Book

Period Date Notes: Start date denotes the year that the original owner was stationed at Boundary Bay Air Field

Description: Book. “The Collected Poems of Rupert Brooke”. Hardcover book with navy blue textured leather cover. Gold scroll design in the shape of a ring with the letters “RB” in the centre on the front cover. Spine features gold leaf designs and text in gold reads “POEMS / RUPERT / BROOKE / DODD, MEAD / & COMPANY”. Inscription on first page in dark blue ink reads “Boundary Bay / Xmas 1944 / To Kitch / with love / from Ina”.

Narrative: Jeanne Kitching Massey was corporal in the RCAF who was stationed in Claresholm, AB, Boundary Bay, and Patricia Bay. Ms. Massey was stationed at Boundary Bay Air Field from 1944-1945. During World War II, the Canadian Armed Forces set up several training bases across Canada to develop skilled pilots and field crew operations to assist in the war effort. Boundary Bay was one of those locations. The base figured prominently in the BCATP (British Commonwealth Air Training Plan) and is now the site of Boundary Bay Airport. Towards the end of the War, the air field was part of a number of associated fields, and the transition and activities that remained at Boundary Bay during this time is less understood. Ina is one of the original owner's good friends who also served in the RCAF.