Canadian Mennonite University | Unveiling of the plaque in honor of the 100th anniversary of CFB Winnipeg
- 17wingcorpservices
- May 15
- 3 min read
Updated: May 29
The building was built in 1921 as a residential facility for deaf students across the prairie provinces. It replaced an earlier school that was displaced by the military moving into what became Fort Osborne Barracks.
The rapid expansion of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada required schools for the training of Wireless Operators. Space for accommodations was needed as well as infrastructure to handle the electrical load from radio equipment. Four Wireless Schools were established, #1 Mount Hope, #2 Calgary, #3 Winnipeg, and #4 in Guelph.
After the school opened in February 1941, it took some time to construct barracks, messing, and recreation facilities on site, build up a cadre of qualified instructors, and acquire sufficient equipment. In four months, the school was ready for operation.
The school’s staff averaged 850 military and civilian personnel and 50 aircraft. The aircraft were mostly of the Fleet Fort and Noorduyn Norseman types, and were maintained at Stevenson Field for the aerial portion of the course, along with pilots and maintenance personnel assigned to the school.
Students learned to operate ground and airborne radios and radio navigation systems. The course lasted 28 weeks and students had to master Morse code at 18 words per minute and demonstrate proficiency operating radio equipment while flying in day and night conditions and while aircraft were performing manoeuvres. Graduates went on to Bombing and Gunnery or Navigation schools before they would be posted to an operational Squadron in Canada or overseas.
The school had a large drill hall which was used for dances and social events with which the community could participate with the trainees. A station magazine was published, titled “ The Winnipeg W.A.G” later “ The W.A.G. Mag”, and movies and newsreels were shown every Monday night. A chapel and YMCA office provided for the spiritual and personal needs of the staff and trainees. Every type of sport was encouraged, with keen competition between trainees, staff and other RCAF and Army establishments in the city.
Examples of the magazine have been digitized and can be read here:
A large number of the students came from the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and Winnipeggers, through the Central Volunteer Bureau, helped them adapt to life in the city with tours, social events and visits with Winnipeg families who would host one or two trainees for a Sunday lunch or dinner.
The first course serials ran in July 1941. Opening month was highlighted by a visit and inspection by Prime Minister W.L. Mackenzie King. Over the life of the school 97 serials for Wireless Operators and Signals Officers were completed, with nearly 4,200 graduates, until the school closed down in December of 1944, due to the reduced need for aircrew in Europe. Later courses transferred to 2 Wireless School Calgary until April 1945. The site continued to be used for military purposes in support of de-mobilization until March 1945.
The buildings next housed the Manitoba Normal School, a teacher training college, but the wartime barracks were used by the City of Winnipeg as emergency housing for 100 families for a period of two years, to meet the needs of returned service members with families and displaced persons from Europe. This included an elementary school, originally for 45 students, which operated in the former RCAF facilities until 1953. (this ‘swords to plowshares’ adaptation of the site also occurred with buildings of the former RCAF #8 Repair Depot, which became a community later called Jameswood)
The wartime wooden buildings were gradually demolished and the site returned to its original purpose as a residence and school for Deaf students from 1966 to 1996. It was used briefly during the 1999 Pan American Games before becoming part of Canadian Mennonite University.
School Commanders:
W/C H.B Godwin Mar 1941- Aug 1942
W/C T.R. Michelson Aug 1942 – Sep 1943
W/C A. Walmsley Sep 1943 – Jan 1944
W/C D.G. Price Mar 1944 – Aug 1944
G/C R.M Smith Aug 1944 – Dec 1944
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