In Memorium: Remembering Dr. Frederick Hunt 1923-2021

In the midst of the pandemic, unbeknownst to us, we lost Dr. Fred Hunt at the age of 97. Former curator, Maya Hirschman, had two opportunities to interview Fred in 2013 and 2014 and she remembers those interviews as poignant and profound, altering her understanding of radar mechanics’ roles as he described his work in mobile radar on the front lines. She remembers him as a quiet, kind, and intelligent man, whose experiences in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands left their mark without ever undermining his deep compassion for his peers and civilians alike. Maya and all of us at SORM offer our sincere condolences to Fred’s family and friends. We know he’ll be missed.

Below is an excerpt from his Obituary (link here):

HUNT, Frederick
(Normandy Veteran - French Legion of Honour)

Passed away peacefully in Ottawa on July 10, 2021 at the age of 97 years. Frederick Hunt, loving husband of the late Alice (née Emond). Born on October 6, 1923 in Port Hope, Ontario son of the late Roy and Elsie (née Jewell). Predeceased by his brothers Jack, Ted and Reese of Port Hope, ON. Predeceased also by his sister-in-law Carol of Baltimore, On. Fondly remembered by his niece and 5 nephews. Frederick spent many dedicated years as a RCAF/RAF radar technician from 1941-1946. He later studied and received his BSc, MSc., and PhD from the university of Western Ontario in the years 1947-1955. After university, he spent 31 years with the National Research Council involving Research and Development of radar and its applications.

In Memorium: Charles "Charlie" Murfin Jackson, May 7, 2021

We were deeply saddened to learn of Charlie Jackson’s recent passing. Charlie was a founder of this museum, and for many years he was a regular presence giving tours and answering questions. Intelligent, articulate, warm, and jovial, Charlie delighted in telling stories of his time as a radar mechanic and instructor during the Second World War, and his memory for technical radar and electronic specifications was exceptional. He was a teacher at heart and his passion for sharing knowledge was evident no matter who he spoke to. Charlie’s final visit to the museum was in 2018 when he gave a talk to a large group of Girl Guides who sat in rapt attention. We owe Charlie a great debt of gratitude for all the time he put in to make SORM the place it is today, and for his willingness to share his experiences. Our sincere condolences to his family, especially his wife Jean, who often accompanied him to the museum and although she must have heard his stories dozens of times, never lost her enthusiasm and always encouraged him to talk more. The family has graciously asked that expressions of sympathy and donations be made to the Secrets of Radar Museum or the Alzheimer Society through London Cremation Services (519-672-0459 or at www.londoncremation.com).

Charlie Jackson speaking to a visiting Girl Guide troupe, November 8, 2018.

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Charlie Jackson’s Obituary, from the London Free Press:

Charles (Charlie) Murfin Jackson passed away peacefully at Parkwood Veteran's Institute on May 7, 2021, in his 101st year. Charles was the beloved husband of Jean Jackson, to whom he was happily married since May 21, 1949, and the dear father of Brian Jackson (wife Joyce), Carolyn Wright (husband Charlie), Nancy Wiebe and Louise Hush (husband John). He was the proud grandfather of ten and great-grandfather of eleven. Charlie was a WWII radar instructor, an electronics teacher, Principal of the Western Ontario Institute of Technology, and Vice President of St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario. In his long retirement, he enjoyed playing golf and bridge, and dancing with his wife Jean and with the many friends they made through those activities. He also was a lifelong, active member of the Kiwanis Club in London and Windsor. The radar museum in London was a keen interest for him. Jean and Charlie enjoyed an independent life up until the past few years. Jean was a loving and devoted partner as Charlie transitioned to Veteran's Care at Parkwood. In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date to reflect upon and to celebrate Charlie's life. Email louise.hush@gmail.com for details. Expressions of sympathy and donations would be appreciated and may be made to the Radar Museum of London or the Alzheimer Society through London Cremation Services (519-672-0459 or at www.londoncremation.com). Very special thanks to the attentive staff and Dr. Borrie at Parkwood. Through the pandemic, they have been an amazing support to Charlie's mental and physical wellbeing.

Published on May 12, 2021

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Obituary shared by St. Clair College: Charles Jackson was a trailblazer

May 12, 2021

Charles (Charlie) Jackson, who became head of the Western Ontario Institute of Technology (which was the predecessor to St. Clair College), died at his retirement home in London on May 7. He was 100.

