Hero’s in the Family Tree

Photobucket Seem the older I get the more my family tree means to me. Memorial day and the Normandy Invasion Anniversary (D-Day) just passed, and I’m finding out about some famous, and not so famous heroes in my family tree. The Ansel’s have a long family tradition of serving in the military. My great, great grandfather fought in the civil war, my dad was in the Philippines and New Guinea in WWII, and two of my brothers and myself served during the Viet-Nam conflict. I also have a niece that was in the 101st. airborne.

I’m just now finding out about my mothers side of the family, and it’s quite impressive. First of all my Uncle Mel Douglas,from Sault Ste. Marie Canada, was part of the D-Day invasion force from Canada. He was a tank commander, and was one of the few that made it out alive during this assault. He was part of the Canadian liberating force, that drove the Germans out of Europe. His son Tom (my cousin) is a writer, editor, and author of several military novels, including one about his dads experiences during the war. There are also at least three great uncles that distinguished themselves as pilots, with Senior Captain “Duke” Schiller being the most famous. He was in charge of the Royal Air Force Ferry Command. He died March 14th. 1943 when his Canso aircraft crashed of the coast of Bermuda killing uncle Duke and most of his crew. In his all to short life he was a renowned bush pilot, flight instructor, and mercy flight pilot and hero. Duke was credited for saving many lives with his daring rescues from gold prospectors to fellow pilots. Uncle Duke also won many awards for “air racing.” There are many more exploits and larger than life adventures about Uncle Duke, and you can find out more about him by doing a search on “Google.” The New York Times reported his death as “Canada’s best and most colorful pilot,” when the news of his crash hit the papers. Uncle Dukes full name is Clarence Alvin “Duke” Schiller. He was married to my grandfathers sister Ada Greer.

Another Uncle Al Cheesman was an adventure also. He was one of the original pilots to fly to the South Pole on an expedition. I’m still digging up information on him, but I did find out he and Duke were both in the “bush pilots museum” in Sault Ste. Marie. It is reported that Uncle Al knew Admiral Byrd, and I’m quite certain he did.

I’m still doing research on my moms side of the family, so stay tuned for more revelations on those brave and daring Canucks in the family tree.