The guest speaker at the Society programme on October 25th, 2016 was Dr. Robert Galway (Orthopedic Surgeon, Geologist and Author) of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society.

He spoke about 16 early airfields in Toronto and showed many photographs that related to the fascinating history of early aviation in the GTA. He mentioned that when Charles Willard took off from Scarboro Beach Park on September 7th, 1909 that it was the 1st public flight in Canadian history. In 1915 Curtiss Aeroplanes and Motors Ltd. established Canada’s first aerodrome and flying school at Long Branch and it was managed by John M.D. McCurdy, Canada’s first aviator. He related an interesting story about Canada’s first airmail delivery that took place at the Leaside aerodrome in 1918. Even Scarborough’s ill-fated airfield that was run by the Imperial Flying Club and operated for only 2 days in May 1928 was mentioned.

The Scarborough Historical Society hosts programmes on the 4th Tuesday of each month from January to April and from September to November. All programmes begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Bendale Public Library and are free and open to the public.

-Toronto’s 1st airplane crash-1911-Donlands Farm, Todmorden Mills

The guest speaker for our programme on September 27 2017 will be Bev Dietrich. Curator of Guelph Museums including Guelph Civic Museum and McCrae House, birthplace of WW1 poet John McCrae of ‘In Flanders Fields’. The history of the toilet.

There is a group doing a research project to find photos and information on all 564 soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Canada (Toronto Regiment) who landed at Dieppe on August 19, 1942.  Next year is the 75^th anniversary of the Raid and their plan is to put together a book honouring each man with a photo and a short bio.

Although these soldiers were mostly from Toronto, many came from communities all over Ontario. Check out their website:   http://www.dieppebluebeach.ca/  and their Facebook page: “Dieppe Blue Beach Every Man Remembered”.

They have 100% support of The Royal Regiment of Canada.