A Formidable Hero 3rd ed.

by Stuart E. Soward

A Formidable Hero is a true account of a young Canadian transformed by war. He quickly develops from a jovial but pensive student to an outstanding aggressive pilot and leader, whose natural ability makes him revered among his peers. It is no surprise that at the end of the story he has won the prestigious Victoria Cross, although posthumously, and is the last Canadian to die in combat during World War Two. Here now ,the fascinating final chapter of the story of Hammy Gray is recounted in superb detail, as friends, survivors and bereaved families of both sides of the Battle of Onagawa meet on August 9th 1989, the 44th anniversary of Gray's death at Onagawa Bay Japan. In a unique ceremony, a monument is dedicated to Gray, and located nearby is the Japanese memorial honouring those who died at Onagawa for their country.

230 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[S.D. Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

When one considers the stature of a Victoria Cross winner like Robert Hampton Gray, it often seems larger than life. Gray especially, both for his deed of pressing home a level bombing attack against an alerted Japanese surface vessel, and for when it happened--mere days before the end of the war.

What Stuart Soward provides us in A Formidable Hero is the down-to-earth story of a young man from Canada who felt it was his duty to take up arms against fascism, and ensured he did his duty to the end--not hesitating, or shying away just because the end of the war was in sight.

Soward also weaves in the stories of other young men from that war--Canadian and British--many of whom didn't win awards for their gallantry, but all of whom deserved recognition. Soward notes that, in a way, Gray's VC was awarded to those men as well. It was a fitting tribute.

As was this book.