Air Force loses Distinguished Flying Cross veteran

“Moose” Fumerton during World War II.  WComd (Ret’d) Fumerton was the leading World War II RCAF night-fighter ace, having earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with Bar, and the Air Force Cross.

The Air Force lost one of its most highly decorated World War II pilots and long serving members this summer, Wing Commander (Ret’d) Robert Carl “Moose” Fumerton, who passed away on July 10.  Captain Mark Nasmith visited this distinguished Canadian a few years before his death and offers these reminiscences of the experience which remains with him to this day.

I knew Moose Fumerton as a warrior.

In August of 2004 I had the privilege of visiting this RCAF World War Two ace at his daughter’s home in Huntsville, Ontario.  WComd (Ret’d) Robert Carl “Moose” Fumerton had once been the first Canadian Commanding Officer of my squadron at the time, 406 Squadron.  He was also the leading World War II RCAF night-fighter ace, having earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with Bar, and the Air Force Cross.  Should his warrior spirit ever be in doubt, one has but to read this single line from his DFC with Bar citation, 7 July 1942; “His determination to destroy the enemy is outstanding.”

Visiting with Moose and his family was an experience I remember vividly.  On the one hand, there was Moose himself, recounting his aerial encounters with the enemy which often took place in the black of night.  These were exciting to be sure, but as an Air Navigator and a keen student of history I was aware of some of the cold figures behind the stories. 

Men like Moose were exceptional pilots; they scored the kills and won the battles.  Those they fought against did not often return to base.  It is a memorable experience indeed to hear such tales from someone who has lived it.  The brutal lows and glorious highs of history had come alive for me through this fellow aviator, and I was grateful.

Moose’s daughter, Maureen Shipton, and other family members had gathered to greet us.  Their hospitality was impressive, and their gratitude for our visit humbling.  Their father, clearly very special to them, had been given a chance through us to reconnect with his past.  The family gathered around the CH-124 Sea King while we gave Moose a tour and were happy to see the smile on his face as he once more stepped into the Air Force.

WComd (Ret’d) Robert Carl “Moose” Fumerton, DFC, walks with Captain Mark Naismith during a visit in Huntsville in 2004. .

Then there was the crew of the Sea King, myself included, that carried out the visit.  It began as a polite drop-in to a former CO at the behest of the current CO.  As we flew away afterward we were aware that we had just experienced much more.  We had shown our respect for one who had, day after day, over years, risked his life to defend our country. 

As aviators and officers, we felt he represented to us an example to be emulated.  We had brought a few moments of nostalgia to a veteran and allowed his family to share in a military past that he often kept quiet about.  We flew away knowing that we had done something good for a man who had earned it.

WComd (Ret’d) Robert Carl “Moose” Fumerton passed away on July 10, 2006.  Together with a strong volunteer contingent from CFB Borden, the Deputy Commanding Officer of 406 Squadron and I attended the funeral in Huntsville on July 16.  Once again the welcome of the family was tremendously warm.  They thanked us for taking the time to attend, but I hope they understood the honour was all ours. 

The backdrop that our blue uniforms provided was an appropriate presence as his family bid farewell to their beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Moose had given me much to think about since our first meeting, not the least among them duty, sacrifice, and professionalism.  To my surprise he had one more insight to pass on.  While listening to the service, the stories and good-byes of Moose’s children, I was struck by how entirely devoted they were to him.
It was obvious that Moose took the responsibilities of marriage and fatherhood very seriously and that his family had prospered because of it.  He had applied the same will and determination in raising his family and caring for his wife that he had demonstrated 60 years ago over Europe and the Mediterranean.

Moose taught me that it is not only a warrior’s battlefield victories that they bequeath to history, but more so the children that they leave behind; that will be their legacy.  As a new father, it is not something I will soon forget.  I can now say proudly that I knew, if only for a brief moment, Moose Fumerton as a man and my respect has grown. 

As the 12 Wing Commander said, “Moose is free once again to soar with the eagles.”

Capt Naismith is with the Electronic Warfare Support Section - Halifax