The monument "Ferry Command – 1940-1946" is dedicated in a ceremony at The Park on Sunday September 17 2017

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The Park’s new monument honouring Ferry Command was dedicated on Sunday, September 17, 2017. We are a bit belated in telling the story here on The Park's website but we feel it needs telling as Ferry Command played such a big role in Gander's history. With reference to the year 1946, even though WWII ended in 1945 "Ferry Command continued in operation until it was formally dismantled in 1946 according to our research.". (Gerard)

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Ferry Command – 1940-1946

The history of Gander’s role in the WWII effort would not be complete without a tribute to the unsung heroes of Ferry Command.

The Park’s new monument honours those brave civilian and military pilots. During the Battle of the Atlantic ceremony held on September 17, 2017 the monument was dedicated by the Reverend Wesley Oake.

Ferry Command, a collaborative effort of civilians, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and other allies, was an ambitious effort to transport combat aircraft manufactured in Canada and the United States to WWII operational airfields in the United Kingdom, and other theatres of war.

To avoid catastrophic losses incurred by sea transport, the plan was to fly the aircraft across the North Atlantic Ocean. Given that there had been fewer then 100 successful air crossings of the Atlantic Ocean, the transatlantic flights of Ferry Command were an exercise in ingenuity, determination, and immense bravery.

Over the course of the War, almost 3500 civilian and military personnel from 23 allied nations (including 1500 Newfoundlanders) played roles in Ferry Command. Of the 10,000 aircraft designated for trans-Atlantic delivery, an unanticipated 95% arrived safely. A significant number of flights across the North Atlantic departed Gander at night and during the winter months. At least 560 personnel lost their lives in these efforts.

On the evening of November 10, 1940, seven Lockheed Hudson bombers, led by Captain C.T. Bennett, departed Gander to attempt the 2100 mile crossing of the Atlantic to Great Britain. Eleven hours later all seven aircraft landed successfully in Northern Ireland.

Carol Walsh, Committee Member / February 19, 2018

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Ferry Command Monument
Dedicated on Sunday, September 17, 2017
(Photo courtesy of Carol Walsh)

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The following links relate to the photos found on the middle and right panels of the monument ...

• Bottom left - middle panel
  Map of Routes Flown by Ferry Command found at the North Atlantic Aviation Museum Gander website page Atlantic Ferry Command
• Bottom right - middle panel
  The crew members that flew the first flight of 7 aircraft found at the Gander Airport Historical Society website page Ferry Command (check out all the links within!)
• Top right - right panel
  1940 - Formation flight of six Hudson's over England found at the Lockheed Martin website page The Hudson

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The Park in winter!

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While I was home in Gander for Christmas 2017 I went to visit The Park on Tuesday December 19 2017. It was a large cold blue sky day while I took these few (9) photos!

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The Park

Sgt. Gander and his handler

"Winged Victory" Cenotaph

The Park

Atlantic Ferry Command 1940-1946 Monument

Tragedies of Flight Memorial Wall
(The wreaths are from the Arrow Air remembrance ceremony of December 12 2017)

The Park

"Winged Victory" and flags

Airmen's Memorial
(Always such a reflective surface!)

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Gerard McCarthy, Webmaster / February 21, 2018

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The memorial wall "Tragedies of Flight" is unveiled in a ceremony at The Park on Sunday September 18 2016

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            TRAGEDIES OF FLIGHT

SABENA AIRLINES DC-4 - OOCBG SEPTEMBER 18, 1946 27 FATALITIES

CZECHOSLOVAKIA AIRLINES IL-18D - OK-WAL - 523 SEPTEMBER 5, 1967 37 FATALITIES

ARROW AIR DC-8 63CF - N950JW - 1285 DECEMBER 12, 1985 256 FATALITIES

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We are pleased to announce that during a ceremony at The Park on Sunday, September 18^th, 2016, the memorial wall Tragedies of Flight was unveiled by His Excellency Raoul Delcourde, Belgian Ambassador to Canada and dedicated by our Honourary Patron, Reverend Wesley Oake.

Tragedies of Flight is dedicated to those who lost their lives in three aviation disasters that occurred at Gander. Sabena Airlines crashed on approach to Gander in 1946 resulting in 27 fatalities, CSA Czechoslovakia Airlines on take off in 1967 resulting in 37 fatalities, and Arrow Air on take off in 1985 with 256 fatalities.

We wish to thank the Gander SC Community Charities Inc. in collaboration with the Gander Shrine Club, Gander Lions Club, and Gander Co-op 50/50 Lottery for their significant support to this project.

Carol Walsh, Committee Member / September 18, 2016

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Sunday, September 18^th, 2016, is significant for two reasons. This Sunday is the 70^th anniversary of the crash of Sabena Airlines in 1946 and the 76^th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 1940. The third Sunday of September is designated as Battle of Britain Sunday ... ^[1] "The annual commemoration of the Battle of Britain honours the airmen who fought and died during the battle and recognizes those who continue to serve in the Royal Canadian Air Force today. The ceremony, including the parade, takes place on the third Sunday in September. More than one hundred Canadians flew in the Battle of Britain between July and October 1940 and 23 lost their lives; an unknown number also served as groundcrew. Historians have described the Battle, which involved almost 3,000 Allied airmen, as a turning point of the Second World War. The victory, described by Sir Winston Churchill as Britain's "finest hour" halted a planned invasion of Great Britain and gave hope to a demoralized Britain and northern Europe. It was the first battle to be won by air power."

