The Best of Lives

About the Book

After growing up in rural North America in the 1920s and 1930s, Wilf Burnett (known in his family as Bamp) left Canada to join the RAF in 1937. This book tells the story of his decorated and distinguished 31 year career in the Royal Air Force. He flew on three operational tours during World War II. After the war and a secondment to BOAC on long-range flying boats, he flew a wide range of piston and jet military aircraft. He undertook exploratory flights to the North Pole and led the first V-bomber (Valiant) squadron into action during the Suez Crisis. After commanding a V-bomber base, his later career took him to senior posts in India and Aden.

About the Author

David Burnett was born in England in 1940. He attended the University of London and holds BA, MA and PhD degrees. He taught art history at Bristol University and then at Carleton University, Ottawa after moving to Canada in 1970. He became Curator of Contemporary Canadian Art at the Art Gallery of Ontario, 1980-84. He was subsequently a private consultant and partner in a Toronto art gallery. He is the author of a substantial number of books, articles and catalogues. He gained his commercial pilot's licence and flew his own aircraft throughout North America. After moving to British Columbia in 2001, he became a flight instructor. His interests are golf, painting and reading philosophy. He lives in Abbotsford, BC with his wife, Marilyn and their Golden Retrievers, Truman and Brandy.