Mr. Jackson became the principal of the Western Ontario Institute of Technology (W.O.I.T.) in 1960 and served until 1966. He served as St. Clair College’s Vice President – Academic from 1967 to 1978,

Mr. Jackson oversaw the transition of WOIT (which was located on Mercer Street in Windsor) to St. Clair College, under the provincial legislation creating a network of Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology back in the late 1960s.

He once told a reporter that the success of the community college initiative was a source of pride for him. He noted that the year before the South Windsor land acquisition where St. Clair now sits, W.O.I.T graduated 80 students but there were 120 jobs waiting for them.

“Our students were already able to talk on their bosses’ level,” he said at the time.  “We were proving that we offered a concentrated and job-oriented education for people who wouldn’t or couldn’t go to university.  Our students were adults and we treated them as adults……and it paid off. “

Mr. Jackson moved to London after his retirement. He leaves behind his wife Jean, four children, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

St. Clair President Patti France honoured Mr. Jackson as a trailblazer and someone who cared deeply about the College. “W.O.I.T. built the foundation for St. Clair College to continue the work of providing a place for students to advance their education, find jobs in their fields and contribute to their communities.”

In September of 2014, the College named the road in front of the Ford Centre of Excellence in Manufacturing (FCEM) at our main campus, Chas Jackson Way in his honour. His portrait is displayed on the wall of Griffin Hall (across from our College bookstore) alongside the portraits of the past College Presidents.

In Memorium: Jacob Julien Olson, 1921-2020

Julien Olson, as he was known to us, was a good friend to the museum. He passed away on June 24, 2020, just days away from his 99th birthday.

Originally from Alberta, Julien joined the RCAF in 1941 and successfully completed his training as a radar mechanic. Unlike many of his colleagues who were posted in multiple places and theatres, Julien served overseas in Britain for the duration, proudly supporting first the RAF Pathfinder 109 Squadron’s twin-engined Vickers Wellington medium bombers and then the legendary de Havilland Mosquito light bombers as a radar technician. The use of blind-bombing system Oboe was pioneered in the Mosquito; Oboe’s high accuracy enabled the Pathfinders to mark targets and was crucial to the success of the RAF's campaign against the Ruhr. The squadron continued performing marking duties until the end of the war, including the last raid on Berlin on 21 April 1945, as well as supply drops into the Netherlands near the war’s end. While overseas, Julien met the love of his life, Lilian, an RAF WAAF. They were married in September, 1945, and she returned with him to Western Canada. They eventually settled in Ottawa, where Julien, a trained architect, began a new career with the Federal Department of Public Works.

In 2013, Julien organised a radar luncheon so that former SORM curator, Maya Hirschman, could interview a dozen WWII radar mechanics and operators. Julien made sure she was well looked after and that as many veterans were there as possible. She returned in 2014 to carry out a couple deeper interviews, and again, Julien, along with his daughter Christine, was a terrific host. He also arranged for the museum’s H2X radar unit to travel from Ottawa to London, where it is proudly displayed. Several artefacts belonging to Julien are displayed at the museum that document his ingenuity, which was indicative of radar mechanics as a whole, including a small ammeter he built from the cannibalised parts of broken equipment warehoused on a base in England.

We at the museum will sincerely miss Julien—his dedication and generosity—and are eternally grateful for his decision to involve himself in the goings-on at SORM.

You can read Julien’s full obituary published in the Ottawa Citizen.

Left to right: David Barlow (donor of the H2X), former curator Maya Hirschman, radar veteran Roy Taylor, and radar veteran Julien Olson, 2014.

In Memorium: William "Bill" Ireland, WWII radar veteran

William “Bill” Ireland, August 2014. Credit: Maya Hirschman for Secrets of Radar Museum

It is with sadness we report the passing of Bill Ireland, one of the Secrets of Radar Museum’s veterans. Bill recorded an oral history in August 2013 with then curator, Maya Hirschman. Bill, born in Saskatchewan, graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree in Chemistry. He joined the RCAF in 1940, serving as a Radar Mechanic and was, like many of the first 6,000, loaned to the Royal Air Force. Bill began his radar training on Chain Home early detection radar, but in June 1943 he was sent to RAF No. 8 Radio School in Cranwell, Lincolnshire, UK, for a course on Mk.8 Air Interception radar equipment. Eventually, this skill sent him to India to support the theatre in Burma. When asked what kind of specialised training he received for that posting, he said, “jungle training”, which was all the usual stuff, plus a machete and anti-malaria pills. The humidity and temperature caused no end of trouble for the airborne radar equipment, and thanks to his small stature, he often found himself lying down in the aircraft as it flew, adjusting the sensitive instruments—literally, on the fly. He was honourably discharged in 1945. We fondly remember Bill as a humble man with a wry sense of humour. He passed away at the age of 101 on October 9, 2019.

