Lloyd Chadburn

Lloyd Vernon "Chad" Chadburn DSO & Bar, DFC (21 August 1919 – 13 June 1944) was a Canadian World War II fighter pilot.

Biography

Early life Lloyd Chadburn was born in Montreal, Quebec, on 21 August 1919, later moving with his parents to Oshawa, Ontario, as an infant. He grew up there and in Aurora. He attended Aurora Public School and Aurora High School and completed his secondary education at Northern secondary school. He worked as a bank clerk at the Bank of Toronto and as a salesman for the Red Rose Tea Company.

Career Chadburn applied to enlist in both the Army and Navy in 1939, but was turned down both times. After a period of leave in Canada, he was posted to No. 402 Squadron and then No. 403 Squadron, prior to his promotion to wing commander for the RAF Digby Wing in June 1943. He led the Wing in flying escort to American bombers and the RAF medium bombers of No. 2 Group. He was supposedly dubbed The Angel for his escort would assure the bomber crews a safe passage to and from the target. On 3 November 1943 the Wing claimed seven Bf 109's of II./JG 3 (five were actually lost), with Chadburn claiming two personally.

Chadburn was made a Chevalier (knight) in the French Légion d'honneur and awarded the Croix de Guerre avec Palme. Only three RCAF officers received the Légion d'honneur, and Chadburn was the only one to receive the Croix de Guerre.

His name is listed on memorials in both Aurora High School and Northern Secondary school in Toronto Ontario which he attended.

Chadburn is featured in True Aviation Comics No. 10.