With creation of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in 1939, surveying began across Canada to find suitable locations for air training facilities.
One site had been located near the village of Centralia. It was decided that the facility would house RAF Service Flying Training School (No. 42).
In the meantime, on Canada's East Coast, another Service Flying Training School site was to be built near Summerside, P.E.I. Designated No. 9 SFTS, the facility began training student pilots on January 6, 1941.
While training at Summerside continued, the German U-Boat fleet was emerging as a major or threat to shipping in the North Atlantic. This lead to the expansion of air defence facilities along Canada's East Coast. It was determined the Summerside Station would better serve this expansion by converting over to a General Reconnaissance School. In this role the school would train crews for coastal duties with Eastern Air Command.
In an issue of the station newsletter, No. 9 Flyer, Mr. L.B. Hodgson described the sale of his farm. “The first intimation I had that my land was any different from any other was in August of 1941. The Department of Transport, learning that there was a well on my farm producing an abundant supply of water, and realizing that the place was an ideal location for an airport, purchased my property, house and all, on August 25, 1941.”
Changes in war meant changes in training. Thus the Centralia facility which was purchased and construction paid for by the RAF suddenly became the new home of No. 9 SFTS.
The massive task of moving a complete air training school was carried out in stages. The Advance Party arrived at Centralia on June 8, 1942. Their role was to receive the initial issue of equipment and make necessary arrangements with regard to accommodation, messing and services for the remainder of the school.
On July 5, 1942, G/C Fullerton left by service vehicle for Moncton, N.B., and then proceeded by rail to Centralia, leaving S/L G.M.A. Monteith in command of the Station. The main body of the School moved out by rail for Centralia, on July 6. The party consisted of seventy-seven persons. S/L Monteith was in command of rear party. The day was also the official opening of No. 9's new home.
For the first few months of the Station’s official existence, it was known as No. 9 SFTS Exeter. A postal dispute was resolved by renaming the facility No. 9 SFTS Centralia.
On August 6, 1942 the first group of student pilots commenced training. The official opening of the new facility was held on September 21, 1942. Sadly, many pilots who completed their flight training at No. 9 SFTS Centralia paid the supreme sacrifice during the Second World War - many killed during aerial bombing operations.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young. Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
