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Carr Road was dedicated by the Canada Lands Company on December 10, 2013, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

Lieutenant-General William Kier Carr, Distinguished Flying Cross, Venerable Order of Saint John, Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Legion of Merit, Member of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame, was the first commander of Air Command, vice-president of Canadair and Bombardier and widely known as the father of the modern Canadian Air Force.

He was born in Newfoundland, the son of the manager of a fishery in the tiny fishing town of Grand Bank on the Burin Peninsula. Bill was a photo reconnaissance Spitfire pilot with 683 Squadron, Royal Air Force. He flew a Spitfire equipped to fly fast, to fly high and to run from the trouble that it was a magnet for. It had no guns, no armour, and no bulletproof glass. Its only weapons were its cameras, its speed and the courage of young Mr. Carr.

He would strap himself into a Spitfire and deliberately take it deep into a Europe run by Nazis, the greatest evil known to modern man. In broad daylight, he would fly over their encampments, their anti-aircraft installations, their factories, their cities, their airfields, travelling at 300 miles per hour, never positive that his oxygen system would continue to feed him life, or that his engine would continue to run in the thin air, always on the lookout for an attack. He did this 142 times.

After the war, Carr continued to fly, did post-graduate work in chemistry and physics in the United States and attended staff college. He continued to fly in the photo mapping business he learned so well in Malta and Italy – this time on Lancasters and Mitchells – until he became commanding officer of 412 Squadron at Uplands. It was here, on aircraft like the de Havilland Comet, the world’s first jet airliner, that he flew people like Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, French President Charles De Gaulle and Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.

After 412 Squadron, Carr moved up the command ladder in rapid steps – being promoted to the rank of group captain, commanding the United Nations air transport operation in the Congo, commanding Royal Canadian Air Force Station Namao in Alberta, and the National Defence College, being promoted to air commodore, commanding Training Command as a major-general, going to North American Aerospace Defense Command Headquarters in Colorado Springs as chief of operations and – ultimately – being promoted to lieutenant-general and becoming as Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff.

His final leadership role was as the first commander of Air Command – an entity that he was responsible for creating in 1975.

Naden Landing was dedicated by the Canada Lands Company on December 10, 2013, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

The Naval shore facility at Esquimalt was commissioned as HMCS Naden on September 3, 1922. It was named for facility’s Depot Ship, HMCS Naden, a small wooden schooner built in 1913 that previously had been used for costal surveys and cadet training. HMCS Naden carried books containing the names of officers and men serving in the Esquimalt area. An old British Admiralty regulation required that all personnel working ashore must appear on the books of a naval vessel for purposes of pay and discipline, even when there was little real connection between base and ship.

When the Second World War began, Naden become the principal Naval Training Centre for western Canada. The war years saw a rapid expansion of the facility to meet the huge demands of training the personnel needed for the war effort. Many from Edmonton joined others from the prairies in joining the navy and receiving their training at HMCS Naden.

HMCS Naden was renamed to Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt on April 1, 1966, as part of organizational changes, which integrated the navy, army, and air force.

Nonsuch Street was dedicated by the Canada Lands Company on December 10, 2013, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

HMCS Nonsuch is the name of the Edmonton Division of the Canadian Navy (Reserve). The name Nonsuch comes from the French "non pareil," meaning eminent beyond or above comparison, somebody or something of unequaled excellence. Many ships in the Royal Navy have borne the name Nonsuch. At the Edmonton Division, there is a plaque bearing the battle honours of Nonsuch dating, for different ships of the same name, from 1652 through to 1916. The name was used in 1947 as the name for a captured German destroyer.

The White Ensign was first in Edmonton in April 1923, when a Naval Half-Company under the command of the late Lieutenant-Commander Athol Blair MacLeod was formed. This half company grew to a strength of upward of 225 officers and men. The Hudson's Bay Company’s Edmonton horse barns in the River Valley were sold to the Department of National Defence in 1939 to house the small Naval Reserve Division that had previously been at the Prince of Wales Armories. It was called the Nonsuch in recognition of the role of that name in both the Navy and the Hudson Bay Company. 

The Naval Reserve Division went on active service on September 10, 1939. Through the years that followed, several thousand naval volunteers passed through basic training at the land-bound ship which became HMCS Nonsuch. For practical water training, a summer base was established at Lake Wabamun. The unit was de-commissioned in 1964. This street is named in recognition of its strong Edmonton history and respect for those who trained for service through the facility.