Read his obituary in the Ottawa Citizen.

In Memorium: Bill Bird

William "Bill" Bird was born in Sheffield, U.K. in 1917, and later moved with his parents to Manchester.  After working in his father's business, he joined the R.A.F. and became involved in the development and use of radar during the Second World War as a Flight Sergeant.  In 1953 Bill immigrated to Canada to work for A.V. Roe in Malton, Ontario, and then with his newly arrived family, moved to Clinton, Ontario as a civilian radar instructor for the R.C.A.F.  He and the family then moved to Peterborough, Ontario, where he was hired to set up and teach in a new electronics lab at Kenner Collegiate.

Click here to read the full obituary.

In Memorium: Don Harrett

The Secrets of Radar Museum wishes to note the passing of Don Harrett, a Second World War radar veteran of the RCAF, who served first in Britain, and then in North and South Africa.  He was one of the few non-Americans to be awarded the U.S. Soldier’s Medal for distinguished heroism by risking his own life in saving American soldiers after a fiery airplane crash.  An early supporter of the Museum, Don participated in the ribbon cutting 15 years ago. 

Read Don's obituary here.

In Memorium: Roy Taylor, 1920-2015

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RoyTaylor (2013) stands in front of his 1940 enlistment group photo.

It is with a deep sadness that I post about the passing of yet another beloved veteran from the SoRM family.  Roy Taylor, in his 96th year, passed away last week as a result of a brief, but serious infection.  We last had Roy out to the museum for the LARC club station opening on May 18th and he was in fine form, smiling, looking good, and delighted to enjoy the museum, amateur radio, sunshine and barbecue. 

Roy has been an integral part of SORM since its beginnings and his presence is felt throughout the museum.  Although he hasn't volunteered with us since November 2013, his contribution continues to be felt.  Many of the stories we share as part of our regular tours come from his memoir, and they will live on a while longer in the travelling exhibition I'm currently developing.  With his passing, we have come to the end of an era.  Roy was the last local WW2 radar veteran to be involved with us, and while it's sad, it's also not really surprising. 

It was a great privilege to get to know Roy, his story, his gentlemanly character, and his smile.

~ Maya

Per Ardua Ad Astra ("Through Adversity To The  Stars": RCAF motto)

From Peter Garland, SoRM Past President and NORAD radar veteran:

“Roy was a gentleman, who brought the beginnings of radar to life for so many children and adults. Our museum was a big part of his life, and he served it well, preserving the story. We are all so lucky to have known him and to have witnessed his fascinating living history, the story of SORM.

”Track faded”, as the radar operators parlance has it.

To the Stars, Roy.”

A celebration of Roy's life will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Westview Baptist Church, 1000 Wonderland Road South, London.  As an expression of sympathy, the family has asked that donations may be made to The Secrets of Radar Museum, P.O. Box 24033, London, ON N6H 5C4 or Canadian Diabetes Association, 442 Adelaide Street N., London, ON N6B 3H8. 

Click here for Roy's official obituary.

In Memorium

I would like to take this opportunity to note the passing of two of SORM's founding members.  On December 5, 2014, Edna Simpson passed away.  Edna came to Canada as a war bride having met Doug while they both worked on radar, serving in the RAF. In later years, she became very involved in the War Brides organisation and could be seen at events singing, “Till we meet again” with fellow war brides.  More recently, Horace "Red" Macaulay passed away on April 8, 2015.  Red had a Distinguished Military Service during World War II as a pioneer in radar training and maintenance at Mt Allison University, NB and overseas with the RAF and 406 Squadron of the RCAF. Post-war service in the military included many technical assignments with NORAD radar systems and with NATO as the Wing Telecommunications Officer at Zweibrucken, West Germany.  Both Edna and Red contributed significantly to SORM's permanent collection through artefact donations, photographs, reference material, and interviews.  Their presence will be sorely missed.

Jan A. Bates

We would like to thank Jan A. Bates for her vision and dedication to The Secrets of Radar Museum.  Without the spirit, drive, and support of Jan and her late husband Fred, "Radar" would not exist.  We are deeply saddened at her passing and offer our sincerest condolences to her family.  Jan Bates passed away November 20, 2012, in her 90th year.