Calvin Peppler

Royal Canadian Air Force
Toronto, Ontario

Calvin Peppler was born in Winnipeg, on November 30, 1918 - only weeks after the end of the First World War. He grew up in Justice, Manitoba with a brother, a sister and parents, Jacob and Albertine, who were farmers. Mr. Peppler had an active youth. He participated in numerous sports, was a member of his church's Young People's Organization, and also worked at radio station CKY in Winnipeg.

"Patriotism" motivated him to join the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in Winnipeg, in August 1940. His brother also served with this branch. Mr. Peppler fulfilled his dream of becoming a fighter pilot. He was based in the U.K., North Africa, Malta, Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia, attached to RCAF 421 Squadron and RAF Squadrons 232 and 242. Of the Sicily invasion, he remembers being "amazed at the sight from the air as we patrolled overhead to intercept bombers and fighters." He also flew patrols overhead during the Battle of Ortona.

Later in the campaign, his aircraft was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire. He recalls, "the Germans picked me up unconscious and treated me in a Florence hospital." He was a prisoner-of-war for 10 months - until peace returned."

Happily, he and his brother both survived the war. He notes, however, that he "lost a lot of friends."

Known as "Pep" - "because of my energy," he claims - Mr. Peppler was a flight lieutenant at war's end. He then began a career in personnel and administration. Today, he remains active in air force-related organizations, among others. He and wife, Audrey, also spend time with their three children and two grandchildren.

This will be Mr. Peppler's first trip back to Italy. He adds, "I am a proud Canadian. I was pleased to serve and I appreciate this opportunity to go back and pay tribute to those we lost and think again of those I knew who never came back."