Lost Airmen of the Empire

The Lost Airmen of the Empire memorial in North Saanich honors 179 RAF and RCAF personnel who died during WWII training.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Location

North Saanich
Google maps

About

On August 1st, 1941, Royal Air Force No. 32 Operational Training Unit arrived from England to begin training at the RCAF Patricia Bay Station. This marked a major expansion of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, with the squadron growing to over 5,000 personnel before relocating in 1944.
Patricia Bay, located in North Saanich, was named for Princess Patricia of Connaught, a daughter of Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught, and granddaughter of Queen Victoria. The area was renamed from Union Bay likely after the princess visited Victoria in 1912 with her father, who was the Governor-General of Canada at the time.
This station was Canada’s third largest air base and during World War II, more than 10,000 aircrew, ground support and administrative staff were trained for the war effort.
RAF and RCAF personnel were trained in flying, navigation, mechanics, and more.
But war took its toll—179 people died during training due to aircraft failure, harsh weather, mountainous terrain, and pilot error. Crashes occurred in several areas, including Salt Spring Island, Mill Bay, Tofino, and Active Pass.
The memorial, “Lost Airmen of the Empire” (created by Victoria sculptor Illarion Gallant) was dedicated on June 1, 2017 and honours those who perished.
You’ll find the memorial on Hospital Hill (which is named after the base hospital) and it’s located next to the 9.3km trail that surrounds Victoria International Airport.
Names and ages of the fallen are etched in Corten steel, which is shaped like a Cooper’s hawk feather, symbolizing flight and remembrance.
Red maples frame the centre walkway and the raised dais is constructed from approximately 1,000 bricks salvaged from an old military building. A memorial capsule is located within the dais and it holds letters for veterans written by community members.
This memorial stands as a solemn reminder of the cost of war—and the people who gave their lives far from home.