Editor's note (Feb. 17 at 9:30 a.m.): Due to the weather, this meeting has been postponed. BradfordToday will update this story once a make up date has been confirmed.
The public is invited to join the Tecumseth West Gwillimbury Historical Society (TWGHS) as it continues to commemorate 100 years of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as a distinct military element celebrated in 2024.
Two retired RCAF officers will speak at the TWGHS monthly meeting Monday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Tec-We-Gwill Women’s Institute Hall in Newton Robinson.
TWGHS president Mark Burchell explains, “Retired Capt. Art Cameron is a former Canadair CF-104 Starfighter pilot and will share stories of flying missions during the Cold War. Our second speaker will be retired Lt.-Col. Ferguson Mobbs, who last year was involved with two projects celebrating the RCAF’s 100th anniversary, first by photographing 23 different RCAF uniforms and flight suits from 1924 to modern day, and second by participating in a Guinness World Record.”
Mobbs was instrumental in forming the 37 Orville Hand Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in Bradford in 2018. The unit is sponsored by Branch 521 of the Royal Canadian Legion, Orville Hand Branch Hall, at 115 Back St. in Bradford.
“Mobbs will show pictures and talk about his project to photograph the Air Force uniforms, and if time permits, he may talk about his Guinness World Record involvement, or about the cadets,” Burchell said.
The main part of the one-hour presentation will be given by Cameron about his experience as a Starfighter pilot during the Cold War.
The Canadian Encyclopedia defines the Cold War as "the period between the end of the Second World War and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. During this time, the world was largely divided into two ideological camps — the United States-led capitalist ‘West’ and the Soviet-dominated communist ‘East.’ Canada aligned with the West.”
The TWGHS looks forward to learning more about this from someone who was an active member of the RCAF during that time.
“We have a very exciting lineup of presenters this year,” said Burchell.
Highlights include author and creator Adam Bunch (Toronto’s Most Notorious Murders), Nate Hendley telling the horrific but little-known story detailed in his book, Atrocity on the Atlantic, and member of the Order of Canada Ted Barris sharing stories from his book, Deadlock in Korea.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend all these presentations, and to consider membership in the TWGHS.
Membership fees are $30 for single or $50 for family. Drop-in fees are either $5 or $10, depending on the speaker, and free for members.
The TWGHS meetings are held in the Tec-We-Gwill Women’s Institute Hall in Newton Robinson, 4380 Line 10, Bradford West Gwillimbury, at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. No reservations are required.
For more information, contact Burchell at [email protected] or 705-458-8964.
Rosaleen Egan is a freelance writer, storyteller, and playwright. She blogs on her website, rosiewrites.com.