Military Badges  Associated with Gander

by R.G.Pelley

The early history of the Gander was basically military and as everyone knows, military units usually have names, numbers and badges to identify themselves. This was the case for units serving in Gander. For website purposes, we could split these badges into four groups:

 

  • the British part of  Ferry Command
     

British Ferry Command metal cap badge

British Ferry Command cloth cap badge

British Ferry Command wings

 

 


 

  • the American part of Ferry Command
     

US Ferry Command metal cap badge

US Ferry Command cloth cap badge

US Ferry Command wings

 


 

  • The North Atlantic squadron
     

This badge seems to be fairly real but may not be. This is because it shows what looks like a Hudson bomber while the North Atlantic Squadron (10 Bomber Reconnaissance) flew only Digbys and B24 (4-engined) Liberators

 

This second badge looks like it is from the WWII period but it shows a single engine aircraft. But back in those days, many squadrons operated out of gander and I surmise that at some point, the title ‘north Atlantic Squadron” may be been appropriated by others as a generic term.


 

  • other Gander badges.  
     

Armament section

general RCAF badge from the 1940s in Gander

RAF fighter control (probably controlled the Hurricanes that patrolled over central Nfld)

RCAF radar detachment, most likely post WWII  

RCAF band.  With the trombone, it looks rather “Big band”, certainly wasn’t hip-hop!

Very nice

 

 


 This information was found after considerable research on Internet and it is therefore a pleasure for me to be able to pass it along.  I don’t have all these badges myself but I sure would like to!  Enjoy.

R. Pelley