Armour Heights Field
Encyclopedia
Armour Heights Field was home to a Royal Flying Corps
airfield in Toronto
, Canada
during World War I
, and was one of three in the area. Many RFC (later, Royal Air Force
) pilots trained in Canada
due to space availability. The airfield was opened in July 1917, but closed in 1919 as the war had ended. It was later developed as a residential development and remains as such today.
In 1917, an airfield was constructed near the site of the present Avenue Road and Route 401
interchange, and early the following year, the School of Special Flying opened. Student pilots received instruction on the basics of flight, aerial reconnaissance
and aerial combat
. However, the school had a short life as it closed around the time the Armistice
was signed, on November 11, 1918.
In 1919, Bishop-Barker Airplanes Limited, founded by World War I Royal Flying Corps veterans William "Billy" Bishop
and William Barker
, took over the aerodrome
. This business venture was also short-lived, closing in 1921, and one of Canada’s busiest airfields at the time was simply abandoned.
The site is now the Canadian Forces College
, which teaches the Command and Staff courses to officers of all three service branches. The only remnant of the Royal Flying Corps
days is the stone building currently housing the Armour Heights Officers Mess, built in 1914 as the home of Colonel F.B. Robins, Honorary Colonel of the Toronto Scottish Regiment.
Royal Flying Corps Canada
The Royal Flying Corps Canada was a training organization of the British Royal Flying Corps located in Canada during the First World War. It began operating in 1917....
airfield in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and was one of three in the area. Many RFC (later, Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
) pilots trained in Canada
Military history of Canada
The military history of Canada comprises hundreds of years of armed actions in the territory encompassing modern Canada, and the role of the Canadian military in conflicts and peacekeeping worldwide. For thousands of years, the area that would become Canada was the site of sporadic intertribal wars...
due to space availability. The airfield was opened in July 1917, but closed in 1919 as the war had ended. It was later developed as a residential development and remains as such today.
In 1917, an airfield was constructed near the site of the present Avenue Road and Route 401
Highway 401 (Ontario)
King's Highway 401, also known by its official name as the Macdonald–Cartier Freeway and colloquially as the four-oh-one, is a 400-Series Highway in the Canadian province of Ontario stretching from Windsor to the Quebec border...
interchange, and early the following year, the School of Special Flying opened. Student pilots received instruction on the basics of flight, aerial reconnaissance
Aerial reconnaissance
Aerial reconnaissance is reconnaissance that is conducted using unmanned aerial vehicles or reconnaissance aircraft. Their roles are to collect imagery intelligence, signals intelligence and measurement and signature intelligence...
and aerial combat
Aerial warfare
Aerial warfare is the use of military aircraft and other flying machines in warfare, including military airlift of cargo to further the national interests as was demonstrated in the Berlin Airlift...
. However, the school had a short life as it closed around the time the Armistice
Armistice with Germany (Compiègne)
The armistice between the Allies and Germany was an agreement that ended the fighting in the First World War. It was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest on 11 November 1918 and marked a victory for the Allies and a complete defeat for Germany, although not technically a surrender...
was signed, on November 11, 1918.
In 1919, Bishop-Barker Airplanes Limited, founded by World War I Royal Flying Corps veterans William "Billy" Bishop
Billy Bishop
Air Marshal William Avery "Billy" Bishop VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian ace, and according to some sources, the top ace of the British Empire.-Early life:Bishop was born in Owen Sound,...
and William Barker
William George Barker
William George Barker VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Two Bars was a Canadian First World War fighter ace and Victoria Cross recipient...
, took over the aerodrome
Aerodrome
An aerodrome, airdrome or airfield is a term for any location from which aircraft flight operations take place, regardless of whether they involve cargo, passengers or neither...
. This business venture was also short-lived, closing in 1921, and one of Canada’s busiest airfields at the time was simply abandoned.
The site is now the Canadian Forces College
Canadian Forces College
The Canadian Forces College is a military school for senior and general officers of the Canadian Forces. The college provides military education courses meant to enable officers to effectively provide leadership within the Canadian Forces. Additionally, the Non-Commissioned Members Profession...
, which teaches the Command and Staff courses to officers of all three service branches. The only remnant of the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
days is the stone building currently housing the Armour Heights Officers Mess, built in 1914 as the home of Colonel F.B. Robins, Honorary Colonel of the Toronto Scottish Regiment.