Hedley Joseph 'Snooks' Everard DFC 1919-1999

Hedley Joseph Everard DFC was born at Timmins, Ontario. In 1939 he had served in the Algonquin Rifles and in September 1940, he enlisted in the RCAF in Toronto. He received air crew instruction at various training schools in Canada and on 15 July 1941 graduated, as a pilot, from No. 32 Service Flying Training School. After being posted overseas, he served in England, the Far East and the Middle East with Squadron No. 417.
Prior to the end of WW2, Flight Lieutenant Everard was shot down and taken prisoner. However, he managed to escape and was liberated by the Russians as they advanced their forces into Germany.
Everard was back in England in time to take part in the celebrations for the Allied victory in Europe. After the end of WW2, Everard joined Canadair Aircraft company and in 1949 was a test pilot with the company. He later became Director, Tactical Aircraft, with Canadair, dealing with military relations. He remained in the RCAF Auxiliary and from 1951 to 1955 and from 1961 to 1964, commanded No. 401 Squadron