.
PBY Catalina Flying Boat, the type of aircraft referred to in the
following article
A
Day in the Life of a Wireless Air Gunner
Fred Burnyeat
When going through a book about WW2, I came across an
article about the uproar in Halifax on VE day. I was there at the time
and it reminded me of why we were there. We had done a stretch of protecting
the western shores and were sent to the eastern coast as enemy submarines
were getting too many of our ships, in particular convoys taking supplies
overseas.
On April 01, 1943 I was stationed with No. 116 Squadron,
Shellbourne, N.S. I was then moved to Botwood on June 1st. Flights were
made almost daily throughout June and July and on August 2nd we were told
to be ready for take-off at 4:00 am the next morning. Dense fog that morning
delayed our takeoff until 5:20 am. Ground stations determined what they
felt was a submarine on the surface some distance out and we were ordered
to locate and destroy it. It turned out to be a fisherman, so we passed
him by. As we flew over, he shook his fist at us, as we were scaring off
the fish.
At this time, I received a message on my radio, in code,
which I deciphered as “return to base”. I passed this on to the navigator
and he told our pilot, Al Seward, who promptly changed direction. I acknowledged
the message had been received, but again the message “return to base” came
back. I again acknowledged that the message had been received, but once
again the “return to base” command was sent through to us. Then Yarmouth
N.S. sent the message through and I responded to them as well. At this
point it became obvious to me that we were caught in a magnetic field that
was blotting out my transmissions. This same process was repeated as other
stations, Halifax, Moncton, Tor Bay tried to help. I answered them all.
By now darkness had set in and I asked the navigator,
“should we not be seeing some landfall?” He said yes and I asked why we
had not, but he was not sure. He suggested that possibly when we turned
for home, we ran into a strong wind and may be going down the St. Lawrence
or over the top of the land. I dug out my little handbook to see what help
we might have and realized I had traced the Gander range signal with the
‘A’ and ‘N’ regions and frequency call signs. I tuned into it showing us
to be in the ‘A’ quadrant. I got our pilot to turn onto the steady signal
between quadrants and head for Gander. We were finally able to head for
home. He asked me to send an ETA, which I did, getting an immediate reply.
I requested a wind speed and direction, which I received, passed these
onto the pilot and he was able to circle the landing lights and bring us
in for a perfect landing. We had been flying for 13 hours.
The pilot, co-pilot and navigator walked from the plane,
into the hangar and the signal room. I put my flying suit and (wireless)
log book in my locker and as was the custom, headed home. My wife Dorothy
and I lived in a house off the station. Dorothy was understandably upset
as everyone knew that three planes had departed, but we had not returned
with the others. My arrival soothed her fears and we expected to sleep
in the next morning, exhausted from the previous days duty.
However, this was not to be the case. At 0700, I was summoned
to the signals office “at once, in uniform and bring your log book with
you.” Once there, it became apparent that the focus of concern was that
no response to the many recalls was received at base and they were concerned
that I had neglected to respond. My log book disappeared into another room
and I waited for further discussion. After some time, I was released with
a comment that my log book would be returned to me.
Some days later, my log book was returned to me and no
further comment on the situation was made. I can only assume that my carefully
filled out logbook had cleared us and under the circumstances, we had done
the right thing to get home safely.
No. 2 Wireless School, Calgary, Alberta, September
1941, 20 A Flight
LAC Fred Burnyeat, Class Senior (right) giving command
“Eyes Right”.
Frederick L. Burnyeat ~ Flight Lieutenant ~ Wireless
Air Gunner
5
OTU Reunion Abbotsford and Boundry Bay
I read your mention, in the November “Short Bursts”,
of the visit to Abbotsford and Boundary Bay by members of the 5 OTU Reunion
Association, from the UK. I can fill you in a little bit, regarding
their visit to Boundary Bay. On September 6th, the group visited
Boundary Bay, where they were met by, among others, Her Worship Mayor Lois
Jackson, and Sandra Stoddart-Hansen, who’s the manager of the airport.
