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Larry, Hugh & Stocky recognized by SKIES!

By John Chalmers
CAHS Membership Secretary

Aviation in Canada book coverTwo long-time CAHS members known as historians and writers have collaborated on a new book about airmen of the First World War. Larry Milberry and Hugh Halliday have combined their talents to produce Aviation in Canada: Fighter Pilots and Observers 1915-1939.

Well known as a prolific writer and publisher through his company, CANAV Books, Larry has produced several books about Canadian Aviation. Hugh is a former RCAF officer whose column of aviators’ stories, “Rambling Through Records,” appears regularly in The Observair, the newsletter of the Ottawa CAHS chapter.

Their new book was launched on October 4 at the Royal Canadian Military Institute in Toronto and helps fill the gap about Canadian airmen in the Great War. To see the item about the book in the web site of SKIES magazine, and for ordering information, click here.

Hugh and Larry at RCMI

Above, author Hugh Halliday, left, signs a copy of the new book while co-author and publisher, Larry Milberry, right, chats with vintage aircraft restorer, Les Balla. (Photo courtesy of Gustavo and Clara Corujo)

Both Hugh and Larry are relentless pursuers of Canadian aviation history and have been featured as presenters in CAHS conventions. In 2004, Larry was inducted as Member of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame (CAHF) in recognition of his contributions to aviation literature.

Stocky and Spitfire

Also recognized recently by SKIES magazine is another Member of the Hall of Fame. James F. “Stocky” Edwards, CM, DFC, DFM, CD, a top fighter pilot with the RCAF during the Second World war. Now 97, he was honored again this summer. Stocky retired as a Wing Commander with the air force after 32 years of service. He is seen above in the Arnold Roseland Spitfire from the Michael Potter collection at Vintage Wings of Canada in Gatineau QC. (Photo courtesy of Heath Moffatt Photography)

In August at 19 Wing in Comox BC a celebration was held to welcome the Spitfire when the restored warbird was flown to Comox by pilot Dave Hadfield. Proceeds from the event went to the newly-established Stocky Edwards Legacy Trust. It is administered through the RCAF Association to provide financial incentives to young people in the Royal Canadian Air Cadet programs.

Y2K Spitfire

The “Y2K” Roseland Spitfire from Vintage Wings of Canada, a Corporate Partner of CAHS, added the sound of its Merlin engine to the celebration of its arrival at 19 Wing Comox, when the Stocky Edwards Legacy Trust was announced. After flying Kittyhawks and Spitfires in the Second World War, Stocky was delighted to see the Spitfire arrive, “But they wouldn’t let me fly it!” he says. See the fine story by Robert Erdos in SKIES magazine when you click here. When the site opens, the Hall of Fame video about Stocky also appears. (Photo courtesy of Heath Moffatt Photography)