Admiral Girouard Street was dedicated by the Canada Lands Company on December 10, 2013, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

A Montréal native, Rear Admiral (Retd) Roger Girouard began his nautical career of service at HMCS Carlton in Ottawa as a Naval Reserve Ordinary Seaman Boatswain in 1973, before shifting to the permanent force and taking a commission as a Maritime Surface officer. He held a variety of leadership positions including Commanding Officer of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Chaleur, Miramichi and Iroquois, Commander Maritime Operations Group Four in Esquimalt, British Columbia, and Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific.

He deployed on a number of operations including North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Standing Naval Force Atlantic and Canada’s Operation Friction during the Gulf War of 1990-91. He was the head of operations in Halifax during the domestic emergency coined as Operation Persistence - the Canadian Armed Forces element of the SwissAir 111 salvage and recovery operation off Peggy’s Cove in 1998, when he was responsible for planning the Canadian Armed Forces element’s efforts, chaired the daily multi-agency coordination meeting and served as Canadian Armed Forces liaison to the families of the victims. He commanded Canada’s joint force contribution to Operation Toucan in East Timor and led the multi-national naval Task Force 151 during Operation Apollo in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman in 2003.

His last appointment was as Commander Joint Task Force Pacific and Maritime Forces Pacific in Victoria, where he was responsible for naval readiness in the Pacific, served as the Search and Rescue Commander for the Region and held responsibilities for security and domestic emergency issues in British Columbia, supporting planning for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and the contingency work for potential flooding of the British Columbia lower mainland in the Spring of 2007.

Experienced in offshore operations, joint and interagency missions, disaster management as well as the realm of HR management, he retired from the Canadian Forces in September of 2007. He was sought out to complete the Canadian Coast Guard Inquiry into the tragic sinking of the L'Acadien II, a sealing vessel home ported in the Magdalen Islands. He assumed responsibilities as the Canadian Coast Guard’s Assistant Commissioner for Western Region in May of 2013.

Roundel Lake was dedicated by the Canada Lands Company on 11 December 2012, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

In the opening weeks of the First World War, an aircraft pilot flying over the lines could expect a volley of rifle fire from either friend or foe on the ground. In an attempt to secure safe passage for pilots flying over friendly lines, the Union Jack in the form of a shield was painted on the underside of British aircraft. This plan was dropped because at a distance the St. George’s Cross in the Union Jack was difficult to distinguish from the German Cross. For inspiration, the Royal Flying Corps turned to their French Allies who had adopted a roundel based on the tricolor. The Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service took this roundel and re-versed the colours, blue outermost with the center red. This same roundel has been carried on British aircraft to date.

On 30 November 1921, the Canadian Air Force was presented with the Blue Ensign of the Royal Air Force to fly as their own. A privilege arranged by Lord Trenchard. The Royal Canadian Air Force retained this privilege at its formation on 1 April 1924 until 5 July 1940 when the Royal Canadian Air Force was authorized to introduce the maple leaf into the roundel in place of the red center. At this time the roundel on the ensign was so revised.

Aircraft flown by Royal Canadian Air Force continued to wear the Royal Air Force roundel since their aircraft, including those built in Canada, all came through Royal Air Force channels. On 19 January 1946, the Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft began to wear their own markings. This roundel is still worn today by aircraft of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy Fleet Air Arm and Canadian Army. The roundel is a blue ring, surrounding a white area in the center of which is the red maple leaf.

Bannock Bay was dedicated by the Canada Lands Company on May 22, 2012, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

Russell Bannock was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on November 1, 1919. His interest in aviation began at an early age and he began flight training in 1937 at the Edmonton Flying Club, obtaining his private pilot's license in 1938 and his commercial license the following year.

He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force when the Second World War broke out, and was posted in 1940 as a flying instructor to the Central Flying School in Trenton, Ontario. By September 1942, Bannock was chief instructor at No. 3 Flying School in Arnprior, Ontario. In total, he delivered more than 2,000 hours of instruction to student pilots enrolled in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

In 1944, he was sent overseas and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force’s No. 418 Squadron in June of that year, flying de Havilland Mosquitos on intruder missions over Europe. His success prompted his appointment as a flight commander and he was soon promoted to the rank of wing commander and given command of 418 Squadron in October 1944. Shortly thereafter, he was posted to 406 Squadron as commanding officer and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for outstanding leadership in that command.

