This Christmas would see a dual celebration of sorts – Pennfield Ridge and Yarmouth, NS. At “the Ridge”, the airmen remaining on the Station were served with Christmas Dinner and refreshments by the Officers in accordance with the usual custom. At Yarmouth however, their Christmas Dinner, also served by the Officers, saw nearly 600 men, including Pennfield Ridge’s 250 RAF airmen and Royal Navy personnel from East Camp, “…seated in an excellently decorated mess for a culinary triumph in which quality and quantity were represented in equally overwhelming proportions.”
Gifts from the UK:
One of the RAF Yarmouth airmen was Cpl. Leslie Eric LANE (GB547108) who came to Canada in April 1942 aboard the M/S Batory. By Christmas he was anxiously awaiting the arrival of two Christmas gifts that were making there way from the UK through the U-Boat infested Atlantic Ocean – his wife Edith Olwen (Williams) Lane and their young son Gary. His gifts arrived in New York Harbour December 26th before travelling by rail up to Canada, clearing Customs and Immigration at LaColle, PQ December 28th, enroute to Yarmouth, NS. Cpl. Lane then found a house in Arcadia, NS for his family to reside in close by East Camp, Yarmouth.
No.34 Operational Training Unit, Pennfield Ridge (1943)
Christmas celebrations would be dampened when Ventura FD697, while on a day training flight, appeared to strike the 40’ water level indicator on top of water tank located in the marshalling yards at McAdam on December 19th. All four members of the crew were killed. Twenty-five minutes later Ventura AE923, with a crew of 2 Brits., “forced” landed near the Pennfield Ridge Train Station. Both airmen survived with slight injuries although the aircraft was written off.
On December 20th, the Sergeants Mess was invaded by a strong force of children from the married quarters, and about sixty more from the local schools (Pennfield Ridge, Coldbrook & Trout Brook). Many the children were accompanied by their mothers.
December 25th saw the airmen remaining on the Camp over the Christmas period were served with Christmas Dinner by the Officers and senior N.C.Os.
Wartime Friendships (Memories of an Airmen’ Daughter)
A few years ago, I made up a binder detailing my father’s journey from the time he joined the Air Force. The main story he told of his time at Pennfield Ridge was when he and a few other airmen, all in uniform; were in a store in Saint John. An elderly man came up and started chatting with them. He then invited them to his house. They were on leave the next day, so went to visit them. Their names were Mr. and Mrs. Watson.
This wonderful old couple took my father and the other boys under their wing and invited them to their home for several visits. When Christmas came, my father and his friend Bill, were the only two boys for whom home was too far to go – the Watson’s invited them for Christmas.
Shortly after, when Bill and Dad went home for leave, just before going overseas, they sent the Watson’s a dozen roses.
When Bill and dad were going overseas, their train stopped for one hour at Saint John. The Watson’s lived close by, so Bill and Dad went and said goodbye to them. Both Bill and Dad kept in touch with the Watson’s for several years after the war until they both passed away.
RCAF Station, Pennfield Ridge (1944)
On December 21st the Christmas Party for the children of station personnel was held in the afternoon. The school children from Pennfield Ridge School were also invited. Santa Claus visited the RCAF (WD) Lounge where the party was held and distributed candy and gifts. Plenty of food was provided and consumed and about sixty children went happily home.
25-December-1944 (RCAF Station, Pennfield Ridge): On Christmas morning the Officers entertained the Senior N.C.O’s and then proceeded to the Airmen’s Mess to serve the Christmas dinner. A very fine dinner had been prepared by the mess staff, and it was very much enjoyed by all.
Christian Larsen currently serves as President of Pennfield Parish Military Historical Society. He has been actively involved in researching the genealogical & military history of Pennfield Parish for nearly four decades. From 2009 until 2017 he hosted the annual Pennfield Ridge War Memorial Services. Recognized at the provincial & federal levels for his work with Veterans having been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012); Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (2023); Minister of Veteran Affairs Commendation (2024) & King Charles III’s Coronation Medal (2025). He can be reached at: ppmhsociety@gmail.com
