Daily Diary
2424 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit Hamilton, Ont.
1
June 52 to 31 December 52
1 Jun 52
Weather: bright and sunny, winds light. A meeting of a number of officers was held in the CO's office to discuss details of the movement of the convoy and personnel to the location of the Operation "Signpost", S/L Eaton and F/O Miller proceeded on TD to ADC. The following officers were taken on strength as Spec Ftr/C effective 18 March 52.
| F/O HL Precious | F/O RB Lundy | F/O TW Farr | F/O WA Hastie |
| F/O WB Hamilton | F/O BE Jones | F/O MA Morrow | F/O EG Bessey |
| F/O JF Edwards | F/O RC Austin | F/O JE Robbins | F/O S Heather |
| F/O JF Edwards |
P/O VM Carter was granted a commission and TOS 2424 AC&WU to fill an administrative vacancy. F/L Marshall who has been acting as Education Officer for the unit has been transferred to 424 (F) Sqn as a Flt Commander. F/O Northcott was appointed to take over these duties. F/O AS Tinsley was promoted to the rank of F/L. Notification was received that Cpl RD Lewis is posted to ADC. Cpl AP Pedersen to 5 AC&WU Scarborough, Cpl M Koroluk to Mount Apica effective 27 September 52.
3 Jun 52
Weather: Rain, cloudy but warm. S/L Eaton returned from TD at 1015 hours. F/O Miller remained in Montreal. A muster parade was held to determine the number of personnel available for (1) a proposed movement of the Radar Convoy to the summer camp site on July 18 and (2) the period of operations "Signpost" and summer camp. A large number of personnel were photographed and finger printed for "I" cards. Lectures for the controllers and F/Cops were conducted as usual.
F/O Christoper proceeded on TD to ADC on liaison duties for operation "Signpost".
8 Jun 52
Weather: clear and sunny. The CO's inspection was cancelled because of the small turnout of airmen. School exams and weather are having an adverse effect on attendance. Another committee meeting was held in the CO's officer discussing details of operation "Signpost". During the morning lectures on Tactics and Techniques and Navigation were given to the controllers. The afternoon was spent in practice in the operations room. Preparations for the proposed visit of the AOC were initated.
10 Jun 52
Weather: clear and sunny, quite warm. AOC A/V/M James arrived by air at 1030 hours and made his official visit to 2424 AC&WU at 1500 hours. Preparations for Air Force Day were detailed and undertaken.
14 Jun 52
Weather: cloudy, warm. This was Air Force Day on the station.
15 Jun 52
Weather: fair and quite warm. Films on Interception and Jamming were presented to the controllers. The remainder of the unit carried out the usual routine. Because of the undue heat, a stand down was arranged for the afternoon.
17 Jun 52
Weather: hot. Phase examinations for Telecom personnel were held at 1930 hours. A lecture was given to the controllers on navigation by F/L Tinsley and a talk on security was delivered by F/O Miller. F/O Christoper arrived from ADC in Expeditor 126.
18 Jun 52
Weather: clear and cool. S/L Eaton, F/L Wilson, F/L Ronald and F/O Christoper departed by a/c at 0850 hours to visit the summer camp site at Haliburton, landing at Muskoka Airport at 0950 hours and proceeding by MT to Haliburton. The living quarters at Valhalla Lodge and proposed convoy site were visited. The party returned to Hamilton at 1915 hours.
22 Jun 52
A final drive for the completion of the D26's was undertaken during the day. F/L Wilson attended a conference at Wing HQ concerning summer employment. All sections were engaged in general routine.
24 Jun 52
Lectures were given to the Ftr/Cops and the controllers in their respective rooms. Nothing unusual to report.
29 Jun 52
Another conference was held in the CO's office concerning problems that had arisen in connection with summer camp. The controllers were on GCI duties, and the airmen received their usual lectures.
1 Jul 52
STAND DOWN
6 Jul 52
Another discussion was held in the morning with the CO and officers concerned, regarding final arrangements for the movement of the unit to Haliburton. Aa visiting party from 104 K Flt under S/L Mills made a calibration exercise on the radar equipment. A conference with the senior NCO's concerning summer camp was held during the afternoon. A practice raising of one of the large marquees was undertaken.
7 Jul 52
F/O Miller departed by rail at 2045 hours for a special conference at ADC.
8 Jul 52
Work progressed on arrangements for summer camp period.
11 Jul 52
F/O Miller returned from temporary duty at ADC at 1015 hours.
