Barrie veteran given a final salute

CTV Barrie: Final salute Mike Walker has more on a special military ceremony for well-known Barrie veteran Bob Middlemiss.

A well-known Barrie Veteran was given a fitting final salute during a ceremony at Base Borden.

Bob Middlemiss died last week at the age of 93 and on Thursday, family, friends and fellow veterans were on hand to say goodbye.

The ceremony was a celebration of Middlemiss’ life and his accomplishments as a long serving member of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

A storied military career full of challenges and triumph was shared to the crowd of more than 400 people in attendance.

Middlemiss’ accomplishments include flying the legendary Spitfire, destroying several enemy aircraft and he was even shot down during the Siege of Malta in 1942 after joining the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940.

He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. Middlemiss retired from the RCAF as a wing commander in 1969.

In 2003, he became the Honorary Colonel of 427 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Petawawa. And in 2009, he ran the Canadian Winter Olympic Torch to the stage at Barrie City Hall to light the cauldron.

Middlemiss is survived by two sons.