past of two Royal Canadian Air Force CT-155 Hawks from the 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron. The National Defense / Canadian Armed Forces base in Cold Lake, Alta. would be paying respect to the veteran and honouring his service and sacrifice.
The significance of this fly-past was deeper than just paying respects to a Second World War soldier. Many of the tail gunners that fought in the war would fly only eight missions. Campbell flew a resounding 38 missions as a tail gunner with the 4 Wing Cold Lake’s 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, where many of the planes he manned were Lancasters. Campbell was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on Nov. 12, 1945.
The 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron were doing training in Cold Lake when they heard that a fellow member had passed away. The day of Campbell’s funeral service was also the last day of this year’s training. The squadron will not train again until 2030. It was mentioned that one of the jets was painted like a Lancaster that flew in the Second World War.
The salute from the sky had to be cancelled, as the weather conditions had worsened as the day went on. Although the thought and significance of the fly-past was great, many who knew Campbell know that he would not want to see any casualties and to remember him in their own way.
