Archie William Londry

Flying Officer (Pilot)
Royal Canadian Air Force

Service Summary

Archie William Londry enlisted in the fall of 1941 after harvest. Raised during the difficult years of the 1930s, he upgraded his education through correspondence studies and wartime educational programs in order to qualify for aircrew training.

He began training at Edmonton, then completed Initial Training School in Regina before proceeding to Elementary Flying Training School in Virden, Manitoba.

Wartime Experience

Archie advanced to Service Flying Training School in Dauphin, Manitoba, where he trained on twin-engine aircraft.

During training, he survived a serious runway collision during a night solo exercise when another aircraft struck his plane. Both pilots escaped unharmed.

After graduation, Archie was selected as a flying instructor rather than being posted overseas. He trained pilots in Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba on aircraft including Cornells, Oxfords, Ansons, and Cessna Cranes.

As an instructor, he survived several dangerous incidents involving violent storms, icing, forced landings, and aircraft emergencies. He later reflected that instructors faced high casualty rates while preparing others for combat.

By war’s end, Archie was Officer Commanding Beam Approach Training Flight.

He was discharged in the fall of 1945.

Post-Service Life

After the war, Archie returned to farming in the Rapid City area and later worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway.

He married Winona Horner in July 1945. Together they raised one son and welcomed four grandchildren.

Archie developed a successful purebred cattle, semen, and embryo export operation, shipping Simmental cattle genetics to seventeen countries.

He was a Life Member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch #138 and served approximately twenty years as Service Officer, strongly advocating for veterans.

Archie later became a founding member and nine-year President of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Brandon, also chairing its Foundation and Memorial Book Committees.

He passed away on November 13, 2019, at the age of 97.

Medals & Honours

• Canadian Volunteer Service Medal

• War Medal 1939–45