I’ll be attending the October 8, 2019 meeting of Durham Lifelong Learning members to speak about Exile Air. The location is the Hebron Christian Reform Church, 4240 Anderson Street, Whitby, Ontario, and the meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. I’m really looking forward to meeting the organization’s members and chatting with them about World War II’s “Little Norway!”
Many thanks to the Combined Probus Club of Scarborough for a warm welcome at their meeting on September 5, 2019. I enjoyed speaking to the Club about Exile Air, and hearing some interesting personal recollections of “Little Norway,” afterwards!
On June 6, 2019, we honour the 75th anniversary of D-Day, when 156,000 Canadian, British and American troops landed on five beaches in Normandy, France, to liberate Europe from Nazi control. Overhead, Allied aircraft, including those from the Norwegian Squadrons of Britain’s Royal Air Force, flew missions to protect the disembarking troops. The Normandy landings are said to have been the beginning of the end of war in Europe. On this 75th anniversary, we honour all those who took part in the Battle of Normandy, and thank them for their courage and sacrifice.
On March 9, 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on behalf of the government, issued a long-overdue apology for mistreatment of Canada’s Inuit community during tuberculosis outbreaks in the past.
Between the 1940s and late 1960s, Inuit suffering from tuberculosis were taken to hospitals in southern Canada for treatment. Many of those who died in the hospitals were buried locally in unmarked graves, rather than having their remains returned home. Very often, Inuit families never learned what had become of their loved ones.
As part of its apology, the federal government is planning to release database information to help the Inuit locate gravesites of family members who were taken to southern Canada for treatment.
However, Inuit communities are still plagued by tuberculosis–and at a rate of infection which far exceeds that in the south of the country. Here’s a CBC News report with more detail: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/cbc-explains-tuberculosis-banerji-tb-1.5046336
Thanks to the Scarborough Historical Society for inviting me to speak about Exile Air at their January 2019 meeting. After my presentation, it was a treat to meet many Society members, and chat about our shared interests in World War II history, the Royal Norwegian Air Force, and beautiful Muskoka. Many thanks to the Society for a great evening!
On January 22, 2019, I’ll be speaking to the Scarborough Historical Society about Exile Air: World War II’s “Little Norway” in Toronto and Muskoka.
The meeting will be held at the Bendale Public Library, 1515 Danforth Road in Scarborough at 7:30 p.m. I’m looking forward to talking with Scarborough Historical Society members about the Royal Norwegian Air Force wartime training camps, and the brave recruits who learned to fly there!
To read more about this please visit: MuskokaRegion.com
Dr. Walter Kendall and wife, Lucie Kendall, in front. Una Baston in rear.
This past summer, I had the great privilege of cruising on Lake Joseph in this same boat, along with two of Dr. Kendall’s granddaughters, as guests of the boat’s owners Pete and Helen Little of Toronto and Muskoka. Now named the Marjenca, the boat has been beautifully and lovingly restored. Thanks to Pete and Helen for such a thrilling ride on the boat’s 80th anniversary!
Pete and Helen Little in “Marjenca.”
Dr. Kendall’s granddaughters, Barb Robillard and Cynthia Percival, enjoy the ride.
