Author Archives: bilyreid

CAMP X

Posted on October 22, 2012 by bilyreid

Driving home from Niagara last week, I made a determined effort to finally locate Camp X of WWII spy fame. Laugh out loud!! Turns out to be a 15 minute walk from my favourite Lake Ontario bird watching location, Thickson’s … Continue reading →

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BATTLE OF QUEENSTON HEIGHTS

Posted on October 18, 2012 by bilyreid

October 13th was the 200 anniversary of the Battle of Queenston Heights, first major British and Canadian victory in the War of 1812. Lose Queenston and you lose Canada…..it was just that simple! Since one of my ancestors actually fought … Continue reading →

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MITCHELL BOMBER

Posted on October 6, 2012 by bilyreid

The Mitchell Bomber was the star of the Doolittle Raid over Tokyo. Although the Raid was but a military pin prick, it’s symbolic value in the aftermath of Pearl Harbour cannot be overestimated. Before the Raid, America was losing the … Continue reading →

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BRITISH HOME CHILD DAY

Posted on September 29, 2012 by bilyreid

September 28 is the annual British Home Child Day in Ontario as established by a bill passed in the Provincial Legislature one year ago. Preamble to the Bill states that, “Between 1869 and the late 1940s, during the child emigration … Continue reading →

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FOR JACK

Posted on September 24, 2012 by bilyreid

Several years ago, Jack Sloan, an in-law of my brother, took the two of us on a tour of the Canadian Warplane Museum at the Mount Hope airport in Hamilton, Ontario. This museum has to be one of the best … Continue reading →

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WHAT DO RUSTIES EAT??

Posted on September 22, 2012 by bilyreid

Good question. Never gave it much thought. But after spending an hour with a cooperative pair of Rusty Blackbirds on the shores of the Ottawa river, I think I now have a good idea.

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LANCASTER BOMBER

Posted on September 21, 2012 by bilyreid

LANCASTER BOMBER FLYPAST Mastery of the four engine bomber which allowed for heavier bomb loads and greater range by America, Britain and Canada proved the undoing of the Third Reich which had no answer to their lethality. Originally built in … Continue reading →

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LOCKHEED ELECTRA

Posted on September 19, 2012 by bilyreid

TRANS CANADA AIRLINES Forerunner to today’s Air Canada, TCA’s first aircraft was a 10 passenger Lockheed Electra. First route served was between Vancouver, BC and Seattle, Washington.

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AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER

Posted on September 18, 2012 by bilyreid

Major find of the day was a solitary Golden plover in residual breeding plumage on a rocky shoal a couple of hundred yards off the edge of the Ottawa river. This plumage was a first here in Ottawa not only … Continue reading →

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GATINEAU EN VOL – 2012

Posted on September 17, 2012 by bilyreid

Once again, the airport in Gatineau, Quebec, across the river from Ottawa was home to the impressive Wings Over Gatineau airshow. This year’s show was a two day event, so naturally I chose the anniversary of  “Battle of Britain” Sunday. … Continue reading →

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