The Canada Aviation and Space Museum was once again home to the Battle of Britain Remembrance Ceremony, held this last Sunday, the 18th September, 2016, after moving last year to Parliament Hill for the 75th anniversary of the Battle. It was held in the back parking area adjacent the runway of what was RCAF Station Rockcliffe during the second war.
It started quietly enough with military members, past and present, renewing acquaintances, with the general hub-bub of the ceremony preparation and with people slowing occupying the chairs. About 1020 hours everyone was asked to take their seats and the introductions of the official party were introduced. Today VCDS Vice Admiral Mark Norman was on hand and MGen Al Meinzinger, Deputy Commander of the RCAF was the reviewing officer representing LGen Mike Hood, Commander of the RCAF. Others of the official party were Ms. Karen McCrimmon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence (representing the Canadian Government), Ms. Karen Ellis, Associate Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs (representing Veterans Affairs), and Wing Commander Simon Hulme (representing the British High Commissioner in Canada).
Once the official party was seated, MGen Meinzinger, accompanied by VAdm Norman, inspected the parade and spoke to individual members of the veterans’ contingent. Following this the poem HIGH FLIGHT (by John Gillespie Magee) was read by Sqn Ldr (ret’d) Lloyd Hunt which was followed by the Airman’s prayer read in English and French by two cadets. The prayer was given by the RCAF Chaplain, LCol Martine Belanger, followed by the lament, two minutes of silence, then the rouse, at which point the crowd looked skyward to the roar of engines as a fly past of a Lancaster Bomber from Canadian Warplane Heritage was escorted by two WWII fighters, a Corsair and a Mustang, from Vintage Wings of Canada. The Act of Remembrance was recited followed by the Commitment to Remember after which the wreaths were laid in remembrance of those who died in the Battle.
The first speaker was Wg Cdr Simon Hulme who noted that this day is both a celebration and commemoration, “… a celebration of the achievements of the few who, in the long summer of 1940, despite overwhelming odds, inflicted the first strategic defeat on the forces of the Nazi Third Reich. Also a commemoration for the tremendous sacrifice they made to secure that victory.”
He also noted that Britain was not alone in the fight as the Battle of Britain Memorial contains 2,936 names of fallen aircrew from 15 countries. More than a 100 Canadians fought in this Battle with a Polish Squadron, #303, scoring the most victories in the Battle and a Czech pilot flying with the Poles, Josef Frantisek, being the leading ace.
MP Karen McCrimmon echoed Wg Cdr Hulme’s words noting her mother’s words that the “true measure of a life is the impact that that life has on the lives of others.” but also went further to note the sacrifices made by families of military members who’s loved ones go away to an uncertain future, some never to return.
The last speaker, MGen Meinzinger, highlighted Canada’s direct contribution to the Battle but also highlighted those in Canada who helped train the Commonwealth pilots and aircrew which helped achieve the final victory. He also noted that about half the Canadian pilots involved in the Battle were lost in the fight.
The parade, now finished, ended with the march past of the bands, the CAF members, the veterans, and the cadets and was treated to a second fly past, this time by a CAF Polaris and two CF-18s. Following the parade, everyone was ushered into the Canada Aviation and Space Museum for a reception and general fellowship.
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