Royal Canadian Air Force Memorial Gates - CFB Trenton ON
Posted by: 
jiggs11
N 44° 06.584 W 077° 31.875
18T E 297431 N 4887176
Memorial gates in honour of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
Waymark Code: WMF7K6
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 09/05/2012
Views: 8
The RCAF Memorial Gates were dedicated in 1949, ten years after the establishment of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) in December, 1939. At that time, representatives of The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand signed an agreement whereby the masjority of all allied aircrew training would be conducted in Canada.
From its inception to conclusion over 131,000 airmen received instrucxtion at airfields throughout Canada. In addition to the 4 original nations, personnel from countries such as Fiji, Poland, France and the United States also received training before transfer to overseas theatres.
The gates were given to the RCAF by the governments of the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand in appreciation for the RCAFS untiring efforts during the life of the BCATP.
The concrete block enclose contains in French and English the quote
from A.E. Houseman.s poem "Epitaph on an Army of Mercenaries (XXXVI)"
"Their shoulders held the sky suspended
They stood, and earth's foundations stay."
The blocks also contain the English and French inscriptions:
These gates have been given to the Royal Canadian Air Force by the governments of the United Kingdom Australia and New Zealand to commemorate their partnership with Canada in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and the service of the airmen who helped to bring victory to the Allied cause in the Second World War.
1939 - 1945
Location of this 'Gate': On public property
Type of material: Iron
Enter any comments or observation about this gate.: The Gates have only been open 6 times since 1949.
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