I was stationed at RCAF Station Chatham NB as an AW1 working in Clerk Accounts. I had heard on the news that women would soon be posted overseas as part of the NATO contingent so I immediately requested to be posted to Europe. FS Boruke and Cpl Thomas helped me draft a memorandum, and this was submitted to higher authority for their consideration and approval.
The first draft of women to be posted overseas in peacetime were to report to Lachine, PQ on 26 February 1953. We were given lectures on how to behave and represent our country. We had a parade and more brass than I had ever seen before was there to inspect and wish us "Bon Voyage". We proceeded to Halifax by train and we boarded the RMS Ascania (Cunard Line) on 1 March 1953 and sailed almost immediately. I was promoted to LAW while sailing overseas on the Ocean Liner.
We docked at Le Havre on 10 March 1953 and took a train to Paris where we stayed for two days. I recall we did a great deal of sight seeing and we also visited a Haute Courtier fashion show - all at government expense. We subsequently took a train to Faulquemont and arrived at 2 Wing on 12 March 1953.
We slept in temporary barracks for one or two nights and were then moved to yet another barrack block for one or two weeks until the permanent Airwomen's barrack block was ready for occupancy. We were an initial draft of 50 airwomen and I seem to recall that we stayed at that number for a year ot two.
We had a number of problem areas such as - there was a "curfew" and the barrack doors were locked at night. Arab (Algerian) construction workers were still employed in various stages of construction on the station and they were not to be trusted with women. We had to sign "out" if we were going anywhere.There were no recreation facilites on our arrival - but the movie theatre, snack bar and library were operational.
I worked in Pay (Accounts) Claims in the Headquarters Building and we were soon moved to a barrack block that was converted into an office building near the theatre. I was then moved to Pay Ledgers. It was very interesting work in those days - paying personnel in American Script and converting this to Canadian money for posting in the Ledgers. How I remember the old original "pay parades".
I eventually departed Grostenquin in April 1955 - departing Cherbourg on the RMS Scythia (Cunard Lines) on 22 April 1955 and arriving at Quebec City on 1 May 1955.