Civilian Security Passes During the War

Jim Strong has contributed his father's security passes that he possessed while working as a civilian at the Newfoundland Airport during WWII. The airport had four bases (RCAF, USAAF, RAF and Canadian Army. This would indicate the military took the security of the airport very serious.

Below the cards shown are some of Jim's comments:

 

'Here are the Newfoundland Airport Identity Cards that were issued to my parents. Dad's is well worn and maybe hard to read. Dad's is signed by S/L H.A. Pattison who was the first airport manager for the base. He is also the man who hired Dad in 1937 to work as a wireless operator at the operation in Botwood. My Dad (Jim Strong) and Pete's Dad (Charlie Blackie) travelled together on the train from St. John's to Norris Arm and then on to Botwood in June of that year -a month before the first flying boats landed there.'

'Notice on the pass issued by the US Army the letters RAFTC was used on his photo. That designation was used before "Ferry Command" came into use and stands for Royal Air Force Transport Command.'

'This is a pass that was issued to my Dad by the First Battalion of The Queens Own Rifles of Canada. "Piquet" is the French word for "post" I assume that is as in sentry post.'

Contributed by Jim Strong (jr)