The CAHS is in the final stages of developing a new website.

We invite you to Click Here to visit www.cahs.com now to view the new site and take advantage of the new features.

Once all relevant material from the old website has been transfered to the new website,
typing www.cahs.ca will automatically bring you to the new website.

Also visit the Newsflash page at www.cahs.com to read about the latest developments.

Thanks for your patience, support, and interest!

Membership

Print

Research Request

"Did you work at RAF* Clinton during the Second World War? Are you or do you know of such a veteran who may still be living nearby? We are especially in need of veterans who were there during the very early period of the war (1941-1944) and still have memories of working on radar technology and the radar training school while Station Clinton was part of the Royal Air Force (RAF). Do you know of a veteran who did so, and who would like to talk about it?

CBC is currently researching the village of Vanastra and its former military history. A decision or a commitment to such a project has not yet been made. Nevertheless, if you are one of those veterans, or you know of such a veteran, AND, the veteran lives in close proximity, please give every consideration to contacting their Researcher, either by e-mail ( mbilbao@franticfilms.com ) or by phone (Toronto): 416-324-8537 ext. 293.

The deadline for contacting the researcher with your contact information, or contact information for the veteran in question, is Wednesday 28 October 2015. Thank you for considering this important research issue."

*Use of the term "RAF", rather than "RCAF", is the Researcher's intent.

Print

The CAHS extends its condolences on the passing of long-time CAHS member Ross Herrington. Ross had been on the Regina chapter executive for many years and was very involved in all of the national conventions that were hosted in the Queen city.

Ross Herrington (1946 – 2015)

ross herringtonIt is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ross Herrington. Ross passed away on Friday, October 16, 2015. He was predeceased by his parents Len and Peggy Herrington. Ross is survived by his loving wife Dale Herrington (née Smutylo); daughter Carolyn Anne Herrington (husband Paul Sanden); grandsons Evan Ross and Matthew Henry Sanden; sisters Lynn Poustie (husband John), Lesley Herrington (husband Randy Johnson); nephews Cameron Poustie and Ian Poustie and their families; and brothers- in- law Barry Smutylo (Patsy Tymchuk) and Ken Smutylo. Ross was a caring husband, father, brother, grandfather (Poppa) and friend.

He contributed in countless ways to his family and to his community, and his company was enjoyed by many wherever he went. Above all, he will be remembered for his gentle, supportive, and good-hearted nature, and for his ability to put those around him at ease. He treasured his family and friends near and far and diligently kept in touch with all of them. Ross loved being in his garden, playing with his grandsons, reading, and researching. He enjoyed his neighbourhood and loved chatting with all who stopped by. He was also an avid volunteer in his community. Among Ross’s many additional interests were aviation history, architectural heritage, carpentry, genealogy, photography, soccer, golfing, biking, badminton, and tracking the weather.

Ross was born in Blackpool, England and moved to Winnipeg with his family in 1957. Dale and Ross were married in Winnipeg in May 1969. He earned a B.A. and M.A. in Physical Geography from the University of Manitoba and a M. Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. He taught water sciences technology at Kelsey Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Saskatoon and following that he worked for Environment Canada in Regina where he remained until his retirement in 2007. He then pursued many other interests, particularly a passion for Saskatchewan’s architecture. He continued work as a researcher and writer, documenting the history of various buildings and structures in Regina and across Saskatchewan. In this role, he contributed to many publications, such as the Saskatchewan Encyclopedia, Façade: Architectural Heritage News Magazine, and Architecture in Saskatchewan. We would like to thank the paramedics and the emergency staff at the Regina General Hospital. We would also like to thank the family, friends and neighbours who supported Dale at a very difficult time.

A Memorial Service was held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK, on Friday October 23, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ross may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 279 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 2H8.

“We will carry your heart with us. We will carry it in our hearts.”

Click here for the full obituary.

Print

Sale of Private Collection Aviation Books

A message from David Wright:

I am planning to sell my private collection of first and early editions which include the OLD AVIATION BOOKS. CLICK HERE for a link to the book listing.

I can offer a reduction of 10% on the stated prices to society members: postage and insurance are extra at cost and payment is only required on receipt.

Yours sincerely,

David Wright

E-mail: hazelwright199@btinternet.com

Print

2014 Journal Award Winners

Congratulations to Bill Upton who won the C. Don Long award for best article – Canadair’s Tutor-Emeritus. Part 1: Design and Development. Bill also received multiple votes for his second and third articles – Canadair’s Tutor-Emeritus. Part 2: CL-41 Prototype No.1 and Canadair’s Tutor-Emeritus. Part 3: CL-41 Prototype No.2 and the CL-41R.

