RCAF WWII Memorial taking shape at Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum grounds

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Published on Thursday, May 15, 2014

By: Lanny Stewart

myWestman.ca

An ambitious project which began in 2010 is beginning to take shape at the grounds of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Brandon.

A 300-foot granite memorial wall – dedicated to the members of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and all Canadians who served in any Commonwealth air force who lost their lives during World War II – is well on its way to being constructed in time for a grand unveiling later this year.

The wall, called the "RCAF WWII Memorial" is also going to pay tribute to those in the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel who died while they were in or near Canada during that period of time. The memorial will serve as lasting recognition of those who lost their lives in the war.

Archie Londry, a member of the memorial project committee, is one of the Commonwealth Museum founders and a veteran of WWII, spending his time in the war as a flight instructor. He says a project of this nature needed to happen and he's happy it's soon going to be completed.

"To some people, it's just going to be a wall with names on it. Personally, to me, it's the story of the end of young people's lives," he said. "There's never been anything like this done in Canada."

The memorial will include names of more than 19,000 fatalities and will also include an eight and a half foot bronze statue, which represents the fallen. It will consist of 54 large black granite panels along a lengthy wall full of names as well as two more panels filled with information from the book, "They Shall Grow Not Old", produced and published by volunteers in early 90s.

"The museum has always had a memorial aspect, and we always felt it was very important to pay tribute to all these young men and women," said Stephen Hayter, executive director of the museum. "We just want to see something that's permanent and long-lasting."

"What we're trying to do should've been done right after the war," he continued. "Of course, right after the war, everybody wanted to forget the horror of that experience, but this means so much to veterans, and also to their kids and to Canadians and the world because these individuals are the heros that gave their lives to ensure that we had our democracy and our freedoms today."

The project has an estimated cost of $1.25 million with the project committee having raised approximately $400,000 thus far. Hayter says the committee continues to look for financial contributions and donations.

The grand opening is slated for Sept. 10, which is the 75th anniversary date as to when Canada entered World War II. The unveiling of the memorial is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. that day.

Hayter and Londry say plans are beginning to take shape for the event that day, however nothing has been confirmed as of yet.

"We hope to see many veterans, many politicians, many families and many people that have a very personal connection to the wall being present that day," concluded Hayter.

To donate to the project, contact Hayter at 204-727-2444 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

In photo: Archie Londry, one of the founders of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum and a member of the memorial project committee, looks on as the RCAF WWII Memorial continues to take shape at the grounds of the museum in Brandon. Bottom photo: a closer look at the memorial wall currently being constructed.

Photos by Lanny Stewart