RCAF 100th Event April 8th, 2024

Story and Photos by Wes Krause,
CAHS Medicine Hat Chapter President
posted May 2024

In mid-January while sharing a lunch with our Medicine Hat Chapter Secretary, members of the Friends of the Monarch Society and a local Veteran, the topic of discussion was the Centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The agreed concept was that the Chapter should organize an event to commemorate this important time in history. Contacts were established for a venue and an event program was discussed. As the weeks/months progressed, we decided a feature film presentation may not be the best plan, but rather a series of historical film clips. This program would keep the audience’s interest and convey the message we wanted to highlight.

A date for the event was set and the oldest operating movie theatre in Canada (opened in 1911), was selected as the venue. Since the actual anniversary date was Easter Monday, the week after was selected. Additionally, we discussed the concept with a local band who would contribute to the night by playing a selection of 40’s era tunes.

With the theatre and band booked the work on posters and advertising began in earnest. An accomplished local graphic artist spent several weeks designing everything we needed, including the program. Printing was done by a local company whose quality of work was amazing! We spread posters across the region and sent out the digital posters to all our contacts. The event was open to everyone in the community through free admission, and a donation box was set up with proceeds going to the Medicine Hat Family, Fun and Flight event in July.

A few days before the event the local Amateur Radio Club stepped up with an offer to broadcast the event. The Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, No. 15 Medicine Hat, also agreed to supply a few ushers. The work of the Monarch Theater Projections Technician was amazing as he set-up the film clips to transition seamlessly and smoothly. Branch No. 17 Royal Canadian Legion, Medicine Hat provided materials for the event and Rogers Cable generously offered to record the event.

Our treasurer secured corporate sponsorships and several private individuals also made donations. Our chapter provided an initial budget to work with though, in the end, we did not require much of the chapter funds.

The program began with tunes from The After Dark Band while the audience made their way into the theatre. A brief introduction to the history of the theater and the RCAF was presented prior to the film clips. On April 8th, 1941, No. 34 Service Flying Training School of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan was officially opened in Medicine Hat, making the date of our event serendipitous. The last remaining piece of equipment from that Second World War base is still in functional existence…the Wind Tee.

The program featured a series of short clips on the RCAF 100th Committee, The Golden Hawks, The Avro Arrow, The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, No. 1 Tactical Wing, The RCAF Search and Rescue, and finally a clip on the Snowbirds. There was specific mention of the promotional activities of the RCAF 100th Committee as well. Subsequently, there was a Legion cheque presentation to the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, No. 15 Squadron, received by the Commanding Officer of the Squadron. General recognition of past and present serving RCAF members and Air Cadets also took place.

RCAF Ensign.

Before the event began, one of the programs being distributed was specially marked. The holder of this program received a special gift of an RCAF Ensign. This was won by a serving junior Air Cadet. This incredible evening closed with the band playing as the audience slowly departed.

The event had around 175 in attendance, which we considered to be a great success! The Amateur Radio club broadcast was picked by listeners in Wisconsin, North Carolina, eastern Canada, a mobile unit on Highway 287 between Dallas, Texas to Choteau, Montana and a listener from Queenstown, possibly New Zealand.

RCAF 100th flags.

Madam Mayor Linnsie Clark signing a proclamation declaring April 11th as RCAF Centennial Day.

The week prior to the event we petitioned the City of Medicine Hat to raise the RCAF Ensign and the RCAF 100th flags in honour of the Centennial; both of which flew for the week following the event. On April 10th the Mayor of the City of Medicine Hat, Madam Mayor Linnsie Clark signed a proclamation declaring April 11th as RCAF Centennial Day.

The RCAF ensign and RCAF 100th Flags were then collected and flown at the Legion’s Veteran’s Dinner, April 27th, which was dedicated to the RCAF Centennial. There was a historical display set up as well as a presentation featuring a few of the clips shared at our event.

There are many people and organizations to thank as it was their dedication and work that made the event a success.

Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors:

Click Here to return to the articles page.