Bradford tops the list of landmarks included in a new world record, thanks to two local veterans.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) announced on June 26 that Guinness World Records officially recognized their successful attempt for the most landmarks illuminated within 24 hours, with 56 lit in blue in honour of the RCAF’s 100th anniversary on April 1, breaking the previous record of 38.
According to a press release from the Department of National Defence dated June 26, the record certificate was presented to Lt.-Gen. Eric Kenny, commander of the RCAF; Chief Warrant Officer John Hall, command chief warrant officer of the RCAF; and Capt. Aaron Niles, strategic planner for the RCAF centennial team and lead for the illumination campaign, during the RCAF Centennial Ball on June 1 in Ottawa.
“We are incredibly proud to have set this Guinness World Record,” Kenny said in the release. “This illumination event was a visual spectacle and a heartfelt tribute to RCAF personnel, past and present, who have served our country with distinction.”
Locally, retired Lt.-Col. Ferguson Mobbs and retired Warrant Officer George Neilson led the charge as they lit and photographed eight different locations in Bradford in only about four hours as part of the effort.
Mobbs found out the record was official after a friend sent him a text message.
“I was totally excited about this record for the RCAF and was surprised that BWG was the first on the list of accepted landmarks by Guinness and UNESCO,” he said.
Unknown to him, Neilson and other participants at the time, Guinness has strict rules that only those landmarks recognized by UNESCO, national governmental registers, or significant third-party registers would be considered eligible toward the record.
As a result, Guinness whittled down the original list of more than 500 landmarks from 26 different countries to just 56 landmarks from eight countries. The Millennium Clock Tower is the only remaining Bradford location, and the Royal Canadian Legion branch 547 is the only remaining Innisfil location of three planned for submission.
Still, Mobbs said he wasn’t disappointed by the decision.
“It was wonderful so many Canadians wanted to support the RCAF in making this world record,” he said. “I know for each address listed on the RCAF website, the feeling of pride and support for the RCAF was the main driving force for their support.”
Neilson was also thankful to everyone who helped in the successful effort.
“As for me, I am so proud to be a part of this project,” he said.
The announcement of the new record came following a series of events in Bradford in June which celebrated the RCAF Centennial and culminated with a parade and airshow.
While Mobbs isn’t currently attempting any other world records, he remained open to the possibility in future and offered some words of wisdom to others.
“The only advice I can give is to first confirm all the rules and just focus on the goal,” he said.
Of the 56 recognized landmarks, 42 were in Canada, including the CN Tower in Toronto, the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill, BC Place and Vancouver Lookout to name a few.
Outside of Canada, other participating countries with recognized landmarks include Austria, Estonia, France, Ireland, New Zealand, South Korea and Scotland.
A full list of recognized landmarks is included in the release from the Department of National Defence.
The full list of landmarks submitted can be found on the RCAF website.
