Bradford, Innisfil help set world record in honor of RCAF

Bradford is topping the list of milestones included in a new world record thanks to two local veterans.

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) announced on June 26 that Guinness World Records has officially recognized their successful attempt for the most landmarks illuminated in 24 hours, with 56 lit up in blue in honor of 100 RCAF.^th birthday on April 1, breaking the previous record of 38.

According to a press release from the Department of National Defense on June 26, the registration certificate was presented to Lt.-Gen. Eric Kenny, Commander RCAF; Chief Warrant Officer John Hall, RCAF Chief Warrant Officer; and Captain Aaron Niles, Strategic Planner for the RCAF Centenary Team and Lighting Campaign Leader, during the RCAF Centenary Ball on June 1 in Ottawa.

“We are incredibly proud to have set this Guinness World Record,” Kenny said in the release. “This lighting event was a visual spectacle and a heartfelt tribute to RCAF personnel, past and present, who have served our country with distinction.”

On a local level, Lt.-Col. Ferguson Mobbs and retired Warrant Officer George Neilson led the charge as they illuminated and photographed eight different locations in Bradford in just around four hours as part of the effort.

Mobbs found out the recording was official after a friend texted him.

“I was totally delighted with this record for the RCAF and was surprised that the BWG was first on the list of landmarks accepted by Guinness and UNESCO,” he said.

Unknown to him, Neilson and other participants at the time, Guinness has strict rules that only those landmarks recognized by UNESCO, national government registers or significant third party registers would be considered eligible for the record.

As a result, Guinness reduced the original list of over 500 landmarks from 26 different countries to just 56 landmarks from eight countries. The Millennium Clock Tower is the only remaining location in Bradford and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 547 is the only remaining location in Innisfil of the three planned for submission.

Still, Mobbs said he wasn’t disappointed by the decision.

“It was awesome, so many Canadians wanted to support the RCAF in achieving this world record,” he said. “I know that for every address listed on the RCAF website, a sense of pride and support for the RCAF was the main driving force behind their support.”

Neilson was also grateful to everyone who helped make the effort successful.

“As for me, I’m so proud to be a part of this project,” he said.

The announcement of the new record followed a series of events in Bradford in June celebrating the RCAF Centenary and culminating in a parade and air show.

While Mobbs is not currently attempting any other world records, he remained open to the possibility in the future and offered some words of wisdom to others.

“The only advice I can give is to confirm all the rules first and just focus on the goal,” he said.

Of the 56 recognized landmarks, 42 were in Canada, including the CN Tower in Toronto, the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill, BC Place and the Vancouver Lookout, to name a few.

Outside of Canada, other participating countries with recognized landmarks include Austria, Estonia, France, Ireland, New Zealand, South Korea and Scotland.

A full list of recognized landmarks is included in the Ministry of National Defense communique.

The full list of benchmarks submitted can be found on the RCAF website.