He turned to the Canadian Legion and was advised to apply to Veterans' Affairs in Vancouver, which he did, one cold rainy afternoon in April 1992. Taking with him his medals, discharge papers and a letter of the kind most Commonwealth ex-servicemen had received from the King of England, he stood patiently and dripping wet, waiting until his turn came to state his case to the clerk behind the counter.
“I’m sorry,” said the young man, politely but firmly, shaking his head. “South Africa was never in the war!”
AN APOLOGY WOULD DO A GREAT DEAL TO ASSUAGE THE HURT
Tom Warder did not give up readily. His immediate need was great, but what was more important, his pride had been stung. He tried repeatedly to have his medals, discharge papers and other records of active service recognized. They were deemed to be inadequate, however, on the grounds that, although the month and the year were given, the exact dates of arrival and departure from war zones, for example, South West Africa (now Namibia), Oran and Malta, were not specified. Six weeks after his first visit to Veterans’ Affairs in Vancouver, in a greatly weakened state but determined to have his evidence validated, he managed, by utilizing his airline privileges, to make it back to South Africa. He followed up correspondence, sent ahead by him from Canada, with a personal visit to the records office in Pretoria. From there the necessary documentation was mailed to Canada, but he did not live long enough to know the outcome. He died in South Africa on July 9, 1992. Relevant documents were recently found among his personal papers; too late for his case to be resolved. One official document shows that his records had indeed been received; however, despite the numerous letters I have written to the department of Veterans' Affairs, asking only for an apology, after all these years his file is still marked "Pending!"
Article comments
1 - Arthur Blake.
What a great article! I was in the RAF and I remember clearly when 27 Squadron SAAF came to join us on Malta. Their band - led by Tom Warder - lifted us up and helped to keep us going during a really dreadful time in our lives.
2 - Desmond Graham
My wife found a link to this article on Facebook and what memories you have triggered, Arthur.
Herewith another link that might interest you. Remember Thuys Uys, the Commanding Officer of 27 squadron and the 'rescue' off Skeleton Coast?
3 - Zena Desmond
I recommend a gripping book called "With No Remorse..." by the writer of this article. It is partly fiction, but much of it is based on fact. It has a photo of the Tom Warder and the "Venturians" on the opening page.
4 - Patsy
I've read it, and have a URL for a tape of the Venturians.
Try it out.
5 - Marie Warder
Thank you for posting a link to the Venturians. Something tells me that you must also have had a dear one "Up North" with 27 Squadron, SAAF.
6 - Ziggy
I cannot find words to express my sorrow at reading about how an old and very dear friend was treated.
My wife and I remember dancing to the music of his band at the Coronation Ball -- which was held at Rand Airport in Germiston -- on the occasion of the Queen Elizabeth's crowning.
7 - Marie Warder
Thank you,Ziggy. Good news!I have received a letter from my member of parliament who read the article, and hers has come with a copy of one to the Minister of Veteran affairs requesting recognition of South African Servicemen! - Praise God!
I now await his response with baited breath.
8 - Dorothy
Marie, I admire your courage, strength and believing and fighting for something that should of been recogized a long time ago.
Keep up the great work.
You are finally being heard.
Dorothy Found
9 - Marie Warder
Another accolade for Jan Smuts: He drafted the Charter of the International Court of Justice, helped found the State of Israel, and led the Boers to victory in the Boer War.
10 - Marie Warder
Praise God! The years I have spent writing to Canadian members of parliament, and pleading for South African vets to be recognized, have paid off! The member of Parliament for my area, read this article and sent it to the the Minister of Veteran Affairs, who has now acknowledged that SA was indeed an ally in WW2, and that surviving veterans would henceforth enjoy the same benefits as Canadians.