New Zealand Pilots Visit Nova Scotia

Northern Advocate, 27 May 1941, Page 3

New Zealand Pilots Visit Nova Scotia

A large contingent of airmen from this country sailed away at the end of February, and 56 of them (comprising 14 pilot-officers and 43 sergeant-pilots) were later transported across Canada for embarkation from the eastern seaboard to England. They were quartered at a Nova Scotia depot, the welcome officer of which (Pilot-Officer Lincoln Fraser) made arrangements for them to be billeted for a whole week by the folk of New Glasgow, a town with a population of 10,000.

The Nova Scotians took the New Zealanders so closely to their hearts that there was a rush to accommodate them. The local newspaper stated that when the airmen eventually left by train on their return to the depot the C.N.R. platform was crowded as it had not been since King George and Queen Elizabeth passed through. And the Parkside Military Training Centre Band added to the gaiety of the scene. There were teardimmed eyes, too. “Kissing, of course,” was the caption to one of the paragraphs in the report of the farewell by the “News.” Another titling read: “New Zealanders promise to return home via New Glasgow.”

Homes Thrown Open

In making the public appeal for the townspeople to throw their homes open to our airmen, the manager of the National War Services’ Club (Mr. Richard Cholmondley) made these observations:—

“Their coming to Pictou County of Nova Scotia from New Zealand would be a sort of return visit from the famous emigration led by Rev. Norman MacLeod from here to Cape Breton and thence to New Zealand, where they settled and became leading citizens of the Dominion. Some of them may be able to trace their ancestry back here.”

In token of gratitude for the remarkable hospitality accorded to the airmen, Pilot-Officer A. F. McGruer sent to the Town Council a silver shield, mounted on an ebony base, bearing the inscription: “To the citizens of New Glasgow, presented by the New Zealanders in appreciation of a happy week, March 26 to April 1, 1941.”

When the shield, surmounted by the wings insignia of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, arrived at the home of Mayor Bannerman he immediately called a special meeting of the council for the following day to officially accept the gift.

Gift Appreciated

Mr. Bannerman issued this statement for publication after councillors had certified their appreciation of the spirit which prompted the action of the visitors, and of the sentiments expressed in the wording on the shield and in the letter which accompanied it:— “I feel very proud to accept this fine gift from the New Zealand boys. We were only too happy to extend hospitality to them and found every one of them a gentleman. Our homes were opened to them because we felt they deserved the best we could offer. Naturally we expected nothing in return other than the company of the boys which we enjoyed. So the arrival of this shield, coming as a complete surprise, makes us feel very happy in that it indicates we were successful in giving the airmen of the Empire a fine time. I am sure the citizens will feel about it as I do.” The council decided- the shield should be hung in the council room and the pictures of past councillors and Mayors will be rearranged to make room for it directly back of the Mayor’s seat, the most prominent spot in the chambers.

The shield was on exhibition in the “News” Office window for a week before going to the council chambers. The names of the New Zealand party were:

Pilot-Officers.—S. W. B. Brodie, D. Brook, D. S. N. Constance, J. F. Craig, M. A. Ensor, E. L. Haighton, T. W. M. Leckie, D. Miller, R. H. McCracken, A. F. McGruer (in change), F Reece, S. R. O. Richmond, J. M. Waddell | Sergeant-Pilots.—C. W. Andrews, C. B. Barton, G. F. Beaver, R. C. S. Beck. A. J. Black, D. J. Bradley, G. F. Breckan, J. R. Cairns, K. A. Cometti, C. G. A. Dale. W. S. Dashwood, G. Emerson, J. P. Farrow, W. J. Fulton, G. M. Goldfinch, A. R. Harris, L. G. Harrison, C. H. Howard, J. K. Immetson, M. R. B. Ingram L. H. Irvine, J. E. Jones, W. L. Knowles, W. M. Krebs, W. C. F. Leicester. W. G. Maid, A. G. Metcalf, W. L. Miller, A. G. Morgan, J.O. McCabe, J. G. E. McPhail, C. J. Neighbour". C. F. O. O’Connell, A. I. Paget, G. F. Reed, O. R. Smart, F. A. Sparks, V. E. Sutherland, L. A. Verrall, J. G. Vibert, J. M. Warnock, D. R. White, D. J. Williams.