Brian Peck had flown his own aircraft at Calgary and became one of the “Early Birds of America,” the name given to the first people to fly a distance. In the early war years, he served overseas, but, in the summer of 1918, was posted to Leaside to instruct pilots of the 89th Squadron. Originally from Montreal, he had not been home for months and was strongly motivated to return.
“It was a sturdy, reliable craft with a single 90 h.p. engine that was used exclusively to train airmen in Canada. The plane was known affectionately as “Jenny” by the thousands of pilots who flew in her and learned to trust her. The flight to Montreal that day was uneventful. Peck’s plane landed safely at the Bois Franc Polo Grounds outside Montreal and he immediately left the airfield to see his family.”7
The next day, plans for the airshow over Montreal had to be postponed because of a heavy rainstorm.
Two men, George Lighthall and Edmund Greenwood, executives of the Aerial League of the British Empire, thought of the idea to make the return flight from Montreal to Toronto the first airmail delivery in Canada. The next step was to obtain approval from the postmaster-general in Ottawa. One hundred and twenty letters addressed to Toronto were randomly selected, each to have a specially designed postal stamp. Each was stamped “Inaugural Service via aerial mail—Montreal 23.6.18.” However, on June 23rd heavy rain prevented the flight!
The next day, June 24, Peck raced his aircraft across the polo fields, but the small plane was barely able to leave the ground. The reason for this remained a secret for half a century. The story was finally revealed by another Canadian pioneer pilot, Frank H. Ellis, who had his history of aviation published, under the tide of Canada’s Flying Heritage, in 1954.
“…Mathers, in the passenger seat, was perched atop as many cases of “Mull Scotch” as could be stored, holding the bag of airmail on his lap. At that time, the Province of Ontario had introduced Prohibition, causing people to resort to smuggling liquor in from the United States or Quebec.”8
Peck had arranged the illegal cargo in secret before leaving Leaside! One of his friends at the Leaside airport was to be married and had asked Peck to bring back “something suitable” for the wedding celebrations. The plane was not suited for such cargo and Peck had to fly at 40 feet above ground! He flew under telegraph wires and consumed more fuel than expected. He refuelled in Kingston on ordinary gas and, as the plane sputtered almost constantly, he needed to stop again at Deseronto by the Bay of Quinte. Here, he drained the tanks and used aviation fuel this time!
One of the early Airmail Express deliveries to the Leaside Aerodrome. The pilot on the right may be Leigh Capreol. Note the name T. Eaton Co. on one of the packages. City of Toronto Archives, William James Collection.
The flight began in Montreal at 10:30 a.m. and finished in Leaside at 4:55 p.m. that afternoon. Upon arrival, Peck took a car and delivered the mailbag personally to Toronto Postmaster William Lemon—the delivery a surprise to both the Postmaster and the Mayor of Toronto, Thomas Church. Each letter which was carried now is worth several thousand dollars. One of the letters was purchased for King George V and is in the royal collection.
This flight made the Leaside Airport one of Canada’s historic landmarks. On September 6, 1958, in celebration of the 40th Anniversary, the Ontario government placed one of its gold and blue plaques in front of the house at 970 Eglinton Avenue East, marking the site where the plane had touched down. Unfortunately, Brian Peck9 died in the spring of 1958 and did not live to see the plaque dedication.
A few years ago, the plaque disappeared and John Ridout, President of the East York Historical Society, said that a request for a new plaque required full research before another could be provided; that work was completed. The second plaque has been placed on an island where Broadway Avenue and Brentcliffe converge in North Leaside. This marked the northern boundary of the airfield and was thought to be a less vulnerable location.
Plaque dedicated to Canada’s First Air Mail flight, first erected in 1958. Presently, the plaque is standing at Brentcliffe Road and Broadway Avenue in North Leaside. Leaside Camera Club, courtesy Herb Horwood.
The plaque reads:
Canada became the first country to transport, where practical, domestic first class mail by air.
THE LEASIDE SQUADRON
The Leaside Squadron was formed on May 1, 1943. Under the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), they were a six-group bomber command stationed in Yorkshire, England. Their role was to fly heavy bombers on strategic operations; their aircraft included Wellingtons, Lancasters and the plane known as the “Halifax.” On May 23, 1943, fifteen Wellingtons were dispatched to bomb Dortmund, Germany. This was the Squadron’s first operation.
Four Halifax bombers in the 432 Squadron returning home from a European mission, escorted by a Spitfire, as painted by John Leonard. Collection of Bessborough Public School.
This RCAF 432 Squadron was adopted by Leaside and was officially known as the Town of Leaside Squadron. Residents of Leaside stocked their comfort station in East Moor, Yorkshire with pyjamas, chocolate bars and Lux toilet soap. Residents of the Leaside community knit sweaters and socks for Squadron members and corresponded with them regularly. As well, the unit actively recruited from Leaside.
A fund-raising drive was begun in February 1944. A consignment of cigarettes, sent along with sweaters for all squadron members, was acquired through the $1,280.00 raised.
On April 25, 1945 nineteen “Halifax” aircraft were dispatched to bomb gun positions on the Island of Wangerooge; this would be their last mission. The Squadron was disbanded at East Moor, Yorkshire, on May 15, 1945.
There is a painting by artist, John Leonard, which is of four Halifax bombers in 432 Squadron colours returning home from a European mission, escorted by a Spitfire. This painting conveys the feelings that the young crew members (many of them really teenagers) must have experienced in their flimsy aircraft. It was presented to Bessborough Public School on November 8, 1986 and hangs in the office hallway today.
The Leaside 432 RCAF Squadron overseas in 1944. This framed photograph is also on display in Bessborough School. Collection of Bessborough Publis School.
One former pilot returned a sweater that was knit in Leaside and sent to him overseas. He wore it as a good luck talisman on his missions. This sweater, as well, is found in Bessborough School, also mounted for display on the wall of the office hallway.
LEASIDE CORVETTE
Originally laid down as HMS Walmer Castle, the ship was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy and commissioned on August 21, 1944 at Middlesbrough. Following workups at Tobermory in September, Leaside arrived at Londonderry early in October to join EG C-8, then forming. The Leaside sailed on October 22nd to meet ON.261, her first convoy, and served the rest of the war as an ocean escort.
Leaside June 1945.
On May 11, 1945, the Leaside made her last departure from Londonderry to join ONS.50. She left St. John’s in June for Esquimalt, where she was paid off for disposal on November 16. Sold in 1946 to the Union Steamship Company of Vancouver,