The snow has been falling for several hours now on Pennfield Ridge blanketing the large expansive blueberry barrens that once bore witness to an active World War II Air Station. The snow, for the second time this year, is also cascading down upon on the so-called “RCAF Station Pennfield Ridge 100” memorial project. I say so-called as the project has gone through 4-5-6 variations in its name in a relative short period of time.
The wind, as it has done for over eighty years now, rumbles across Pennfield Ridge as once did the Canadian Pacific Railway train, the Blueberry Special. However, these days the wind no longer carries the haunting sound of a lonesome train whistle but more poignantly transports the forgotten voices of those who served/trained upon this hallow piece of ground.
The ticking cadence of history’s clock, albeit brief, contains a long overdue promise, especially to the “Forgotten Heroes”, to have their respective names immortalized in stone. The said voices rejoiced euphorically at this renewed promise much like they did in 1945 when V-J Day was announced at “the Ridge”. On 15-August-1945 a dance was held in the N.C.O. Mess along with a beautiful display of pyrotechnics in the evening to celebrate this joyous occasion.
Sadly, however, the elation pertaining to the said renewed promise was very short lived as numerous mistakes, errors and omissions quickly began to appear right out of the gate that was once located on Barker Street (named after the most decorated Canadian of WWI William George Barker, VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Two Bars). The voices, emoting twinges of sadness, cried out for anyone to assist in correcting the inaccuracies before they were set forever in stone, especially pertaining to the Royal Air Force’s vast contributions to the histories of Yarmouth & Pennfield Ridge. Those who stepped forward to assist were laughed at, ridiculed as untrained military historians and were belittled at every turn.
Review by Pennfield Parish Military Historical Society, 07-June-2024.
| SET IN STONE | SERVICE FILES |
| ALLEN, Joseph Cletus, Flying Officer | ALLEN, Pilot Officer Joseph Cletus |
| BURLEY, Herbert Thomas Campbell, Warrant Officer 1 | BURLEY, Warrant Officer Class I Thomas Herbert Campbell |
| ELIOTT, Gerald John, Aircraftman 1 | ELIOTT, Aircraftman Class I Gerald John |
| HOOPLE, Allan, Leading Aircraftman | HOOPLE, Leading Aircraftman James Allan |
| MacNEIL, Sergeant Daniel Hillary | MacNEIL, Flight Sergeant Daniel Hillary |
| McQUARRIE, John Parker, Warrant Officer 2 | McQUARRIE, Warrant Officer Class II John Parker |
| SUTHERLAND, Pilot Officer Stanley Evan | SUTHERLAND, Flying Officer Stanley Evan |
| WHITE, Albert Stanford, Flight Lieutenant, DFC | WHITE, Flight Lieutenant Albert Stanford, DFC |
| Sixteen (16) airmen listed were stationed at No.34 O.T.U. Detachment, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia at the times of their deaths, and, as such, should be memorialized on the Yarmouth memorial, not the Pennfield Ridge memorial. | |
| Six civilians killed here are not listed. | |
As a long-time supporter once remarked: “People can make mistakes, fine, but when presented with facts, I certainly believe in accuracy.”. Accuracy took a back seat in this case for expedience in meeting deadlines. True history was swept under the carpet in the honest belief that only family members of the “Forgotten Heroes” and real historians would know the difference.
Here is hoping spring brings a renewed sense to the long-forgotten promise, but perhaps the assurance is forever buried in depths of winter, simply a forgotten relic forgotten in the passage of time.
Christian Larsen currently serves as President of Pennfield Parish Military Historical Society. He has been actively involved in researching the genealogical & military history of Pennfield Parish for nearly four decades. From 2009 until 2017 he hosted the annual Pennfield Ridge War Memorial Services. Recognized at the provincial & federal levels for his work with Veterans having been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012); Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (2023); Minister of Veteran Affairs Commendation (2024) & King Charles III’s Coronation Medal (2025). He can be reached at: ppmhsociety@gmail.com
