Fighter pilot Leonard Birchall OBE, known as the saviour of Ceylon, has died at the age of 89, the Associated Press, reported on Tuesday.
The AP report said: The aircraft was shot down by the Japanese, but not before the eight-member crew successfully alerted Allied Forces about an impending attack on Ceylon, now called Sri Lanka.
Churchill called it ``the most dangerous moment’’ of the Second World War the moment when the Japanese fleet was steaming towards Ceylon for a surprise attack on the British fleet.
The advance warning gave the British and Ceylon time to prepare. As a result, the losses were limited and the Japanese were stopped in their tracks.
It wasn’t until the war was over that Birchall learned the hastily dispatched warning had reached Allied Command.
He and his men spent the next three-and-a-half years in a succession of Japanese prison camps, where they were starved, beaten and tortured.
``I believe honestly that we will not see his like again,’’ retired Maj.-Gen. Frank Norman said Monday.
``Here was an individual who was condemned to death on three separate occasions by the Japanese. Obviously, they didn’t carry out the sentence, but the last time this happened, he turned to the individual and said, `You have just made a terrible mistake. We will win this war and I will live to see you hanged.’’’
Following the war, Birchall made good on his promise. He returned to Japan to testify at a war crimes tribunal and witness the execution of his captor.
He received numerous awards and honours during his lifetime, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Order of Canada and Order of the British Empire. He was also inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame and the United States Legion of Merit.
Birchall, who was born in St. Catharines, Ont., also served as Commandant of Kingston’s Royal Military College.
Predeceased by two wives, Birchall is survived by his third wife Kathleen, a large extended family that includes two daughters and a son, a stepdaughter, stepson, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A funeral for Birchall was held in Kingston’s Chalmers United Church on Monday. His coffin was covered by the Air Force flag, on top of which lay his cap, his medals laid out on the Air Force tartan and a sword.
The church was packed and the speakers included Air Force veterans and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Canada, Geetha De Silva, who said Birchall’s contribution to her country would not be forgotten.
A private family burial was to take place later in the week.
<>(http://www.island.lk/2004/09/16/news23.html)
