Pennfield Ridge N.B – No 2 (ANS)

The first cover pictured was sent from Pennfield Ridge N.B. in June 1943 by a Sergeant of the RNZAF.

The air base officially opened for training on July 21, 1941. It was part of the No. 3 Training Command with its headquarters in Montreal, Quebec. No. 2 Air Navigational School (ANS), was the first unit to operate at Pennfield. Later No.34 Operational Training Units (OTC) was located there. The MPO 703 was issues to Pennfield Ridge.

Two Australians and Three New Zealanders lost their lives while training here. (References: http://www.geocities.com/blacksharbour/pennfield.html Bailey, W.J. (1978). Canadian Military Post Marks. Ottawa, Canada: The British Commonwealth Stamp Exchange http://www.dnd.ca/site/fourth_dimension/2002/may02/may23_fd_e.htm)

(Fig 1.) Cancelled Pennfield Ridge June 28 1943. Unfortunately the stamp has been removed.

Montreal – No 1 Wireless School
No 1 Wireless School was opened in Montreal, Quebec in 1940. The first British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), as it was known as in Canada, was commenced 29th April 1940 continuing until 31st March 1945. The Prime Minister of Canada Mackenzie King appointed Charles Gavin Power the then Postmaster General to the new Cabinet post New Zealand Musings of Minister of National Defence for Air to run the BCATP. The next cover was sent to a Leading Aircraftsman who had been training at No 1 WRL SCH but had since returned to New Zealand. The datestamp used issued was MPO 406.

(Fig 2) Cover mailed at Dominion Road PO 26 May 1941. It is cancelled with a C Class 34mm datestamp. Backstamped with Montreal Station H Machine cancel dated 19 June 1941. Notation in pencil “This airman has returned to New Zealand. Return to NZ Liason (sic) Office Ottawa Ont.” Another notation in red ink reads, “Return c/o Airman Records Wellington New Zealand. The cover is further redirected to a Rural Mail Delivery address at Mangonui. Finally a Wellington Railway Blackball J class cancel is applied.

(Fig 3.) Montreal – Canada – Station – H 19 JUN 41.

The Next cover has been sent from Hamilton Ontario to the UK. I am presuming that the addressee a Flight Sergeant c/o New Zealand House, 3 Agar Street, London. Has completed his training and has been sent to a RAF unit in England.