"He was 23, a "happy-go-lucky guy," when the
Ontario flight instructor died in a mid-air collision south of Brandon
in 1944.
Archie Londry remembered his former roommate yesterday,
one of more than 800 airmen who lost their lives while training in Canada
during the Second World War.
"Then you go back and gather up his belongings and
send them to his parents, which was a tough job," said Londry, 80, who
lives south of Minnedosa.
A bronze statue in honour of men like his friend was
unveiled at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum during its Remembrance
Day open house as dozens looked on.
Winnipeg sculptor Helen Granger Young donated the statue,
entitled Airman in Training, which is valued at $30,000. It shows a pilot
holding his logbook and looking into the sky.
"It's just a wonderful tribute to the 18,039 men and
women who perished serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second
World War," said Stephen Hayter, executive director of the museum.
He said the sculpture is one of three copies, while
the original two-metre statue sits near the cenotaph at the Manitoba Legislature.
In another ceremony, the museum presented Gladstone
resident Peggy Galloway with a lifetime membership. She led a project to
compile a book of stories called Women of the War Years.
"We all hear things about the guys in their Spitfires
and Hurricanes," said Reg Forbes, museum president. "But we forget that
there was a great group of people, the women . . . It's a great read."
The book, which took three years to compile, includes
stories of women in every aspect of the life who helped sustain the war
effort, including those in the armed forces, factories and farms.
Galloway said many others also worked on the book,
adding it was the most fulfilling project of her life.
Bert Delmage, a volunteer at the museum, was pleased
to find his sister-in-law Ruth, a war bride who lives in Minnedosa, among
those profiled.
A member of what he called the women's land army in
England, she worked on farms when there were few or no men to do so.
Another feature at the museum yesterday was a slide
show called Freedom is Not Free, presented by Stuart Johnson.
"We must remember to give thanks to those young men
and women who gave their lives that we might live in freedom and peace,
liberty that people in other parts of the world are now trying to destroy,"
Johnson said.
Jack Stacy, a past president of the museum, built the
plywood base of the sculpture, which also received help from Westman Granite.
The former air gunner saw sights that still make him
sad.
"I saw 37 airmen -- that's five seven-man crews --
blow right up in front of us," he said, recalling bombing raids in which
planes were shot down.
"It was terrible."
The museum commemorates The British Commonwealth Air
Training Plan, which earned high praise from Winston Churchill as a major
contributor to victory. It graduated 131,533 aircrew who played pivotal
roles for the allies in the fight for freedom.
Earlier in the day, a Remembrance Day service was held
in a packed Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, while many others were
held in communities across Westman.
Bruce Bumstead / Brandon Sun
Veterans Marvin Searle, far left, and Harry Smith,
left, join Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum's Stephen Hayter and sculptor
Helen Granger Young, right, in unveiling a replica of her bronze statue
entitled Airmen in Training yesterday.
We are in Remembrance week (it used to be
Armistice Day!) The 11th is next Sunday. In accordance with the need to
include some mention of the day in our Rotary meeting, I first approached
Ken Brown, a local resident, who was a World War II veteran and one of
the few living survivors of the historic "Dam Buster raid" on the
dams on the Mohne River, (Mohne, Aider, Sorpe) that were breached in a
daring innovative night attack by Lancaster bombers on the night of 16/17
May 1943. The objective was to reduce German Steel making capability as
huge quantities of water were used in the process. Ken was a pilot on that
mission and it is he and other loyal Canadians we need to remember at this
time.
Ken recently recovered from an attack of pneumonia
and is not up to being with us today (he complicated his recovery by falling
out of an apple tree two weeks ago). My next prospective speaker was a
little younger, and served as a Navigator and a Pilot, flew in Search and
Rescue, tactical helicopters, Chinook (heavy transport)helicopters and
participated in several overseas UN assignments. He is representative of
the later (too young for WWII) group of people like Hardy Staub, many others
and myself. This fellow Gary Flath is/was flying commercially in the Sudan.
His helicopter was shot up by their local terrorists/rebels and he was
going to be sent home. The company reconsidered their situation, and Gary
is over there for another 30 days and is unavailable.
So I will fill the void with a story from WWII that
is typical for many Canadians of my vintage.
