Ian Willoughby

Bazalgette VC

"...May his bravery excite the hearts of all the soldiers of Liberty..."

Name: Ian Willoughby “Baz” Bazalgette
Born: October 19, 1918
Died: August 4, 1944
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Rank: Squadron Leader
Served: 1940-1944
Service Number: 11813
Force: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit: No. 635 Squadron
Division: No. 8 (Pathfinder Force)
Awards: Victoria Cross (posthumous), Distinguished Flying Cross

Squadron Leader Ian Bazalgette, Alberta’s only recipient of the Victoria Cross in World War II, was a standout pilot that flew dozens of missions in a wide range of scenarios. “Baz” was a well-liked, courageous, and respected soldier that quickly rose through the ranks to Squadron Leader. On August 4, 1944, Baz stayed with his badly damaged Lancaster bomber after a successful target marking mission, bringing it down in a field before it burst into flame.

Ian Bazalgette
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