^[1] The Royal Canadian Air Force website

It was during the commemoration of the Battle of Britain ceremonies at The Park that the memorial wall Tragedies of Flight was unveiled by His Excellency Raoul Delcourde, Belgian Ambassador to Canada and dedicated by The Park's Honourary Patron, Reverend Wesley Oake. The Ambassador was in Gander for a number of events commemorating the Sabena crash.

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These photos are courtesy of Janet Langdon and Carol Walsh and The Park thanks the ladies.

Battle of Britain Sunday
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


Battle of Britain Sunday
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


Battle of Britain Sunday
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


Battle of Britain Sunday
Laying a wreath at the foot of Winged Victory
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


Standing by for the unveiling of the memorial wall Tragedies of Flight
(L) His Excellency Raoul Delcourde, Belgian Ambassador to Canada
(R) Reverend Wesley Oake, Honourary Patron of The Park
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


The memorial wall Tragedies of Flight revealed
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


The memorial wall Tragedies of Flight
(Photo courtesy of Carol Walsh)


The memorial wall Tragedies of Flight
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


Laying a wreath at the memorial wall Tragedies of Flight
His Excellency Raoul Delcourde, Belgian Ambassador to Canada
In memory of the Sabena Airlines crash 70 years ago today on September 18^th 1946
(Photo courtesy of Carol Walsh)


Laying a wreath at the memorial wall Tragedies of Flight
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


The memorial wall Tragedies of Flight
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)

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TRAGEDIES OF FLIGHT

SABENA AIRLINES DC-4 - OOCBG SEPTEMBER 18, 1946 27 FATALITIES

CZECHOSLOVAKIA AIRLINES IL-18D - OK-WAL - 523 SEPTEMBER 5, 1967 37 FATALITIES

ARROW AIR DC-8 63CF - N950JW - 1285 DECEMBER 12, 1985 256 FATALITIES

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Related Links ...

• CBCnews |Newfoundland & Labrador
  Published on Friday, September 16^th, 2016
  Chatting With a True Pioneer of Helicopter Search and Rescue
  
  
• CBCnews |Newfoundland & Labrador
  Published on Saturday, September 17^th, 2016
  Deadly Sabena DC-4 plane crash of 1946 remembered for historic rescue
  
  
• CBCnews |Newfoundland & Labrador
  Published on Monday, September 19^th, 2016
  Remembering the Sabena Crash Seventy Years Later
  
  
• CBCnews |Newfoundland & Labrador
  Published on Monday, September 19^th, 2016
  Streets, wreath dedicated to Sabena DC-4 crash victims and heroes
  
  
• The Gander Beacon
  Published on Monday, September 19^th, 2016
  Remembering the Sabena Airlines crash
  
  
• The Gander Beacon
  Published on Monday, September 19^th, 2016
  Gander marks anniversaries with "Tragedy of Flights" unveiling
  
  
• The Gander Beacon
  Video - Remembering the Sabena Airlines crash
  
  
• The Gander Beacon
  Video - Tragedies of Flight
  
  
• The Gander Beacon
  Video - Frank Tibbo-Sabena
  
  
• NTV News
  Published on Monday, September 19^th, 2016
  Gander remembers Sabena Airlines crash 70 years later
  
  

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A new monument is unveiled at The Park

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Saturday, August 8, 2015 saw a new monument unveiled at the Gander Heritage Memorial Park. This stone marker was unveiled to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the arrival of the The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada in Newfoundland during World War 2 on Saturday, August 10, 1940. They arrived by ship into the Port of Botwood on that same day, some stayed in Botwood and the remainder moved on to Gander by train. Their mission was the defense of Newfoundland by providing security for both strategic airfields at Botwood and Gander.

This commemorative event was organized by The Maritimes Newfoundland Branch of the QORC. A similar stone marker was unveiled in Botwood the next day Sunday, August 9. I understand that the QORC got much needed help from 91 Construction Engineering Flight of 9 Wing Gander with both stone markers. 9 Wing Gander also provided the public address system and the music for the singing of "O Canada" and "God Save the Queen" for Friday's ceremonies in Gander.

The ceremonies started with the parade of veterans led by the QORC including a drummer and bugler. Dignitaries who spoke represented the Veterans, the Royal Canadian Legion, the QORC, 9 Wing Gander and the Town of Gander. Once the speeches were completed the official unveiling of the commemorative stone marker took place. After the unveiling the bugler and drummer played Last Post followed by 2 minutes of silence and then the bugler and drummer played Reveille. The parade was dismissed after a wreath was laid to remember fallen comrades. Veterans in attendance came from as far away as Victoria BC for this weekend's events and many lingered after the ceremonies to have their photos taken posing with the "Winged Victory". "Sgt. Gander", the QORC's "commemorative stone marker", the "Airmen's Memorial Wall" and the "Poppy Memorial Monument" on display at The Park for the afternoon (see below).

