no. 1 bfts events fall/winter 2018-2019€¦ · the bfts museum would like to thank the braniff...
TRANSCRIPT
No. 1 BFTS Events
Fall/Winter 2018-2019
The 2018 Fly-In and Air Show
was cancelled due to the epic
rain storm.
Remembering RAF Cadets in Oklahoma
A few hardy souls made their way up a mountain in the Kiamichi Wilderness in southeastern
Oklahoma on Feb.10, 2019 to remember four Royal Air Force cadets who crashed during a
training flight in 1943.The young Brits were on a cross-country training flight from the No.1
British Flying Training School in Terrell TX when they ran into bad weather and three planes
crashed, resulting in four fatalities.
Elementary school students at a nearby Choctaw Nation school researched the history of the
crashes and raised funds for the memorial. Local residents maintain the site and organize the
annual ceremony.
Representatives from the RAF, the Antlers, OK VFW post and the No. 1 British Flying Training
School Museum laid wreaths and roses at the crash site. A reception at the VFW Hall followed
and included a flag presentation by the Choctaw Nation color guard.
Lest We ForgetRemembrance Day Memorial Service at Oakland Cemetery
November 11, 2018, 3:00 pm
This ceremony honors 20 British Cadets who died in plane crashes while
receiving their pilot training at the Terrell Municipal Airport during World
War II. They are buried in a designated area of the cemetery under the the
British Flag. The plots are lovingly maintained by Terrell residents under the
supervision of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The simple ceremony includes prayers, scripture readings, poems and brief
remarks. A wreath of poppies will be laid at the the foot of the central
monument by a current RAF office stationed in Greenville, TX and a
member of the museum’s board of directors. A fly-over by a World War II era
plane concludes the ceremony.
2018 Remembrance Day
After the ceremony, guests were invited to the Museum for tea. Representatives of
several British organizations - Daughters of the British Empire, Transatlantic Brides
and Parents Association and the English Speaking Union - attended the event along
with local officials, Museum members and guests
The BFTS Museum would like to thank the Braniff Foundation for
its annual donation in memory of Handing Luther Lawrence.
Lawrence was the Manager of the Link Training Department.
The Museum’s first entry in Terrell’s
Christmas Parade was loaned to us by
the Braniff Foundation and garnered a
Best of Theme Award !
Liz Oliphant and Peter Taylor represented the
Museum at the kickoff event for North Texas
Giving Day at Channel 8 in Dallas. Dozens of
nonprofit organizations who also participated in the
Giving Day event rallied during the Good Morning
Texas program to alert donors to the on line giving
event. BFTS Museum supporters donated $2,700
during the one-day event. Watch for our participation
again this fall.
2018 Hangar Dinner-Dance
Even with the severe weather forecast, we were overjoyed to have around 160 hardy
souls attend and enjoy the dinner catered by Hickory Roots of Terrell. The Heritage
Brass Band provided Forties Big Band music which was enjoyed by all and many
danced the night away…..some in vintage era apparrel….adding the perfect touch of
atmosphere. The “Andrew Sisters” trio also performed. Terry Barber, County
Commissioner Precinct 3, served as our Emcee, and we were honored to have Hal
Richards, Kaufman County Judge, as our Guest Speaker. Live and Silent Auctions were
held to raise funds to purchase a desperately needed new telephone system for the
Museum, and possibly for remodeling the STEM Room to handle the donated Gleim
Virtual Cockpit Home Simulator, which will allow the Museum to add STEM
curriculum to the agenda.
.
RAF Sqdr Leaders Steve Tavener
and Craig O’Donnell provided lively
banter to entertain the bar patrons
A new fund raising item enjoyed
by all was the Wine Pull.
We are blessed with visitors and tours that learn the history of
the BFTS Museum and enjoy all our memorabilia.
Students from Grapevine Faith Christian School visited the Museum where
they learned how an important piece of world history took place just a few
miles from their homes. It is always fun to share stories with students.
Many of our visitors
enjoy donning the
pieces of vintage
military apparel for
photos.
Feel free to bring
guests out to
enjoy all the fun.
Terrell High School students created their own version of the television series Night at the Museum
to tell the story of Terrell in the 1940s and the Royal Air Force cadets who trained at the No. 1
British Flying Training School. Using correspondence, interviews and historical documents, ten
students researched the RAF cadets who attended the school, their civilian instructors and local
citizens to create the costumed characters they will represent. Sheri Tuggle, head of Terrell High
School’s Theater Department was in charge of overseeing the presentations.
Small groups of visitors were escorted through the darkened museum, and as they moved through
the galleries, characters steped out of the shadows to tell about their lives and experiences, bringing
the stories of Terrell and the training school to life. We are so excited to have the student
involvement in recreating the school and Terrell’s history during World War II.”
Bill Huthmaker
conducted a
presentation at the
Cavanaugh Flight
Museum which
garnered more
attention from the
Dallas community.
Kaufman County Retired School Employees visited BFTS for their monthly meeting this week.
Rudy Bowling and Bill Huthmacher made brief presentations before they toured the exhibits.
Many recalled family connections to the school.
We were excited to have guests from the UK
when a team of RAF Officers and Ministry
of Defense Contractors visited the museum .
The group was in the US to observe and
monitor aircraft modifications at a facility in
the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Thanks to
Squadron Leader O’Donnell for arranging
the visit and special thanks to BFTS Board
Member Pavel Finnegan for conducting the
personalized, guided tour of the museum's
collection. It is always wonderful to welcome
friends from “across the pond”.
