We have lost a legend in Canadian aviation and historical writing.
Murray Peden died on Jan. 6 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was 99.
Murray learned to be a superior pilot going through the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and advanced training in England.
Afterwards, it was on to the Stirling with No. 214. In January, 1944, the squadron transferred to special operations and became part of No. 100 (Bomber Support) Group, and Peden’s Crew went on the Fortress III.
Throughout, his skill, nerve, icy calmness (on the outside) saw the crew through some difficult times, including a memorable crash land at one of the emergency fields.
A solid and brave career.
What made Murray so important was the memoir he wrote of his time in the RCAF. A Thousand Shall Fall, first published in 1979, is in my mind quite simply the finest single tale of one airman’s war ever written.
It follows him from Manning Depot to the trip back home to Winnipeg, weaving exceptional skill as a writer (great colour), humour, pathos, frankness, and humility into a truly human tale. He was able to show how being in the air force was at times boring, hilarious (“There will be no bastard talking!”), frightening, soul threatening, goofy, and altogether human.
A Thousand Shall Fall is dedicated to his lost friends Tommy Penkuri (“Penkeeeeee!!!!”), Rod Dunphy, Freddie Taylor, Iowan Francis Plate (he of the bunk tag scam that turned out rather poorly), “and to The Vanished Army … the army of young aircrew who died in the skies over Europe.”
The book set me off on the path to write my novel SPROG, and I was thrilled to have the chance a few years ago to look up his number, call him in Winnipeg, and thank him for it.
A Thousand Shall Fall is still available in print. A required book in any air force or Second World War home library. It will still be read 100 years from now.
Per Ardua ad Astra, Mr. Peden. And I know you and the boys are tipping a lot of cans in the mess upstairs, sharing stories, and giggling like silly buggers.
Thank you, sir.
