Spring Volunteer of Note: Bethany Hayward

Bethany helping out on Canada Day, 2014, in Harris Park, London, ON

Bethany has been with SORM for two years as our volunteer Collections Manager. With few exceptions, she devotes one day a week to the museum in which she puts order to chaos, inputs artefact and archival data into the collection database, and oversees the work of multiple young cataloguing assistants. You can often find her working the SORM booth at community events such as Canada Day in Harris Park, DoorsOpen London, and Remembrance Day.  Her background in archaeology and museum management make her a great asset to any museum and we felt strongly that her efforts should be rewarded with our inaugural Volunteer of Note award. 

Thank you, Bethany, for everything you do!

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.