Adding a special material history touch to a special event!

There is something truly special when someone goes out of their way to make a special day spectacular. Bert Furlong did that for me at the Hangar Flight Museum at the launch of the $1 commemorative coin honouring Elsie MacGill. He had obtained an original patch from the Canadian Car and Foundry plant (presently Bombardier Inc.) in Fort William, Ontario (presently Thunder Bay, Ontario).

I had never seen one of these before, but the importance of the material history was clear. In aviation history it is easy to get star struck by the leading actors of material history which are usually the aircraft themselves. This is understandable when you are standing in front of a multi-million-dollar piece of technology.  

While this patch could be seen insignificant in comparison, the reality is that it was a personal artifact that one of the members of Canadian Car and Foundry owned. It was a sign of identity and belonging to an important team that helped produced 1400+ Hawker Hurricane aircraft during the Second World War which made an important contribution to the Battle of Britain. Behind every aircraft were teams of supporting actors that dealt with design details and the actual construction and assembly of these planes, and many of them were women.

Historical research often requires a blend of historical resources (paper (documents and books), oral, paper, etc.) and it is truly special to see the unique material pieces as it further illuminates the story and gives it an increased personal touch. 

Thanks for sharing this great resource Bert!