Congratulations to Paddy Gardiner who won the Mac MacIntyre award for best researched article – Canada's Own: The Federal Aircraft Anson Mk.V.

Print

THE SECRET IS OUT!
The Secrets of Radar Museum is the recipient of $10,000 grant

London, ON — The Secrets of Radar Museum is proud to announce it is the winner of $10,000 in EMC Corporation's 2015 Heritage Trust Project international competition. A total of three winners was selected from seven finalists following a two-week public voting period in August.

The prize recognizes and supports local organizations worldwide that advocate the digitization, preservation, and improved accessibility of significant cultural resources. The award will assist the museum in the digitization of its WWII and Cold War archival collections and veteran oral histories through project staff funding, equipment, and online collection access.

“For a museum like Secrets of Radar, which is a very small organisation, receiving $10,000 is a really big deal,” says museum curator Maya Hirschman. “It means we can dedicate time and resources to preserving and sharing our collection, rather than simply keeping our doors open. It will mean greater access to our unique collections, not just for researchers, but anyone.”

“This is an incredible opportunity for our museum,” says John Millson, President of the Secrets of Radar Museum Board of Directors. “We are deeply grateful to EMC Corporation for the award and to everyone who voted for our project in the competition.”

About the Museum: During World War II, at the request of the British government, over 6,000 Canadians were trained on a brand new, top secret technology: radar. Sworn to an oath of secrecy not fully lifted until the 1990s, it has only been over the last 20 years that these men and women could openly share their experiences. Canadian radar personnel were a crucial part of the war effort and many of these early radar veterans went on to have leadership roles in the development of radar during the Cold War and in the Canadian electronics industry.

Founded in 2001 and opened to the public on May 24, 2003, the Secrets of Radar Museum is an incorporated not-for-profit museum located in London, Ontario. It is committed to sharing Canadian radar history, from its earliest secret experimentation to recent advances, and most importantly, to the preservation of real life stories and personal experiences of the people who have worked in radar.

September 28, 2015 Press Release

Print

News from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum:

REUNION OF GIANTS, the much-anticipated official Lancaster UK Tour documentary, will be available on Nov. 24, 2015. This 83-minute documentary, available in DVD and Blu-ray formats, covers the historic flight of the CWHM Lancaster, VeRA, as it met its British counterpart, Thumper, the only other surviving flight worthy Lancaster bomber in the world. This production can be pre-ordered from the CWHM gift shop and is being offered at sale prices which end on Nov. 24. See the CWHM website for more information.

A Norseman Mk. V, the CWHM's latest acquisition, arrived at the museum on Sept. 25, 2015. Registered CF-GSR, s/n N29-47, the Norseman was partially donated by Huron Air and Oufitters Ernie and Donna Nicholl. The Norseman delivery began two weeks earlier when the aircraft was ferried on floats from Ignace, ON, to the Orillia seaplane base, where the floats were removed and the wheels installed so the aircraft could land at the museum's base at Hamilton International Airport. Aviation photo journalist Eric Dumigan reports that the airframe and engine are in great condition, and the CWH plans to have the Norseman join the museum's ride program in 2016. Although the airframe never saw RCAF service, the CWH plans to configure and paint the aircraft in RCAF markings when time and funds permit. No decision has been made on which RCAF markings the airframe will carry.

Consult the websites of the CWHM, www.warplane.com, and Eric Dumigan, www.airic.ca for full coverage.

Print

Anna Zurakowski

Anna ZurakowskiAnna Alina Zurakowski, the widow of Jan Zurakowski who was known as a test pilot for the CF-100 and the Avro Arrow, died on September 6. She was born in Łańcut, Poland on December 3, 1921. During the Second World War she worked as a radio announcer and newspaper reporter. Anna married Janusz Zurakowski in Paris shortly after the war and lived in England until 1952 when the couple moved to Canada.

Anna had a diverse range of experiences, including running a gift shop on Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto. In 1960, Anna and Janusz opened Kartuzy Lodge in Barry's Bay which they operated for close to 50 years. Anna was very active in cultural and heritage circles, and was President of the Polish Heritage Institute - Kaszuby for several years. She authored several books and publications and was a contributor to Polish newspapers. Among various awards Anna is a recipient of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (1966).

