"A HERO Second World War fighter pilot, who memorised an RAF eye chart so he could enlist despite his poor sight, has died aged 94. Patriotic Wallace Norman Adams, then 19, vowed not to let his vision stop him from joining the war effort. Having already failed the Royal Navy’s eye exam, he memorised the doctor’s eye chart and the order in which the letters appeared. Then in 1941 he used his memory to sit the RAF eye exam and fooled medics by passing with flying colours. Mr Adams, who attained the rank of Flying Officer/Instructor, went on to fly Hawker Hurricane fighters as well as the twin-engined RAF Avro Ansons and the USA’s T-6 Harvard training planes. He was later posted to Canada to train their young fighter pilots, to help bolster the RAF’s ranks. Now his family have revealed he has passed away after a remarkable life, leaving behind three children Louise, Carole and Lindsay and four grandchildren Michael, Ben, Alex and Becky. His devoted wife Linda sadly passed away in 1997. Mr Adams was a maverick who got himself demoted in 1944 for his air stunts Born in 1922 in Burnley, Lancs, to Samuel and Sophia Adams, Wallace led an undeniably fulfilled life. In addition to his skills as a pilot, he had a passion for cars and boats and was also a successful businessman. Having worked in Martin’s Bank in Liverpool, Wallace joined the RAF in 1941." http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/747999/World-War-Two-hero-pilot-memorised-eye-chart-test-dies-age-94
