WW II Pilot Training Site

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I've wanted to detect this site for a number of years now and today was the day! For two hours, I slowly hunted a relatively small area in front of and to the side of the first building you see pictured. I was obviously hoping for more finds related to WWII, but I think this is a good start! The first item I found was the 'silver' bracelet, which I got pretty excited about when I first saw it in the hole. That was until I picked it up and realized it was made of aluminum! My next find was the 'military key fob', which I'll tumble and will post before and after pics. My last 'keeper' of the day was the very cool 'steam roller'! This is the Lesney Road Roller which was produced in 1948 . . . it always amazes me how well made Lesney toys were!

Site History

The Oshawa Airport came in to being during World War II via the 'British Commonwealth Air Training Plan'. A massive, joint military aircrew-training program was created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, during the Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan to train pilots, navigators, gunners, bomb aimers, flight engineer, aircrew, ground crew and support staff. Over the next five years, approximately 131,553 allied airmen from many nations were trained in Canada during the Second World War for service overseas. A lack of modern airport facilities in the Oshawa area for training these recruits changed in 1940. Bulldozers demolish the existing farm buildings, leveled hills, and a farmer's field. Several new structures were standing even before March 1941, when the federal government finalized the expropriation of the land for an airport.

Engineers rapidly planned the airport and constructed hangars, runways, numerous barracks, roadways, and the infrastructure required to open the airport and No. 20 Elementary Flying Training School. The first plane arrived in June 1941. Twelve months later, the opening ceremony was officiated by the Duke of Kent. During the war period, about 2500 student pilots completed the basic flying training course at Oshawa. Every six weeks, two classes graduated sixty students each. Large H-shaped barracks were built over several years to accommodate the enlisted and other personnel. In 1947, the Town of Oshawa took over the management of the airport. Of the original buildings that survive on site, notably No. 11 Building, the canteen, and Nos. 1 and 2 hangars.

Canadians are peace-loving people and think of Canada as a peaceful nation without a significant military culture. While this is true, let it not be said that this country sits on the sidelines, for we are not mere observers. Canadian troops were heralded through the histories of the First and Second World wars for their bravery and the depth of their engagement in battle. During the Second World War Canada built over 300 airfields and 65 training schools in less than one year, and provided the instructors and ground crews to keep thousands of planes in the air.
Thanks very much for looking,

Dave

 

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[ANTIQUARIAN]

Finding anything or nothing at the local fairgrounds seems to be the norm around this end of the province, as many got grants to redo the grounds so it took out the detecting aspect.

I've detected fairgrounds in a lot of small towns and have never found anything old. I spoke to a guy last week who use to detect small town fairground areas back in the 70's and he said that, "it was like someone took buckets of silver coins and liberally sprinkled them all around the parks"! I just hoping through research that one day I can find one of 'these parks'!

Best of luck to you at the farm in Nap J,
Dave

Great relics

Thanks bud!

I can see that little roller sitting nicely on a display shelf.

That's exactly where I have it displayed now in my workshop . . . that is until somebody makes me an offer I can't refuse for it!

Thanks for your post birdman,
Dave

That site looks awesome, I just know there has to be a ton of other goodies in the ground around there. Great finds, I hope you can get back there soon.
ZDD

Thanks very much Dave!
In fact, I got back there again yesterday and all I came away with was a handful of practice bullets!
It's a big site though, I'll hit it again in the fall.

Best of luck to you,
Dave

Awesome finds and History ...congrats !

Thank you very much H!
Great to hear from you again and I hope you and your family are well!

Dave

 

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