Also in attendance were some cadets and officers of several nearby Air
Cadet squadrons. After a very pleasant reception, which took place
in the original hangar, I was able to take some of the group for short
flights around the circuit, to have an aerial look at how things had changed
over the years.
The group of veterans were absolutely delightful folks,
and invited my wife and I to join them for dinner at their downtown Vancouver
hotel, an invitation we were delighted to accept. We had a wonderful
dinner, and I got to ask what seemed like hundreds of questions about their
time at Boundary Bay. All in all, this was an experience I will treasure
forever.
I’ve attached two photos from their day at Boundary Bay.
I’m rarely called “handsome”, and never “tall”, but I
am the only one in the picture wearing a flight suit! The 5 OTU Reunion
Association is having what may be their last get-together, next June, in
Stratford-on-Avon. I’m going to try to find a way to get there for
the event.
Regards,
Jason White
Captain ~ Regional Cadet Air Operations
22
OTU WELLESBOURNE MOUNTFORD
I hope some one will read this and be able to help my
in my research.
On 20th November 1944 there was plane crash in the mountains
above a village where my grandfather lives in Wales It was a Canadian
plane - believed to be a Wellesbourne Mountford which was on a night training
exercise. Some information is posted below from a local web site:
DATE OF CRASH 20th NOVEMBER 1944 PARENT UNIT 22 OTU WELLESBOURNE
MOUNTFORD THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A NIGHT TRAINING EXERCISE WHEN THE STARBOARD
ENGINE DEVELOPED PROBLEMS THE PLANE STARTED TO LOSE HEIGHT OWING TO ICING
AND STRUCK CAREG GOCH IN THE BLACK MOUNTAIN GR SN 817168 THERE IS A MEMORIAL
AT THE CRASH SITE FOR THE SIX AIRMEN THAT DIED.
I've tried to find information on the men via the
internet, the only one I have found is Jules Villeneuve, where on the family
internet site he is listed as dying in a crash in Wales. I've emailed
the site a few times but have not has a reply. I has hoping to either
confirm or rule him out but haven't had any luck. Details found out
so far about the men are as follows:
JOSEPH ARTHUR EDMOND GROULX
Service Number: R/111476
Age: 22
Force: Air Force
Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force
Son of Arthur and Alexandrine Groulx, of Hull, Province
of Quebec, Canada.
JOSEPH LIONEL UNDERIC DU SABLON
Service Number: R/174038
Age: 20
Force: Air Force
Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force
Son of Lionel Olivier and Mary Lea Du Sablon, of De Gaspe,
Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada.
JOSEPH PAUL ERNEST BURKE
Service Number: R/206904
Age: 20
Force: Air Force
Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force
Son of William and Dorine Burke, of West Bathurst, Gloucester
Co., New Brunswick. Canada.
WILLIAM JOSEPH ALLISON
Service Number: J/20861
Age: 28
Force: Air Force
Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force
Son of William Earle Allison and Mary Ruth Allison, of
Montreal, Province of Quebec. Canada.
JULES ROBERT RENE VILLENEUVE
Service Number: R/199834
Age: 22
Force: Air Force
Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force
Son of Jean B. Villeneuve and Clara Villeneuve, of Verdun,
Province of Quebec. Canada.
CHARLES HAMEL
Service Number: J/92169
Age: 21
Force: Air Force
Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force
Son of Dr. Paul Hamel, and of Bertha Ellen Hamel, of
Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada.
My
grandfather visited the site a few days after the crash and found a photograph
near the site, the photograph is attached to this email. He didn't
know who it belonged to or how to find out where to return it, but thought
it may have either come from the wreckage or may have been dropped by someone
investigating at the crash scene. Not wanting to throw the photograph
away, he has kept it safe all these years and a while ago mentioned it
to me. I have found the names of the crew as above but have not had any
luck in identifying who the young man is. It's possible that the
photograph was not one of the crew but maybe a family member. I have
since found another photograph believed to be of the crew but again I am
unable to identify who is who. Last Friday I posted this on the internet
and I can't believe the response I've had with people interested in finding
out more. Lots are doing internet research but at present we haven't
had any luck.
