The Intrepid Society has been actively promoting events and activities to improve the awareness and recognition of Sir William Stephenson for many years. Here is a brief historical summary of what has been accomplished.
History & Accomplishments
Robert Stanford Tuck and William Stephenson, WW1 Fighter Pilots.
Presentation of Manitoba’s highest honour to Intrepid: Chief Hunter of the Buffalo 21 September 1985.
Syd Davy is chosen to be the Intrepid Society president.
Raised a bronze statue of Sir William, overlooking Manitoba’s Legislative Building, on 24 July 1999. The statue was created by renowned Winnipeg sculptor Leo Mol and unveiled by The Princess Royal, H.R.H. Princess Anne.
Stimulated international recognition of Sir William’s achievements by means of a new Canada postage stamp in his likeness, initially offered within a commemorative issue celebrating the Millenium, into service December 17, 1999.
Presented a bronze maquette of Sir William, created by Leo Mol, to the CIA. This is one of three principal works of art displayed at the Langley headquarters.
Gary Solar is chosen as the next Intrepid Society President.
Presented the University of Winnipeg Foundation Sir William Stephenson Scholarship to Rebecca Vanderhooft. Rebecca is completed her degree at The University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Science Honours and was chosen as the best among the best for a very prestigious NSERC funded research program.
In September of 2009, recommended and succeeded in convincing the City of Winnipeg to rename ‘Water Avenue’ ‘William Stephenson Way’.
The Intrepid Display officially opened on November 14 of 2009 in the Atrium of the Billy Bishop Building at 1 Canadian Air Division at Canadian Forces Base, Winnipeg. This display features the authentic medals, etc, of Stephenson’s that were received on loan from one of Stephenson’s descendants.
Presented the University of Winnipeg Foundation Sir William Stephenson Scholarship to Andrea Globa. Andrea is completing a Biopsychology Honours and a Biochemistry major and is planning to pursue her graduate studies in the field of either Cognitive or Behavioral Neuroscience.
On 15 Sep 2012, this Intrepid display was shown at 17 Wing. The bust represented Winnipeg realtors who nominated Sir William Stephenson to the Walk of Fame at Assiniboine Park.
In 2013, the Manitoba Club on Broadway Avenue established a small, but effective, display to Sir William Stephenson. The homage comprises a framed photo of Stephenson, gifted by the Intrepid Society, a set of his replica medals on permanent loan from the Society, and a Leo Mol maquette, purchased by the Club, of Stephenson as an aviator.
Commissioned a new bronze maquette of Sir William Stephenson, the Man called “Intrepid”. The bronze was created by celebrated Manitoba artist Erin Senko.
Intrepid Allies Project: Presented the first of four limited edition artist proofs of a new bronze maquette of Sir William Stephenson, the Man called “Intrepid”, to Canada House in London England.
Intrepid Allies Project: Presented the second of four limited edition artist proofs of a new bronze maquette of Sir William Stephenson, the Man called “Intrepid”, to the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy France to honour and commemorate the sacrifices of the French Resistance during the events leading up to the invasion on the 6th of June 1944.
On October 1, 2014, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #1 at 526 Sargent Avenue unveiled a west exterior wall mural honouring Sir William Stephenson to an audience of about 50 people. The young couple shown in the photo, intended to simulate super spy #007 James Bond and one of the “Bond girls”, arrived in a sports car to add some glamour to the occasion.
Fourteen visitors of the Canadian entourage made up of members of the sponsoring group from the Fort Garry Horse and the Intrepid Society visited the CIA museum. They arrived at the agency headquarters in Langley Virginia by Humvee limo from downtown Washington, The group then was driven to the HQ building. They were welcomed by the Central Intelligence Agency Director and curator of the museum.
Intrepid Allies Project: Presented the third of four limited edition artist proofs of a new bronze maquette of Sir William Stephenson, the Man called “Intrepid”, to the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC. It was accepted by Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, Gary Doer. The ceremony commemorated the special comradeship between the United States, Britain and Canada, nations that enjoy common cultures, language and have been steadfast allies in two world wars and in conflicts that continue today. The event recognized the courage and sacrifices of the Americans and Canadians who brought freedom and liberty to the occupied counties during the Second World War.
Intrepid Allies Project: Presented the fourth limited edition artist proof of a new bronze maquette of Sir William Stephenson, the Man called “Intrepid” to the Hamilton Princess Hotel, Bermuda, the centre of Sir William’s intelligence operations in the Caribbean.
