On April 1, 2024, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) celebrated its 100th anniversary. According to The RCAF and CF Air Command 1924-1984, by Larry Milberry, the history of the RCAF began in 1914, with the formation of the Canadian Aviation Corps. In 1918, two Canadian squadrons were combined to form the Canadian Air Force and were attached to the Royal Air Force. On April 1, 1924, the Canadian Air Force was given the royal title by King George V and became the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Many New Brunswickers have served as aviators in both the RCAF (and its earlier iterations), as well as other Commonwealth and Allied air services. One such aviator was Captain (Capt) George Alvah Good, who was born in Woodstock, New Brunswick. Before he could fly, Capt Good was a soldier, joining the 71st Regiment of the Canadian Militia at the outbreak of the First World War (WWI), and following in his father’s footsteps, who was also a Canadian militia veteran.
In 1915, Capt Good was in command of a group of troops that were sent to England for oversees service. In June of 1916, Capt Good was sent to France with the 28th Battalion. In October of the same year, he was wounded at the Battle of the Somme. After recovering from his wounds, he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps, an air arm of the British Army during WWI.
In the summer of 1917, he served in France, as an observer, flying over the battlefields. The tunic that he wore during that time is on display at the New Brunswick Military History Museum. The insignia on the tunic has half a wing, signifying his observer designation. After spending several months in France, in June of 1918, Capt Good went to England to earn a full wing by becoming a pilot. In October 1918, Capt Good was involved in a serious training accident that put him under a coma for six weeks. He went on to recover from his injuries but was not able to continue his pilot training.
Capt Good returned home in March 1919 and became a founding member of the York Sunbury Historical Society in Fredericton. He went on to donate his and his family’s military memorabilia to the Society to help preserve Canadian military history.
Capt Good performed exemplary service to Canada and helped ensure that the military history of New Brunswick would not be forgotten. As we mark this important milestone for the Royal Canadian Air Force, we celebrate the contributions of Captain George Alvah Good and all the aviators that have served over the last 100 years.
2Lt/slt Sharma
