Tuesday 27 October 2015

“Their Finest Hour!” Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Battle of Britain

By Joe Corrigan

In my previous blog entries for “Village Vignettes” I’ve focused on the centennial anniversaries of the major battles involving Canadians in the Great War of 1914 to 1918. On this occasion, I’d like to focus on another major battle in which Canadians played a part; this one occurred in World War II and it was the first major battle in history fought entirely in the air.

Shortly after the evacuation of British and French troops from Dunkirk in May of 1940, newly appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill made a speech that was broadcast to his nation and the world. He announced that the Battle of France was over and that the Battle of Britain was about to begin. Churchill stated that “Hitler knows that he must break us in this island or lose the war.” Given the military situation at the time, that was a bit of a stretch. He ended the speech by urging his people to brace themselves for the bitter struggle ahead and to so conduct themselves that “if the British Empire and its Commonwealth lasts for a thousand years, men will still say, this was their finest hour”.

Noting Empire and Commonwealth separately was an important distinction. In 1914, when Britain declared war on Germany, Canada was also committed to the conflict as part of “the Empire”. In 1939, Britain declared war on Germany on September 3rd. Canada did not follow suit until a week later following a debate in parliament. The Statute of Westminster of 1931 had given Canada a greater degree of self-governance and formal recognition as an independent member of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

In those dark days of the summer of 1940, Canada stood at Britain’s side getting ready for the invasion which was seen as immanent. The 1st Division of the Canadian Army was already in Britain. Indeed, elements of the Division had landed in north-west France around the time of Dunkirk but had subsequently also been evacuated as the true gravity of the situation became clear. Had the German army invaded England in the summer of 1940, the Canadian 1st Division may well have been the only fully equipped army division they would have faced in the entire country. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) also had elements involved in the defense of Britain at that time. The Canadians that this article will focus on are the ones who volunteered to serve with the Royal Air Force (RAF), who enlisted prior to, or just shortly after, the start of World War II and who took part in the early stages of the war as members of the RAF’s all-Canadian 242 Squadron.

The squadron, which had originally been formed during the First World War, was reformed for service in World War II at RAF station Church Fenton on 30 October 1939 with Canadian RAF personnel. They initially flew the Bristol Blenheim and Fairey Battle but converted to the Hawker Hurricane in February of 1940.
   
A Hawker Hurricane IIC wearing the "LE" code of 242 Squadron

Painting of a 242 Hurricane

Douglas Bader
In May 1940, the squadron moved to RAF station Biggin Hill prior to being sent to France to counter the German offensive. The squadron’s Canadian pilots had suffered high losses in the Battle of France and their morale was quite low on being recalled to England. To address the need for leadership and improved morale, RAF Fighter Command assigned Squadron Leader Douglas Bader to command the Squadron at the end of June 1940. Bader was a unique individual to say the least. As a pilot in the pre-war RAF he had lost both legs in a crash. In an epic example of determination, he not only taught himself to walk on tin legs, but even passed the RAF’s Central Flying School course. Despite his exceptional performance, the peace time air force had no place for him among its ranks. With the coming of war in 1939, he was able to win back his wings and prove himself an able flight commander prior to being posted to 242 squadron. The Canadians of 242 weren’t keen on getting a “passenger” as their new CO but Bader soon won them over by the strength of his flying skills, strong character and perseverance. He proved a strong leader, especially in cutting through bureaucratic red tape to make the squadron operational again. The squadron became part of No. 12 Group of the RAF’s Fighter Command and was assigned to RAF Station Duxford. Bader’s tactics and leadership were instrumental in the development of the “Duxford Wing”, a unique formation of five squadrons, led by Bader, during the climatic stages of the Battle of Britain through August and September of 1940. By October of 1940 the battle was over, the Germans had postponed their invasion plans indefinitely and, although night bombing raids continued, Britain was no longer in the crosshairs of the Nazi juggernaut.    

RCAF personnel on their way to England in 1940

Paul Brickhill, a British airman, POW and author of the book “The Great Escape” wrote a biography of Douglas Bader entitled “Reach for the Sky”. The book was made into a movie, by the same title, in 1956 with Kenneth More in the lead role. It was by watching that movie in my youth that I learned of the important role Canadians played in the Battle of Britain. The movie is currently available on the Internet as a YouTube video for those who might be interested in learning more about Douglas Bader and 242 Squadron.

Somewhere in the neighbourhood of 90 Canadian pilots took part in the Battle of Britain between 242 Squadron and the RCAF’s 401 Squadron (Canadian Squadrons that served overseas during World War II were numbered in the 400’s to avoid confusion with the RAF’s numbered squadrons. These numbers were retained for general Canadian service after the war to maintain their wartime battle honours and tradition). The Canadians suffered a high rate of loss with some twenty-five pilots being killed in action. Theirs was an important contribution to a historic victory and should not be forgotten. 


This blog is written in memory of my uncle, Leading Aircraftsman Hubert Michael Corrigan of the RCAF, himself a Canadian in the service of the RAF, primarily No. 58 Squadron from 1943 to 1945.