Anna is survived by sons George (Julie), Mark (Susan) and grandchildren Krysia and Paul, Robin (Ian), Tamara and Paige (John) and great-grandchildren Ben and Arie, Jake and Nicholas and Isla.

(With files from the Ottawa Citizen) Click here to read more.

 

Print

Three CAHS Ottawa Members Honored

Three CAHS Ottawa members – Lieutenant General William Carr, the late Brigadier General Keith Greenaway, and the late Group Captain Joe Schultz, will have streets named for them in the new development of Griesbach in Edmonton, AB.

The others honoured include Wing Commander Russ Bannock, Lieutenant General Don Laubman, Flight Lieutenant Robert (Bob) Morgan, Flight Lieutenant Johnnie Caine, and Brigadier General Bill Newson.

For the full article, click here:

Print

Book Talk

Elinor and Anne

Elinor Florence and Anne Gafiuk were at the Bomber Command Museum of Canada on Saturday, September 19, 2015. Elinor gave her wonderful talk about her inspirations for her book, Bird's Eye View. Elinor mentioned Anne Gafiuk's new scrapbook She Made Them Family during her presentation. Both Elinor and Anne were dressed in their 'vintage' outfits for the occasion!

In partnership with the Okotoks Museum and the BCMC, the book launch for She Made Them Family will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2015 at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre in Okotoks, Alberta, 3 Elma Street East, with a special auction planned to benefit both the BCMC and the Okotoks Museum.

Gafiuk will be in attendance at the launch. Several of the World War II veterans who are featured in the book have also been invited to attend. Special edition copies will be auctioned during the launch with proceeds benefitting the Bomber Command Museum of Canada in Nanton and the Okotoks Museum and Archives.

For further information, please contact author Anne Gafiuk, 403-241-2983, ann@whatsinastory.ca, or the Okotoks Museum and Archives, 403-938-8969.

Print

Research Request

Sound Venture Productions (in Ottawa) is producing a three part documentary about aviation in World War I.  The first part is largely about reconnaissance pilots and aerial cartography, and then we turn to some of the Flying Aces. We are profiling six pilots, including: Arthur Roy Brown, Andrew McKeever, Donald MacLaren, Carl Falkenberg, Joseph Fall, and the sixth is a little up in the air (so to speak).

We wanted a pan-Canadian look at our national WWI heroes, but we're having difficulty with Quebec. We started with Clarence MacLaurin, but the Director decided to change to Gerald Birks (grandson of Henry Birks, jewelry icon) due to difficulty finding sources to talk about the legacy of MacLaurin. Unfortunately, we're having the same challenge with Birks. We've done quite well with finding sources on all the other pilots, but finding Quebec-related sources has been more challenging. We're also looking into Stanley Stanger and William McKenzie Thompson.

If you or someone you know is able to talk about the contributions of a Quebec Flying Ace, that is our top priority at this point. We are also looking for photos, videos, and artifacts of all of the pilots I've listed, so if you know of any good resources it would be a great help.

The link to our production is www.anationsoars.ca for more insight on the project. You can also contact me with any questions.

Cheers,
Kristen McNaule
Production Coordinator

Sound Venture Productions
441 MacLaren Street, Suite 401
Ottawa, ON K2P 2H3
613.241.5111 x 288
kristen@soundventure.com
www.soundventure.com

Print

Battle Of Britain Photographs Reveal The Faces Of The Royal Air Force's Finest Moment Of World War II

The Huffington Post UK | By George Bowden

For close to four months, the Battle of Britain raged above the British Isles.

In July 1940, and having decisively won the Battle of France, Germany re-focused its efforts across the Channel, embarking upon an air war with the ultimate ambition to facilitate an invasion by air and sea.

Britain's Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force, and pilots from at least 14 other nations, helped defend Britain from the Luftwaffe.

544 pilots from the UK, the Commonwealth and other Allied nations died in the battle, with over 400 thought to have been injured.

The week of September 15, 2015 marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain's most decisive day - September 15th, 1940.

These stunning photographs reveal the faces of those who piloted the planes, reminding us of the human stories behind Britain's finest hour...

We have shared a few of the photos below. To view them all, click here.

RAF pilot at Hawkinge Airport in Kent during World War II July 1949

An RAF pilot at Hawkinge Airport in Kent, during World War II, July 1940. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

RAF pilot at Hawkinge Airport in Kent during World War II July 1940

An RAF pilot at Hawkinge Airport in Kent, during World War II, July 1940. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)