SHOOTING DOWN THE AIRPLANE. SURGEON CAPTAIN GORDON PATON FAHRNI DSC.
When a minesweeper’s gunner was unsuccessful in shooting down an enemy plane that was making strafing passes, his ship’s surgeon Gordon Fahrni shouted advice to the gunner: “You’re not leading him enough!” Fahrni was a Manitoba marksman who had developed his skills wildfowl hunting. Fahrni then stepped into the gun turret to show the gunner how to do it successfully.
He was born in Winnipeg, the son of Col. Gordon Samuel Fahrni & his wife Alice. He graduated from the University of Manitoba Medical School & then joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1940. The Navy sent him to England as a Surgeon Lieutenant because there was a shortage of Medical Staff in the British Navy. He served on Minesweeper H.M.S. Fitzroy until his ship was sunk after hitting a mine in the English Channel in
1942. Gordon sustained a back injury & after an extended convalescence in England, he returned to service.
“For his actions on the Fitzroy Gordon was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for ‘ Great bravery, devotion to Duty, Hardship & skill in actions against enemy Submarines.’ It was noted that he displayed ‘ Great bravery & devotion to Duty’ & further ‘Great Gallantry daring & skill in the attack on the German Naval Base at St. Nazaire’ ”
At the end of the War he stayed with the Royal Canadian Reserves as Surgeon Lieutenant Commander, & eventually retired with the Rank of Surgeon Captain.
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