Dwight (my go-to guy for obituaries) has one worth your time: the last WWI recipient of the Victoria Cross takes off on his final flight.
For those on this side of the Pond who are unfamiliar with the VC, it is the UK equivalent of the US Medal Of Honor: awarded for bravery above and beyond the call of duty under fire. It (as the HoH) is very often awarded posthumously. Flight Lt. Cruickshank survived the war to the ripe old age of 105, the oldest WWII VC recipient.
As with many who served - and very, very many of those awarded these decorations - he kept an enormous humility. I love this quote from Dwight's post:
…he told The Daily Telegraph, “The citation said ‘showed great courage’ and all that nonsense, but a lot of people would have done that in those circumstances.”
Translation: No, I wasn't a hero in the war. But I served in a Company of heroes.
Ave atque vale, Flight Lieutenant. May your Final Review be in Glory.
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