There was a family in small town Saskatchewan that
moved from the Muskoka area of Ontario during the “dirty thirties.” The
father was a blacksmith originally and during the depression could only
find work as the janitor of the local school. They had a large family of
six boys and two girls. During these extremely difficult economic times
the Mother and Father sacrificed everything to get the children educated:
three teachers and one accountant. Then the war came along. One son joined
the RCN prior to September 1939, one son joined the RCAF as a pilot, one
son joined the RCAF as a navigator, two sons joined the army and the oldest
daughter’s husband joined the army. Five of these men served overseas.
Two did not return.
The book-keeper became a pilot and after training in
Canada was attached to the RAF and instructed on multiengine bombers in
the UK. He then proceeded to a RAF Squadron flying Halifax bombers (148
Sqn). This unit was a special multi-mission squadron and was eventually
located in Italy and flew different special missions including the dropping
of supplies to partisans in German occupied Yugoslavia. On the night of
31 May 1944 on his 32nd operational mission, his final mission was a supply
drop to partisans operating behind enemy lines. While approaching the target,
the aircraft was hit by enemy fire and crashed in the mountains, in the
rear of Santa Maria del Taro, in the Borga area of Northern Italy. The
crew (8), three Canadians and four British and one Yugoslav, were buried
with full military honours by the partisans. This mission was one of several
that month and included mostly flights over Yugoslavia. He is buried in
a graveyard in Stagliano Cemetary in Genoa Italy.
The teacher became a navigator and was a member of
408 Sqn RCAF and was a crewmember on a 4 engine Lancaster bomber. On the
night of 24 Feb 1944 on his 19th operational mission the crew were on a
bombing mission to Schweinfurt Germany and the a/c was destroyed by enemy
AA. No survivors. Missing in action. Over a year passed before the family
was informed that he was presumed dead. There were never any bodies recovered.
The previous month the crew flew a number of missions -- lengthy, at night,
cold under enemy attack from AA and fighters. They would return to their
base in England and have a breakfast/dinner and rest up for the next mission,
in many cases the following night. Recent missions had been Stuttgart,
Berlin (12 missions) No crew rest, no leave, no overtime, all serving with
a sense of duty and supported by the comradeship of their fellow airmen.
The family in Saskatchewan received two visits from
the telegraph office in the period of three months. A terrible blow to
the family, but one that happened to many families in the dark days of
1939-45.
My eldest son is named after the accountant pilot,
Donald Hillman, and my second son is named after the teacher navigator
Gordon Hillman, two of their mother’s brothers.
After the war, the different provincial governments
had many unnamed geographical features and as a token of respect to their
fallen countrymen elected to naming specific areas after selected individuals.
Families who lost more than one member were chosen first and in that regard
Hillman Bay in Northern Saskatchewan, North of La Ronge on Pinehouse Lake,
is named in honor of Donald Hillman. Hillman Island is named after his
brother Gordon. Remember them and others when you attend Remembrance Day
services this year.
(this occurred at the same time as we had gun registration,
citizen registration, no EI or unemployment insurance, prayers in school,
singing of the national anthem, no bilingualism, little income tax, and
a tremendous National pride.)
We had the fourth largest Navy in the Allies, 48 Squadrons
of airplanes and 5 Divisions of troops in action. There were more Canadians
in the RAF than UK members.
We can truly be proud of the men and women who formed
part of the war effort and were significant Nation builders. Those who
gave their lives were a cross section of young people from all walks of
life and forfeited a future we all share today. To them we bow our heads
and thank them for their sacrifice.
Re: Women
of the War Years
I have some information re the fiancee of my uncle.
She was an army Nursing Sister. We think the picture we have is in
Quebec City... If anyone knows her or what became of her...we would certainly
like to know.
Thank you
J. Dubuc
http://www3.sympatico.ca/dubuc.rjp/sloanweb/text/mary.htm
Hello, While taking a virtual tour of your museum I noticed
that you say the Manitoba government named areas etc. in memory of those
that died in the war. My father-in-law died at Dieppe in 1942, he was in
the Camerons of Canada . His name was Allan Charles Hancock, he is mentioned
in the 6 books of rememberance ( in Ottawa) and I wondered if you might
be able to tell me if there is a special place named for him?