I'm hoping that someone can help. If he can be
identified and the family would like the picture returned we will be more
than happy to do so.
I hope that you can help or at least point me in another
direction.
Kind regards
Caroline
caroline_d@btinternet.com
Photograph found by Caroline’s Grandfather
From:
Karl Kjarsgaard
Sent: Wednesday, November
09, 2005 7:48 AM
Subject: Halifax NA337 Dedication
Dear Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) Members and Supporters,
Please find enclosed a photo of RAF Halifax NA337 that
I took from the audience introducing the rebuild crew at the dedication
ceremony at the RCAF Memorial Museum, Trenton, Ontario on Nov 5, 2005.
Although I was not allowed to speak at the ceremony many
good people came up and offered congratulations for the recovery and final
restoration of NA337. They offered emotional support and financial support
for our pending and great project to locate and recover RCAF Halifax LW170.
Canada has our first Halifax completed, now let us move
on to our big prize, the last and most famous of all,
LW170 of RCAF 424 Squadron QB - "I for Item" !!
"We will remember them."
Best regards,
Karl Kjarsgaard
Project Manager
Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada)
email: 57rescuecanada@rogers.com
phone 613 835 1748
Forwarded
from Weldy Moffatt
This email is a plain out-and-out request for your assistance
with two very important AF Heritage projects I wish to hold next year (2006).
Both involve the naming of buildings here at 15 Wing: McEwen Airfield (Moose
Jaw).
The first AF Heritage project will be the Flight Sergeant
Peter Dmytruk Building. It is my intent to honour the many Ukrainian-Canadians
from Saskatchewan who selflessly left the comfort and love of their homes
and served as members of the AF during the Second World War by naming the
former Ground Training School, and current home of the Military Aviation
Museum, in honour of Flight Sergeant Peter Dmytruk (RCAF) Croix de
Guerre with Silver Star.
Flt Sgt Dmytruk perhaps is better know to you as 'Pierre
le Canadien'. The named he was dubbed by the citizens of Les Martres de
Veyre, France who honour his sacrifice and exploits as a member of the
resistance. I have located the next-of-kin for Flt Sgt Dmytruk and should
have the paperwork on this finalised by month's end.
The second AF Heritage project will be the Flying Officer
(Nursing Sister) M. M. Westgate Facility. It is my intent to honour the
many women from Saskatchewan who have served, and continue to serve, in
the AF by naming the former Construction Engineering building, current
home of the Wing Hospital, Dental Clinic and Military Supply Section, among
others, in honour of F/O (Nursing Sister) Marion Mercedes Westgate of Regina,
the only Nursing Sister from Saskatchewan to die in the Second World War.
I have been fortunate to have had Wil Chabun of the CAHS/Leader
Post assistance me with this search. Wil succeeded in tracking down a cousin
of Nursing Sister Westgate living in Toronto but I am wondering if there
are any relatives living in the area whom I can contact concerning this
planned event. For your information, F/O (Nursing Sister) Marion Mercedes
Westgate was the daughter of Robert James and Christie Mercedes Westgate
of Regina. F/O Westgate was stationed at Regina and was aged 26 when she
died on 27 October 1943 while on a familiarisation flight. She is buried
in the Regina
Cemetery; block C, plot 1, grave 32.
I request that you disseminate this as widely as possible
and beat the bushes without mercy. Thanks for letting me impose on both
your time and connections. If I can get these off the ground within the
next several weeks, then 2006 will be a banner year for AF heritage in
Saskatchewan.
