Edwin (Ted) Essery Swales VC DFC (3 July 1915 – 23 February 1945) was a South African pilot and Second World War hero.

Following the death of her husband in the influenza epidemic of 1918-19, Mrs Swales and her children moved to the Berea, Durban.

After leaving school, and prior to the Second World War, Edwin Swales worked for Barclays Bank (Dominion Colonial and Overseas - DCO) in Durban.

Swales had joined the Natal Mounted Rifles in 1935, rising to the rank of sergeant major, (officially, a warrant officer, 2nd class).

Following successful period of training on heavy bombers, Swales was posted, in June 1944, to the elite RAF Pathfinder Force (with 582 Squadron), part of No.

Newly promoted to captain on 4 November 1944, he took part in a daring daylight bombing raid on 23 December, on the Gremberg railway yards, Cologne, Germany.

For his actions on the Cologne raid, Edwin Swales was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The citation reads: This Officer was pilot and Captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Cologne in December, 1944.

Throughout this spirited action Captain Swales displayed exceptional coolness and captaincy, setting a very fine example.

award was gazetted, Swales led the bombing raid on Pforzheim, Germany (not far from Karlsruhe and the Rhine River), where 17,600 civilians were killed.

Swales' aircraft was attacked by an Bf 110[a] whose fire shattered one engine and holed the fuel tanks.

He attempted to put his Lancaster down but it stalled and crashed near Valenciennes, west of Prouvy, 3 km SSE of Denain in northern France[c] killing him.

Unperturbed, he carried on with his allotted task; clearly and precisely he issued aiming instructions to the main force.

Almost defenceless, he stayed over the target area issuing his aiming instructions until he was satisfied that the attack had achieved its purpose.

Determined at all costs to prevent his aircraft and crew from falling into enemy hands, he set course for home.

Time was very short and it required all his exertions to keep the aircraft steady while each of his crew moved in turn to the escape hatch and parachuted to safety.

Intrepid in the attack, courageous in the face of danger, he did his duty to the last, giving his life that his comrades might live.Originally buried at Fosse's USA Cemetery, his remains now lie at the War Cemetery at Leopoldsburg, near Limburg, Belgium, Plot No.8, Row C, Grave No.5.51°6′44.17″N 5°16′6.47″E / 51.1122694°N 5.2684639°E / 51.1122694; 5.2684639 Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur 'Bomber' Harris, KCB, OBE, AFC, of RAF Bomber Command, wrote a letter to Swales' mother, saying, inter-alia: .... On every occasion your son proved himself to be a determined fighter and resolute captain of his crew.

His devotion to duty and complete disregard for his own safety will remain an example and inspiration to us all ....Although often referred to as being a "captain" at the time of his last flight (because of being the commander of the aircraft), Swales was in military rank an 'acting' major.

After four months of negotiations, the medals and model were delivered to their new home at DHS, where they were first displayed on Armistice Day, 11 November 2004.

To the Memory of Captain Edwin Swales," V.C., D.F.C., S.A.A.F., who was Awarded the Victoria Cross for his great Gallantry and Self-Sacrifice during Operations Against the Enemy on 23 February 1945".