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Cliff Rhind

During the researching stage of this project, we found ourselves at the Alberta Aviation Museum. We happened to meet Cliff Rhind, and he was more than happy to sit down right there and share the story of his experience in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during World War II.

In 1941, at the age of 19, Rhind enlisted in the RCAF. He attended Manning Depot in Brandon, Initial Training School in Regina, Elementary Flying Training School in Vancouver and finally, Service Flying Training School in Claresholm before being posted overseas.

At No. 15 SFTS Claresholm, Rhind was trained with Avro Ansons until halfway through the course, when the school began training with Cessna Cranes. A fatal accident in a Crane grounded all aircraft and Rhind's class continued training on the Cessnas a month after their graduation.

Once he had earned his Wings, Rhind was posted overseas to England where he attended Flight Instructor School. Although he was eager to participate in the war, he continued to be posted to a variety of stations as an instructor. Eventually, in 1944, he was given the posting for which he had been training. As part of No. 239 Bomber Support Squadron, Rhind flew a De Havilland Mosquito, accompanied by navigator Ray Follis, for a year.

Rhind was discharged from the Royal Canadian Air Force in August of 1945. He currently resides in Edmonton and is a volunteer at the Alberta Aviation museum.