BACKGROUND
(from the unveiling ceremonies' program)

Today we are gathered to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada having been garrisoned in Newfoundland on August 10th, 1940. The Regiment's first assignment was the Defense of Newfoundland. The Queen's Own Rifles battalion on arrival in Botwwod, was split between Botwood and Gander. The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada is Canada's oldest serving Regiment having formed in Toronto in 1860 making the Regiment Canada's oldest continuously serving Infantry unit. Two of its Regular Arm Battalions were stationed in Victoria, BC during the Cold War, the 2nd Battalion returned from Korea in 1955 and departed to Germany in 1957. The 1st Battalion returned from Nato duty in Germany in 1963 and were at Work Point Barracks, Victoria, BC until re-designated Third Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in 1970. The Queen's Own Rifles have a long and proud record of service to Canada, fighting its first engagement in 1866 near Ridgeway, Ontario against Fenian Raiders from the United States. The deaths of 9 soldiers at that time heralded sacrifices in campaigns throughout the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. The QOR served in the North West Rebellion, Boer War, First and Second World War, Korea, Nato duty, Cyprus and other Peacekeeping Operations including Afghanistan. Every year there are untold numbers of Veterans and their children and grandchildren touring the country to visit wartime sites to review and research history of how they and their forefathers lived during these times. These Stone Markers being unveiled today symbolizes the dedication and sacrifices of soldiers of the Regiment in War and Peace. It also reflects the affection, admiration and appreciation of all Rifleman of The Queen's Own for their service to the Regiment and to Canada.

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Photos of the day (courtesy of Gerard McCarthy) ...

Parade of Veterans

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The Veterans

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Commemorative Stone Marker before the unveiling
Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
2nd Battalion
"In Pace Paratus - In Peace Prepared"

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Rev. Wes Oake leading the parade in prayer
WW2 Veteran, retired United Church minister and Honourary Patron of The Park

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The official unveiling party with honour guards

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Commemorative Stone Marker
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
2nd Battalion
"In Pace Paratus - In Peace Prepared"
IN COMMEMORATION OF
THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE QUEEN'S OWN RIFLES OF CANADA
GARRISONED IN NEWFOUNDLAND
AT GANDER AND BOTWOOD IN 1940

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Last Post, 2 minutes of silence and Reveille

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Commemorative Stone Marker and Wreath

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Programme ...

Programme Page 1

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Programme Page 2

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Programme Page 3

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Programme Page 4

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The Poppy Memorial Monument

Before, during and after the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada ceremonies at The Park the Poppy Memorial Monument to remember the Canadian Forces members who lost their lives in Afghanistan was on display along with the Book of Condolences. The Book of Condolences has a page for every Canadian killed in Afghanistan. I had a chance to talk to all 4 Canadian Forces members who traveled with the monument to Gander for this occasion. They drove from Kingston ON to be in Gander for the QORC's ceremonies on Friday, went to Botwood on Saturday for the ceremonies there and started their long drive back to Kingston today Monday.

Photos of the day (courtesy of Gerard McCarthy) ...

The Poppy Memorial Monument

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The Book of Condolences
A page for every Canadian killed in Afghanistan

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The Poppy Memorial Monument
You will notice that the 2 handles are different, the intact one on the right represents a Canadian soldier before going to Afghanistan and the broken one on the left represents the soldier who came home alive but maimed in some way or suffering from PTSD

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Presented to: Poppy Memorial Outreach Program
From: 1 Combat Engineer Regiment
CHIMO

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Related Links ...

• The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada website
• QORC's role in NL 1940-1941
• Botwood and its role during WW2
• Gander and its role during WW2
• The Maritimes Newfoundland Branch of the QORC
• 91 Construction Engineering Flight web page
• 9 Wing Gander web page
• Poppy Memorial Monument Project web page - Bringing The Poppy Home
• Marking military history - Gander Beacon article published Augst 06, 2015
• WAR DIARIES 1940 - The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archives
• NEWFOUNDLAND AND NEW BRUNSWICK 1940-1941 - The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archives
• Welcome page - The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archives
• The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada - From Wikipedia

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Gerard McCarthy, Webmaster / August 10, 2015

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NOTE*** Your comments are welcomed!
However, all comments will be queued for review before being published and name=anonymous will be deleted unless your name is included at the end of your comment! This is to prevent spam, etc.
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Thank you. Gerard

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The Park at Night in Photos

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As I am in Gander I thought I would visit The Park tonight and take some photos. At 10pm the temperature was 22C and the air was ever so still.

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Gerard McCarthy, Webmaster / August 4, 2015

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NOTE*** Your comments are welcomed!
However, all comments will be queued for review before being published and name=anonymous will be deleted unless your name is included at the end of your comment! This is to prevent spam, etc.
Before you click Publish your Comment please click on Name/URL and enter your full name. Don't forget you have to prove that you are not a robot - this is so automated spams cannot be dumped here!
Thank you. Gerard

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