Vol. 26 No. 69
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COMOX VALLEY RECORD
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A division of
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August 31, 2011
Yo ur
WEDNESDAY
ANNIVERSARY
SI
NCE 1986
www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
Second World War pilot dies in Comox
INSIDE
With twin brother, Douglas (Duke) Warren lived a dream Lindsay Chung Record Staff
A decorated Spitfire pilot who served during the Second World War is being remembered as a gentleman and a role model after passing away this weekend. Douglas (Duke) Warren, who flew a Spitfire fighter as part of No.165 Squadron at Dieppe with his twin brother Bruce — also nicknamed Duke — passed away Saturday in Comox at the age of 89. Born in Nanton, Alta., in 1922, the Warren twins joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) at the age of 18. The twins loved aviation from an early age and in late 1940 joined the RCAF, training in Canada until proceeding to England in January 1942, according to Warren’s obituary. After advanced training, the Warren twins flew two tours of operations with Royal Air Force Spitfire squadrons, it noted. In 1945, they were both awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses by King George VI at Buckingham Palace. After returning to Canada in May 1945, Warren married Melba Bennett. The Warren twins joined the per-
manent RCAF in October 1946. Bruce was killed in 1951, as a test pilot for the CF-100 jet fighter. Duke became Commanding Officer of the F-86 Sabre-equipped 410 Squadron in 1952. The following year, he was attached to the United States Air Force and flew Sabres in Korea. He became chief flight instructor at the RCAF’s Operational Training Unit at Chatham, N.B., and then served in a similar role in Germany, assisting the post-war Luftwaffe in forming their Sabre Operational Training Unit at Oldenber as part of a Chief Canadian Aid Team, says Veterans Affairs Canada. In 1970, Warren came to CFB Comox, accepting his final posting as operations officer. Warren served a total of 37 years with the Canadian Forces, including his time in the RCAF Reserve. He retired in 1973, and he volunteered in the community with various organizations for many years. Active with Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 in Comox, Warren served as Branch Padre for 24 years, and he served in the same capacity with 888 Wing of
... see FIGHTER ■ A2
The annual fair had something for everybody ■ 11
LIFE TOO SHORT
DUKE WARREN got out all of his many medals in 2007, the same year he was inducted into the French Legion of Honour. FILE PHOTO
Shellfish biotoxin detected in B.C. for first time Mussel testing promised
Scott Stanfield Record Staff
About 60 people became sick recently from a biotoxin found in about 30,000 pounds of mussels that were harvested near Cortes Island. The toxin is called diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), which had never previously been detected in B.C. waters. It is more common in Europe, Asia and the east coast of Canada.
“It happened exactly on Aug. 3,” said Roberta Stevenson, executive director of the Comox-based B.C. Shellfish Growers Association. “Some mussels from a very reputable mussel farmer ended up having this DSP in it. “The reason that it wasn’t found out until some people did get sick was because we don’t traditionally check for it every time
we harvest. It’s never been found here before. “So it’s a new thing, but believe me, from now on it will be tested for every time we sell mussels.” The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a recall and warning in early-August. The biotoxin is not fatal but ingesting DSP can cause diarrhea, nausea and cramps. Symp-
toms last about three days. The biotoxin has caused problems in other countries. In 1984, for instance, a DSP outbreak shut down Sweden’s mussel industry for nearly a year. “Lots of places in the world have lots of DSP; we’ve just never had it on the West Coast. So it’s a new risk,” Stevenson said, noting the toxin was found around the same time in Olympia, Wash. ‘’We’re kind of befuddled. But
... see TESTING ■ A3
Every once in a while a community is touched deeply through the incredible spirit of an individual. Usually, that individual is an adult of some standing and accomplishment. Occasionally, however, a child will take on that role, and then we are affected in a much greater way. Sammy Antunez Marquez was a child of such rarity.
...Full story on page ■ 8
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■ Editorial
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■ About Town
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