1946-58

home

 

 

 

 

Mystery photo - revisited & solved

by R.G. Pelley

There was a photo of Gander floating around 3-4 years showing a flag-raising ceremony that I really wanted but missed by a fair amount. I had a feeling it might be an important part of Gander history but as they say, I turned around and there she was – gone!

But near the end of March (2013), I was extremely happy to see it. or its twin, back on the market again and this time I had to have it.

flag

This flag raising, on a flagpole over the main entry to the old terminal (Hangar 22) was obviously not a routine affair. It certainly must have been a special occasion, as can be seen by the presence of what appears to be six airline “stewardesses” and a pilot.  I am not sure but most likely the airline counter staff also wore uniforms, so they could very well be people living in Gander.

The gentleman raising the flag is quite probably Mr. Eric Windsor, airport manager from the end of the war to the mid-50s.  A close-up of the photo will also show a man peering out the door window!  The loudspeaker next to the sign may be related to the ceremony, but this is unlikely as there is no microphone. This loudspeaker was probably used for flight announcements for people between flights stretching their legs outside.

The flag itself is Red Ensign, Canada’s flag at the time.

It was when I turned the photo over that I was most pleased.  I found the key to the mystery.

pic info

This photo was taken by or for exactly the same group, George Valentine Enell and Associates situated at La Guardia Field in New York, to whom belonged the two earlier  “Mystery“ photos

So now it all comes together.  The flags on the ramp side of the hangar in the first photo are provincial flags, and the occasion is April  1st 1949 when Newfoundland became a Canadian province.

This photo shows without a doubt the first time that the Red Ensign was flown at Gander Airport.  Mystery solved!

June 6, 2013 - Addendum

The “mystery photo” revisited – again!

The above information seemed to lead to a clear conclusion, based on the flag raising, that the celebration had been held in 1949 when Newfoundland became a province.   However, other information just found (June 2013) leads to a different and more definitive conclusion.

I have been going through information on Trans World Airways activities in Gander after the Second World War, in particular through research in a TWA personnel news journal called, depending on the date, the “Skyliner” or “Starliner”.  The issue from 21 November 1946 has a great story with a revealing title:  “NEW TERMINAL FACILITIES MAKE GANDER TOPS”.

The flag-raising photo is shown there and the participants are identified, namely James Scott Neill, Commissioner for Public Utilities and Supply for the Newfoundland government and the following hostesses:
- Loretta Mackensie from British Overseas Airlines Company (BOAC)
- Marjorie Hoopes from American Overseas Airlines (AOA)
- Jane Bray from Pan American World Airways (PAA)
- Eleanor Hyland from Trans Canada Airlines (TCA)
- Brita Booge from Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS)
- Doris Johnston from Trans World Airways (TWA)

This official opening of the terminal was hailed as a major event. The paper says notably that: ”Not only is passenger comfort improved but operating facilities for the airlines themselves are much more convenient and efficient. Spacious passenger waiting room, lounge and bar, airline ticket counters, crew lounge and operations offices are in one large building.”

It goes on to describe other buildings in the terminal area such as one with a restaurant, lounge with bar and another lounge where movies could be shown. It also mentions a hotel with well-appointed rooms for international travelers and another for aircraft crew.

The new waiting room in the terminal building, with individual airline ticket counters, was singled out for its interior decoration: “The new waiting room will seat 251 persons comfortably in restful surroundings. End walls are blue. Sidewalls are grey and the ceiling in light yellow. Wall benches and ticket counters are red.”

This article also mentions the photo described in an earlier posting showing police/security, It specifies that the people in the photo are a Newfoundland Ranger and two Newfoundland Constabulary.

So now this journal seems to clear it all up – the official opening of the terminal on September 14, 1946, an event of importance in the aviation world of the day!

 

Researched and contributed by R G Pelley from his personal historical aviation collections.

 

top return to top