Flying Officer Given Warm Welcome

EDITOR’S NOTE: In recognition of Canada’s 150th anniversary, The Herald is reprinting historic stories from the South Okanagan focusing on the biggest news story of each year.

DECEMBER 5, 1940 — Throngs of people crowded Penticton’s Main street on Tuesday afternoon to give a rousing welcome to Flying Officer Bruce Millar, the first airman to return here from the “battle over Britain.”

The crowd that formed up in front of Penticton’s new municipal hall for the official speech of welcome numbered considerably more than two thousand.

Arranged in short order, the reception was one of the best organized efforts of the kind that Penticton has ever staged.

Less than 24 hours’ notice could be given, as it was not known if the flier would be well enough to take part in the ceremony until he had arrived at Sicamous. The man for whom the reception was planned, Flying Officer Bruce Millar, had his fighter plane shot down in flames in his first combat flight over Britain. After spending some weeks in hospital in England, he was sent to Canada, arriving in an Eastern Canadian port about two weeks ago. From there he travelled to Ottawa, to report to headquarters of the R.C.A.F. Leaving there a week ago by train, he travelled to Sicamous, where he was met by his Penticton friends. By 2:45 o’clock on Tuesday afternoon, all pupils of the Penticton schools were drawn up in front of the buildings. At the south end of the columns were the children of the primary grades, most of whom had flags. Pupils of upper elementary and high school classes were lined up on either side of Main street, farther north. Reaching down as far as Eckhardt Avenue, the other organizations included in the parade were also lined up on either side of the road.

Included in these were members of the Canadian Legion, the B.C. Women’s Service Corps, the Penticton Sea Cadets, Boy Scouts, and other similar groups. Three bands took part in the procession, including the Penticton Town Band, the Sea Cadets Band, and the Canadian Legion Pipe Band.

A few minutes prior to 3 o’clock, the sound of a siren on a police car warned that the guest of honour was approaching.

Photo courtesy Penticton Museum May Queen Mary Techy is surrounded by her princesses in this picture taken in 1940. Princesses were Dorothy Gray, Gladys Berryman, Lucille Moline and Joan Allen.