Second World War ace presented with knighthood in France’s Legion of Honour

News Article / December 5, 2014

By Lieutenant(N) Nicole Murillo

Wing Commander (retired) James Francis “Stocky” Edwards, a Second World War ace, can now add another accolade to his list of decorations: Knight of the France’s Legion of Honour.

Wing Commander Edwards received the honour on Friday, November 28, 2014, at 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia. French Consul General Jean-Christophe Fleury made the presentation on behalf of the President of France.

The French government is bestowing the award upon all living Canadian veterans who participated in D-Day operations to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Normandy invasion. “Knight” is the highest degree of membership in the order.

Although the decoration was presented last week, Wing Commander Edwards was admitted to the order on June 6, 2014, which was his 93rd birthday as well as the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

“The accomplishments of Canadians during the Second World War are a vibrant reminder of the profound and historic friendship that bound France and Canada. Our two countries owe each other their very existence as free nations and this indeed creates a special relationship,” said Consul General Fleury.

“The French people will never forget the acts of bravery that accomplished Canadians, like Stocky Edwards, performed during D-Day to help restore our freedom.”

Wing Commander Edwards is perhaps best known for his feats during the Desert War in North Africa, where he flew three variants of the Kittyhawk fighter. During that time he flew more than 260 combat hours on 195 combat sorties and amassed 15.5 kills, 6.5 probably kills, 13 damaged aircraft and more than 200 tanks and vehicles destroyed.

After leaving North Africa, he flew Spitfires in Italy and commanded 274 Squadron. Later, he led the squadron on operations before and after D-Day. In 1945, he was promoted to wing commander and given command of the four Canadian fighter squadrons that comprised 127 Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF); he was only 23 years old.

In all, he completed 373 combat sorties and is on record as shooting down 18 enemy aircraft (he was probably responsible for more that were unrecorded). He went on to a post-war career with the RCAF, flying everything from Lancasters and Canso flying boats to Vampire, Canuck and Sabre fighters. He retired in 1972.

Wing Commander Edwards was named a member of the Order of Canada in 2004 and was inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame in 2013.

“I am very grateful to the French President for the Honour. Even though it was a long time ago, it is nice to know that the people of France are still thinking of us,” said Wing Commander Edwards. “I want to share this honour with all of my friends, which is why I requested to have the ceremony here in Comox, so that we can all have it together.”

More than 100 guests, including Wing Commander Edward's wife Toni and son Jimmy, Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia Judith Guichon, former Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo, local political leaders, as well as a number of retired RCAF members, gathered in the Comox officers’ mess to witness the presentation.

“It was an honour for 19 Wing Comox to be able to host this very special day for Wing Commander (retired) Edwards,” said Colonel Tom Dunne, the commander of 19 Wing. “We are extremely fortunate to have Stocky as part of the 19 Wing family, and humbled that he chose to receive this honour among us today.

“He is an incredible person who has achieved extraordinary things throughout his career in the RCAF. It is a real pleasure to have the opportunity to learn from him.”

With files from Vintage Wings of Canada and Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.