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The Bauman Family of Puslinch and area
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Harold "Doc" Oaks
1. HAROLD ANTHONY (DOC)8 was born November 12, 1896 in Hespeler, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and died July 21, 1968 in Toronto. He married BERNICE FARLINGER 1927 in Port Arthur, Ontario. She was born November 19, 1903 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and died February 28, 1982 in Toronto. Notes for HAROLD ANTHONY (DOC) OCHS(OAKS): There is a marker in the Preston Cemetery for Harold. His ashes are scattered at Sioux Lookout, Ontario. From the Preston Reporter "Capt. Oaks,known familiarly as "Doc" was attending the University of Toronto when the last war broke out. In 1915 he enlisted in the signal corps and served in France for a year as a motorcycle dispatch rider. He was then transferred to Royal Flying Corps, now known as the Royal Air Force, and returned to England where he trained for eight months as a pilot. He saw much action in France with the 48th squadron which earned him the D.F.C. decoration conferred on him along with a group of other Canadian fliers at Kingston, Ontario."His service record claims 11 victories. From Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame "Professional daring of his aerial expeditions into uncharted regions, led others of his breed to colonize the unknown north and bring outstanding benefits to Canadian aviation. Harold Oaks was one of the first pilots/geologists who foresaw the great economic potential of the Canadian Shield. It was also his vision of low cost air transport which persuaded financier James Richardson to form the first of Canada's major airline services. Western Canada Airways was formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to accommodate his goal of low cost transportation of people and equipment over vast wilderness distances. In 1926,he designed and built the first portable nose hanger, now used universally by bush flying operators to service aircraft engines outdoors in severe temperatures." From the Preston Reporter "Tuesday night at Port Arthur, Capt. Oaks was nominated by the Progressive Conservatives in the provincial riding. Following the last war,Capt. Oaks was engaged in prospecting in Northern Ontario and Quebec. He spent a year in The Ontario Provincial Air Service and the following year organized the Patricia Airways of the Red Lake district. He became General Manager of Western Canada Airways in 1926 and was responsible for its operation in19__,the year in which he was awarded the McKee Trans-Canada Trophy for meritorious service in the advancement of civil aviation in the Dominion. OAKS, Lieutenant Harold Anthony - Distinguished Flying Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 3 June 1919. Home in Preston, Ontario; formerly in 1st Division Signals Company, C. E. F; taken on R. F. C strength, 8 August 1917; served in No.48 Squadron, 26 March to 20 September 1918; wounded on duty, 24 August 1918. Struck off strength, 14 April 1919. "Doc" Oaks, famous bush pilot; Member, Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame. Died in Toronto on 21 July 1968; see obituary in Journal of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society (Summer 1968). No published citation. Public Record Office Air 1/1580 has the following recommendation which gives his rank as Captain: A Flight Commander of magnificent spirit who has always shown a total disregard of danger. He has personally destroyed five enemy aircraft. |