During this period, Bannock teamed up with navigator Flying Officer Robert Bruce. Together, Bannock and Bruce waged war on Germany’s V-1 jet-powered “flying bombs” or “buzz bombs,” at one point destroying four in just one hour. By April 1945, he had accounted for the destruction of 11 enemy aircraft and 19 V-1 ‘flying bombs,’ had earned himself the title ‘The Saviour of London,’ and the distinction of becoming the Royal Canadian Air Forces’s leading night fighter of the Second World War. He was also Canada’s second-highest-scoring flying ace.

Bannock became director of operations at the Royal Canadian Air Force’s London headquarters in May 1945, remaining in that post until September, when he attended Royal Air Force Staff College. Upon his retirement from the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1946, Bannock began the next stage of his phenomenal flying career. He returned home and joined de Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada Ltd. in Downsview, Ontario, as chief test pilot and operations manager.

Johnnie Caine Way was dedicated by the Canada Lands Company on May 22, 2012, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

John Caine, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Caine of South Edmonton, Alberta, reported for duty with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1939 after the war in Europe had started. He was rejected because of an insufficient education, but was offered a crash course from which he graduated after 18 months and started his flight training on December 1 to become a pilot on the De Havilland Mosquito. Caine established an enviable record by destroying 20 enemy aircraft. He was noted for his success in pressing the attack in the air and for inflicting much damage on ground targets He specialized in destructing German railway yards and low level flying and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross three times.

Newson Road was dedicated by the Canada Lands Company on May 22, 2012, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

William Francis Montgomery (Bill) Newson, DSO, DFC, CD, B. Eng., was born in Calgary, Alberta, on July 19, 1917. He attended Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, where he graduated in Civil Engineering in June 1939, and immediately joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. He learned to fly at Camp Borden, Ontario, and his first assignment was to fly coastal operations, escorting convoys on the Atlantic crossings, often under very difficult weather conditions.

He transferred to the United Kingdom Ferry Command and joined the No. 408 Squadron and during operations his aircraft sustained serious damage on two occasions. For outstanding courage and leadership he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In June of 1943, he was posted as Squadron Commander to No. 431 Squadron. He demonstrated outstanding courage and leadership in the completion of very long range bomber sorties, for which he was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross.

In October 1944, Group Captain Newson was appointed Commanding Officer of 405 Pathfinder Squadron where he remained to the end of hostilities in Europe. He was one of Canada's most outstanding bomber pilots of the Second World War. Following the Second World War, General Newson held a number of senior staff and command appointments in Canada and overseas. From 1964 to 1968, Brigadier General William Newson was Commander of the North American Radar Air Defense 36th Division in Topsham, Maine where he was responsible for the air defense of the northeastern approaches to North America. He was the first Canadian to command a North American Radar Air Defense base on American soil.

He retired from the Armed Forces in 1972 after accumulating nearly 6,000 flying hours. Newson was approached in 1977 to take on the role of Executive Vice President of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. He brought to fruition the concept of this unique institution and preserved the human aspects of Canadian aviation heritage for the benefit of the nation. He was inducted into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame in 1984. 

Morgan Road was dedicated by the Canada Lands Company on May 22, 2012, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

Born in Saskatoon in 1931, Flight Lieutenant Robert Morgan joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1949 and served over 35 years in the forces. He has resided in the Edmonton area since 1969.

Notably, he was awarded the George Medal in May 1957 for selfless action on July 21, 1955, while serving with 439 Squadron in Marville, France. His citation notes his ‘splendid courage’ in the rescue of the trapped pilot of a crashed fighter aircraft “with complete disregard for his own safety, ignoring flames and exploding ammunition… while standing over fuel tanks …removed the pilot ….Flight Lieutenant Morgan’s prompt, courageous, and sustained rescue efforts in the face of mounting danger, …saved the pilot’s life.”

Just prior to retirement, he was selected the 1985 Air Force Association of Canada’s National Airman of the Year.

Ad Astra Boulevard was dedicated by the Canada Lands Company on May 22, 2012, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

April 1, 1924, has been celebrated as the birthday of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The new Royal Canadian Air Force adopted the Royal Air Force’s motto Per Ardua Ad Astra – Through adversity to the stars – which replaced the Canadian Air Force’s original motto Sic Itur Ad Astra – Such is the pathway (or “This is the way”) to the stars.