Sep 10, 2024

84th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Updated: Nov 13, 2024

COMMEMORATION CEREMONY ON THE 84TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN AT THE AIR FORCE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE IN STANLEY PARK, VANCOUVER, B.C. ON 8 SEPTEMBER, 2024

Featured from the desk of the regimental secretary of the BC Regiment (DCO) Association.

Used with permission. Special thanks to Steven Ko.

The annual Battle of Britain Ceremony, sponsored by the Battle of Britain Memorial Fund and the Air Force Officers’ Association (“AFOA”), was conducted at the Air Force Garden of Remembrance in Stanley Park in the early afternoon of Sunday, 8 September 2024.

The Ceremony was very well attended and included a large turnout by RCAF Air Cadets (59 Vancouver, 111 Pegasus, 135 Bell-Irving and 888 Avenger, RCAC Squadrons), a contingent of Cadets from the USAF Civil Air Patrol Squadron in Bellingham, the Band of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment (RCA), a contingent of the Pipes & Drums of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada and a Flag Party from ANAVETS, Pacific Unit # 280 and the Royal Canadian Legion. The Reviewing Officer for the Parade was RCAF Honorary Colonel, Dr. Robert Quartermain, 19 Wing RCAF Comox.

The program featured Preliminary Music by the 15th Field Band, the Assembly, a Land Acknowledgement and welcome by the Master of Ceremonies, AFOA President, Major Bob Reid, CD (Ret’d), the Presentation of the Lamp of Brotherhood, Opening Remarks from the Park Board Commissioner, Brennan Bastyovansky, an address and inspection by Colonel Quartermain, a Plaque presentation and dedication honouring the Royal Canadian Air Cadets for their service during World War II and for their ongoing training of future Aerospace Leaders by Captain Allan Snowie, CD (Ret’d) and the official unveiling of the Plaque by the Reviewing Officer, the singing of the National Anthem, a Benediction by Padre Major Wes Bowers, CD, the recitation of “High Flight” by WO2 Brosseau, the Last Post, a Moment of Silence, the Lament and Reveille, the General Salute, the singing of God Save the King by Battalion Chief, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service, Dan McLelland and the concluding March Past.

The Parade Commander was Major Tim Alguire, and the Cadet Commander was WO1 Sherman. Major Derrick Gee, CD, the Regional Area Officer Commanding Lower Mainland Regional Cadet Support Unit was also in attendance.

The Ceremony was preceded by an enjoyable brunch at the Stanley Park Pavilion for invited guests of the Air Force Officer’ Association.

Special guests included Joe Geraghty, Public Diplomacy Officer (US Consulate), Colonel Keith Maxwell, OMM, CD, (Ret’d), President of RUSI, Vancouver, Lieutenant-Colonel Jean Francois Vallee, USAF Civil Air Patrol, Captain Ravi Gill, USAF Civil Air Patrol Squadron (Bellingham), Donna Twemlow, Commemoration Division, Veterans Affairs Canada, Major Dan Thomas, CD (Ret’d), DND Manager (Western Region-Senior Communications Advisor) and RCL President of Billy Bishop, Dr. Richard Vedan, UBC Associate Professor Emeritus/First Nations Advisor, Don Chapman, author of “The Lost Canadians” and former Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, Ted Hawthorne.

To access the original article from the September 9th edition of the BCR News and review the photography, please click below and scroll to page 20.