[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 60-04, October - December, 2006 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Markham Chapter and the Suburbanaires
honour Bob Foster

By Des Goodley

The scene is the RCAF Memorial Museum in Trenton. It is September 30, 2006. Over 2,000 people are gathered to witness the dedication of over 8,000 old and new granite “ad Astra” stones engraved with the names of  RCAF members past and present as well as family associates. If no longer living, the years of birth and death are engraved. The stones are attractively laid out in groups bordering the walkways through the historical aircraft on display.

As this coincides with the 75th anniversary of Base Trenton, full military pageantry is the order of the day with the Base concert band entertaining and the pipe band leading the colour party and dignitaries. Emcee Colonel (retired) Cy Yarnell, a Spitfire pilot from W.W.II arranged that I  be escorted over to be introduced to Colonel T. J. Lawson, 8 Wing Commander and CFB Trenton Commander, to acknowledge the presence of the chorus.

After the other dignitaries addressed the gathering, Colonel T. J. Lawson was the key speaker. In his remarks, he acknowledged the presence of The Markham Men of Harmony and the Suburbanaires and that we were there to honour  Bob Foster.

Why did the Markham Chapter purchase an Ad Astra stone for Bob Foster and request to sing at this Service?

• Firstly, for his courageous war service, which culminated when he was the only survivor after the bomber in which he was tail gunner crashed on returning to base. Months of surgery and healing were needed before he was returned to Canada.

• Secondly, Bob was responsible for arranging major donations to the Harmonize for Speech Fund.

• Thirdly, he was an avid Barbershopper in spite of running a major car dealership in Toronto. His quartet, Four Flats Unfurnished, sang an amazing number of performances over a period of some 20 years.

The chorus joined the concert band in entertaining the audience waiting for the service to begin. Originally planned as two songs before and two songs after the service, a time delay prompted the concert band master to request that we sing several more songs.

While the forecast rain did not materialize, a strong cold wind off  Lake Ontario made it very uncomfortable so that people did not dawdle after the service. We made up for this by entertaining the members at 413 Wing RCAF Association to which we were invited after the service.

It was a very special privilege to honour Bob Foster at this memorable service.  

Photo—Courtesy www.rcafmuseum.on.ca