World War Two veteran pilot receives flyby from Snowbirds for 100th birthday

The veteran pilot, who turned 100 last Wednesday, has an extensive history as a military pilot, according to Global News Canada. He reportedly flew 5,000 hours of logged time with the air force.

His daughter, Chris Monilawis, told Global News about his story, who started by serving as a bomber pilot for Britain during the Second World War. He and his wife immigrated to Canada after the war in 1950.

"There he joined the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) in 1951, and he was in the Maritime patrol. He was also involved in the Cold War and going down to Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis, following Russian ships," said Monilawis.

"He flew Halifax, Wellingtons, Lancasters in the war, and when he came here, he flew Lancasters and also Argus. They are pretty big planes. We are pretty proud of him," Monilawis said.

One of Bellchamber's daughters reached out to the Snowbirds to ask for a flyby after learning that they would be in nearby Camrose, Alberta.

"My sister sent out an email and I went, 'They aren't ever going to do anything,' and they said, 'Yeah, sure,'" Monilawis said.

The Snowbirds were more than happy to oblige.

Monilawis spoke on how much the flyby meant to Bellchamber and the family. Bellchamber had reportedly gone to the hospital with congestive heart failure. Then he before Christmas, and then sometime after caught COVID-19.

"It was a rough go and we didn't think we would still have him here with us," Monilawis said. "He is a bit of a fighter. He had malaria twice (during the Second World War)… and he's had cancer three times — so the man knows how to fight."

"It's a pity that I can't see much anymore and I can't hear much anymore, but here I am,” Bellchamber said. Despite that, Bellchamber added, "I could see four airplanes going by… It's terrific."