Alfred Edwin McKay

Story of Eddie McKay, Canadian WW1 Flying Ace, from London ON to the Western Front. Read the bio @utpress. Tweets were written by Graham Broad 2016-18.

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

Thank you for following the story of Captain Eddie McKay on Twitter. Today, I have one more story to tell. Then you can read much more about him in @ProfessorBroad's book "One in A Thousand" available from @utpress https://t.co/9r22LfpYit

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

After the tour, I stayed behind for a moment to pay my respects. Eddie McKay's name is high up on the obelisk. On a grey and cold day, I stood, tip toe, reaching out for his name, and almost, but not quite, touched it.

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

I have visited the @CWGC Arras Flying Services Memorial, where he is commemorated, once, while leading a student tour for the
@CBFFCCB. #FWW #WW1 #ww1centenary @WartimeCA

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

Eddie McKay rose no higher than the third tier of wartime aces, but for me he has come to symbolize the extraordinary bravery of that generation. My efforts on his behalf have been a small gesture to save one person's memory from oblivion. #FWW #WW1 #ww1centenary

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

In 2012, a superb editor @utphistory asked if I could write two-books-in-one: a full biography of Eddie, alongside a narrative about how I wrote that book. I said I didn't know if it was possible, but I would try. #FWW #ww1centenary

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

In 2006, my senior students @kingsatwestern did some local research for a class project on Eddie. They fund-raised a marker for him that we placed near @westernuArts University College on #RemembranceDay 2007.

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

I happened across his name in a book about @WesternU's history. I used to mention him in lectures I gave while working on my PhD @westernuHistory. But I knew little about him.

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

By the 21st century, no living person remembered Eddie McKay; his name was familiar only to some distant relations and a handful of #WW1 aviation enthusiasts. #FWW #ww1centenary

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

When Eddie McKay was killed, the local papers praised his service "for humanity." The @LFPress wrote that "his name would never be forgotten." But the promise of eternal remembrance of one individual is usually a forlorn one. #FWW #WW1

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

@ProfessorBroad @utpress Thread. It is hard to remember now, but many in the generation that fought the Great War believed it had been worth it: a great struggle to save civilization, as seen in this painting by Charles Sims @CanWarMuseum

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

It was Sunday, July 31st, 1932. That day, in Germany, Adolf Hitler and the Nazis were returned to the Reichstag as its biggest party. #WW2 #SWW

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

"Inspired by the example of these our brothers, we who remain may give our lives in service and sacrifice for the progress of humanity, so that we be not ashamed when we meet them beyond the grave." #FWW #WW1 #WW1Centenary @CWGC

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

After a fly-by (fittingly, by pilots and planes of @24Sqn_OCU) pipers from the Seaforth Highlanders played "Flowers of the Forest." The officiating chaplain closed with the following words:

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

@CWGC The dedication was presided over by Hugh Trenchard, former commander of the RFC in France, by then commissioner of the Metropolitan Police @metpoliceuk. Thousands attended, including many veterans. #WW1 #FWW #Arras @CWGC

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

@CWGC On it are inscribed the names of pilots including Lanoe Hawker, Henry Evans, and Eddie McKay. #RAF #WW1Centenary #FWW #Arras

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

@CWGC The Arras Memorial enclosed an additional monument, an obelisk called the Arras Flying Services Memorial, upon which are inscribed the names of 1000 #pilots who have no known grave. #FWW #RoyalFlyingCorps #RAF #WW1

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

Thread. At the end of July and beginning of August, 1932, the @CWGC unveiled two of its greatest memorials on the Western Front: Thiepval and the Arras memorials to the missing. #FWW #WW1 #Somme100 #WW1Centenary

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

Two more stories to tell, today and tomorrow, in two threads. #FWW #WW1 #WW1Centenary

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

@WartimeCA Also - did the copy writer know that McKay and McCudden were dead?

[Alfred Edwin McKay @AEMcKayRFC]

In 1924, a curious advertisement for Hart Batteries mentioned Eddie McKay in the same breath as some of war's most famous flying aces. Had he more fame in #Canada then is generally realized? #FWW #WW1