Side bar to Hammy Grey
Years ago, as a young lad, I dated a girl whose father was Hammy's best friend aboard the HMS Formidable. Charley Butterworth, (or Mr. B) was also a Canadian pilot in the Fleet Air Arm. He flew in the other squadron (1844?). On the day after Hamy died Mr. B flew off the Formidable and accomplished exactly the same thing that Hammy did the day before - but lived. Mr. B attacked and sank a Japanese ship. He was awarded an immediate DSC and, where Hammy was Canada's last KIA of WWII Mr. B may have been Canada's last DSC of the war.
Mr. B. was the son of another Charles Butterworth who, as a member of the Royal Navy Air Service flew in the Great War. That "Mr.B" was shot down while providing air cover on a bombing mission on the Mauser plant. His squadron commader was Ray Collishaw, VC. The senior Mr. B was a POW for 2 years.
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Those who live by the sword will be shot by those of us who have progressed.
- M38A1, 67-07800, ex LETE
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