Flying Officer Peter Middleton was posted to the No 37 Service Flying School in Calgary in 1942, when he was a volunteer reservist aged just 22. He spent two-and-a-half years as an instructor, training Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster pilots.
Kate's grandfather Peter Middleton had served as an RAF fighter pilot who used the wing tips of his Mosquito warplane to divert deadly German 'doodlebug' flying bombs away from London during the World War II.
Flying Officer Middleton was posted to the No 37 Service Flying School in Calgary in 1942, when he was a volunteer reservist aged just 22. He spent two-and-a-half years as an instructor, training Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster pilots.
After joining the reservist 605 Squadron at Manston, near Ramsgate, Kent, in August 1944, Middleton embarked on numerous dangerous missions.
Showing incredible courage, he was deployed in a de Havilland Mosquito fighter bomber to nudge the wings of unmanned German V1 flying missiles to divert them from London, reports the Daily Mail.
The deadly 'doodlebugs', launched from France, could each destroy at least three houses. About 8,000 were launched at Britain and more than 2,000 hit London, killing thousands.
Middleton was among a group of elite RAF 'top guns' used to push the V1s off-course.
However, despite risking his life on an almost nightly basis, it has emerged that he was never honoured for his bravery.
An exhaustive study of records from the period did not show evidence of any medal.
The Canadian base where he trained RAF colleagues is now home to Calgary International Airport.
Kate was close to her grandfather and after his death at the age of 90 last winter, she delayed the announcement of her engagement to Prince William by several days.
Now, as part of a nine-day official visit to Canada with William next month, Kate -- who has never before visited the country -- will trace her grandfather's roots.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}