HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1942-10-01, Page 6mCxE SIX
, THE SWARTH NEWS
THURSDAY, OGTOB ER 1, 1942
Centralia Flying Field
Officia.11y Opened
Newest link in the ever•grawing
chain of the empire air training plan
—No. 9 Service Flying Training
School, RCAF, Was formally opened
at Centralia, south of Exeter, on
Sept. 2-81.1, before a crowd of 8,600
civilian Cr gnosis representing' many,
rural and tu'ba`s centres of I-luron
and Middlesex Counties. While the
new million -dollar station 'has been
occupied by the RCAF for the past
two mouths, the official opening, was
reserved for last week. instruction in
the flying of twin.eugine aircraft will
be given at the Centralia station.
Administration, instructional and
maintenance staff at the. station came
from the station at Summerside,
Prince Edward Island,
Before a background of Avro An-
son bombers ranged along the taxi
strip facng five large hangars, Air
Vice Marshal G. 0. Johnson, air offic-
er commanding No. 1 Training Com-
mand, RCAF, Toronto, cut the rib-
bon that was symbolic of the open-
ing of the new school.
In his address to the large audi-
ence, Air Vice Marshal Johnson
pointed out that the school was a
unit of hte British Commonwealth
.Air Training Plan and that it was re-
placing the Service Flying Training
School et Suntmerside, P.F.I., which
had been converted into an opera-
tional training centre.
"This is the last word in au air
station." 11e said. "it combines all the
improvements of service flying train-
ing schools built during the past
three years.'
He explained that the airports at
Grand Bend and St. Joseph were built
in association with Centralia, and
that the combined project had been
completed in record time by contrac-
tors under the supervision of the
department of national defence for
air. "It is the aim of the RCAF to co-
operate with this prosperous farming
community around it in every.way,"
he said in conclusion. "During their
stay at Summerside the staff of this
school made many friendships and
enjoyed the fine hospitality of the
people of Prince Edward Island. 1
feel certain that the station will find
the sane hospitality from this com-
munity."
Group Capt. E. G. Fullerton, com-
manding officer of the Centralia sta-
tion, introduced the distinguished
visitor. Other leading officers on the
speaker's platform included Brig. D.
J. MacDonald, officer commanding
Military District No. 1, and Group
Capt. B. F. Johnson, senior air staff
officer for No. 1 Training Command
and brother of the A.O.C.
Concluding the opening ceremony
was a march past of the station's
personnel, headed by the drum and
bugle band. During the ceremony,
three Aansons droned overhead in
varying formations. A spectacular
parachute by "Joe", the station's
dummy, was a novel highlight of the
afternoon. Sgdn. Ldr. J. W. Gledhill,
chief instructor and former president
of the Vancouver Aero Club, took
"Joe" aloft and dumped him from
1,000 feet. The dummy's chute opened
satisfactorily and he drifted earth-
The importance of wholesome, nutritious lunches for youngsters who must take their's to school is understood by this Canadian
mother. Sandwiches are made from whole wheat bread with substant lel fillings, one egg and one peanut butter and honey for each lad
today. Tomatoes, apple sauce, cookies and plenty of milk to drink ro and out a lunch of which both nutritionists and the boys approve.
The top of the wall surrounding the school yard is a favorite lunch s pot with these two brothers on sunny days.
sergeant at Camp Borden when Group
Capt. Fullerton was a flight lieuten-
ant there in 1925.
CAMOUFLAGE CHIEF
ward, to be met by a waiting ambul- Out Britain's Defences with.
ance crew. Although he bounced a Coloured Bits of Cloth
couple of feet after hitting the Britain's airfields, gun -sites, lorry
ground, the rubber dummy managed parks and other vital war centres
Blots
to weather the ordeal without injury.
A supervised tour of the many
buildings of the station brought to a
close the day's program.
Construction of the Centralia sta-
tion got under way exactly a year
ago. Built,on a permanent basis, the past thirty years has sent frocks out
big school is somewhat different to to stores in most parts of the world.
type u ly built schools of the EFTS To -day the dress expert climbs to
type across the Dominion. The build -
vantage points in the countryside of
Ings are solidly constructed and England and Wales to make notes of
painted white, with attractive red the minutest colour details of the
roofs. (landscape around the site to be cam -
No. 9 seTS. is virtually a city with-, ouflaged.
in itself. It has its own power sys- Returning to his factory, where
tem, a. sewage system, newly -Paved yards of coloured hessian cover cut -
asphalt roads, roomy two-storey bar- ting tables . once gay with silks and
racks buildings for its personnel,
are being camouflaged by a man who
in peace -time supervised the cutting
and making -up of thousands of dainty
frocks and blouses.
He no longer sits in the office of a
Lancashire factory which during the
large auditorium read-
Ing
roam and writing rooms and al with the colour card he has brought
back with him. The hessian is then
number of other services,
including;
cut into special 'patterns and thread-
s modern fire department. A large ed through rope netting, made by a
fleet of Ansons are housed in the manufacturer with a name known to
five hangars. More than 100 air-
womenserve at the station.
Group Capt. Fullerton, who com- Want
manded the Service Flying Training
School at Summerside before coming ,
to Centralia, has had a long and dis-
tinguished career in the field of avla-1
tion. He enlisted as a private in
World War I and was later commis -1
slotted in the RAI'. In 1921 he left
the RAF to perform aerial survey I
work at Fort 1Vorma11, N.W.T.
Group Capt. Fullerton joined the
RCAF when that branch of the Can-
adian Armed Forces was formed in
1924. He was commanding officer of
the 'first Hurricane fighter squadron
in Canada at Calgary
As coincidence would have it, Wing
Cm1r. R, J. Beaumont, who is second
3n eommand at Centralia, was a 'flight
and For Sale Ads, !1 week 25c
AUCTIONEER
F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auction
Per for Perth and Huron Counties
Sales Solicited. Terms on Application
Farm Stock, chattels and real estett
prope"ty. R. R. No, 9, Mitchell
Phone 804 r 6. Apply at this office
HAROLD JACKSON
Licensed in Huron and Perth coun-
ties. Prices reasonable; satisfaction
guaranteed, For information, write
or phone Harold Jackson, phone 19
on 6614 19.12.4, Seaforth,
Gbunter
Check Books
We Tire Selling Quality Books
Books are Well Made, Carbon is Clean and Copies Readily.
All styles, Carbon Leaf and Black Back. Prices as Low as You
Can Get Anywhere. Get our Quotation on Your Next Order.
•
The Seaforth News
SBAFORTH, ONTARIO,