Oakville’s own award-winning military author, Tom Douglas, has added a new biography to Tagona Press’s catalogue.
Whispering Duke Schiller – The Forgotten Hero of Early Aviation details the life of Duke Schiller, one of the original bush pilots for the Ontario Provincial Air Service (O.P.A.S.), a hero of both world wars, and Douglas's great uncle.
Schiller's bravery resonated very strongly with Douglas, he attributes that willingness to help others as the main focus of Schiller's legacy.
"I think he did as much as any of his contemporaries, if not more, in advancing early aviation," Douglas told Oakville News. "He was selfless, his outlook was 'if it's going to save a life, I don't care how dangerous it is."
Publisher Bryan Davies highlights Schiller’s extraordinary career, noting his service with the Royal Flying Corps during WWI and his heroic missions with the Royal Canadian Air Force and Ferry Command in WWII. Despite his remarkable feats, Schiller’s story has largely been forgotten—an oversight Douglas aims to correct with his latest work.
"His (Schiller’s) acts of heroism during his military and civilian flying careers rank right up there with those of Charles Lindbergh, Billy Bishop and other famous contemporaries - and Tagona is proud to be instrumental in seeing him finally get the credit he deserves," said Davies.
Davies noted that Schiller’s modest "just-doing-my-job" attitude led to his courageous feats being largely forgotten, relegated to brief mentions in library archives across North America. This oversight is corrected with the publication of Whispering Duke Schiller.
Douglas, an acclaimed author of several books on Canada’s military heritage, is also a recipient of the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation for his efforts in commemorating the valour of Canadians in both peacetime and wartime.
More about his work can be found at Tom Douglas Books. His latest book, Whispering Duke Schiller, can be found on tagonapress.com.