Dr. Gabrielle Prefontaine, Dean of Library University of Winnipeg, presents a gift of recognition of Sir William Stephenson’s Scholarship to the University. Accepting the gift is Dr. Edward Harris, Executive Director of the National Museum of Bermuda. The bronze bust of Sir William is located above the framed presentation, and was presented by the Intrepid Society April 27th, 2016.
Gifting of the bronze bust of Sir William Stephenson by the Intrepid Society to the Bermuda National Museum, presentation made by Col Gary Solar President on April 27th, 2016.
Colonel (retired) Gary Solar, president of the Intrepid Society, donated three Battle of Britain paintings to Major-General Christian Drouin, the commander of 1 Canadian Air Division / Canadian NORAD Region in Winnipeg to mark the 76th commemoration of the Battle. Known as the Trilogy, the paintings are the rare work of Robert Taylor, better known as a Canadian wildlife photographer. The paintings join an already impressive collection of historical artifacts in the 1 Canadian Air Division / Canadian NORAD Region Headquarters atrium.
On 17 May 2011, this Secret Agents and Spy display at the former Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada on Ferry Road in Winnipeg showed SWS artifacts.
On May 29, 2022, Intrepid Society President Dwight MacAulay (D) presents a thank you gift to Des Kappel, Provincial Toponymist, Manitoba Geographical Names Program, following a talk about the naming of Sir William Stephenson Lake.
On Tuesday, 09 Aug 22, Presidents Robert Nash and Dwight MacAulay, of the C.M.I.A. Winnipeg Chapter and Intrepid Society respectively, co-presented a commemorative certificate to Simon Morris, Branch Librarian of the Sir William Stephenson Library at 765 Keewatin Street, Winnipeg, acknowledging the naming of Sir William Stephenson lake in Manitoba.
On 18 May 23, CWO Brian Fisher (L) and Major Matthew Cochrane of the Canadian Forces Meteorological Branch presented on “MET operations” to about 30 members of the Royal Military Institute of Manitoba at the CFB Winnipeg Officers’ Mess. At the conclusion of the presentation, LCol (retired) Robert Nash, President, Canadian Military Intelligence Association, Winnipeg Chapter, and Dwight MacAulay (R), President, The Intrepid Society, co-presented a framed photo of Sir William Stephenson to the CF School of Meteorology of which Major Cochrane is the Commandant.
Sir William became the first Colonel Commandant of the CF Intelligence Branch when it was formed in 1982. CF Met is part of the Canadian Military Intelligence community and celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2020.
On 20 June 23, The Intrepid Society presented a framed, limited edition print of Andrew Mynarski’s Lancaster aircraft to the Andrew Mynarski VC school in Winnipeg. It is signed by the bomber’s surviving crew and the artist. Individuals in the photo, left to right, Past president Col Gary Solar, President Dwight MacAulay, Mynarski school principal Ms Christina Da Mata and HCol Robert Vandewater, IS treasurer. The group also gifted copies of the histories of the Fort Garry Horse and of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada.
On 13 July 2023, Intrepid Society President Dwight MacAulay attended a presentation and plaque unveiling event in Room 200, Legislative Building, to acknowledge the accomplishments and sacrifices of six Manitobans who served with or in support of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), and 21 airmen from Manitoba who perished while serving with the RAF in support of SOE operations.
The Intrepid Society contributed funding to the event as one Manitoba member acknowledged was Sir William Stephenson. Over 120 people attended the occasion, about half of whom were descendants of RCAF members who had died supporting SOE operations in Europe and Asia.
To learn more, visit the CMIA website at cmia-acrm.ca/page/soe-plaque-ceremony.
Other
- A public plaque on the Cairn of Tears in old Fort Douglas, a historically significant area of Winnipeg near where Sir William spent his childhood.
- Dedications on the interior walls of the Sir William Stephenson Library in Winnipeg.
Contributions of Society Members
Tim Lawson, a musician and publisher of note, has issued a music CD, The Quiet Canadian, dedicated to Sir William’s memory and achievements. Tim’s publishing house also published a new book, The True Intrepid, by Bill Macdonald, which debunks many of the books that have been written about Sir William and re-examines history telling the story of the unknown agents and the propaganda and espionage network that Sir William established.
Tim Lawson, has issued a new CD Lest We Forget, honouring Winnipeg’s Sir William Stephenson on his Remembrance Day tribute. Proceeds from the compact disc will benefit the Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Fund.