879 (Earl MacLeod) Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Association


YOUTH - HERITAGE - ADVOCACY

PLANNED EVENTS 

Next meeting date 27 May 2024

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 295 Chilliwack-Vedder 5661 Vedder Road Vedder Crossing

Business session at 11:30 followed by a Light Lunch


We look forward to participating in other events sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 295

&

147 Airwolf Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets 


The 879 Wing Board of Directors normally meets on the second Monday of each month. Members wishing to bring something to their attention may contact any board member directly or email the wing.


100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force 1 April 2024 


RCAFA Ensign

879 Wing is comprised of members from 879 (Earl MacLeod) Wing and the former 801 (Vancouver) Wing

879 (Earl MacLeod) Wing RCAFA

c/o RCL Br 295

5661 Vedder Road

Chilliwack BC V2R 3N5 


RCAF Association kitshop Store. Online purchases are available to members with an account. Contact Jock McLaren if you want help in setting up an online account with the association. Account holders can make purchases as well as pay their national dues online. (Wing dues must be paid to the wing separately). To make purchases over the phone call Dianne at 613-232-5491.

879 (Earl MacLeod) Wing

Royal Canadian Air Force Association

c/0 Vedder Golden Branch 280 Royal Canadian Legion

5661 Vedder Road

Chilliwack BC V2R-3N5 

 879 Wing proudly takes it's name in tribute to Air Commodore Earl Leslie MacLeod. Air Commodore MacLeod joined the British military during WWI and transferred from the army to the fledgling Royal Naval Air Service where he earned distinction as a combat pilot. After the war he earned a reputation as a flying boat pilot during a time when Canada led the world in finding new ways for the use of aircraft. He was the first to use aircraft on customs patrols on the watch for illegal narcotics and rum shipments and occasionally working for the fisheries department transplanting fish eggs. 

    In 1921 MacLeod was based at Kamloops, British Columbia (BC) working with the Forest Service. He piloted the first aircraft to complete an aerial survey in BC. He then flew on the first Geodetic Survey which established triangulation stations across southern BC. In 1923 he flew the first plane to arrive at Prince Rupert where he flew policing of the salmon fishery. From the late 1920's until the mid 1930's MacLeod served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in England, RCAF Station Beach (Vancouver); Kingston, and Winnipeg, In 1935 he was appointed Air Staff Officer at Esquimalt BC and in 1938 he commanded Jericho. During WWII he served in Ottawa, at RCAF Headquarters in London, England, and as Air Officer Commanding No. 2 Group Western Air Command in Victoria BC  until his retirement in 1944.

     Inside the Chilliwack Airport is a memorial to Air Commodore Earl Leslie MacLeod (1894-1987

     View a 1941 portrait of Air Commodore MacLeod from the National Portrait Gallery, London UK

WING BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2023-2024

Chair Ted Bowman         Director Finance Linda Pickell        Director Administration Sheila Hershey     Director at Larger Ursula Gunther   

Director at Large Renate Daws

Committee Appointments

Sergeant-at-Arms Doris Leaman       Air Cadet Liaison Officer Vacant      Membership Chair Jock McLaren 

Ways & Means  Vacant        Awards Coordinator Jock McLaren

Community Relations Ted Bowman   

Facebook Sheila Hershey (Administrator) Jock McLaren (Owner & Administrator)   John Claris (Editor)  Lena Claris (Editor)      

Webmaster Jock McLaren                             VAC Community Funding Coordinator Sheila Hershey

879_Wing_Brochure_DEC2021.pdf

LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION

CFB Chilliwack Historical Society Facebook Page

Earl Leslie MacLeod, Air Commodore (Retired) 5 July 1894 - 19 May 1987

879 Wing proudly takes its name in tribute to Air Commodore Earl Leslie MacLeod. Air Commodore MacLeod joined the British Army during WWI then transferred to the fledgling Royal Naval Air Service where he earned distinction as a combat pilot. After the war he earned a reputation as a flying boat pilot during a time when Canada led the world in finding new ways for the use of aircraft. He was the first to use aircraft on customs patrols on the watch for illegal narcotics and rum shipments and occasionally working for the fisheries department transplanting fish eggs. 

 

In 1921 MacLeod was based at Kamloops, British Columbia (BC) working with the Forest Service. He piloted the first aircraft to complete an aerial survey in BC. He then flew on the first Geodetic Survey which established triangulation stations across southern BC. In 1923 he flew the first plane to arrive at Prince Rupert where he flew policing of the salmon fishery. From the late 1920's until the mid-1930's MacLeod served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in England, Jericho (Vancouver); Kingston, and Winnipeg, In 1935 he was appointed Air Staff Officer at Esquimalt, BC and in 1938 he commanded Jericho. During WWII he served in Ottawa and at RCAF Headquarters in London, England until his retirement in 1944. Earl MacLeod retired to Chilliwack where he was active in business and politics. He passed away in 1987 at the age of 93.