Holberg, BC

1953 – Historical Record – National Archives of Canada


Historical Record
501 AW Squadron, Holberg BC
Period 1 Dec 53 to 31 May 54

1 Dec 53

Cpl. KN Osborne, Sup Tech, arrived on posting from 1 SD Weston. Weather was quite good today with very little rain. Seven more Marwell Construction men arrived today.

2 Dec 53

LAC HV Morton, Cook, arrived on posting from Station Sea Island as replacement for AC1 RR Wells.

3 Dec 53

SS Chilkoot arrived on schedule bringing our rations and other equipment. Cpl. Murphy, Refrigerator Tech, arrived to carry out repair work on refrigerator on MV Nimpkish.

4 Dec 53

MV "Nimpkish" proceeded to Port Alice with ten Service and three civilian personnel for routine chest x-rays.

5 Dec 53

Gales blew today, damaging roofs of married quarters.

6 Dec 53

Sunday routine. Snow fell today.

7 Dec 53

Weather cool today. Snow remained on ground. Roof leading to Ops site quite bad.

8 Dec 53

S/L LC Scott, ADC Chaplain (P) arrived with S/L EWS Gilbert 12 AD Group Chaplain (P). Church parade was held at 1930 hours followed by a service in the recreation hall in the village of Holberg. Cpl. D Snow, Carpenter from Sea Island, arrived to effect emergency repairs to roofs of PMQs damaged by gales.

9 Dec 53

S/L’s LC Scott and EWS Gilbert, Chaplains (P), departed for Vancouver after conducting a service in the canteen at 0815 hours. Cpl. Snow, Carpenter, continued with repair work on roofs of PMQs. Weather quite mile today with very little rain.

10 Dec 53

SS "Chilkoot" arrived on schedule bringing in our rations and other supplies. Light rains today. Work on repairs to roofs of PMQs continues.

11 Dec 53

Very heavy winds in late afternoon playing havoc with roofs of PMQs.

15 Dec 53

Beautiful day. Accounts Officer arrived – paid at 2000 hours in canteen.

16 Dec 53

Beautiful day again – nothing unusual.

17 Dec 53

SS "Chilkoot" in today. Big day. First leave for personnel. Aircraft landed in Port Hardy this afternoon.

12 Jan 54

FS HM LeCompte, PPSup 3, arrived on posting today. Checking of furniture in PMQs continued today. Weather warm with light winds.

13 Jan 54

Allocation of furniture in PMQs continued today. Weather fair today. No visitors.

14 Jan 54

SS Chilkoot arrived bringing in 18 washing machines and other furniture for married quarters. This furniture was all uncrated and placed in the houses today. Weather clear and cold.

15 Jan 54

Captain Carmichael (RCDC) from Station Comox and his assistant, LAC Robertson, departed this morning for parent unit. FS Gascoyne and Sgt. DR Adams (ComTech(G)) arrived on posting from Stations Moose Jaw and Saskatoon respectively. LAC HC Armstrong, arrived on posting from 2403 Squadron. Sgt. EM Wilks arrived from 12 AD Group HQ Vancouver on transfer. Weather remains clear and cold – temperature 18 – 23 degrees today.

16 Jan 54

Holberg Inlet froze over this morning. MV Nimpkish able to break ice and proceeded to Coal Harbour. Weather clear and cold.

17 Jan 54

Sunday routine.

18 Jan 54

MV Nimpkish and other boats in area unable to break ice in Holberg Inlet. Weather clear and cold.

19 Jan 54

Medical Officer, F/L MacGuire arrived on posting from Station London Ontario. Cpl. KS Grinder and LAC DesPins arrived on posting from Station Whitehorse and 1 TAC Edmonton respectively. Heavy snow started to fall this evening.

20 Jan 54

Twenty-three inches of snow has fallen during the past 24 hours. Trying to keep roads clear with grader and caterpillar. Unable to reach powerhouse.

21 Jan 54

Roads cleared to certain extent. Reached powerhouse at 2300 hours last night.

22 Jan 54

SS Chilkoot arrived at 0230 hours this morning bringing in our rations and other supplies.

23 Jan 54

Mr. EA Carmody, Dept. of National Defence Toronto, arrived this afternoon in connection with our Telecom installations. Sgt. J Bonise arrived back at unit after one weeks TD in Vancouver. Weather clear and cold.

24 Jan 54

Sunday routine. Approximately six inches of fresh snow fell last night. Weather clear and cold today.

25 Jan 54

More snow today. Weather 25 degrees above zero.

26 Jan 54

F/O AH Leahy (Med/Nur) arrived on posting from Station St. Johns Quebec. Weather continues cold with light snowfall.

