Stories from Clarence Simonsen’s lifelong research
Biography
Clarence Simonsen was born in a small farmhouse six miles from Acme, Alberta on 24 March 1944. During the postwar RCAF era, Simonsen watched bright yellow Harvard trainers buzz across the farm on the flying instructor’s course from Medicine Hat to Penhold, Alberta. That thunderous sound left a lasting impact on the young farm lad, who always seemed to be drawing aircraft in his spare time. In his early teens, Simonsen had his first exposure to artist Alberto Vargas and subsequently discovered the world of aircraft nose art and the pin-up in time of war.
During a four-year stint in the Canadian Army (Provost Corps, Simonsen was posted to Cyprus with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in 1965. As he left Canada for the first time, he wondered if this was how bomber crews felt twenty-five years earlier. For the next six months he conducted Military Police duties with members of six other countries. In his spare time he painted unit cartoons and did his first large mural art work. He began to understand the effect art can have on isolated military men. By late 1966, Simonsen was a member of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force with his major avocation being the research, collection and repainting of aircraft nose art.
Source
Hello Clarence,
In your blog about the “History of RCAF Hurricane serial 5424” I found several references and a few photos of the Hurricanes squadron that was station here in Terrace, BC. I work for the City of Terrace and we are doing a heritage recognition project for some of the WWII structures still remaining at the Terrace Airport (YXT). I am doing some background research on the airport’s history and came across your blog. We still have a gunnery backstop at the airport and want to do some clean up of the structure and add an interpretive sign about the airport’s history and the aircraft that were stationed here. Do you have more details about the Terrace operations? Most of the time in your blog Terrace is mentioned in passing. As I search the internet there seems to be more info about other locations. Any info you are willing to share or direction you might be able to give would be appreciated.
I did noticed that you have a photo of the crash of the 5406 and it is said to be at Pat Bay, but I can confirm that it is at the Terrace airport. I recognize the snow covered mountains to the north of the airport in the background.
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Hi Ken,
I will contact Clarence and let him write you.
Pierre
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I just sent an email to Clarence.
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Thanks Pierre I look forward to hearing from him.
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Clarence is a friend. I am sure he will answer back. Drop me a line on the blog when he does.
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Absolutely. Thanks again Pierre.
There are a few other photos in the article that look like they might be from Terrace but I have to go up to the airport and have a look to compare. I am interested to know details about the Terrace operation. I know the 135 squadron was here but for how long and it would be nice to know some of the names of the pilots and the aircraft numbers. These kind of little details I believe enhance the local story for people and bring it to life.
I read in Clarence’s blog that there were occasions where the squadron were out patrolling for Japanese fire balloons but it only mentions those around Patricia Bay. We had them in this area too. Are there any stories about pilots from Terrace going out to intercept them around here? It was interesting to read about the death of a pilot (Sedgwick) in 5404 after an unauthorized low flight and hitting the ferry cable at Kitwanga. Kitwanga is about 100 km northeast of Terrace. Were the only planes stationed here Hurricanes? Or were there any Kittyhawks here?
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Clarence just wrote… He has computer problem with Windows 10 being installed without his consent. I will write you a personal email.
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