Fun Times in Toronto: A Father's Wartime Memories

When Arnold Black came to Toronto from Timmins in 1942 to train as a navigator for the airforce, he was billeted with thousands of other RCAF recruits at the Coliseum at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds. He studied basic aviation at what became Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson Polytechnical School, and went to the airport at Malton, northwest of Toronto for further training.

Thanks to his aunt, Siddi Wren, who introduced him to the city’s hotspots, Black spent his free time jitterbugging, rollerskating, and sampling liquid refreshments at various saloons. He delayed his hometown return to celebrate his graduation at a Casa Loma dance with a young lady on his arm, thinking no-one in Timmins would be the wiser.