DRAMATIC FLIGHT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 135, 10 June 1942, Page 5

DRAMATIC FLIGHT

TO SEE SICK CHILD

N.Z. Aircraftman Flown From

Canada To Britain

United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, June 9. T i? e R -4 F - rushed Leading-Air-craftman Jim Challis, of Stratford from Canada across the Atlantic to the bedside of his three-year-old daughter June, who is dangerously ill in Britain with diphtheria. Challis was undergoing staff training at an isolated station in the Canadian prairie and Mrs. Challis believed that her daughter's one hope of recovery was to see her adored father. A doctor assured the authorities that the case was desperate, whereupon Whitehall sent a message to Ottawa and a few hours afterwards Challis was speeding eastwards aboard a Canadian Air Force plane.

He covered 2000 miles that day and the moment he reached an Eastern Canadian airfield he boarded a Liberator bomber, taking precedence over important officials awaiting a passage.

On arrival in Britain, Challis stepped into a waiting service plane and was flown to his home. There was a moving scene at the hospital when June saw her father, for whom she had been fretting and crying since she fell ill.

The child is now improving and has a good chance of recovery. Challis has now been posted to Britain on compassionate grounds.