Features – Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum & RCAF WWII Memorial

Press Release: Transformative Legacy Gift from the Late John Balushak

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECommonwealth Air Training Plan Museum Announces Transformative Legacy Gift from the Late John Balushak Brandon, MB — January 9, 2026The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum (CATPM) is honoured to announce a remarkable legacy gift of $1.6 million from the late John Balushak, a long-time supporter, life member, and friend of the museum. AContinue reading “Press Release: Transformative Legacy Gift from the Late John Balushak”

War Cake Recipe: A Taste of History

Archives volunteer, Lisa, came across a recipe for “war cake”, so she made one for us to try at the volunteer lunch this month. To recreate an authentic feel, the story and recipe were written out – by hand! The cake was enjoyed by volunteers. If you try it yourself, please let us know howContinue reading “War Cake Recipe: A Taste of History”

Comics in the Second World War: “The Golden Age of Comics” in Canada

This post was written by Rory M., one of our summer students before he left to return to BU. Rory is a Music major at Brandon University. While they didn’t fly, have capes, gadgets, or coloured ink, for Canadian kids of the 1940s, Canadian-made superheroes lived even larger than the Avengers. Drawn by Canadian artists,Continue reading “Comics in the Second World War: “The Golden Age of Comics” in Canada”

Construction of BCATP Schools

This post was written by Rory M., one of our summer students. Rory is a Music major at Brandon University. Upon the declaration of war by the British and subsequently, Canada, the beginning of the Second World War saw one of the most magnificent construction projects in Canadian history, the British Commonwealth Air Training PlanContinue reading “Construction of BCATP Schools”

Sporting During WWII and Athletics in the RCAF

This post was written by Rory M., one of our summer students. Rory is a Music major at Brandon University. While WWII changed the experiences of Canadian life in almost all ways, in Canada and other Allied nations sports remained as an escape from the tragedy of war and became an important morale booster. DuringContinue reading “Sporting During WWII and Athletics in the RCAF”