Thank you, Judy
Leech
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I am interested in obtaining information about the 12th
Manitoba Dragoons. My father was a member during WW1. How can I research
both him and the Dragoons? I am not even sure where to start.
An interesting occurrence that may be of interest...I
am enrolled at Simon Fraser University (Returning to school after many
years), and one of my classmates and I were chatting, and he mentioned
his grandfather was also in
the 12th Mb Dragoons during WW1 (his grandfathers last
name was Underwood). Talk about co-incidence! I told him about the plaque
at the Children's Hospital in Winnipeg, and that discussion led me to the
internet, and
ultimately to you. Any assistance or direction you can
offer is appreciated.
My fathers name was George Thomas Morton.
Thank-you, Tom
Morton
Re: Brandon
Armoury Museum
Dear Bill,
Using the ERB
C.H.A.S.E.R. I found lots of links directed to non-ERB pages. I was
amazed that I found a Dutch page about the liberation of Hardenberg.
Your connections
with The Netherlands are special I can see.
How do you manage it to do this all by yourself?
Amazing, superb are the words I can find.
Best Regards,
Ron de Laat
Netherlands
Thank you for the great web site.
My grandfather was a member of the Manitoba Dragoons
during the Second World War and it's great to learn more about its history
and accomplishments.
I do have one question though, what does the latin
motto on the insignia mean (quo fas et gloria ducunt). I would
really appreciate it if you could tell me, as it's driving me crazy!
Many thanks.
Suzanne Hinks
Montréàl, Québec
I have tried for years to obtain a framable print of
H.M.C.S. Prince Robert
with little success, until now. Obviously I am over joyed and have nothing
but praise for the Bill Hillman web site. It seems that every time I pull
up the site something new is revealed. This is probably the most extensive
and detailed history of any Canadian ship including the Haida. I
wish to thank you, Mr. Hillman and all the other people who put to-gether
such a fine presentation. What a living memory of your dad!
Just to clarify, the print requested is listed on
the Bill Hillman site - "As
You Were, Feb 2001 Edition." The print is a copy of a painting
by Mr. Sloan, size 11X17 on 28lb glossy paper. This print is offered for
$10.00 plus an honour donation to the Comfort Fund.
Harold A. Hopf
Collingwood, ON
A number of people were interested in the W/T Station
Reunion - and some of you were involved in posting notices to web sites
etc. Attached for info is a summary of the event. Please use it as you
see fit - edit it for another posting or do whatever is appropriate to
your situation to wind it up.
Many thanks for all your help.
Reg Hill
Gordon Head Special W/T Station Reunion
From August 11th - 14th, 2001, telegraphists who were
WWII Special Operators at Gordon Head Special W/T Station met near
the wartime site of the Station at the University of Victoria. Of the wartime
complement of approximately 65 RCNVR Reservists and about 65 WRCNS
Wrens who replaced them in 1944, 9 men and 13 women attended the
Reunion. They were joined by 8 relatives and several other interested
parties for a program of information, entertainment, reminiscing and socializing.
Gordon Head Special W/T Station was the only “Y” and D/F
element that had any continually significant role in the RCN’s radio
intelligence operation against the Japanese. As part of the Naval Service
Headquarters’ Operational Intelligence Centre network of stations that
monitored enemy wireless transmissions, the Station was opened in 1940
and, at first, continued to provide to the Royal Navy the kind of radio
intelligence data that had been furnished from 1925 by a similar facility
in Esquimalt. Following Pearl Harbour and the rationalization of radio
intelligence operations among the UK, the US and Canada, the Station became
part of the US Navy’s West Coast network. Information collected at the
Station was passed to Bainbridge Island, near Seattle for onward transmission
to Washington and elsewhere as appropriate.
With the recent gradual lifting of security restrictions
on information about Allied radio intelligence activities, we were able
to access materials from the DND Directorate of History and Heritage and
from recent publications in the public domain. Information from these sources
was supplemented by research, funded by the Reunion, into files at
the National Archives of Canada. All of this formed the basis for papers
presented at the Reunion by former staff and by a retired UVic faculty
member interested in our rather unusual event. These papers were about
the history of the Station, about the vast Commonwealth and US Pacific
signal interception operations of which the Station was a part, and about
the role of code-breaking and traffic analysis in the 25 or so years leading
up to the Battle of Midway.
