Amid grey clouds and a cool breeze, a small crowd gathered at St. Andrew’s-St. James’ Cemetery in Orillia Tuesday to mark the tragic anniversary of the death of Stanley Peacock more than eight decades ago.
Bill Sergeant, president of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association, RCAF 441 (Huronia) Wing led the service that recognized Peacock, who died in an explosion at the Orillia waterfront 81 years ago. Peacock's best friend, Rayon Raaflaub, who tirelessly fought for recognition for Peacock, was also honoured.
Peacock, 16, was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Cadet 99 Squadron in Orillia during the Second Word War and was working as an electrician’s apprentice at Hunter Boats, located on the shore of Lake Couchiching, helping to build Fairmiles, a type of boat used for coastal operations during the war.
On Oct. 13, 1943, those working on the Fairmile Q116 — the last Fairmile boat built by Hunter Boats — left for dinner after a long day of toil.
Upon returning later that evening, they heard a dripping sound coming from the boat and soon realized it was gasoline coming from a pipe connection.
Minutes later, the gas ignited. It appeared the cause of ignition was from a broken light bulb.
"I was one of the seven people aboard the Fairmile on Oct. 13 when the engine room exploded," Norm Johnstone recalled when the Fairmile Monument was unveiled this summer.
"The engine room mechanics were working overtime that night. We came back and smelled gasoline," he said.
"Peacock was the one looking down the hole when it blasted, so he caught the brunt of it all," Johnstone said. He was found deceased on the beach the next day.
In addition, six workers were seriously injured in the explosion.
In the wake of the tragedy, members of the Orillia Fire Department were recognized for their swift action that prevented the waterfront from completely going up in flames.
Chris Ferry, the current deputy fire chief of the Orillia service, joined other current firefighters at Tuesday's ceremony along with OPP Staff-Sgt. Brent Elbers.
The ceremony continued at the grave of Raaflaub, a Leading Aircraftman; a wreath was laid in his memory. Raaflaub passed away on April 20, 2023 in his 93rd year.
On Sunday, at a ceremony at Veterans’ Park, the Orillia branch of the Royal Canadian Legion recognized the efforts of Raaflaub, who spent years advocating for a memorial to Peacock and those involved in the Fairmile explosion.
Those efforts finally resulted in the unveiling of a monument at Veterans' Park this summer.
On Sunday, a cool morning, 81 years to the day after Peacock died, a plaque was unveiled at the base of the memorial to recognize Raaflaub’s efforts.
His two daughters, Lisa Day and Debbie Leach, along with local Legion officials, were on hand for the unveiling of the plaque.
