HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-11-04, Page 24Page 24 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, November 4, 2009
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From Goderich to the
skies above Europe
On the second floor of tr Huron Coun-
ty
Museum is the Military Gallery,
home to artifacts from both world wars and
as far back as the Boer War. We don't often
think about the personal stories attached to
such artifacts in a museum, but I'd like to
share one of those stories.
In 1940, an Air Navigation School for the
Royal Air Force, No. 31 ANS, was built near
Port Albert. It was part of the British Com-
monwealth Air Training Program, where
schools across the country trained thousands
of airmen far from the dangers of wartime
Britain. No. 31 ANS was like a small town,
with hospital, church, movie theatre and
more; local girls flocked to dances there, im-
pressed by dashing Brits in uniform.
The airmen spent several months in train-
ing before being posted to active duty over-
seas, and their presence helped turn Goder-
ich into a bustling war-hoom town.
The same year the school was built, I ar-
rived in Canada as a child and war evacuee
from Glasgow, Scotland. I came to know
some of' the airmen, and one ,.stands out in
my mind.
Like many in Goderich, my guardian
rented space to the RAF officers and their
families, since accommodations were scarce
(instructors were allowed to bring wives, and
a few British babies were born in Goderich
during the war).
She converted the second floor of her
house on Caledonia Terrace into an apart-
ment and in 1943, Flight Lieutenant Norman
Brown of England, his wife Madge and their
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Flight Lieutenant Norman Brown lived on
Caledonia Terrace in Goderich with his wife,
Madge, and newborn son, John. After Madge
and John returned to Britian, Brown's plane
went down in 1944.
baby son John, moved in. My guardian was
unmarried and, with my family thousands
34 Newgate St. Goderich, Ontario
519-612-1144
email: shoebarnehurontel . on . ca
Tel: (519) 524-1024
36 North St., Goderich, Ontario
N7A 2T4
of miles away, Norman became like a father
to me. He was a whiz in math — he taught
navigation after all — and he helped me with
my homework. We regularly played Chinese
Checkers and did crossword puzzles togeth-
er. He loved the operetta HMS Pinafore and
listened to his record of it so often that I had
every song memorized.
In the spring of 1944 Norman was called
to active duty. We were sad to see him go and
worried for his safety.
Madge and baby John returned to England
that summer, and months later we received
the tragic news: returning from his final
bombing mission over Cologne in Decem-
ber, Norman's plane went down and he was
killed. It was hard to believe he was gone
forever.
Over the past few years Norman's son
John, now in his sixties and living in Eng-
land, has visited Goderich twice. With his
wife Jean, he saw the local hospital where
he was born, my guardian's house and the
site of No. 31 ANS, taken down immediately
after war ended in 1945.
John was eager to see the places where he
spent time with his parents, and learn more
about a father of whom he has no memory.
Those of us who do remember can nev-
er forget those British airmen — how they
touched our lives, and the impact they had
on Huron County during the war.
Saluting our Veterans
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DEEWEALTH
LODE Maple Leaf Chapter of Goderich gratefully
thank the families of our servicemen who have
been deployed to Afghanistan and other
International locales.
We acknowledge the supreme commitment you
and your sons and daughters make to support
world peace.
Our thoughts and prayers are
constantly with you.
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