Wilmot, Charles Eardley

The tragic instant death of S/L Charles Eardley Wilmot, A.F.C., during the afternoon of October 15, 1941, (two years to the day from the time he enlisted) at No. 2 S.F.T.S., Uplands, robbed Brant County of one of its outstanding men and the R.C.A.F. of a skilled and efficient officer and pilot. Unlike so many who die in service with the promise of a bright future unfulfilled, S/L Wilmot had proved himself a citizen whose contribution to his country and the communities in which he lived had been measured in deeds. Born July 12, 1892, at Newcastle, Ont., he learned to fly during the First Great War and earned the Air Force Cross for his service in the R.A.F. At the conclusion of the war, he went to the Argentine as Chief Pilot in charge of the Handley-Page Flying Mission leaving from England in December, 1919. Later he returned to Belleville, where he was subsequently elected Mayor. In March, 1931, he took up residence near Brantford, with his wife, the former Miss Isabelle Cockshutt, who with their three children, Henry, Anne and Michael, reside at The Grove Farm, Tutela Heights. S/L Wilmot took part in many of Brantford's activities. He was a member of Grace Anglican Church. He was President of the Brantford Conservative Association and Conservative candidate in the Federal election of 1940. President of the Brant-Norfolk Aero Club, he was one of its most energetic and successful leaders and many youngsters who were later to distinguish themselves in the R.C.A.F. were often taken "riding" in the sky over Brantford by S/L Wilmot. At his farm he successfully specialized in the raising of turkeys. At the outbreak of the Second Great War, he joined the R.C.A.F. on October 15, 1939, and was commissioned as a flying officer and later became Commander of G Flight at Camp Borden. From there he went to Uplands. His death came when he was about to advance another step in the service. His appointment to the post of Chief Flying Instructor at Camp Borden had been announced and he was to leave Uplands where he was acting Commanding officer of the station. S/L Wilmot was laid to rest with full R.C.A.F. honors in Farringdon Burial Ground.

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