The RCAF WWII Memorial Wall: “They Grew Not Old”
During the Second World War thousands of young Canadian men and women enlisted, as well as some from other countries, in the Royal Canadian Air Force. By the end of WWII the R.C.A.F. was the fourth largest air force in the world. Canadians also joined the Royal Air Force, Naval Fleet Air Arm and Ferry Command. Between September 1939 and August 1945, 18,039 died serving these British Commonwealth Forces. Members of the Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Britain’s Royal Air Force came to Canada to further their training, of whom 1146 lost their lives in or near Canada.
This 300-foot airfoil-shaped granite wall is watched over by a bronze airman. The names and ages of these young men and women have been etched on this wall as a permanent tribute to the ultimate sacrifice they made for our freedom.
The wall was unveiled on September 10, 2014 – the 75th anniversary Canada’s entry into WWII. There is no fee to visit the wall, and it provides a wonderful spot for remembrance and contemplation.
If you wish to search for a particular name on the wall, this link will open a folder of pdf documents with the names organized alphabetically.
Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum & RCAF WWII Memorial 