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Nanaimo's Airport Terminal named after
Canadian World War II Ace
by Jerry W. Bird

Hidden away like a rare jewel inside Rutherford Mall on Nanaimo's northern outskirts is the Vancouver Island War Museum, a proud monument to Canadian heroism in this century. Here we learned the amazing story of Raymond Collishaw CB, DSO and Bar, OBE, DSC, DFC - a native son, in whose honour the Nanaimo Collishaw Air Terminal building will be dedicated on Oct. 2, 1999 at 2 pm. Mr. Collishaw epitomizes the get up and go spirit of those who contributed to the city's rise from a native village and dusty mining town, to today's attractive city. The following excerpts are from a story compiled by K.D Macdonald of Comox, OMM CD, a retired military Air Traffic Controller who served with the RCAF/CAF from 1947-1982.

- "Collishaw left school at age 15 and enlisted in the Canadian Fisheries Protection Service, which involved enforcement of fishery regulations along BC's coastal waters. He excelled in navigation and was selected to join the Scott Antarctic Expedition as a navigating officer."

- "Collishaw's 'B' Flight consisted solely of Canadians, and it was here that the famous "Black Flight" came into being. This group was destined to rival Richthofen's 'Flying Circus' for notoriety, and after two months flying operations, distinguished themselves by compiling an aggregate total of 87 enemy aircraft."

- "During June and July of 1917, Collishaw established one of the most amazing records of the war, when in a period of less than two months he destroyed 29 German aeroplanes. Only Richthofen exceeded this number over the same period and Collishaw's record stands first among British airmen"

- "Collishaw had become the top naval aviator of all times with a total of 60 enemy aircraft to his credit. Although shot down three times, he was never wounded and emerged from the war unscathed. He continued on with the RAF and served with distinction in World War II - attaining the rank of Air Vice Marshall."

- "Collishaw's place amongst fighter pilots cannot be assessed simply on the basis of comparative scores. Equally important were his ability to lead and to inspire others, both as a Flight and a Squadron commander, and the achievements of those units which he commanded. If these factors are taken into account, as indeed they must be, Collishaw was unsurpassed by any of the many Canadians who flew as fighter pilots during the first World War." Future generations can be proud of the airport terminal's new name.

Vancouver Island Military Museum
Ask about the Collishaw Memorial program, saluting
Western Canada's own world war 1 ace.
Rutherford Mall, Nanaimo
Contact Ted Brothers 250-756.2554

Nanaimo's Airport Manager active
with Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
Mark Lawson, A.A.E. became Airport Manager at Nanaimo Airport in June, 1999, after spending several years as Manager, Airport Operations & Maintenance. Previous to his moving to Nanaimo. Lawson was Operations Manager for the Oro Barrie-Orillia Regional Airport in Ontario. Regarding his current position, he says "I am confident that Nanaimo's recently resurfaced runway and taxiways will ensure the long-term viability of the airport well into the next millennium. Our airport Commission has always been very aggressive in its promotion, marketing and operations of the Nanaimo Airport. We have been on the leading edge of most of the changes and challenges facing airports today, and our success can be wholly attributed to these ongoing efforts."

Mark, who was educated at the Canadian Aviation Institute in Barrie, Ontario is also an officer in the Canadian Forces Air Reserve and a Commercial Pilot.

Since moving to Nanaimo, he has volunteered his time as an instructor and training officer with the Nanaimo Air Cadet Squadron, and is hoping to become active as a tow pilot with the Regional Gliding School in Comox next summer. Mark is also the BC correspondent for the Canadian Airport Management Magazine, where he reports on the activities of fellow airport operators in the province. With many things on the go, plans are being made for his coming marriage to Ms. Michelle Sartore of Nanaimo.

RCAF- Air Cadet Gliding School
Major Don Crocker 250.758.4616
Fall session began in September at Nanaimo Airport

Nanaimo Airport Online
http://www.island.net/~ycd