| Notes |
- In his WW1 Attestation Paper, filled out on Sept. 10, 1915, Fred lists the current address of his parents as RR2, Norval, Halton County, Ontario.
Fred Passmore joined the Royal Canadian Dragoons and then the Fort Garry Horse, which were part of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade in World War 1. For most of the war, the Brigade fought as infantry. According to his military record [RG150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7623-30], he landed in France on Feb. 25, 1916. He was promoted from private to Lance Corporal on May 21, 1917.
On Aug. 10, 1917, he transferred to the School of Military Aeronautics, part of the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC), which later became the Royal Air Force (RAF)). He was formally discharged from the Fort Garry Horse on Nov. 12, 1917 to join the RFC. He trained and spent the rest of the war as a RFC fighter pilot. His RFC military record contained in "Nominal Roll of Canadian Airmen Serving in the RFC and RAF N to R"( held at Library and Archives Canada), shows that he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 27 September 1917, and then Lieutenant on 1 April, 1918. He served in the 24th Squadron of the RAF from 29 May 1918 to 20 November 1918, and was transferred to H.Q. Wing on 20 January, 1919. 24 Squadron, formed in 1915, was flying SE5a fighter planes in 1918. This was arguably the best and fastest single-seat fighter aircraft possesed by the Allies in WW1.
"A History of 24 Squadron" by A.F. Illingworth [reprinted by Naval and Military Press in association with the Imperial war Museum] stated that it flew mostly air combat missions (attacking German fighter planes which were trying to attack Allied reconnaissance and artillery spotter aircraft), plus some ground attack missions. Between 1915 and 1918 it accounted for 200 downed enemy planes. The book credits Fred Passmore, along with fellow pilots in "B" Flight, with forcing an enemy plane to land on an Alied airfield on 26 July, 1918. It also credits him and another pilot with damaging and driving down another enemy plane on 27 June, 1918.
Fred returned to Canada (his parents house at 83 Brunswick ave., Toronto) in 1919.
Fred was the first in his family to acquire a car, and worked in Toronto for a few years as an auto mechanic. Later he became a high school teacher of auto mechanics. The family lived at various times in London, Ontario, Port Arthur, Brantford, Galt, Hamilton and Sarnia.
A reference letter for Fred was found in Passmore family files:
"Tottenham, Ontario, Canada
To whom it may concern:
This is to certify that from July 1st 1910 to June 30th 1914 I was pastor of the church where Mr. Fred Passmore and his people attended service. I know the family intimately, as every member of it was a member of my church. Fred's Father and Mother were both leaders in our church work. He comes from one of our best Canadian homes, and was himself a leader in our young peoples' society. I never knew anything small or mean about Fred Passmore. I feel there cannot be any doubt of his loyalty and trustworthiness. I am sure if he is given a work of responsibility and trust that up to the measure of his ability - he will make good. I recommend him most heartily. He is worthy.
Sincerely
C. Atherton Belfry
Methodist minister
Tottenham, Ontario, Canada
The letter is undated. It may have been written in the early 1920s when Fred was seeking work after the war. Or it may have been written during the war when Fred was applying to join the Royal Flying Corps.
|
1895 - 1974 (78 years)
