Trinity College School - Record Yearbook (Port Hope, Ontario Canada)

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8 TRINITY COLLEGE SCHOOL RECORD In 1932 he organized the first R.C.A.F. reserve squadron, the City of Toronto Squadron, the unit with which the T.C.S. Cadet Corps became affiliated in 1936. For some years he was on the staff of St. Andrew's College, becoming Head of the Lower School, but in 1939 when the Second World War broke out he offered his services at once. During the 1939-1945 war Geoff O'Brian held many important commands and contributed in no small measure to the success of the Commonwealth Air Training plan. In London, Ontario, he commanded the 114th Bomber Squa- dron, he organized the ground school at Trenton, he took over the No. 1 Training Centre at Eglinton where his knowl- edge and skill were invaluable. Later he was posted over- seas, to Bournemouth, England, and at the end of the War he was in command of the Rockcliffe Station. It is said that Geoff met more than half of all the Canadian flying crews in the war, and he always made a deep impression on all under his command. Geoff rose in rank from Squadron Leader to Wing Commander to Group Captain to Air Com- modore and in 1946 he was appointed by His Majesty a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. But rank and decorations meant little to Geoff O'Brian: it was always the man who counted. After the war he was appointed director of Cadet Train- ing in the Ontario Department of Education and his en- thusiasm and initiative inspired many schools to continue and vastly improve this important branch of their Work. He wrote and printed a series of biographical sketches of great men which influenced all who read them. During these years he attended several T.C.S. Cadet Inspections and in May 1946 he took the salute. On that occasion he remarked on the deep pleasure it gave him to see the boys of his old School so well trained and to know they were affiliated with the Air Force. Geoff retired only a few years ago and built a country home near Bobcaygeon, Ontario, close to his family's sum- mer cottage where he had spent many happy holidays. He

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TRINITY COLLEGE SCHOOL RECORD 7 No one who knew him will ever forget Billy Bishop or his amazing skill and bravery as a fighter pilot. The School will always be indebted to him for his interest in our welfare, and the inspiration he gave to young flying men. ,.iil.. G. S. 0'BRIAN C07-'12J It is difficult for one who knew Geoff O'Brian most of his life to write of him without appearing to exaggerate, for there could be few men of his generation who had such an instinctive ability to inspire friendship and admiration. He was a man's man, extremely good company and always getting his teeth into some interesting problem. He had definite ideas and spoke his mind but never in a way to offend or disturb people. And always one knew that his eyes were on the horizon, over the hills, and that a great purpose was the mainspring of his life. He came to T.C.S. as a young boy of twelve in 1907 and after five years he was Head Boy. Entering the University of Toronto he did well in his courses and took an active interest in the militia. On the outbreak of war in 1914 he volunteered immediately and went overseas as a Lieutenant in command of the University of Toronto platoon of the Second Division, Cyclists Corps. In the winter of 1916 he joined the Royal Flying Corps, seeing much service in France and as a Ferry Pilot. He was awarded the Air Force Cross late in 1916. Returning to Canada, he was given command of the training squadron at Deseronto, a post formerly held by British officers. In 1919 he entered Osgoode Hall and after graduation practised law until 1929 when flying called to him again. Joining the deHaviland Aircraft Company he became a test pilot and later a director of the company. He was the first man to fly solo from Toronto to Winnipeg and established a record by flying to Edmonton from Toronto, two thousand air miles in twenty hours. He also flew as a bush pilot in Northern Ontario and Quebec.

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TRINITY COLLEGE SCHOOL RECORD 9 took an active interest in the affairs of the community and especially the Anglican church. In 1950 he was elected a member of the Governing Body in recognition of his distinguished service in the Air Force and his devotion to the School. A year ago last June he and his wife came down for Speech Day and after he returned he wrote to say that he had relived some of the happiest days of his life and would never forget the joy it gave him to experience the feel of the School so intimately. He died on September 13 after a heart attack and was buried in Bobcaygeon on September 15 with full Air Force honours. The motto of the Air Force, Per Ardua ad Astra, will always characterize Geoff O'Brian, but the many hundreds who knew him closely will remember so clearly the warmth of his friendship, his encouragement, his good humour and his high ideals. u f- 'l Wmnsmfss W7 ,bl , , My . f I i nilma Zi if fm u ' -.-: :XX 'mul' 5 'C ' K 4 Lip L.. , I iw: fr if 11 53. F ,, 4 6,991 1-.2 A .1 .W av , if .. ,J-53 E, I- C 1, 7, EM , ' .. ' 11 Q'x5fT'1' i'l si! :QI . ..,, 'W -W5 ,A-. ' 1 f A gd A 2 l J 1- - K' 'f . ,.-v rx . 'i Q .1 41.35. ,?21Qf2I-ssv 4 is T .1 ' JPL: ly ' ' ,f i ,' fy-,A 1 .sn .D -' 8 . .j 4- --13:-,q get -B , S 1 f nag: is 3!4'2'ffitff r -gf, ' L, i Q5'h:?'- f ' .. ii. ,?ig,.l' f Jiil- F I 5' 'vi if 4, in ' wg ' IV, , 1,5 '1 ,v :iz fff .., ' ' . . wi: s . .Lf A 1, -Lu 1 , V M' .-Q-fr-TY , IS iii' ', ' V 11-5 4f ':l'.. '-VN' W -I il A --jx , VNNX K '- 'ffl K' X X x iffiif 3 . .xy x Y ' lx l ,A N - A : 1, X iv-. i -'- E' ,A--U' lx ' RW A' 4 x XXX y at i NXQQNXXX