FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2026
A Lifetime of Service: The remarkable story of Air Vice-Marshal Kenneth Gordon Nairn comes to life through the Museum’s collections during its free Remembrance Day Open House on November 11.
BRANDON, MANITOBA – From a young Manitoba soldier in the trenches of the First World War to a pioneering military aviator and one of the architects of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s wartime expansion, the extraordinary life of Air Vice-Marshal Kenneth Gordon Nairn is the subject of a new exhibition opening at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum (CATPM) on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Visitors are invited to discover this remarkable story during the Museum’s annual Remembrance Day Open House, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., with free admission for all.
Born in Scotland in 1898, Nairn immigrated to Canada with his family and grew up in Winnipeg. In 1916, he enlisted with Lord Strathcona’s Horse, eventually serving in the trenches of France before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps. He became a pilot, flying instructor, and combat aviator, surviving dangerous missions over the Western Front and earning recognition for five aerial victories.
But Nairn’s contributions to Canada’s military history extended far beyond the cockpit.
“What’s remarkable about Nairn’s story is the extraordinary range of his service,” said Lisa Dutton, Lead Researcher at CATPM. “He went from the trenches to flying combat missions over France, then returned to civilian life and built a career in accounting. When Canada needed to mobilize for another world war, that financial expertise became just as important as his experience in the air. His story reminds us that the road to victory wasn’t only fought in the skies or on the battlefield. It was also built through the work of people behind a desk.”
During the Second World War, Nairn helped establish the financial systems that supported the rapid expansion of the RCAF and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. His leadership contributed to one of the largest military training and mobilization efforts in Canadian history. At its peak, the RCAF Finance Division employed more than 3,600 personnel and administered approximately $820 million in pay and allowances.
The new exhibition draws upon the remarkable depth of CATPM’s collections, which include more than 50,000 archival and collection items, bringing visitors closer to the people behind Canada’s aviation history.
“One of the great strengths of our Museum is the extraordinary collection we care for right here in Brandon,” said Zoe McQuinn, Director General and CEO of CATPM. “We have the opportunity to tell history in deeply personal and meaningful ways. Nairn’s life is a wonderful example. Here is a Manitoba boy whose service spanned two world wars, from the trenches and the cockpit to the enormous responsibility of helping build Canada’s wartime air force. Through our collections, visitors can discover not just what he accomplished, but the remarkable life behind those accomplishments.”
The exhibition also explores Nairn’s continued commitment to veterans and their families after the war, reflecting a lifetime dedicated to service.
CATPM invites the community to experience the new exhibition, explore its historic aircraft and galleries, and join in honouring the service and sacrifice of those who came before us.
Remembrance Day Free Open House
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, Brandon, Manitoba
Admission is free.
About the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum
The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum is a National Historic Site dedicated to preserving the history of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and honouring those who served during the Second World War. Through its historic aircraft, exhibitions, archives, and the RCAF WWII Memorial, the Museum connects visitors with the people and stories that shaped Canada’s aviation heritage.
Media Contact:
Zoe McQuinn
DirectorGeneral@CATPM.onmicrosoft.com | 204-727-2444 | 204-901-4374