H. M. Corrigan, RCAF



 Joe Corrigan has been Museum Manager at Lang Pioneer Village since February of 2003. He has been a lifelong student of history. His specific areas of interest are Canadian and world political, military and sports history with a particular focus on biographical works. Joe has been interpreting Sir John A. Macdonald at the Museum's Historic Dominion Day event since 2007.       

Wednesday 21 October 2015

Back To The Future

By Karis Regamey

For all those die-hard movie fans out there, or for those of us who frequent the Internet and have friends that like to post "fun facts" to Facebook, today is a day of interest. Today is October 21, 2015- the date mentioned in the 1985 comic science fiction film Back to the Future. The movie, starring Michael J. Fox, features a character named Marty McFly who is sent back in time to 1955. He realizes how his presence in the past affects the future and throughout the movie, he has to repair the damage he has made so life could play out as intended. He later has the opportunity to travel into the future, the date of which is today's date- October 21, 2015.

According to the movie, on October 21, 2015, the human race will be travelling around on hoverboards or in flying cars. The movie Jaws 19 would be released and fax machines would rule. As outlandish as some of these "predictions" were, others were spot on or at the very least, possible. In Back to the Future's version of 2015, cars use alternative fuel, people have the ability to video chat and you can use thumbprints as keys, all of which have been developed in the 30 years since the film was released. Although many of us are rooting for the Blue Jays, it was the Cubs who were predicted to win the world series this year.
Source: Vox

This date is becoming a phenomenon. There is even a Facebook page dedicated to today as the "Back to the Future Day" (https://www.facebook.com/October212015BTTF if anyone is interested in checking it out).

While October 21, 2015 doesn't resonate with me (I will admit I have not seen this movie), I look at all this hype and think about just how far we have come. At Lang Pioneer Village, it is our mission to preserve, promote and authentically recreate the rural history of Peterborough County. The Village is arranged in a way that represents a 19th-century hamlet. The original and reconstructed buildings from 1825 to 1900 are furnished with artifacts that were once owned and used by the individuals who first settled in the region. The staff members and volunteers who interpret these artifacts are dressed as they would have been in that time period and demonstrate the various chores and trades that were necessary to survive and make a living. It is our goal to make our visitors feels as if they are stepping back 200 years in time when they walk out into the historic village.

With all of today's modern conveniences, it's hard to imagine just how far we have come. No, we do not have flying cars or hoverboards as Back to the Future predicted we would (although the new Rollerboards are getting close), but the majority of us do not ride around in horse and buggy. Growing up with the Internet, I often wonder how I would have found out the answer to a seemingly simple question before I could "Google" the answer and I certainly wouldn't know that today was the so-called "Back to the Future Day" without the Internet. We have come a long way from the 1800s and even from 1985, when the things predicted to occur in 2015 seemed unreal or outlandish. I don't have any idea what will be created next but often wonder what my kids will have when they are adults!

On this "Back to the Future Day", try thinking about life 30 years ago, let alone 200 years ago. What do you have today that you couldn't live without? Your smart phone? The remote start on your vehicle on a day that is 30 below? What are your predictions for 30 years from now? If you need that gentle reminder on how far we have come, plan to visit us next summer (or for one of our fantastic holiday events this fall)...you might just be surprised!


Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_to_the_Future
http://www.vox.com/2015/10/21/9581539/back-to-the-future-day-2015-predictions-hoax



Karis Regamey is the Marketing Consultant for Lang Pioneer Village Museum, She has been with the Museum since February of 2009. When she is not busy overseeing the advertising of the Village, she can be found chasing after her two little ones.


Tuesday 13 October 2015

Grandma's Apron

By Karis Regamey

Fall is my absolute favourite time of the year! It's the enticing combination of the colourful leaves, the return of football, hot coffee, the crisp air that requires comfy sweaters and jeans to stay warm and Thanksgiving. It also means being able to use the oven again! I don't know about you, but I rarely use the oven during the summer because my house is warm enough without it.

I love to cook and bake so when fall rolls around, it is experiment season. I'm finally able to try all the recipes that I have been adding to my Pinterest boards all summer which require an oven.

The other day I came across the following poem on Facebook:
Courtesy of Pinterest


I don't often wear an apron when I cook/bake. Reading this poem got me thinking though. We are very fortunate to be able to go the grocery store and pick up eggs, vegetables, fruit etc. If my clothes get dirty when the speed of my KitchenAid mixer is too fast and batter sprays out, or my child misses the bowl when pouring in the milk, I don't have to think twice about changing and throwing my soiled clothes in the washing machine. With a simple push of a button, my oven heats to the perfect temperature to bake a batch of cookies.

It is this experience of "Grandma" that is portrayed on a daily basis in the Village. From hand-washing to hand-mixing to hand-picking, the interpreters provide that gentle reminder that life has not always been so convenient- complete with apron. 

 




I am thankful for the modern conveniences of life nowadays. And I think I will be adding an apron to my Christmas list.



Karis Regamey is the Marketing Consultant for Lang Pioneer Village Museum, She has been with the Museum since February of 2009. When she is not busy overseeing the advertising of the Village, she can be found chasing after her two little ones.