Today is November 11 – Remembrance Day. Today we remember all the veterans who have sacrificed for Canada. We also remember Bob Middleton, who passed away last month. Originally from Toronto’s east end, Bob was a proud Canadian who served in the RCAF during the Second World War. Bob grew up in the Beaches neighbourhood of Toronto, and like so many in his generation, he made the decision to enlist with the coming of war. A lifelong fascination with flying led him to choose the RCAF, and he was off to Manning Depot in his freshly purchased suit. From there Bob went into basic training, to be followed by a stint in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, where he hoped to become a pilot. Fate did not have that in store for Bob though, and he was trained instead as a navigator, and was set to make his way overseas. Life in Bomber Command was about to begin, and the trips to Germany, of which Bob would do 33, were about to get started. Bob served with his crewmates on Wellington, Halifax and Lancaster bombers, taking the war to the heart of Germany from 1943-45. When Bob completed his mission quota, he returned to Canada, shortly before VE Day. He was welcomed by his family and girlfriend Pat, with whom he would go on to build a life and a family, falling into the rhythm of civilian life with the returning soldiers of his generation. Please take the time to meet Bob here – https://ohp.crestwood.on.ca/