27 Jan 54

2 CMU party of four airmen arrived to begin survey of site for transmitter station.

28 Jan 54

Weather clear and cold.

29 Jan 54

Rains commenced this morning. Road conditions improving.

30 Jan 54

WO1 W Stott, Tel Supt., reported on posting from 2442 AC&W Squadron Support, Sea Island. F/L RFM Walker returned this afternoon from Vancouver.

31 Jan 54

Sunday routine.

1 Feb 54

Snow rapidly disappearing due to warm weather and rain.

2 Feb 54

Groundhog Day! No shadows!

3 Feb 54

S/L DR McCallum, Mr. JR Hay, Sgt. R Crabbe and Sgt. FA Goudron arrived on TD from 12 Group on Admin and Medical duties.

4 Feb 54

12 Group party departed this morning for Vancouver. Weather very mild today.

5 Feb 54

Mr. BC Wally from CAE Vancouver arrived this evening in connection with electronics installation.

6 Feb 54

Work continued today on the formation of a telecom section.

7 Feb 54

Sunday routine.

8 Feb 54

Mr. B Wally for CAE Vancouver arrived in connection with radar installations at the unit.

9 Feb 54

2 CMU survey party returned from Station Comox to continue with transmitter site finalization.

10 Feb 54

F/L JP Frechette, Chaplain (RC), arrived on TD from RCAF Station Comox to conduct religious services on the station. Light rains today.

11 Feb 54

Chilkoot arrived at 2330 hours bringing in rations and other supplies. Airmen worked until 0600 hours.

12 Feb 54

RC Chaplain returned to parent unit on completion of religious services.

13 Feb 54

More RCAF dependents arrived this afternoon. Light snow fell this evening.

14 Feb 54

Sunday routine – Valentines Day.

15 Feb 54

Snow turned to rain this afternoon. Normal routine.

16 Feb 54

S/L EN Kipps (SOSup 12 AD Group HQ) arrived this afternoon to carry out Supply inspection of the unit. Cpl. Miller, Clerk Accounts, arrived on posting from Station Sea Island. Heavy rains continued today.

18 Feb 54

Chilkoot arrived. S/L Kipp departed this unit.

19 Feb 54

Uncrating of furniture for PMQs continued today. Heavy rains mixed with snow occurred.

20 Feb 54

LAC McLaughlin, Sup Tech, arrived on TD from Station Comox to assist in the unit supply section.

21 Feb 54

Sunday routine.

22 Feb 54

Sgt. Brown, carpenter, arrived on TD from Station Comox to carry out CE maintenance at the unit. Mr. G Knight of Northwest Telephone Company arrived to carry out radio telephone installations at the unit.

23 Feb 54

Station parade was held this morning at 0900 hours. Canadian Forces Decorations were presented to F/O Einarson and Sgt. Sauer. Distribution of furniture for PMQs continued.

24 Feb 54

F/L RT Paul and party of three officers arrived from 5 ADCC Vancouver on inspection trip of Ops Site. One janitor and one watchman arrived to take up employment at this unit.

25 Feb 54

Chilkoot arrived bringing in rations and other supplies. Rain again today.

26 Feb 54

F/L Paul and party departed this morning for parent unit.

27 Feb 54

Weather very bad today – gale blowing with heavy rain.

28 Feb 54

Sunday routine.

1 Mar 54

Lt. Saunders arrived from 11 Company RCASC Vancouver in connection with rations for the unit.

2 Mar 54

Lt. Saunders departed this morning. Radome was set up today at the operational site.

3 Mar 54

F/O VM Apfeld (Med/Nur) arrived on TD from Station Sea Island to take over duties of NS Leahy while the latter is on compassionate leave. LAC Joyal (Clk Typist) and LAC LeClair (SupTech) arrived on posting.

4 Mar 54

Chilkoot arrived bringing in unit rations. Weather sunny today.

5 Mar 54

Work continues at Ops Site – near completion.

6 Mar 54

F/O RE Giese, Ftr C, arrives on transfer from 5 ADCC Vancouver.

7 Mar 54

Sunday routine.

8 Mar 54

Station appointments and Committees were revised today. (See Promulgation in DRO 11 dated 12 Mar).

9 Mar 54

LAC J Williamson, ClkAccts, arrived on TD from 12 Group. Snow fell all afternoon.

10 Mar 54

Messers Sykes, Couzens and Orlov arrive on TD from AMCHQ Ottawa in connection with radar installations.

11 Mar 54

Chilkoot did nor arrive until 2030 hours with rations. Weather warm today and most of the snow has disappeared.

12 Mar 54

Radar Installations completed – men from AMCHQ returned to Ottawa.

13 Mar 54

Sunny today, but weather remains cool.

14 Mar 54

Sunday routine.

