Regional airport memorial garden receives council approval

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

A memorial garden with a full-size Spitfire model is one step closer to fruition after receiving conditional approval from Tillsonburg council.

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) released its proposal for the memorial garden earlier this year after the full-size model aircraft was donated to it. The garden will feature memorial bricks and seasonal plants. The original plan was to locate it between the airport’s terminal building and the association hangar.

Scott Gillies of the Oxford Historical Association led off the presentation, talking about the sacrifices of thousands of men and women during the war and how the memorial garden could be a tribute to all those who have served in the past and present.

“Tillsonburg Airport played a significant role in the aviation history of Canada by being a secondary relief field for the Number 14 Service Flight School of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan out of Aylmer during the Second World War,” he said.

The airport was built for use as a relief field as part of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Pilots received basic flight instruction at this base and were then transferred to other locations to refine their skills as fighter pilots, bomber pilots, navigators, or in other roles.

CHAA vice-president John Britton is heading up the project and spoke of the association’s 40-year history as a non-profit museum dedicated to preserving history. Amongst the group’s past presidents are Charley Fox, the Second World War fighter pilot credited with wounding German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel and Canadian astronaut Bjarni Treggvason.

Britton explained that the group was gifted the model Spitfire, one of the main fighter planes in the Second World War, by member Ray Whittemore, who owned K-W Surplus. He retired and allowed the association to have the plane if members undertook moving it.

“We thought why not use it as a centerpiece in a memorial garden at the airport,” Britton said.

The group talked about their plans, and had solid interest from area Legions, school groups and others. They approached the town’s Airport Advisory Committee, and were told to take their pitch to council.

Britton said members also talked to staff Windsor Parks and Recreation, where there is also a Spitfire on a pedestal in a park. They asked for engineering work to put the airplane on a a pedestal and submitted it to Tillsonburg’s engineering department. In recent days, the engineering staff suggested moving the location due to its proximity to the terminal building and underground services. They were also told soil samples may be necessary, and they may need at minor variance.

“What we would really like is a quiet place for reflection to honour the veterans who served here at CYTB,” Britton said, adding this will be completed at no cost to the town, and the association will maintain the garden.

President Walther Irie reinforced they weren’t asking council for money, just permission. Volunteers are lined up to provide labour, and will look after ongoing maintenance.

“This is part of a long-term plan to improve the airport; it’s just a step in it,” he said, promising to provide the rest of the plan in the future.

Deputy Mayor Dave Beres asked if the garden could be relocated later if the terminal building was expanded.

Britton said the base is eight feet by eight feet of concrete and can’t be easily relocated.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy told council that expansion of the terminal building is in the airport master plan in the future.

Coun. Chris Parker agreed this is a great opportunity for the town.

Coun. Chris Rosehart pointed out that the airport is in South-West Oxford and asked whether approval would come from the town or the rural municipality’s engineering department.

Gilvesy answered that the town has full authority on airport lands, and she was hopeful the project could be completed without a minor variance.

Council passed a motion to approve the project in principle.