Cheers,
Jeff
J.R. (Jeff) Noel
Officer Cadet
Heritage Officer/Associate Air Force Historian
15 Wing Moose Jaw: AVM McEwen Airfield
BOOKS
Product Description:
Prior to the United States entry into WWII, thousands
of Americans found a way into combat through the Canadian and British Armed
Forces. They were a breed apart. Many saw an opportunity to prove their
worth after having been previously rejected by their country's military.
Others were simply adventure seekers drawn to the opportunity to fly fast
aircraft. Whatever the individual reasons were, they all saw a need to
stop Nazi aggression as quickly as possible. Sadly, almost 1000 American
citizens were killed while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force, and
the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during WWII. Immigrants of War is
a collection of memories from those who were a part of this fascinating
story.
HOT OFF THE PRESS
The Mystery of Frankenberg's Canadian Airman
By Peter Hessel
Foreword by Desmond Morton
(Lorimer, hardcover, 248 pages, $34.95)
About this book
A German-Canadian's search for the truth about the murder
of a Canadian airman near his hometown, and his quest for truth, justice
and reconciliation in Canada and in Germany.
Growing up in Hitler's Germany, Peter Hessel witnessed
the Allies' ruthless bombing of his hometown, Chemnitz. Nearly sixty years
later in Canada, Hessel heard about a brutal, fatal beating of a nameless
Canadian POW in the streets of a small town just a few blocks from where
Hessel's own family had taken shelter.
Who was this "unknown Canadian airman," and who were his
murderers? Canadian authorities had forgotten the deed and never completed
their investigation. Hessel felt compelled to reopen the file. His search
for answers to these troubling questions would take him back and forth
between Canada and Germany, as he combed through stacks of wartime records
and tracked down eyewitnesses.
The Mystery of Frankenberg's Airman is the account
of painstaking research in a quest for the truth about an unsolved war
crime. As Hessel chronicles his discovery of the airman's identity and
details surrounding his death, he also describes the RCAF’s role in the
destruction of Chemnitz, Dresden, and other cities, and honours not only
the 10,000 Canadian airmen who lost their lives for a cause they believed
in, but the countless civilians caught under their bombs.
His research leads him to the identity of the murder
victim, to the victim's sister, and then to a moving reconciliation where
Germans who remember the airman's final days and witnessed his murder participate
in a private memorial near the site of his death.
This book offers a nuanced account of the morality of
ordinary people, and of the actions of nations at war.
A Review
Peter Hessel writes vividly about what until now has
been considered forbidden territory for Canadian authors. An insightful
and sensitive story of the "other side" — the human impact of the Allied
bombing of Germany in World War II and the loss of some 10,000 Canadian
airmen in the process. Forgiving is neither easy nor expected, but there
is a time when hatred must end and reconciliation begins and is nurtured.
Peter Hessel makes this case eloquently and in a fascinating and well-documented
read. The Honourable Barnett Danson, former Minister of National Defence
–
Reader’s Comments
Excellent! You did a superb job balancing statistics
and facts with emotions. I found myself responding emotionally on several
occasions ... The book is well structured; the foot notes informative but
not intrusive. And there is still plenty of drama in the chapters that
follow the discovery of the airman's name ... You showed a lot of courage
acknowledging that you were part of the Hitler Youth. I commend you for
doing that ... You've also managed to show the milieu in Germany that fostered
the attitudes it did ... the book is well balanced. The last chapter, Ask
Them for Forgiveness . .. . is especially powerful in explaining your feelings.
Congratulations on a job well done.
Dave Mulholland, Ottawa
My brother read passages of your book to his friends at
a neighbourhood gathering, and they were all in tears. It is a book that
brings out an emotional response.
Tony Parent, Kapuskasing, Ontario
About the author:
PETER HESSEL immigrated to Canada after World War II,
at the age of 20. He lives with his wife, Elizabeth, in the hamlet of Waba
near Arnprior. His five children, three grandchildren and (so far) one
great-grandchild were all born in Ottawa. Peter is an active author, journalist
and translator. His journalistic work has appeared extensively in German
and Canadian newspapers and magazines. For ten years, he penned a popular
syndicated humour column, called "Peter's Point", which regularly appeared
in numerous newspapers across Canada. He is the author of eight previous
books, seven of which deal with various aspects of Canadian history.
