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Before the Second World War,
Botwood was already buzzing with aviation activity. This small Newfoundland town was considered the crossroads of the world for transatlantic passenger and commercial flights aboard the famous flying boats of PanAm, BOAC and AEA. When WWII broke out, Botwood became a strategic RCAF base for coastal defense and anti-submarine patrol squadrons. The population of around 1,000 people swelled with more than 10,000 Canadian troops arriving via Canadian Navy vessels or train. Some were either sent on to Gander or remained in Botwood. They came here to train for war before being shipped overseas. During WWII, Botwood flourished. It was a busy spot and work was plentiful. Among those who used Botwood as a strategic North American airstrip was American Export Airlines, and in June 1942 that company became the first in the world to employ women as crewmembers on transatlantic flights. Before that time, all transatlantic flights were crewed by men only. These pioneering first six “air hostesses� were trained nurses and highly skilled to work aboard the flights. Their duties included, but were not limited to, assuring that all passengers were comfortable, cooking and serving the meals, preparing drinks, preparing the cabins for sleeping, refuelling the plane and looking after the sick. One of those pioneering air hostesses was Adele Jenkins, a petite woman at five feet four inches tall and 115 pounds. The effects that WWII and the small town of Botwood had on her world would stay with her until the day she died. Her story is one that fell through the cracks of time, even though it has all the elements of a blockbuster movie. Pint-size Adele was born in 1911 in New York. Her early life was one of poverty and uncertainty. She told her niece that when she was a young child and times were really tough and she needed to get away, she would run to the local airport and watch the planes taking off and landing. She said that watching the planes felt very romantic to her. At around seven years old, she was adopted by a teacher. 1-888-588-6353
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