Sunderland flying boat squadron to be remembered
Plans to commemorate the 80th anniversary of a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron founded at Ganavan are ready for take off.
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Officer Bill Thomey of the No. 423 Squadron now based in Nova Scotia says the visit to Oban on Wednesday May 18 ‘where it all began,’ will certainly be one of the biggest highlights of a special anniversary tour.
May 18 is the exact date when the squadron was founded at Ganavan, equipped with Sunderland flying boats for wartime operations over the Atlantic.
Nowadays the unit operates advanced CH-148 Cyclone helicopter from Royal Canadian Navy ships and is based at
Shearwater, Nova Scotia.
‘I have never been to Oban before but I’ve always wanted to visit. Since I first joined 423 Sqn back in 2006, with multiple postings in-between, I was always interested in our squadron’s history and to honour those who build the foundation of our squadron’s legacy.
‘We will not only be visiting Oban, but also Castle Archdale in Northern Ireland as a part of our visit, as that is where 423 Sqn also operated their Sunderland flying boats from during WWII. However, Oban will is where is all started and will certainly be one of the biggest highlights on our trip,’ said Lt Col Thomey.
He will be joined by a few others from the squadron’s leadership team as well as its historian and former commanding officer Colonel, now retired, John Orr. As well as intending to lay wreaths in remembrance of fallen squadron mates at memorials at Ganavan Sands and on Oban Esplanade, they also hope to visit the Sunderland Gate memorial on Kerrera. A visit to Oban War and Peace Museum and to Dungallan Country House, used as a RAF station HQ during the second world war, is also on the cards.
‘Due to the pandemic and operational tempo of the squadron, we will not be able to bring as many people as we would have liked; however, our small contingent will ensure that we mark the occasion appropriately and bring home many pictures and stories from our visit in order to share them with our squadron when we return.’
To mark the 80th Anniversary, the squadron has also commissioned a painting called Eagle over Oban. A framed print will be presented to the War and Peace Museum while the original is kept at the squadron’s own HQ.
Oban War and Peace Museum chairman of directors Fergus Gillanders is looking forward to welcoming the Canadian visitors and, if time allows, hopes the group will also be able to visit Pennyfuir cemetery on the outskirts of town where six Royal Canadian Air Force personnel are buried. Ganavan and Oban Heritage Group is also hoping work will have started on a Sunderland mural being painted by Oban High School pupils.