An Extract from Desmond Morton’s Foreword:
Here's a real who-dunnit for Canada's Year of the Veteran.
It's about war, politics, truth and, above all, about terror, wholesale
and retail, written by a German who survived both the horrors of Nazism
and the ruthless allied bomber offensive against Germany, and who then
solved a shocking mystery Canadian officials had left in the shadows.
In the last months of the war, our Soviet allies
accused their western allies of letting them carry the heaviest burden
of killing and dying. Our answer was Operation THUNDERCLAP, the annihilation
of Dresden, Chemnitz and other Saxon cities hitherto untouched. Peter Hessel
was thirteen in 1945, after a war that had taken his family from Chemnitz
to Poland and finally, as refugees at the end of the war, to the little
garrison town of Frankenberg. On a street not far from where he and his
family lived, a young Canadian prisoner of war was beaten to death while
his armed escort watched passively. Was it a spontaneous act of vengeance
by civilians driven to insensate fury by the bombing, or was it orchestrated
by local Nazis, fulfilling Josef Goebbels' call?
To Order
If the book is not in a local book store and the purchaser
would like immediate delivery send $47.00 (can) to include GST and mailing,
to the following address: (Order will be filled promptly)
Peter Hessel
3811 Highland Road, Waba,
RR 3 Arnprior, Ont.
K7S 3G9
Tel/ (613) 623-7820 Fax: (613) 623-6158
E-mail: p.hessel@sympatico.ca
Note. Peter will be on the national CBC radio program
"Sounds Like Canada" on December 12th (a.m.).
THE MYSTERY OF FRANKENBERG’S CANADIAN AIRMAN would
be an excellent gift for Veterans and history buffs.
L to R Al Colquboren, Phil Owen,
Don Macfie
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Moyles,
I am writing about an internet copy of your newsletter
I found of last Dec. 2004. In it there was this picture and a short
story about a reunion held in North Bay, Ontario. I am very interested
in some information concerning a gentleman in the photo, Mr. Phil Owen,
as he may be the soul survivor of a Lancaster which crashed in Feb. 1945
over Dortmund. My great Uncle was the pilot, F/O L. Blaney, 419 Squadron,
RCAF (KIA), and I would love to make contact with Mr. Owen if it is possible.
Thank you for posting your “Short Bursts” on-line as it is such a great
resource…
Thank you again…
Sincerely,
Scott D. Hoyt
shoyt@nb.sja.ca
(Ed. We were able to locate Phil Owen in North Bay,
Ont. And put him in touch with Scott.)
In the October 2005
Short Bursts Page we published an article on ex-air gunner Mike Cassidy,
founder of Press Review magazine. Mike’s widow, Jana, is carrying on the
tradition.
Hello John,
I thought I would let you know of our recently
re-launched website
www.pressreview.ca
Hope things are well. Jana
Jana J. Cassidy/Publisher
Press Review Ltd./1 Yonge Street, Ste. 1801
Toronto ON M5E 1W7
Tel. 416-368-0512
Dir.Tel./Fax 416-366-0104
www.pressreview.ca
RAF
on STRIKE 1945
To: John Moyles ~ moyles@sasktel.net
I am looking for information regarding the RAF ground
personnel strike in the Middle East and Far East, summer of 1945. Yes,
strike, the chaps lay down their tools to protest the lack of repatriation
plans for troops in their areas.
The war in Europe was over and RAF personnel in UK and
Europe were being demobbed and released. As a result they had their pick
of the post war job market. In the Middle and Far East it was another picture.
The Japanese war was not officially over, the Jewish immigrants released
from European concentration and work camps were flooding South to Palestine,
and the Arabs were determined to keep them out. It was a full-blown Arab
uprising. The British army in the area was being increased to keep peace
between the two factions.
