David Ernest Hornell conflict World War II
Early life
David "Bud" Hornell was born on Toronto Island and spent his later childhood and adolescence in the Toronto suburb of Mimico. He attended Mimico High School, having obtained the Fred Werden scholarship, given in memory of the son of Mimico's postmaster, who was killed in the First World War.Second World War
He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in January 1941, and received his pilot's wings in September the same year. After further instruction in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, he was posted to the Royal Canadian Air Force station on North Vancouver Island. Commissioned in 1942, Flight Lieutenant Hornell completed 60 operational missions, involving some 600 hours flying.Victoria Cross
Flight Lieutenant Hornell was flying as aircraft captain on a Consolidated Canso amphibian aircraft with 162 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, RCAF, from RAF Wick in Northern Scotland, when the following action took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 24 June 1944 on sea patrol near the Faroes in the North Atlantic, Hornell's aircraft was attacked and badly damaged by the German submarine U-1225. Nevertheless he and his crew succeeded in sinking the submarine. Hornell then managed to bring his burning aircraft down on the heavy swell. There was only one serviceable dinghy, which could not hold all the crew, so they took turns in the cold water.
By the time the survivors were rescued 21 hours later, Hornell was blinded and weak from exposure and cold. He died shortly after being picked up. He is buried in Lerwick Cemetery, Shetland Islands.
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