Second World War Vet Visits Wing

(Republished from the 13 February 2019 issue of The Voxair)

by 2Lt Becky Major, 17 Wing Public Affairs

Richard Earl, Second World War Burma Veteran, Poses by the nose of “Spirit of Ostra Brama”DC3 Dakota aircraft during his visit to 435 Squadron, 17 Wing Winnipeg, MB, on 29 January 2019. The DC-3 of the type the squadron originally flew is awaiting transport to Poland. For more information about Mr Earl’s visit please see page 2. Photo: Sgt Daren Kraus

Once a Chinthe, Always a Chinthe

Captain Steven Huntley, 435 Squadron Air Combat Systems Officer, gives Richard Earl, Burma Veteran, a tour of CC 130 Hercules aircraft cockpit during his visit to 435 Squadron, 17 Wing on 29 January 2019. Photo: Sgt Daren Kraus

When Richard Earl joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) at age 18 in 1942, he never imagined he would end up as a radio operator for one of two brand new Canadian transport squadrons in India. Mr. Earl was placed in 435 Squadron working on the Dakota DC-3, or “Dak’ as it is fondly remembered by its operators. Seventy-five years later, through a chance meeting, Mr. Earl had the opportunity to reunite with his former squadron at 17 Wing Winnipeg. Mr. Earl served through the end of the Second
World War until 1946 before returning to his job in Canada at CN Rail. Since then, he had not attempted to reconnect with the military until a chance meeting with his new next door neighbour, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) (Ret’d) Richard Henry, a former Search and Rescue Technician with 435 Squadron. “We started talking in the back lane one day and Richard mentioned he had served in India,” explained MWO (Ret’d) Henry. “After a few minutes he said he served with 435 Squadron and I thought, this is a big deal.”

Richard Earl, Burma Veteran, is surprised by the turnout of 435 Squadron personnel during his visit to 16 hangar, 17 Wing Winnipeg, MB, on 29 January 2019. (L-R) Lieutenant-Colonel John Coffin, 435 Squadron Commanding Officer, Richard Earl, Burma Veteran, and Richard Henry, retired 435 Squadron Search and Rescue Technician. Photo: Sgt Daren Kraus

After connecting with a member of 435 Squadron, a tour was arranged for Mr. Earl to come and visit Hangar 16 and see the CC-130 Hercules the squadron now operates. Mr. Earl did not cancel his visit despite temperatures below minus forty, and the squadron did not disappoint. When Mr. Ear! stepped off the elevator onto the third floor of the hangar, he was greeted by 435’s Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel (LCol) Johnny Coffin, Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Paul Nolan, and members of the squadron. It was an honour he was not expecting, and one he will not soon forget. LCol Coffin presented Mr. Earl with a squadron coin and welcomed him home, saying “Once a Chinthe, always a Chinthe!” The Chinthe, a lion-like figure from Burma, was adopted as the squadron’s mascot during its time in India.

Richard Earl, Burma Veteran, speaks with Lieutenant-Colonel John Coffin, 435 Squadron Commanding Officer, and members of 435 Squadron explaining his experiences in Burma during World War Il. Richard Earle visited 16 hangar, 17 Wing Winnipeg, MB, on 29 January 2019. Photo: Sgt Daren Kraus

Mr. Earl spent the morning sharing some of his stories from Burma and reminding the squadron’s members just how different times used to be. When asked what type of harness they wore while conducting airdrops in the back of the Dakota, Mr. Earl said, “The clothes on my back!” While this seems shocking to today’s aviators, Mr. Earl and his fellow airmen did not think twice about it in 1944.

PL60993-Dakota aircrew of the RCAF “Chinthe” Squadron, homeward bound, arrive at the dispersal for the last time. Soon they will be in the United Kingdom, and eventually, soon they hope, in Canada. Left to right they are: WO CJ McCorry, R100475, Transcona, Winnipeg; F/O ER Gordeon, J38092, 4675 Gladstone St, Vancouver; WO RJ Earl, R208598, 533 Sherburn St, Winnipeg; F/O Bruce Darling, J38095, 4594 West Seventh Ave, Vancouver; F/O Dave H Sharpe, J38127, of 1617 Camosun St, Victoria; WO Al Bietz, R194869, of Cardston, Alta, and F/L Joe Romanow, J25881, of 213 Ave H South, Saskatoon. Photographer unknown.

Mr. Earl was in awe after being shown the CC-130 Hercules. “You could fit the body of the Dak in the back of this Here no problem” he laughed. Squadron members took him right into the cockpit and explained how the aircraft works.

Having trained as a wireless-air gunner in Canada, Mr. Earl used those skills while stationed in India. He relied heavily upon his lessons in Morse Code while working as a radio (or “wireless”) operator alongside two pilots and a navigator that made up the crew of the Dakota. To his surprise, Mr. Earl ended up on a crew with a pilot who lived on the same street as him back at home in Winnipeg, Earl Payne.

The tour was a thrilling morning for Mr. Earl, but 435 Sqn will be seeing even more of him this year. In April they will honour the squadron’s 75th anniversary by hosting a banquet dinner at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

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