After completing a tour on Coastal Command I was posted
to 426 Squadron, crewed up on Liberators for troop transport between UK
and Karachi, India (later Pakistan).
Liberator B-24 Range 2,850 miles - Max
speed 303 mph.
18,188 developed in USA – 1,694 ordered by RAF
On one trip we picked up troops from the British 2nd.
Airborne in Brussels and proceeded to Palestine. Our first staging post
was Castle Benito in North Africa where the troops lined up in the shade
of the wing to get their yellow fever shots. As we prepared to take off
for Cairo, we saw a notice written in chalk on one of our propeller blades,
“We go on strike (date – time). Do you support us? Castle Benito
Personnel.”
We laughed as we were sure the chalk would blow off by
the time we landed at our next staging post. Not so. The message was still
clear. The ground personnel at Cairo signed the propeller and we took off
for Llyda Palestine. (On landing at Llyda to unload our troops, we found
the airport surrounded by Arab rebels and a Hurricane fighter strafing
the desert to discourage hostile activity against incoming and outgoing
aircraft). At all stops on our way to Karachi the prop signing process
was repeated. Word must have filtered up to the brass as a crew, under
the command of a senior officer, welcomed us at Karachi and the props were
cleaned.
Later we heard that two airmen had been sentenced to death
but the sentences were commuted to jail time. In retrospect, could our
crew have been charged with complicity? After all, we did spread the word.
On that return trip to the UK we had 60 British troops
from Burma. Proceeding up the Persian Gulf at night, we ran into adverse
weather and heavy down drafts. In the vicinity of mountain ranges the situation
became precarious. When attempting to get a position fix with the radio
loop, there were no Ground signals. I sent out my first and only SOS. No
response. Dead air. The RAF were on strike. Using commercial radio stations
for a radio loop position fix, we were able to locate Basra and landed
safely.
On Transport Command most of our passengers were British
troops from the Burma Theatre and they were jolly, fun loving groups, on
their way home. However, there were two passenger loads that I will never
forget. One was 25 Indian soldiers going to England to be decorated by
the King.
It was my job to advise passengers not to move around
during take off or landing due to the high temperatures in the area however,
they could move about after we reached cruising altitude. There were no
seats only two planks bolted down each side of the fuselage. The passengers
sat facing each other and, due to the curvature of the fuselage they were
slightly hunched forward. Extremely uncomfortable.
I asked the British Captain to instruct the passengers
regarding movement in the aircraft. He barked a command and the men, rifles
between their knees, sat rigid staring straight ahead. I requested the
Captain to explain that they could walk around to stretch their legs after
take off, but he just shrugged and ignored my request. I resented the way
he treated these men who were to receive awards for valour and bravery.
The Indian troops didn’t move but the vibration of the
aircraft had a startling effect on their carefully manicured beards and
turbans. Slowly their beards began to unroll and their turbans unwind.
As these items were part of their spiritual life, they were extremely embarrassed.
At each staging post they formed up in the shade of the wing, took out
mirrors and combs to rectified the damage. In the air again, they didn’t
move a muscle.
The other memorable trip we had a group of Ex POWs from
a Japanese POW camp. They were the walking dead. Eyes sunken into their
heads, skin stretched tight over bone. Bits of clothing hung from their
shoulders. Each clutched a small bundle of personal possessions that they
guarded at all times. They seldom spoke to each other, and if they did
it was by whisper. I was told that when in camp, if a guard caught them
speaking to another prisoner, they were beaten.
On the aircraft I went through the instructions regarding
landing and take off. One passenger, a tall fellow, refused to sit down.
He paced up and down the centre of the aircraft. This man literally walked
from Karachi to the UK. Images one never forgets.
