Military Members Recreate Historical Photograph at Western University
May 8, 2023 – Defence Stories
Capt Adam Sirek, 23 Field Ambulance (Hamilton), OPI
Caption
Left Panel: Original image taken April 26th, 1941, group of RAF Air Navigators from RAF Air Navigation School, Port Albert (names unknown).
Right Panel: Modern recreation taken April 26th, 2023, including (from bottom left) Corporal Brennan Hayashida, Corporal Anthony Suarez, Officer Cadet Sarah Hostetler, Captain Adam Sirek, Lieutenant (Navy) Carlos Flores, Captain William McIlveen, Warrant Officer Andra Steinmar, Corporal Colin Polly and Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Bungay.
As part of a historical project reviving archival photographs, Western University contacted 32 Canadian Forces Health Services for assistance in recreating a photograph of 9 RAF Air Navigators taken exactly 82 years prior on April 26th, 1941.
The Hume Cronyn observatory is a landmark at Western University in London, Ontario and is part of the long history of connection between the Canadian Armed Forces and this educational institution. In 1941, about 20 officers from New Zealand, the British Isles, Canada, Rhodesia, and Poland, stationed at the Port Albert RAF Air Navigation School, learned about celestial navigation, and toured the facility. This event was captured in a historical photograph and published in the London Free Press.
In late 2022, the Cronyn observatory hosted a professional development evening for the staff and families of 32 Canadian Forces Health Services Detachment London. The medical staff learned from astronomers, historians and scientists about the observatory and traditional methods of stellar observation before being exposed to some modern techniques in planetary detection and astronomical sciences. Highlights of the evening included using the telescope to achieve close views of Saturn and Jupiter and comparing traditional telescope observations with brand new images from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Officers and Non-Commissioned Members of 32 Canadian Forces Health Services Detachment London, 23 Field Ambulance Detachment London, and Regional Cadet Support Unit London participated in the recreation of this photograph on April 26th, 2023. The team represented a diverse group of regular force and reserve personnel.
Members included:
- 32 Canadian Forces Health Services: Lieutenant (Navy) Carlos Flores (Officer Commanding), Petty Officer First Class Matthew Bungay (Company Sergeant Major), Officer Cadet Sarah Hostetler, Corporal Anthony Suarez, and Corporal Colin Polly;
- 23 Field Ambulance: Captain Adam Sirek and Corporal Brennan Hayashida;
- Regional Cadet Support Unit: Captain William McIlveen and Warrant Officer Andra Steinmar.
The opportunity to help Western University and the Cronyn observatory was seen as a way for the members of 32 Canadian Forces Health Services to give back and thank the curators and research staff for the chance to visit and learn from them.
Just as crucial today as it was 82 years ago, these personnel continue to engage in varied experiential learning opportunities as well as community engagement. The team was honoured to participate in this historical recreation and to aid Western University in their historical project. Bravo Zulu to all.