Canadian Army Aviation Forum

Submitted by
First Name: Charles
Last Name: Mangliar
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Hello,
I am Major C. Mangliar and presently posted to Fort Novosel (renamed from Rucker) as the CAF Liaison Officer. Canada has had an LO in Alabama since the late 50’s or early 60’s, hence the Officers until the early 70’s must have been from the Canadian Army Aviation.

I am working on creating a plaque with the names and this is proving difficult because records are absent.

If Anyone has info or could point me in the right direction, it would be appreciated.

Cordially,

Charles Mangliar

Admin reply: Good day Charles and thank you for contacting us via our Forum Section. Regrettably we do not have any of the information you are seeking in our files, other than the knowledge that there were indeed numerous Canadian Army Aviators at Fort Rucker as LOs over the years, but who and when is the question. No doubt you have tried NDHQ, the only source that probably would have any reliable, complete and accurate record of the information you are after. In my day (a loooong time ago!), I recall a Directorate called DFL (DFLO?) standing for Directorate of Foreign Liaison (Officers?). My memory has faded but no doubt there is a similar organization today within the bowels of NDHQ doing the same function. If you are lucky enough to get what you are looking for would you be kind enough to provide us with that information so we can include it on our website.

Best of luck in your most worthwhile endeavour.

Added: November 2, 2023

Submitted by
First Name: Kate
Last Name: Delacherois (nee Shellard)
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
This would be my father....and the family always told the later version as did his friends !

Added: April 22, 2020

Submitted by
First Name: John
Last Name: Dicker

Comments:
In an attempt to ‘capture’ the various Light Aircraft Pilot Course Flight Lesson Plan (LP) designations used over the years, I would very much appreciate hearing from anyone, by any mode, who may have recorded the various sequences at their time of training, complete with the number or letter designation and meaning of the sequence eg, Seq 2 – Circuits. At present I only have one complete set of FW Course LP designations thanks to the generosity of BGen Cotter, a student on LAPC 27 that graduated in Nov 59. It is my intention to document the various designations used on various FW Courses during the 1949 to 1966 timeframe, including Brandon and Centralia where ab initio flying training was conducted for Army Pilots, and post them in the Training Section of this website. Thanks to all who can and will help.

John Dicker
Co-ordinator, Editorial Board
Canadian Army Aviation Website

Added: August 12, 2019

Submitted by
First Name: John
Last Name: Dicker
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
F/L Wilf “Moose” Graystone was an Instructor at PFS RCAF Station Centralia on the first ab initio Army Pilot Course to go through Centralia in Nov 1959 (see Canada’s Flying Gunners for a photo of that Course). On completion of his instructional duties at Centralia, he was posted to the Light Aircraft School (LAS) at CJATC Rivers MB as Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) in 1960. He remained in that position until undertaking basic RW training on the Hiller CH-112 at BHTU, also located at CJATC (see BHTU Course #49 in the TRAINING section of this website for a photo of Wilf’s Basic Course). Subsequently, he undertook the Flight Instructor Course on the Hiller and became a member of the BHTU instructional staff where he remained as an instructor until 1966, graduating an untold number of fledgling Canadian Army RW pilots during that period. Moose will be fondly remembered by everyone who ever had the privilege of coming into contact with him either professionally or socially. He was the epitome of a true officer and gentleman and will not soon be forgotten.

LCol (Ret’d) JA (John) Dicker RCCS
Coordinator
Canadian Army Aviation Website

Added: May 9, 2019

Submitted by
First Name: Vic
Last Name: Coroy
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
All Pilots,

It is with sadness that I report the passing of Wilf Graystone. A message from Wilf's wife, Regina to Terry informs us that Wilf took his last flight on April 6th. Wilf will be remembered by most from his days as an instructor in Centralia and Rivers. Terry's brief epitaph about Wilf (below) captures the character of this unique comrade of ours. I will pass on any further details when I receive them.

Vic Coroy
Chairman,
Canadian Army Aviation Website

Added: May 7, 2019

Submitted by
First Name: Terry
Last Name: Jones
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Vic, I've just heard from Wilf's wife, Regina, that he passed away last Saturday, April 6th. Wilf was 95.

Having two of my most liked respected friends, both deeply involved in Army Aviation, pass within a week of each other, is rougher than I've ever thought. Like Frank, Wilf stood out for me as a most honourable and admirable man, one about whom I never heard a negative word spoken.

I'm sure I'll be getting more details from Reg, so please let me know if there's anything more you'd like to know. Sadly,

Capt TSR (Terry) Jones

Added: May 7, 2019

Submitted by
First Name: Vic
Last Name: Coroy
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
LCol Ely was tasked with the formation of the WWII Air OP Squadrons (664,665,666). Much of his actions can be found in Canada's Flying Gunners and the obituary under the website “Last Flight/Epitaphs” section that has capsulated aspects of his service in army aviation. Further information and/or photos about army aviation involving LCol David Ely are welcomed.

Vic Coroy, Chairman, Editorial Board, Canadian Army Aviation Website.

Added: February 8, 2019

Submitted by
First Name: John D. Ely
Last Name: Ely
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Just going through some photos of my father, LCOl David R. Ely, CD. MBE and was hoping there may be some other photos out there of him during his times with 664,665 and 666 AOP's. One never knows what's out there. I was quite surprised to see a photo of him on the fight deck of HMCS Magnificent while on his way to the Suez Crisis in 1956 with some 450 Canadian troops and vehicles. Cheers...

Added: January 30, 2019

Submitted by
First Name: John
Last Name: Dicker
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Does anyone out there have a decent pic of Hiller CH-112 274 that they could scan to me? B&W would be fine. Many thanks. J.

Added: December 14, 2018

Submitted by
First Name: Vic
Last Name: Coroy

Comments:
Email Message received from Capt Terry Jones, referring to the reunion luncheon hosted by the editorial Board, Canadian Army Aviation Website. The luncheon was held on September 2018 at the Hylands Golf Club in Ottawa. The email refers to the group photo sent out to all army pilots.

This is Terry's response:

Thanks most kindly, Vic. A great picture, even if one couldn't recognize them all, encountered on the street. Believe me, it's more than a touch heartbreaking not to have been able to be there.

Some of us, I suppose, will regret that there won't be more. No more gathering to reminisce, to recall the glad times, and the sad... to regale one another with the anecdotes, and bemoan the passing of the many that have folded their wings before us. A few, though, may even be at ease with this loss, preferring to not be strongly reminded of what, and who, has been lost.

Regardless, we shared something incredibly special... something that those who did not can never really get. However briefly, we shared an unearthly love and, even if only for a moment or two,
were captains of the clouds... or was it captives? For one who, all too sadly, gave up his military career, and carved one in aviation, it's another regret to add. The sum of the memories, though, is truly good, and will doubtless remain so until the last of us is gone.

Warmest regards, always,

Terry

Vic Coroy, Chairman, Editorial Board, Canadian Army Aviation Website.

Added: October 1, 2018