Good Clean Canadian Fun

[high time cub]

Re: Good Clean Canadian Fun

What a treasure, Grant. Do you have any more information about your relative? Or the airplane? Or why they both came to Karsh’s attention? Like a fabric airplane (and unlike kids sent out on to the ice to play), I’m sure you’ve been keeping that priceless photograph out of direct sunlight.

[Grant S. Bailey]

Re: Good Clean Canadian Fun

Well I had to enlist the help of my Dad to give me a bit more information on Rex Kitely. Here was his e-mail response last night.

Grant - On Feb. 20 1939 Dr. Robert Tanner at Beresford Lake Man issued an emergency request concerning a pregnant Mrs. Warren who was in great difficulty delivering a baby which threatened the life of both mother and child unless better medical help could be had. A raging blizzard was in progress all across northern Manitoba including Winnipeg. Rex Kiteley, Chief Pilot of "WINGS" Ltd took off from Lac du Bonnet in a Norseman, landing at Beresford Lake in impossible conditions.With Dr. Tanner and the patient Mrs Warren aboard he headed for Winnipeg. When he arrived over Stevenson Field the visibility was zero and the TCA operator called out the flood lights and proceeded to talk Kiteley down by radio phone. The landing was successful and a healthy baby girl was delivered at 3 am at the Winnipeg General. Rex was lauded for the effort and later he moved to Kenora started his own charter service with a Grumman Goose and his dog "Tammy". Karsh, aware of the story searched Rex out on a trip to Kenora and as you suggested the picture was commissioned for a tourist promotion by the Govt of Ontario. Will give you the newspaper clippings when you next come to Edmonton. Dad