Thread by @jeremy_hopkin

Overjoyed that @StratfordBruce recently gave me this Aircraft Manual that was owned by his Grandfather Bert Sterling Wemp. Mr. Wemp was quite an interesting person! Among many accomplishments, he was a journalist for the Toronto Telegram. A career that spanned 60 years.

@StratfordBruce was paring down his collection, preparing to move from Toronto. Knowing my interest in local history, he asked if I’d like a few things his mother Mary Skeaff (nee Wemp) owned. I happily accepted the kind offer.
- Here's Mary with brother William & Mr. Wemp.

There were a few gaps in Bert Wemp's journalism career, made to fulfil other duties. Having a passion for aviation, he successfully completed flight training with the Curtiss Aviation School in Toronto in 1915.

Wemp then joined the Royal Naval Air Service & journeyed overseas to fly combat & reconnaissance aircraft fighting World War One. By war’s end, Wemp was the first Canadian to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, & also earned the Order of Leopold & the Croix de Guerre.

Sadly, the typical lifespan of a combat pilot in WWI was only a measure of days or weeks... as a result Bert Wemp was the only student of his class from the Curtiss Aviation School to survive & return to Toronto.

In 1921 & 1922 Bert Wemp was elected a school trustee in Toronto. In 1924, he joined Toronto City Council as an alderman for Ward 2. In 1930, he was elected mayor of Toronto. After successfully serving as mayor for only a year, he returned to the Toronto Telegram as city editor.

Bert’s love of aviation had not diminished. Upon returning to Toronto after WWI he flew planes as a civilian and became a founding member of the Toronto Flying Club, which opened on part of a former RCAF aerial training camp in Leaside early in 1928.

This point in time brings us back to the Aircraft Manual. I’ve determined that the book dates from 1931, the same year that the Toronto Flying Club moved from Leaside Aerodrome to their new airfield at Malton.

It’s likely that the cover of this Aircraft Manual was personalized to Wemp & also other important aviators by Brigadier-General J.H. MacBrien. He made a significant effort after the war to promote civilian flight across Canada & formed the Canadian Aviation League in Aug 1931.

J.H. MacBrien was also one of the dignitaries onhand for the opening of the Toronto Flying Club’s new field in Malton in 1931. Here he is opening the new field with W.J. Stewart, the Toronto Mayor who succeeded Wemp.

Published by Imperial Oil Ltd. of Canada, the Aircraft Manual is a quick reference containing helpful hints, explanations of the basic principals of aviation, aircraft maintenance and detailed specifications on several aircraft engines.

That's about all there is to the book, but there's so much more to the story of Bert Wemp.

Thank you @StratfordBruce for letting me have this interesting piece from your family history, it’s a cherished item to me. ~ Wishing you all the best in your new home!