Object Record
Images
Metadata
Accession # |
2017.69.7 |
Item Name |
Pillow, Throw Pillowcase Souvenir |
Description |
Souvenir pillowcase with removable pillow. Sometimes called a "sweetheart" pillowcase. The pillowcase is square, made of cream-coloured satin with a blue illustration of three airmen walking in front of a bomber aircraft, with three bombers in flight overhead and the words "R.C.A.F. / CENTRALIA" in the centre. Bordered with a blue and white fringe (the blue has faded to purple). |
Date |
1942 EQUALS |
Provenance |
This pillow belonged to Flight Lieutenant Milton MILT Robert Bridge (1921-2005) of Palmerston, who served with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War (service number J85519). Milt was born on 26 September 1921 and raised on his family's dairy farm near Palmerston. He attended London Business Institute from 1940-1941 and enlisted in the RCAF on 6 August 1941. Originally considered too slight of build to serve in an aircrew role, he was made a clerk stenographer and posted to Guelph and Trenton. In February 1942, he tried again for aircrew and was accepted. His first post was No. 6 Initial Training School (ITS) in Toronto, followed by No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) in Windsor, Ontario where he trained as a pilot. He was then sent to No. 9 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) in Centralia, graduating and receiving his wings on 20 November 1942. Milt was posted to No. 15 Advanced Flying Unit (AFU) in Tattenhill, England, then to No. 23 Operational Training Unit (OTU) in Pershore. In July 1943, he flew a new Wellington bomber to North Africa to serve with 420 Squadron. As a pilot with 420 Squadron, he flew bombing missions over Italy, based out of Kairouan Air Field in Tunisia. On 5 October 1943, he flew his 30th operational mission and was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 20 November 1943. He returned to England in December, flying Whitley bombers with No. 24 OTU in Honeybourne. He completed No. 3 Flying Instructor School (FIS) in Bristol, graduating as a flight instructor and returning to No. 24 OUT to train new pilots until 31 December 1944 when he returned home to Canada with thirty days of leave. He arrived in Palmerston on 6 February 1945, got engaged to Florence Edith Schneider (b. 1924) the next day, and the couple was married on 17 February. He reported to base Borden after his leave and was discharged in May 1945. After the war, Milt attended Queen's University and the Stratford Teachers College and began teaching in September 1948. He taught at Harriston Public School, Harriston High School, Fergus District High School and Norwell District Secondary School, retiring as Principal in 1978. He also served as Town Councillor, Deputy Reeve, Reeve, and Warden of Wellington County. He was a life member of the Harriston Legion, serving as Branch President for two terms. |
Person \ Organization |
Bridge, Milton Bridge, M. R. Bridge, Milt Royal Canadian Air Force No. 9 Service Flying Training School |
Place |
Palmerston Centralia |
Subjects |
War Military |