RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY - GERMANY |
During the Second World War countless acts of Bravery and
Heroism took place in the Canadian Armed Forces. In the Royal Canadian Air Force the
Distinguished Flying Medal denoted heros within it's ranks. This Medal was awarded to
non-commissioned officers and men for an act or acts of exceptional valour, courage, or
devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy. On July 29th 1942 Pilot Officer Charles Darby was the navigator aboard a Mosquito Bomber on a bombing mission over Germany. By the end of that mission the actions of Officer Darby led to his nomination for the Distinguished Flying Medal. Charles Edmond Darby was born in Harrow, Ontario on March 12th 1910. He attended local elementary schools and graduated from Kennedy Collegiate at Windsor in 1929. |
After graduation Charles continued his education at the University of Toronto graduating in 1935 with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. After graduation Charles opened a pharmacy called Darby's and worked as a druggist.
It was during this time in Charles Darby's life that he was shown the great light of Freemasonry. On October 15th 1935 Brother Darby was initiated into King Edward Lodge No. 488 in Harrow. He was passed to the second degree on December 10th and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on April 20th 1936.
With the outbreak of the Second World War a call went out to Canada's young men to enlist in the Canadian Forces. On July 20th 1940 in Windsor Ontario, Brother Charles Darby enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force. After being trained as a navigator, Pilot Officer Darby was transferred to the tenth Squadron of the Allied Bomber Command. Shortly after Brother Darby's arrival in the European Theater of War he was promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant.
The mission that Officer Darby flew on July 29th 1942, which lead to him receiving the Distinguished Flying Medal was recorded by the Royal Canadian Air Force and reads as follows:
" On his last sortie, Flight Sergeant Darby was Navigator of an aircraft detailed to attack the German naval base at Trondheim. Whilst over the target area the aircraft was subjected to an intense barrage of anti-aircraft fire. Despite this the objective was attacked from only 150 ft. Flight Sergeant Darby's skillful navigation contributed materially to the success of this hazardous operation. This airman is a courageous and determined observer whose fine fighting spirit has set an excellent example. "
After the details of this operation were released Flight Sergeant Darby was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal which was presented to him on August 5th 1942 at Buckingham Palace. Along with the Medal Brother Darby was also promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant Navigator.
Over the next year Lieutenant Darby continued to fly numerous missions over occupied Europe. Ultimately Lieutenant Darby became Squadron Leader of Mosquito Squadron No. 608 of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
On August 28th 1944 while flying a mission over Germany, Brother Lieutenant Charles Edmond Darby was killed in action when his aircraft was shot down. His final resting place is at the Rheinberg War Cemetery in Germany.
Brother Darby's name appears on page 286 in the Book of Remembrance at Ottawa and on the Lancaster Memorial in Windsor.
On Tuesday December 7th 1948, King Edward Lodge No. 488 in Harrow held a memorial service for their fallen brother. At that memorial service Brother Darby was described as:
" having faith in God, rectitude of conduct, brotherly love, morality and all that is good, respectable and worthy of our highest endeavors. "