Peter Taylor, helped the
Frontiers of Flight Museum
in Dallas with its Career Day
activities. Peter guided
students in trying out flight
simulators. The BFTS
Museum is completing the
installation of a certified
flight simulator so our
visitors can enjoy similar
experience
In Remembrance
“Pecos Bill” owner and Vet killed in P-51 Crash.
Cowden Ward, Jr. crashed his P-51 in Fredericksburg, Texas on Saturday,
November 17th, 2018. He was a well-known Texas Pilot who gave
numerous rides to veterans, and was taking part in a reenactment flight
organized by the National Museum of the Pacific War when the accident
occurred.
The No. 1 BFTS Museum is adding to the tributes that are pouring in from the warbird community praising
Ward and his Freedom Flyers organization. He dedicated his time to the nation's World War II Veterans by
offering them free flights in Pecos Bill, his way of giving thanks to those who protected our freedoms so long
ago. Ward had recently begun offering flights to Korean and Vietnam War Veterans, as well as Veterans suffering
from PTSD after the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars, expanding his motivational reach to many people and making a
difference in close to 140 Veterans' lives
Jonathan Sandys, the great-grandson of Sir Winston
Churchill, died December 29th in a London hospital of
chronic lung disease
The No. 1 BFTS Museum is sad to report the untimely death
of our dear friend and ardent supporter who visited the
Museum on many occasions. May he rest in peace.
He was so animated and full of life. It is difficult for everyone
at the BFTS Museum to grasp the reality of his passing.
Jonathan was a true “Friend” of our museum. We are preparing a
special tribute to honor his memory
In Remembrance Dr. Peter Nicholas was born in Folkestone in 1924. As the Battle of Britain raged, he was evacuated
to his grandparents in Maesteg, South Wales. At the age of 18 he joined the RAF and since it was
dangerous to fly in the sky above Britain, he was sent the Terrell, Texas, USA to train. He qualified
as a pilot just as the war was ending. Dr. Nicholson entered medical school after demobilization and
following qualification worked in The Middlesex Hospital, London and Margate General Hospital.
He was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 1977 serving as
chairman of the Yorkshire faculty and on its London central council.
Dr. Nicholas married Dr. Ann Bradford in 1953. They have three children, Ivor, Angela and Richard.
Angela and Richard followed their parents into the medical profession. He has nine grandchildren
and eight great grandchildren. He was a lifelong Christian and was churchwarden at St John’s
Church, Lepton. He traveled to South Africa in 1985 to practice at Jane Furse Mission Hospital.
Dr. Nicholas led a varied and interesting life. He was not born in Yorkshire but considered himself
to be of Yorkshire. He was made an honorary Texan in 1991. He loved gardening, snooker and
bridge. To summarize his life, “he always tried to do his best for others.”
Jackie Nicholas, Ivor Nicholas, Angie
Pearce and Richard Nicholas – visited
and shared memories.
While in Terrell, Course 23,
Peter carved the BFTS School
Crest which is displayed in
the Museum.
It is with a Heavy
Heart that we have to
announce that the
Allied Riders of Texas
lost one of our
GREATEST
supporters J.T. Stevens,
American Legion
Rider, a Veteran
Warrior and a Great
Friend! R.I.P. J.T., until
we ride again !
It has been a bad beginning
to 2019 as now we have to
report that we have lost
another Great Supporter of
the Allied Riders of Texas.
Tracy (A.K.A. Security)
Johnson , Security could
always be seen with his
smile, helping out the band
and folks who stayed at the
hotel after the Memorial
Ride in Terrell, he will sorely
be missed by all !
Saturday, May 25th – Mark Hardin Memorial Air Race & Education Event
Sunday, May 27th – Memorial Day
Saturday, September 21st – Flights of our Fathers Air Show and Fly-In
Saturday, September 28th – Texas Allied Riders in association with
the American Legion Riders, supported by the BFTS Museum in Terrell
Sunday, September 15th – Battle of Britain Day
Sunday, November 10th – Remembrance Day Celebration3:00 pm Memorial service at Oakland Cemetery, followed by tea at the Museum
2019 Calendar of Events
The Terrell Municipal Airport hosted the
Dallas and Tyler 99s as they updated the
Compass Rose Marker .
There will be a complete article in the
next newsletter.
Chairman’s Corner
As I write this, I am listening to Texas Spring Rain Storm which is very indicative of the
Winter and Spring we have endured. An example is the weather in the week before our
Spring Hangar Dinner and Dance. It was Lovely !! The day of the dance the bottom fell
out. Sunday morning dawned bright and clear. We did have a good turnout in spite of it
all. Many folks chose to dress in 1940’s fashion and there was lots of good dancing.
The Airshow Committee has been hard at work peparing for this years event and should
be one of the best ever….if we can just keep the rain clouds away.
Museum attendance is noticeably up as we get more exposure through Social Media,
with visitors leaving very complimentary comments.
Sponsors
PAVEL FINNEGAN
No. 1 BFTS Museum
Board Member
Terrell
Aviation
NANCY PIERCE BARBER
In Memory of Margaret Clayton
And her contribution to Terrell
No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum Inc.
119 Silent Wings Blvd., PO Box 219
Terrell, TX 75160
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