Steve Farnworth is hoping his idea takes off.
The East Hawkesbury resident would like to see the former Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) training base near St-Eugène cleaned up and become a small park honouring the site’s legacy.
The No. 13 Elementary Flying Training School was part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Program (BCATP). Under the arrangement, pilots from the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom learned to become pilots at various small training bases across Canada immediately before and during World War Two. The St-Eugène base operated from October 28 1940 to June 19, 1945. The base was located just south of the village of St-Eugène on the east side of County Road 14.
Since the base closed, the former runways have been dug up and turned into farmland. Three buildings remain on the site but are in poor condition. Flat slabs of concrete remain on the ground and a large concrete wall which was part of the base’s former pistol range is still visible from the road. In 2018, construction waste material was illegally dumped on the property. In 2019, the Township of East Hawkesbury assumed ownership of the land, but it does not own the waste on the site. The township has been working with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks to have the material removed at no cost to East Hawkesbury taxpayers.
On March 11, Farnworth presented his idea to East Hawkesbury council. He noted that in 2025, it will be 80 years since the base closed.
“I think it’s important for our children and grandchildren to realize how important this all is,” Farnworth told council.
“It’s important to get it cleaned up, both the trees and the shrubs, and the garbage that has been dumped there,” he added.
Farnworth, who is also a pilot and retired commercial flight engineer, suggested a small park with a couple of picnic tables and plaques explaining the history and role of the base could be part of tourism plans for East Hawkesbury. Council offered its complete support for the effort.
“I think it’s a very good project and we have to look forward to it,” Deputy Mayor Jacques Tranchemontagne said.
Chief Administrative Officer Luc Lalonde said the township will provide Farnworth with historical documents and maps associated with the base.
Councillor Stéphanie Sabourin said commemorating the base would be a great educational opportunity for students at nearby École élémentaire catholique Curé Labrosse.
Mayor Robert Kirby enthusiastically supported Farnworth’s idea.
“I think it’s a wonderful initiative. It’s something that’s been sitting there. Somebody has to do something. I’m very happy you have taken this over and we’ll help you anywhere we can,” he said.
Farnworth said he has also spoken with members of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 472 in Hawkesbury and they have indicated their support. The Dalkeith Historical Society also has documents related to the base.
Farnworth said the emergency landing field for the St-Eugène base was the airfield currently used by the Montréal Soaring Council, west of Hawkesbury. Another training base also existed further west in Pendleton.
Farnworth knows it will not be easy to get the St-Eugène site cleaned up and made into a memorial park. He hopes the township is able to secure grants from other government agencies to help make it happen.
“It’s not going to be a simple project,” Farnworth said.
Anyone with information about the former No. 13 Elementary Flying Training School near St-Eugène is encouraged to contact Steve Farnworth at [email protected] or call him at 613 632-3185.
Photos: James Morgan
