From the 'President's Message", Fall 1978 issue of the CAHS Journal

"PUNCH" DICKINS NAMED PATRON OF CAHS

The word 'Patron' denotes a 'champion, advocate or supporter' and it is the custom of volunteer organizations to appoint such ambassadors of good-will to "advocate" and "support" the aims of the Society. The subject was put forward at a meeting of the CAHS Executive Committee in 1977 as a fifteen-year milestone in our own organization.

The name of C. H. 'Punch' Dickins came up immediately for he is not only well known and respected in the industry, but had taken a major role in the development of aviation in Canada. He has also been a member of CAHS for many years and is well acquainted with our objectives and achievements. When it was considered that the year 1978 is the fiftieth anniversary of his famous first flight over the Canadian "Barrens" in the Fokker G-CASK, it seemed more than appropriate that we invite him to the honorary position of "Patron" in recognition of this special anniversary.

The matter received unanimous approval by the Board of Directors on 15 March 1978 and full endorsement at the annual meeting in Ottawa on 3 June 1978. A special scroll was prepared and it was hoped that Punch might be able to attend the Ottawa meeting to receive the honour personally, As this was not possible, an even more appropriate presentation was planned with the help of Jerry Vernon, President of the Vancouver and District Chapter. Jerry was at the meeting in Ottawa and it was arranged that the presentation chould take place in the west, with many of Punch's early associates in attendance.

And so it was that a "Punch Dickins Night" was organized for 12 September 1978 in the Arts Centre, Richmond, B. C. as the first Chapter meeting in the new season. The event was well publicized and received the full cooperation of the Vancouver aviation fraternity. Punch was flown from Victoria through the courtesy of Pacific Western Airlines and arrived in time to tour the Pacific Vocation Institute. He was highly impressed with the training and had an opportunity to talk to many of the students in the aviation trades.

The meeting in the Richmond Arts Centre, 7671 Minoru Gate, that evening was a complete success, with an attendance count of 91. The large crowd included guests from the Quarter Century in Aviation Club and a number of those in attendance had their first introduction to CAHS. Many of this group were Punch's colleagues from the Western Canada Airways and Canadian Pacific Airlines days, Bert Fields, Pat Semple, Fernando Vachon and Bill Irvine to name but a few. Also in attendance was Mayor Gil Blair of Richmond, plus a reporter and photographer from the Richmond Review.

The programme began with a film on early Canadian aviation which had been prepared for Punch by the Canadian Aviation and Space Institute in 1967. He narrated the film personally and followed with an account of his "Barrens" flight in which he paid. high tribute to the mechanics and air engineers of fifty years ago. The timing of the meeting was most appropriate, for it was on 9 September 1928 that Punch returned to Winnipeg from his famous flight after twelve days, 3 956 miles and 37 hours of flying. An interesting discussion among the old-timers in the audience covered many early incidents, including the burning of G-CASK in 1933 during a refuelling operation. Fortunately these gems of history by the participants were captured on tape for the growing audio library of CAHS. In thanking Punch for an enjoyable evening, Jerry Vernon presented him with the scroll as Patron and Honorary Life Member of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society. The little ceremony was recorded by the many photographers in attendance and a full page story appeared later in the Richmond Review.

The Guest of Honour returned that evening via Pacific Western Airlines to his retirement home in Victoria where he and Mrs. Dickins recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. The entire membership of CAHS extend their best wishes.

F. W. Hotson

'Punch" is also featured in our CAHS Journal - Summer 1994 and our CAHS Journal - Spring 2003 issues which can be ordered from our Publications page.

return to front page