by Malcolm Kelly
When an air force crew packed up its troubles and headed for a target, it would sometimes bring them back with them. Thus, our story. Frederick and Isabella Churchard brought a new child into the world in September, 1922. Christened George, he would grow up with a brother (Fred) and […]
When aircraft in the bomber stream were attacked by flak or fighters, sometimes they would slowly go down in flames, as the crew took to their parachutes, or go into deep dives from which there was no escape. Either way there would be a record, and graves. At other times, […]
It was a crowded, dangerous sky over Europe during the war, especially at night. Not only did you have to look out for night fighters, avoid searchlight locations, and pray your way through flak barrages, an eye had to be kept out for your own side’s aircraft in the long […]
When the curtain was pulled back at dozens of airfields to reveal the target and route of that night’s operation, one destination caused shortness of breath, and racing hearts, more than any other — Berlin. It was almost a thousand kilometres (600 miles) from London – a long, dangerous, dark […]
There is a photograph in the archives of Port Hope, Ontario, showing Hancock’s Hardware, just after the turn of the 20th century. The owners and customers pose on the wooden floor with the moustachioed stiffness classic to having your picture made at that time – amidst an atmosphere of hanging […]
In 1998, a Dutch farmer turned up pieces of an aircraft in his field, including an engine, a full propellor, and a wallet with a driver’s license marked “Dennis”. When the volunteers from Belgium’s Planehunters Recovery Team heard about the story some years later, they set out to investigate. It […]
We have lost a legend in Canadian aviation and historical writing. Murray Peden died on Jan. 6 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was 99. Murray learned to be a superior pilot going through the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and advanced training in England. Afterwards, it was on to the Stirling […]
There is an old saying that for every casualty in a war, it’s the loss of some mother’s child. Wesley Brown was Irish-born in 1922, to his beautiful mother Sarah, and father Ernest. Young Wes had auburn hair, and striking brown eyes. He and his family, which would grow to […]
Mr. D.H. Palmer, of Dundalk, in western Ontario, was a well-known local photographer who on a day in 1914 found himself with two special new subjects. His wife had given birth to twin boys – Charles and James. One of those would grow to an old age and be a […]
When you look into the eyes of Hugh McArthur, you see a young man of great confidence, and a belief in himself, his future, his town, his country. They flash with life. Hugh Joseph McArthur was born in 1920, to Joseph and Margaret, of 299 Sixth Street, Midland, Ontario – […]