Historically interesting World War II Canadian military postcard showing the Administration Building of the R.C.A.F. Training Centre at St. Thomas, Ontario, home of the Royal Canadian Air Force's important No. 1 Technical Training School.
The imposing modern administration complex fills almost the entire photograph, with the Canadian flag flying above the central entrance and a period automobile parked prominently in front. The otherwise largely open foreground gives an excellent unobstructed view of the architecture and conveys the substantial scale of this wartime training establishment.
The printed caption reads:
“Administration Bldg. R.C.A.F. Training Centre, St. Thomas, Canada. — 8.”
The No. 1 Technical Training School at St. Thomas was established by the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1939 to train skilled ground personnel required for Canada's wartime air operations. It was the only facility of its kind in Ontario during the Second World War and could accommodate more than 2,000 students at one time.
Training included six-month courses for aircraft electricians and aero-engine, airframe and instrument mechanics, together with specialized instruction for fabric and sheet-metal workers. The Elgin County Archives reports that approximately 50,000 ground personnel were ultimately trained at St. Thomas for active wartime service, with many subsequently serving at other British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facilities.
This particular postcard has additional historical interest because it was actually mailed during World War II.
The sender dated the message:
“Aug. 28/44”
and the postal cancellations are from Shedden, Ontario, August 28, 1944, placing the card firmly within the wartime period while the RCAF Technical Training School at St. Thomas was still operating. Canadian archival records document the St. Thomas Technical Training School through April 1945.
A handwritten personal message in blue ink fills much of the correspondence side. It begins “Dear Doris” and describes the sender's visit and time spent with family. The card is addressed to a recipient in Holland, Ontario.
No postage stamp is presently attached, although the postal cancellations remain clearly visible.
The card was produced in Canada by the Photogelatine Engraving Co. Limited, Ottawa, identified vertically along the centre divider on the reverse and by the distinctive P.E.CO. Ottawa emblem near the bottom. The stamp box is also explicitly marked “MADE IN CANADA.”
Photogelatine Engraving Co. produced a documented series of postcards depicting the St. Thomas RCAF installation. The Elgin County Archives preserves examples from this series, including views of the Recreation Hall, Officers' Quarters and an aerial view of the Technical Training School, dating the series to approximately 1940.
This example is identified as card No. 8.
An appealing piece of Canadian wartime history combining RCAF aviation history, World War II military training, St. Thomas local history, period architecture, a vintage automobile and genuine wartime postal use.
Please examine all photos carefully.
Your postcard will be carefully and promptly shipped.
Free Shipping to Canada & USA.