Warbird Information Exchange

A FAREWELL TO WES AGNEW
From the Brandon Sun Obituary: Saturday, March 11, 2000

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wesley George Agnew at Brandon Regional Health Centre at the age of 78. He was born on October 18, 1921 in Hartney, Manitoba. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force on January 6, 1942 in Edmonton, Alberta. He was trained in eastern Canada and was later stationed at #23 EFTS as a flying instructor in Davidson, Saskatchewan. He met Joyce Burrill and later married her on December 26, 1944 in Langbank, Saskatchewan. Wes was posted to Vulcan, Alberta for six months and then to Yorkton, SK until 1945 at war's end. After his discharge he returned to Hartney to farm. In addition to farming, Wes was self-employed at aerial spraying and hunting. Wes enjoyed the outdoors with a love for hunting and fishing. He belonged to the BPO Elks and was a 50-year member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch #26 in Hartney.
His passion and interest in World War II aircraft started him on his long journey and dream of starting an aircraft museum to honour the memory of the airmen who lost their lives during the war. Along with his wife, Joyce, many, many hours were spent on the road across Canada in search of WWII aircraft. After 33 years of farming, Wes and Joyce moved into Brandon in 1982 and became Founding Members of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, Inc. Aircraft from the Agnew collection became the first exhibits when the museum occupied Hangar No. 1 at the former No. 12 Service Flying School in Brandon. He held the position of CATPM Curator for five years and continued to volunteer at various tasks around the museum until his passing. In 1990, Wes was awarded the RCAFA Distinguished Service Award. His funeral service was held on Thursday, March 9, 2000 at the First Presbyterian Church in Brandon. Internment was at the Rosewood Memorial Gardens near Brandon where pilot Howard Pahl executed a flyby in the CATPM Harvard as arranged by President Reg Forbes.