Danish Airman ?

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Dennis,
My info is from an ancestry subscription, so I can provide the information.

Mikkel

[Mikkel Plannthin]

More information found today:

Leif Kaare Pay is born on 24 May 1906 in Copenhagen, Denmark. I have tried to get hold of the registration of his birth and/or baptism and the 1906 Census registration for the family. Both without luck so far.

He is the son of Carl Marius Pay (b. 10 February 1866) and Ellen Pay (b. 13 August 1882). His father born in Kristiania (Oslo) in Norway. He sets up a business, Pay & Ko., in Copenhagen in 1895 and is from 1913 the Norwegian consul-general in Copenhagen, Denmark. In the late 1910’s the father owns for short periods of time different country estates: ‘Bangsbo’ near Frederikshavn from 1917-1919, ‘Baggesvogn’ in the parish of Sindal in 1918, and ‘Højris’ on the island of Mors 1918-1922. It is not clear to me whether the family actually lives in one or more of these places or if they were purchases as investments, though.

I have yet to establish the whereabouts of the family during the 1920’s, but as we know Leif Kaare Pay arrives in Australia in 1932. This record may reveal the intended length of the stay.

He buys the country estate 'Gammelgaard' in the parish of Ryde in 1939, but sells it in the end of 1941 (new owner takes over the property on 1 January 1942). Then we know he is arrives in Australia once again in 1942 and is attached to the RAF Training Command.

In 1950 he buys a country estate once again; 'Tygesminde', parish of Sønder Stenderup. He is referred to as Kaptajn (i.e. Captain) Leif Kaare Pay. He sells the estate in 1957.

This corresponds well with entries of a L K Pay in the British Phone directory, West Middlesex, during the period 1956-1981.

(Sources: Trap, J. P., Danmark, 1955; Krak’s Vejviser, 1906; Krak's Blå Bog (= Who’s Who), 1918 and ancestry.co.uk)

I think it is safe to say, that he is Danish. I would presume, that something could have been written about him in the newspapers, but have not been around to checking this yet.

Regards
Mikkel

PS. Dennis, border crossing records - Canada to US - is part of the U.S. immigration records and accessible torugh ancestry.co.uk.

[dp_burke]

Thanks Mikkel,

I finally caved in and bought a subscription today!! Wow, the lists of ferry men are amazing. I found lots of names I wanted.

Martin, watch your inbox.
And great info on L K Pay, Mikkel, I'll be quiet now!!

Dennis

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Mikkel and Dennis,

That is wonderful information on Pay. Many thanks

If he arrived in Sydney, Australia by BOAC on 15 January 1942 I suspect it is most unlikely that he was in Denmark at "the end of 1941". He may have been already out of the country when the Germans invaded in April 1940, or escaped/left soon afterwards. He probably had his family in Denmark, or his legal representatives, sell his estate. Speculation, I know.

No indication so far of him joining any armed service. I will try to obtain the two digital records held in Australia concerning his entry into that country.

Regard for now and thanks again.

Martin.

[Mikkel Plannthin]

You might be right. The border crossing record (28 Dec 1943) refers to his father being in Sweden.

Mikkel

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Martin and Dennis,
Thanks to you I have now been able to include Leif Kaare Pay in the list of pilots on my website.
http://www.danishww2pilots.dk/profiles.php?id=257

Mikkel