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The "Lost Airmen of the Empire" sculptural monument at Hospital Hill honours the Allied Airmen who gave their lives at the Patricia Bay Air Station during the Second World War. Victoria Sculptor Illarion Gallant completed the sculpture in the Fall of 2017. A community dedication event was held on June 1, 2017.
Hospital Hill is located along Mills Road on the North side of the airport, was home to the Medical Facilities for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Station Patricia Bay during the Second World War.
This monument was selected by Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) and a group of citizens who formed a working group that had the common goal of increasing the awareness of the proud military history of the airport. Approximately 1,000 salvaged bricks from the previously demolished military administration building have been saved and will be incorporated into the project. This new display will recognize and honour those who gave their lives while serving at the airport during the Second World War.
The main feature of this sculptural work is 25 – 12 foot high Corten Steel Cooper’s Hawk Feathers. The Cooper’s Hawk is a predator known for its extraordinary agility in flight and ferocity in hunting. The names of the lost airmen will be water jet cut into the feathers.
The area surrounding the monument is landscaped and a row of red maples stand on either side of the path leading to the memorial and interpretive signage. Seating areas feature the saved bricks from the RCAF headquarters. The central seating area is also a memorial capsule containing sealed letters written by the community to the veterans.
