Decorated war vet, 93, still has fight in him

Kyt · Feb 5, 2009

Decorated war vet, 93, still has fight in him

Bill Skinner, 93, has survived being shot down three times during the Second World War, third degree burns to most of his body and the death of his beloved wife Irene a decade ago.

But this Richmond resident is a fighter. He still lives in his own home, does his own laundry, cooks a little, watches documentaries and loves to keep abreast of current affairs.

Skinner was born on June 9, 1915 and raised in Calgary. When he was 24, he enlisted in the 242 Squadron of the Royal Air Force.

He trained to fly under Canadian First World War pioneer flying ace and bush pilot Wilfred May -- famed for participating in the battle that brought down the Red Baron (German fighter pilot Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen). Skinner received the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down 21 enemy aircrafts and for his stellar service during the Battle of Britain, where he was wounded. King George VI himself presented the young Skinner with his medal.

Skinner is thought to hold the record for longest flight service in the country.

Skinner was married for 53 years, raised two daughters and has four grandchildren. Today, he lives with his niece in his home in East Richmond.

The News sat down to talk to Skinner about his years of flying, life and what he's up to these days.

Q & A:

Q: What do you miss most about flying?

A: I miss the thrill. The exhilaration of flying in the skies is indescribable.

Q: What was your favourite airplane?

A: The Lancaster Bomber. It was like driving a nice car. It was a great four-engine bomber that I flew during the Second World War.

Q: What was your worst accident?

I was in Northern Ireland fighting the Germans in 1943 when my plane was shot from under me. I received third degree burns to my whole body.

Q: Your most vivid memory of the war.

A: It was seeing the flames coming from the aircrafts shot out of the sky during the Battle of Britain (1940). It wasn't anything like they portray in Hollywood films ... there was a lot of waiting for instructions. You couldn't eat because in a rollover you'd lose anything in your stomach. Sometimes, we would fly one to two hours, three times a day. It was extremely intense.

Q: You have seen many prime ministers come and go, who was your favourite?

A: I liked Paul Martin but I really liked "old Diefenbaker" (John Diefenbaker - PM of Canada 1957-1963). Martin was a great financial wiz and he kept a steady hand on our economy. Diefenbaker had spark and got things done.

Q: Did you watch the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama?

A: I got turned off with U.S. politics when I was overseas. The American soldiers were a little arrogant and cocky. The British had a saying: "The Americans are overpaid, oversexed and over here!"

Q: After the war what did you do?

A: I worked for Dueck on Broadway. I started in 1954 as a mechanic and moved up to supervisor. I retired at 68 years old.

Q: Why didn't you fly privately when you left the service?

A: I had lost part of my eyesight in a plane crash during combat, so I wasn't allowed to fly anymore.

Q: What do you like to do now that you are retired?

My wife and I used to love to go to our summer home on Gabriola Island. I used to fish a little and I did lots of walking. (Now, my knees are really bad, so I can't walk too far). I used to take youngsters skating every Saturday. It was a ritual for three years.

I also volunteered for the Liberal Party and worked for Vancouver South MP Arthur Lang. Today, I belong to the Richmond East Liberal Party. I'm on the policy committee and we exchange ideas and so forth.

Q: What do you attribute your longevity to?

A: I never drank much alcohol, I eat the right foods and I quit smoking 60 years ago. I like to learn new things and I read the newspapers everyday. I like to think I have a good attitude about life. And I also love to be around young people.
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Kyt · Feb 5, 2009

Hmmm, I can find no Skinner with 21 victories, no Skinner listed with the above details in The Men of the Battle of Britain, nor anything else that fits the descriptions.

Kyt · Feb 5, 2009

It seems the guys on rafcommands also have their doubts about the details in the story.

John · Feb 5, 2009

Why in the hell didn't the reporter check out the story. Bill Skinner at 93 may really believe what he was saying as the mind can play tricks on you as you grow old.
:behindsofa:

Gage · Feb 5, 2009

Hmm, strange one.

Antipodean Andy · Feb 5, 2009

"Aircrafts" raised my suspicion. The only thing I could think of is it's a result of a translation but...

So flew in the BoB, then flew combat out of/over Northern Ireland in 1943 (low-level intercepts, U-boat hunting, Condors?) and also flew the Lanc.

DFC?

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Decorated war vet, 93, still has fight in him

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