When sold by the Department of National Defence in 1959,
the 25 hectare property that the station occupied became a substantial
part of the University of Victoria campus. Although the relationship between
the nearby Army Camp and the University had been well known for some time,
it was only when plans for the Reunion were initiated that a connection
with the Naval Station became of some specific interest. This connection
was very pleasantly recognized for those attending the Reunion at a reception
sponsored by the University of Victoria Alumni Association.
Among the pleasant features of the Reunion, was the invitation
for those attending the Reunion to have “Tea at the Empress” as guests
of the hotel - for the same charge (ridiculously low by present day comparison)
that prevailed during the wartime! Also, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt
made arrangements for an excellent tour of the Dockyard with access to
the impressive Chiefs’ and P.O.s’ Mess for lunch, followed by an interesting
visit to the Naval Museum at “Naden”.One of the highlights of the
program was the address at the Reunion Dinner by a former RCN/Armed Forces
Commodore on the topic “The Navy Then - the Navy Now”.
A particularly interesting aspect of the Reunion was the
fact that the former WRCNS and the former RCNVR types had never met each
other, having “passed in the night”. The program provided opportunities
for these groups to meet and for everyone to renew acquaintances, some
of which had lapsed for over fifty years. As well as the casual story-telling
that was facilitated by being together on campus, there was semi-structured
time for people to spin yarns about what did (or didn’t!) happen during
their time at the Station and elsewhere during their “Y” experiences.
The Station building still stands in a remote corner of
the University - having been moved from its original location to serve
as a Day Care Centre and currently as a furniture warehouse. There are
tentative plans for the funds left over from the Reunion program to be
donated to the University as seed money towards the placing of both a commemorative
plaque on the Station building and a framed statement in the University
building that now occupies the original site. Additionally, photographs,
other memorabilia items, the research materials from National Archives
together with the Reunion Proceedings will be used to enhance the Special
Collections that the University of Victoria Archives Department maintains
on campus history.
Given that surviving Station staff, members are now well
to the right in the age spectrum, it is highly unlikely that this
very successful event will ever be repeated. Those attending, however,
consider themselves fortunate to have been able to be present the one time
that it happened.
My Granddad was the Chief Petty Officer on the HMCS Prince
Robert, his name was Angus Galbraith. I was wondering if maybe in all you
travels for infromation, if you might have heard of him and or have anything
you can tell me about him if you have heard anything?
Anything you could tell me would be greatly appreciated...
even if you have nothing to tell me I thank you in advance...
Yours truly,
Sarah.C.Galbraith
A LETTER FROM A U.S. NAVY
MAN
Dear Dad,
We are still at sea. The remainder of our port visits
have all been cancelled. We have spent every day since the attacks going
back and forth within imaginary boxes drawn in the ocean, standing high-security
watches, and trying to make the best of it. We have seen the articles and
the photographs, and they are sickening. Being isolated, I don't think
we appreciate the full scope of what is happening back home, but we are
definitely feeling the effects.
About two hours ago, we were hailed by a German Navy
destroyer, Lutjens, requesting permission to pass close by our port side.
Strange, since we're in the middle of an empty ocean, but the captain acquiesced
and we prepared to render them honors from our bridgewing. As they were
making their approach, our conning officer used binoculars and announced
that Lutjens was flying not the German, but the American flag. As she came
alongside us, we saw the American flag flying half-mast and her entire
crew topside standing at silent, rigid attention in their dress uniforms.
They had made a sign that was displayed on her side that read "We Stand
By You."
There was not a dry eye on the bridge as they stayed
alongside us for a few minutes and saluted. It was the most powerful thing
I have seen in my life. The German Navy did an incredible thing for this
crew, and it has truly been the highest point in the days since the attacks.
It's amazing to think that only half-century ago things
were quite different. After Lutjens pulled away, the Officer of the Deck,
who had been planning to get out later this year, turned to me and said,
"I'm staying Navy." I'll write you when I know more about when I'll
be home, but this is it for now.
Love you guys.
