Leonard Charles Swain, R225728

Leonard was born in Toronto on March 26, 1920, the son of a WW1 veteran. He attended Danforth Technical School, and once he graduated he volunteered for service in the Royal Air Force (RAF), age 18, on September 23, 1938. He spent six years with the RAF as a Leading Aircraftman Corporal. 

During the Battle of Britain he was posted to RAF Number 1 Squadron in Kenley, Surry, England. His skills keeping Hawker Hurricanes, Supermarine Spitfires in operation was vital to the six squadrons at Kenley that flew air defence across the south of England. Sadly, from those aircrews, 32 pilots lost their lives, and 80 aircraft were destroyed by the enemy. At the end of April, 1945, Len was transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as a Leading Aircraftman, and he was sent to Cairo, Egypt. He was honourably discharged September 20, 1945, and returned to Canada. 

Len maintained and repaired the engines on Lancaster bombers, Hurricanes and Spitfire fighter planes during his time in the RAF and RCAF. He worked in various airfields in England, as well as in Cairo and Kenya in Africa. He was awarded the following medals: 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, 1939-1945 Canada Voluntary Medal, 1939-1945 George VI medal, 1939-1945 Bomber Command Commemorative Issue Medal. 

We Will Remember Them

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