It may be long-overdue but two London Second World War veterans finally received the recognition they deserved on Tuesday.
The years have passed, but their memories haven't faded. For Bill Swetman and Roy Cope what they saw in almost 90 missions for the Air Force during the Second World War is still vivid in their minds.
Roy says “I've seen more guys go down in flames than I’d want to see if I lived to be 200…People forget that of Canadians over 10 to 15,000 were killed from Bomber Command.”
Bill laughs as he adds “Our crew volunteered to go to Africa, which you should never do in the military, you should never volunteer, and on our way over we crashed…I'm more than proud to have received all this, it’s good.”
For putting their lives on the line all those years ago, 94-years-old Bill 90-year-old Roy are receiving the Bomber Command Bar.
London North Centre MP Susan Truppe was at the presentation and says “They were so appreciative of it and they’ve done so much for our country and they deserve it.”
Growing up, Roy and Bill’s children didn't hear a lot of war-time stories, but they say the older they get the more they talk about it.
Sheila LeClair, Roy’s daughter, says “One of the most exciting times is when we went to Hamilton and he got to climb in an old Lancaster Bomber and I think a lot of memories came flooding back then.”
Bill’s son Robert Swetman adds “These guys…they were just kids flying these big huge Lancasters - 19, 20, 21 years old – it’s amazing.”
Bill and Roy are among the first to receive the recognition and other veterans in our community will soon be getting what they deserve for their sacrifice and bravery.
“I felt I was pretty lucky getting through, I’m sure he felt the same way,” Roy says.
