Welcome!

In memory of Geraldine Chase

1928 – 2020

A message from Tim Porter, (Retired) Rear Admiral, Royal Canadian Navy:

Sharon joins me as we express our deepest condolences on Geraldine’s passing. We shall miss her and her many talents as a researcher, historian, author, a good friend, and cousin.

We are fortunate to have had the results of her deep research into family history, which she shared freely.

As to her writing, Gananoque is better off for her contributions to major works of local history such as Harvards, Above” and “Gananoque Remembers” written, I believe, with assistance of Major Bill Beswetherick, her food friend and a retired Army colleague.

If my memory serves, she added considerably to the research being done by author Dan Black while he interviewed her as he was preparing to co-write the book called, “Too Young To Die.” At the book launch, Dan mentioned what great assistance and cooperation he had received from Geraldine at her home in Seeley’s Bay, when they thoroughly discussed the death of our relative, Bugler Willie Dailey, age 16, during the First World War.

She took very seriously the opportunity she found to make additions and corrections to official documents held in national archives in Ottawa relating to the official histories of war veterans which were available to the public. Her investigations often led to written or online personal encounters with family members of those whose names appeared in the registers.

Geraldine has left me with great memories and a wealth of family history.

Goodbye Geraldine, your work is done. May you rest in peace.

Sharon and Tim Porter

Harvards Above

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The History of
No. 31(R.A.F.) S. F. T. S.
1940-1944
No. 14 (R.C.A.F.) S.F.T.S.
1944-1945
Kingston, Ontario
No. 1 Relief Aerodrome, Gananoque
1942-1945

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The Home of Fleet Air Arm Training
In Canada

Sign

No. 31 Service Flying Training School opened September 10, 1940 with the arrival of R.A.F. officers and ground crew from No. 7 S.F.T.S., Peterborough, England, a school training Fleet Air Arm pilots.

R.C.A.F. pilots were the first class to receive their wings on December 14, 1940.

Two members of R.C.A.F. were killed in first fatal crash December 20, 1940.

First Fleet Air Arm pupils arrived on December 30, 1940.

In May 1942 the R.A.F. straining schools were incorporated into the B.C.A.T.P.

No. 31 closed as an R.A.F. operation and opened as R.C.A.F. No. 14 S.F.T.S. on August 14, 1944.

No. 14 S.F.T.S. closed September 7, 1945.

harvardsabove34

Construction of a satellite station at No. 1 Relief Landing Ground was completed in the spring of 1942.

First fatal accident on June 11, 1942, killed two F.A.A. pupils when their Harvard aircraft collided.

In August 1944 R.C.A.F. staff began replacing the R.A.F. staff.

Station continued training Fleet Air Arm pilots until it closed September 7, 1945.

Chapters

Introduction

  1. The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
  2. The First Accident
  3. First Pilots Receive Their Wings
  4. First Fleet Air Arm Arrive In Canada
  5. 1941 News And Views Of No. 31 SFTS
  6. The Winter Of Their Discontent
  7. Unsuitable For Training
  8. First F.A.A. Pilots Receive Wings In Canada
  9. The Link Trainer
  10. More Problems With The Fairey Battles
  11. Just For The Thrill Of It
  12. First Canadian F.A.A. Pilots Graduate In Canada
  13. NO. 1 R.L.G. Will Become A Training Station
  14. Desperately Needed Harvards Arrive
  15. Construction At Gananoque Airport
  16. Tragic Accidents Continue At NO. 31
  17. R.A.F. Schools Incorperated Into R.C.A.F.
  18. Too Many Young Lives Are Lost
  19. Unusual Story, But True
  20. Preparing For Night Flying
  21. Increased Training Costly
  22. Change Of Commanding Officer At NO. 1 R.L.G.
  23. State Of The Garden And Farm At NO. 31
  24. A Fond Farewell….
  25. The First Of The Tranferred R.C.A.F. Personnel Arrive
  26. Training of Pilots for a Canadian Fleet Air Arm
  27. Training Continues As New Year Begins
  28. The Contribution of the Fleet Air Arm to the Winning of the War

Get Started – Introduction

Coloured b/w photo of A/LA Wm. A. Martin, Bristol, England.