In March 1942, airwomen arrived at the Yorkton Flying School #11, under command of Section Officer Jean Taylor, with Assistant Section Officer Robinson. One of the important events of 1942 was when Princess Alice, Honorary Commandant of the Women's Division of the Royal Canadian Air Force made an inspection of the Yorkton Flight School. Princess Alice was the wife of Canada's Governor General, Lord Athlone who served from 1940-1946. They came to live in Ottawa during those years, and were very active in the war effort. Née Princess Alice of Albany, February 25, 1883, she was the daughter of Prince Leopold and Princess Helena. Leopold was the youngest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Princess Alice died in 1981. (Source: Photo Wikipedia.)
The air base created a boom for Yorkton, bringing opportunities for the city to become closely involved with its airmen and airwomen. A hostess club was organized, with headquarters on the third floor of the old city hall, which provided a diversity of social events for military personnel and local citizens. Students came from all over Canada and the Commonwealth to perfect their flying skills. By the end of the war in 1945, an estimated 2,000 pilots had earned their wings at the Yorkton school.
Contact Terri Lefebvre Prince,
Heritage Researcher,
City of Yorkton, Box 400
37 Third Avenue North
Yorkton, Sask. S3N 2W3
306-786-1722
historian@yorkton.ca