13 Jul 52
During the previous week the convoy was undergoing dismantling, S/L Eaton, F/L Wilson, F/O Miller, F/L Tinsley, F/O McLean, F/L Ronald and F/L Christenson convened for another discussion on operation "Signpost" and summer camp details. F/O Miller reported on his visit to ADC. From a poll taken it was determined that there would be 22 officers and 27 airmen proceeding to Haliburton. Movement orders and camp orders and instructions were drawn up by F/L Wilson, F/L Tinsley and F/L Christenson. S/L Eaton conferred with the technical personnel regarding problems of moving the convoy, etc.
15 Jul 52
Tires for the convoy arrived and were installed during the day in preparation for the convoy movements. The CO addressed a general meeting of all personnel proceeding to summer camp and final detailed instructions were explained. A question and answer period followed to clear up any points not understood.
19 Jul to 2 Aug 52
Operation "Signpost" and summer camp period. A full report of this period has been forwarded to ADC Hq.
3 Aug - 6 Sep 52
Summer stand down.
5 Sep 52
F/O Miller attended a conference at ADC regarding visiting of AC&WU (Aux) to heavy radar sites for training.
7 Sep 52
There was a good turn out on the first day of the new term and preparations for lectures and training got under way.
9 Sep 52
General routine of lectures was the programme. The controllers spent the afternoon on convoy operations and ops room practice.
14 Sep 52
General lectures on training programme were carried out as scheduled. Nothing unusual to report.
16 Sep 52
Two lectures during the evening were given, the first by F/L Wilson on Organization, the second by F/O Austin on Electronics, to the fighter controllers.
21 Sep 52
This day was set aside to commemorate the Battle of Britain. 2424 AC&WU personnel formed #2 squadron commanded by S/L Eaton in a parade which formed up in the Hamilton Armouries and proceeded to Christ's Church Cathedral for special services by the Rt Rev WE Bagnall, DD. After service parade reformed and proceeded to the Cenotaph. G/C Wigle took the salute and placed the wreath.
23 Sep 52
Two lectures were given to the F/controllers -- Electronics by F/L Ronald and Weapons by F/O Miller.
28 Sep 52
General routine was followed. Four lectures were given to the controllers. F/O Tinsley on Navigation, F/O Miller on Tactics and Techniques, F/O Christoper on Met and F/L Wilson on Organization.
30 Sep 52
F/L Lomas from ADC reported in to discuss the telephone arrangements in building A38. General routine was followed. Nothing unusual to report.
5 Oct 52
Weather: clear and bright. Ten intercepts attempted, eight were completed successfully. Exercise was very successful.
7 Oct 52
Pay parade for all Auxiliary personnel. No lectures.
12 Oct 52
Stand down - Thanksgiving Day.
14 Oct 52
General routine was followed.
19 Oct 52
Four lectures were given and some work was done at the convoy. Instructional pictures were shown for the FTR/COPS.
21 Oct 52
F/O Miller lectured to the F/Controllers on Tactics and Techniques. General routine was followed.
26 Oct 52
Two lectures to the F/Controllers were given by F/L Wilson on Organization, and F/O Northcott on Navigation in the morning. RT practice at the convoy in the afternoon.
28 Oct 52
Routine lectures. Nothing unusual to report.
2 Nov 52
Two aircraft arrived from St Hubert at 12:30 for practice interceptions. A/C flown by W/C Strange and F/L Inglis did not land. Ten interceptions attempted, five successfully completed.
4 Nov 52
General routine followed, GK practice for controllers.
9 Nov 52
Two lectures were given in the morning to the F/Controllers by F/L Wilson and F/O Miller. The afternoon was spent at the convoy. Nothing unusual to report.
11 Nov 52
F/O Northcott gave a lecture on Navigaiton and F/O Miller lectured on Weapons to the F/Controllers. Convoy all afternoon.
16 Nov 52
Two lectures by F/O Christoper on Met and by F/L Ronald on Electronics. Controllers at the Convoy all afternoon.
18 Nov 52
Controllers had review of previous lectures on Organization by F/L Wilson.
23 Nov 52
Controllers wrote a test on Organization. All passed with good marks. Convoy Ops all afternoon.
25 Nov 52
F/O Christopher and F/O Northcott reviewed lectures on Met and Navigation. F/O Graham TOS as controller.
30 Nov 52
Weather: clear and cold. Controllers on ACI duties.
16 Dec 52
Wing parade. Pay parade was held and winter stand-down commenced.
(NB Eaton) S/L,
CO 2424 ACWU
Hamilton, Ontario.