Norman (Wimpy) Noel, Pilot (left)
and John Moyles, Wireless operator
R&R in Cairo, now El Qahira, Egypt
Searching
for an airman of 408 Squadron
Short
Bursts assisted Sylvia in locating her birth father, albeit to late, as
he had passed away in Montreal. Sylvia is now requesting help for a friend.
Hello again John, it seems ages since I last wrote. I
hope you and Doreene are well.
I believe I told you about finding my father whose
name was Don Weir not Jim ( that must have cost me about 5 years of search!)
anyway, although the outcome was not what I expected I have got some closure
so I can move on with my life.
The main reason for my email is that I wish to 'pick your
brains' again, if I may, about another project that I have concerning a
friend in England who has the same circumstances as myself. This is a pure
longshot as she does not know his name which, on the face of it, sounds
to be an almost impossible task, BUT she has a photo of him which was taken
in York in 1944, I'll attach it for your 'perusal' . What we know is this,
he was in the RCAF, an L.A.C. on 408 squadron
stationed in Linton on Ouse, Yorkshire, and possibly
an American in RCAF.
I would really value any thoughts that you could give
me. I know that there is a reunion next June for the 408, but, of course,
I have no contacts in bomber command only coastal command. Once again John,
many thanks for all your kind help in the past.
Warm regards from a cold Cumbria Sylvia
Sylvia Lister jumoff@gmail.com
Lloyd
George Hanton Air Gunner – Goose Squadron
I was looking at your website today because of a curiosity
about my uncle who served with Goose Squadron during the war. What I know
about him is very limited, and I was wondering if you would be able to
help me shed some light. I realize it is probably a long shot, but
I thought I would give it a try anyway.
My uncle's name was Lloyd George Hanton from Kenora, Ontario
and was an airgunner. He and his crew went missing during an operation
over Berlin. I don't know how to find out any more about him. Maybe
you could help me?
Thank you for your time, I really appreciate it.
Sean Hanton ~ seanhanton@hotmail.com
The
Great Escape Memorial Project Committee and Mr. George Milne, Colonel Gerry
Morrison (Ret’d), Dr.Vince Murphy
Cordially invites you to join them for live 40’s war
time tunes, cocktails, a savoury dinner and a keynote presentation by Honorary
Colonel Arthur R. Smith, O.C.,A.O.E.,D.F.C., Hon.LL.D.
Reacquaint with friends and meet some of the survivors
of Stalag Luft 111 and the famous Great Escape.
Proceeds to benefit the Great Escape Memorial Project.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce Ballroom
Cocktails at 6pm (no host bar)
Dinner at 7pm (wine included with dinner)
Dress, black tie, mess kit, uniform or business attire.
(Decorations to be worn)
Tickets: $125. A charitable receipt will be issued
for the difference between the final cost of the dinner
and the ticket price.
Contact person: Shannyn Scarff
(403) 245-6693 ~ Email media.works@telusplanet.net
Ed – readers can go to January 2003 Short Bursts Page
at http://www.airmuseum.ca/mag/exag0301.html
to see the article on the Great Escape Memorial and pictures of the project.
One of the pictures. Sectional model view of
memorial at tunnel exit.
Editor’s Report
This has been a busy month for Short Bursts staff.
There have been a number of requests from readers who,
having seen relatives named in previous Short Burst’s articles, one going
back to 2001, asking for help to contact crew members who had known their
relatives.
Bob Marshall’s article in January 2003 Issue prompted
two enquiries. In another case a Toronto man, who was 2 years of age, when
his father was killed in 1943, has just received his father’s log book.
He requested contact with someone who could help him interpret initials
and abbreviation. And there are more requesting assistance in this December
/05 Issue.
It is important that we get as many articles as possible,
especially when crew members are named. Every man has an extended family
and it is important to those family members to learn more about their relatives
who served.
Give this some thought and send us wartime experiences.
Who knows, you may kindle in someone a desire to research a lost family
member.
Doreene and I wish all a very Merry Christmas with family
and friends.
Cheers,
Doreene and John Moyles
