Pearce Aerodrome Memorial Plaque

[plaque/plaque]

PEARCE AERODROME

The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan established 110 Air Training Schools in Canada during WWII to train Commonwealth Airmen and Airwomen. Canada was the leader for this plan.

Located here, 6 km north of Pearce, Alberta was the home of the:

#36 Elementary Flying Training School (RAF)

March 30, 1942 to August 14, 1942

#3 Air Observer School (RCAF)

September 12, 1942 to June 6, 1943

#2 Flying Instructor School (RCAF)

May 3, 1943 to January 20, 1945

Pearce Aerodrome data: 49 degrees 50' 20" North Latitude, 113 degrees 15" 10' West of Greenwich, 3,132 feet (954.7 m) above sea level on Section 19, Township 10, Range 24, West of the 4th Meridian, Hard surfaced runways were: 3113 feet (949 m) long, 150 feet (45.7 m) wide

Thousands of Commonwealth airmen received advanced training skills here before being posted as instructors to other schools or to Theatres of War.

From the end of the war in 1945 until the early 1960's, this airfield was left to decay. Used only as a holding area, many war time bomber aircraft were stored and ultimately dismantled for scrap. The buildings were moved to new locations or were dismantled for materials used in construction of civilian structures in this area.

Today there is little to remind us of the glory days when #2 Flying Instructor School was mentioned in official military reports as

"The Western University of the Air"

This marker is dedicated to the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their countries and of our freedom, and honours all those who served or trained at the Pearce Aerodrome.

Erected in 1999 for the

LETHBRIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

with assistance from 783 Calgary Wing RCAFA and the General Stewart Branch #4 Royal Canadian Legion