Canada, Commonwealth. A Lot of RCAF Black and White Photos to Wing Commander David Allen Harding, RCAF, a Famed Canadian Aviator

A lot of photos presenting multiple planes, link trainers, plane crashes, and Camp Borden, ranging from 1939-1942, all in very fine condition. 

A large photo of 1926-278 Ford Model T racing image, featuring “R.C.A.F EDMONTON 35” with a seated driver, black and white, measures 258 mm (w) x 205 mm (h), light wear, very fine. 

A large black and white photo featuring a line of RCAF individuals in front of of the ‘Aries’ an Avro Lancaster bomber, stationed at the Empire Air Navigation School, featuring Harding third from the left, measures 258 mm (w) x 205 mm (h), light wear, very fine. 

“The British Commonwealth Air Training Plain 1939-195: An Historical Sketch and Record of the Ceremony at R.C.A.F. Station Trenton”, comprising 58 pages including multiple black and white photos, slight foxing and discoloration, light wear, remains very fine. 

“ABC of the RAF: Handbook for all the Branches of the Air Force” printed in London, totaling roughly 130 pages, multiple black and white photos, cover is signed by Mr D. Harding R.C.A.F., light wear to edges, very fine. 

Accompanied by numerous newspaper clips on black paper, detailing Harding’s adventures and flying career. 

Footnote: Dave Allan Harding was one of Canada’s famed aviators and football players, participating in both the First and Second Wars. Born in Petrolia, he joined B Company of the 149th Battalion as a private at the age of 17 in 1916. He trained at Camp Bordon and became a bomber sergeant. 

He arrived in England in April 1917, via the SS. Lapland, and was taken on strength by the 25th Reserve Battalion. He was appointed acting lance corporal with pay in mid June 1917. In December of that year, he was moved to No.1 Cadet Wing R.F.C Hasting. He was a temporary second lieutenant, and was listed for the Royal Flying Corps as of February 1918. He served in Egypt, and was once shot down by a rifle bullet which damaged his place. The plane crashed, and he spent several weeks in hospital, prior to joining active service. On October 23, 1918, Dave was mentioned in despatches for “gallant and distinguished services in the field” and later was awarded the Air Force Cross. 

Following the war, Harding worked at the Imperial Oil Limited and at the tunnel roundhouse of the Canadian National Railways. He then completed two years of medical school at Queen’s University before returning to the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924. He was the second in command at the training camp at Camp Borden, and Flying Instructor in 1928. 

He then went to England, where he took a course at the Central Flying School. He joined the English hockey team which toured around Europe in 1929. He returned to Camp Borden in 1930. 

In the 1930s, Harding was a member of the famed Cessna group that made an epoch name of itself flying at the Cleveland Air Races. Afterwards, he worked for the Canadian Government Air Operation Branch, which allowed him to participate in photograph survey work of the Arctic, air-mail, and forest fires patrols. Harding flew the first airmail service from Ottawa and Montreal to Rimouskey for despatch on transatlantic liners. He also piloted Lord Tweedsmuir, governor-general of Canada, on an inspection flight that took them across the dominion and north into the Arctic. In 1935, he played with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, winning the championship. 

From 1940 to 1941, he was a ferry pilot on the Bermuda-London-Halifax circuit. In England, he caught the tail end of a blitz, and made an extensive survey of conditions and general progress of the war, particularly in flying achievements. 

Harding retired as group captain in February 1946. He died in Sarnia on January 13, 1971, at the age of 75.