Ling Lake is named for Frank Ling.
Frank Ling was born in Ashcroft, and moved with his family to Chilliwack in 1923. Ling attended school in Sardis and Chilliwack and was awarded the Governor General’s Medal for Proficiency and the Lady Willingdon Medal at the age of 14. He participated in both basketball and soccer in school and for the community. Following graduation, in 1939, he worked in the logging industry. Ling enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in the fall of 1942 and earned his pilot’s wings at Brandon. He went overseas in October 1943 and served on bombers with 50 Squadron. Close to the completion of his tour, Frank Ling was reported missing on March 14, 1945, when his Lancaster failed to return from a mission against Lutzendorf, Germany. Frank Ling may have taken part in an estimated 36 operations. His brother Stanley Ling was killed October 30, 1944 (Ferguson, 2009).
In 1947, geographical features were named by an agency of the federal government, the Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical names after receiving a list of names of Canadian servicemen from Chilliwack who were killed during the Second World War From Canada’s Department of National Defence. The names were divided by province and were to be assigned to geographical features close to the place of enlistment (Grainger, 1998, p.82).
Ling Lake is located at the headwaters of Foley Creek, east of the Cheam range.
References:
- Grainger, N. (1998). The Mountain Project.Chilliwack, B.C.: Neil Grainger
- Ferguson, P. (2009). Chilliwack War Memorial. Online exhibit retrieved from http://www.chilliwackmuseum.ca/war-memorial/WW2_L_names.html
Photograph caption: Flight Lieutenant Frank James Ling [Chilliwack Museum and Archives photograph]