The story of the Dodge
One might wonder “Why is a civilian 1938 Dodge a display in a museum about the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan?” Well this one has an interesting story related to the BCATP!
William George Eaton Morgan, called Eaton by his family, bought and drove this car in and around Fort William, Ontario (where he lived) until he joined the RCAF. It was mentioned that Eaton and a friend drove it to Winnipeg and back to Fort William. Service records show that Eaton signed up in Winnipeg – perhaps on this trip. Eaton went through his training in the BCATP to become a bomb aimer in 418 Moose Jaw Squadron.
In December 1944, his Lancaster (KB765) was hit by flak and blew up. Eaton Morgan, aged 22, is listed on our Memorial Wall.
After Eaton’s death, his parents, who did not have a driver’s license, registered the car so that friends could drive them to the cottage and so on. At some point, Eaton’s mother obtained her license and drive the car on occasion. Eventually the car was given to Eaton’s cousin, Robert Quick, so that he would stay in school rather than quitting to earn money to buy a car. He took care of the car and chauffeured his Aunt in it until he donated the car to the CATP Museum as a tribute to his cousin, Eaton.
In the photos we see the Dodge and the interior as it is today in our museum. The B&W photos are of Eaton (2nd from the right) and 3 of his friends (top photo). The other photo was taken on July 11, 1943 (Eaton would have still been in Canada training). A handwritten note on the photo states: “Great Grandmother Morgan (center), Uncle George Morgan (right), Mr. and Mrs. Cross, driver unknown” Great Grandmother Morgan would be Eaton’s Grandmother and Uncle George was his father.
Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum & RCAF WWII Memorial 