My Wandering Wings of War

About the Book

A benchmark versification in various forms, designed for the lay person, covering the day-to-day drama of a Western-Canadian lad with dreams of being a fighter pilot, and its fruition with the advent of World War II.

With the support of his war diaries and a fair memory, came forth the tale of a long trail of wonder, willing, guts mid the temper of war; the good and the bad, the disquiet, inefficiency, disgust, and dishonesty all melded with valour; while at times steeped in boredom with claws of mischief and sex.

The feelings, the foibles, the training discussed throughout the passage from requirements in Canada to those in England, to a squadron on the Burma Front, to a test pilot in North-West India, and eventually the time-consuming trail to discharge in Calgary, Alberta.

About the Author

Stanley H. Ward, a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, was born in Banff, Alberta, December, 1916, a grand nephew, on both mother's and father's sides, of Banff pioneering brothers, George and William Fear, and whose forebears included Sir Thomas Arundel, First Baron of Wardour, Count of the Holy Roman Empire, and Earls of Southampton.

Uncle of Banff Poet of the Rockies, Gordon Burles, Dr. Ward also had a poetic bent from a young age, although such leanings were submerged and concealed for many years. Contact with the lads of the day prompted the stance that it was not the manly thing to do, and such appeared to be bordering on the sissy aspect of life. As a result, days centered around varied activities: the violin, skiing, hockey, golf, tennis, swimming, hiking and climbing; then eventually university, employment, Air Force, more university, employment and family. It was not until more mature years that the poetic bubble began to burst forth, and it was not until age seventy-five, two years after full retirement, that he made the decision to make use of his war diaries, and versify the full story of his war experience. It soon became clear that for such an ambitious writing venture, progress had to be indeed part time; yet it proved to be a self-fulfilling experience over many years, and with the writing, many a smile and a few tears.

Perhaps it was all worthwhile.

Dr. Ward is a Life-Time Member of the Canadian Fighter Pilots Association.