15 Mar 54

Sgt. JT Sheppard, Hygiene Assistant, arrives from TACHQ Edmonton to carry out sanitation inspection of the unit.

16 Mar 54

FS EH Taylor and Cpl. HB Elliott, MTechs, arrived from Sea Island to carry out repairs to MV Knot.

17 Mar 54

MTech team from Station Sea Island continued with repair work on MV Knot.

18 Mar 54

Chilkoot arrived with rations. MTech team departed for parent unit on completion of repair work. Sgt. Sheppard departed for Edmonton.

19 Mar 54

Supply Section busy with uncrating Phase II material that arrived yesterday.

20 Mar 54

RCAF sponsored dance was held in the Holberg village Community Hall this evening. Great success.

21 Mar 54

Sunday routine.

22 Mar 54

Work nearing completion at radar site.

23 Mar 54

F/O SA McGuirl (Supply) arrived on posting from 1 OS London Ontario. AC2 MR MacKinnon arrived on posting from 1 R&CS Clinton Ontario.

24 Mar 54

Captain Carmichael (RCDC) from Station Comox arrived to carry out dental work.

25 Mar 54

Captain Carmichael continues with dental work with personnel.

26 Mar 54

MV Knot was tested this date after repair work being carried out by MTechs from Station Sea Island.

27 Mar 54

Weather turned bad with heavy rains at domestic site.

28 Mar 54

Sunday routine.

29 Mar 54

F/L Schlosser (SOAF 12 Group) arrived for audit duties. Cpl. GA Marshall, SupTech, arrived on TD for supply duties at the unit.

30 Mar 54

Mr. JR Hay, CPO of 12 Group, arrived to carry out inspection of Civilian Records.

31 Mar 54

CPO of 12 Group carried out inspection of Civilian Records.

1 Apr 54

F/O VL McKinnon arrived from AFHQ to carry out CE Field Inspection of the unit. Cpl. CA Murphy, Refrigerator Tech, arrived from 12 Group to carry out repairs to refrigerators in the Mess Hall.

2 Apr 54

Weather bad today with heavy rains mixed with snow.

3 Apr 54

F/O McKinnon, Tech/Tel, departed for AFHQ on completion of CE field inspection of the Unit.

4 Apr 54

Nineteen personnel arrived this evening from ADCHQ, AMCHQ and 5 ADCC Vancouver in connection with flight trials to be carried out.

5 Apr 54

Flight trials carried out this date.

6 Apr 54

Flight trials continue today.

7 Apr 54

F/L P Frechette, Chaplain (RC), arrived from Station Comox to conduct religious services at unit. F/O AR Bjorndahl of AMCHQ together with FS W Carlsen of 12 Group arrived to carry out marine inspection of the unit.

8 Apr 54

Bjorndahl and Carlsen completed marine inspection and departed for Vancouver.

9 Apr 54

F/L P Frechette, Chaplain (RC), conducted a religious service this morning before departing for Station Comox.

10 Apr 54

Weather bad today with heavy rains and strong winds.

11 Apr 54

Sunday routine.

12 Apr 54

F/L WR Buchan – SOMS 12 Group, departed for Vancouver after completing medical staff inspections of the unit.

13 Apr 54

WO1 WB Powers and Sgt. AE Clarke departed for 2 CMU Calgary after completing survey for remote transmitter site.

14 Apr 54

Weather improved today with sunny period prevailing.

15 Apr 54

SS Chilkoot arrived bringing in supplies and rations.

16 Apr 54

Good Friday – Statutory Holiday.

17 Apr 54

Service aircraft arrived to transport 18 personnel to Vancouver for Easter.

18 Apr 54

Easter Sunday.

19 Apr 54

Easter Monday – Statutory Holiday.

20 Apr 54

A/C Orr, W/C Thompson, S/L McCallum. S/L Johnston, F/O McRae, F/O Frith and S/L Hurry arrived by service aircraft to carry out inspection of the unit. Party departed at 1730 hours.

21 Apr 54

Heavy rains today.

22 Apr 54

SS Chilkoot arrived bringing in rations and other supplies.

23 Apr 54

Fifteen FtrCops arrived by service aircraft this afternoon on posting.

24 Apr 54

Son born in Unit Hospital to wife of LAC JPG Cormier.

25 Apr 54

Weekend routine.

26 Apr 54

Seven airmen, including FtrCops and RdrMechs(G) arrived on posting.

27 Apr 54

F/O Apfeld, Med/Nur, arrived on TD from Station Sea Island BC. Son born in unit hospital to wife of Cpl. H Henricksen.

28 Apr 54

Road maintenance carried out this date.

29 Apr 54

F/O SA McGuirl, Unit SSO, departed for DDP Victoria in connection with procurement of PMQ furnishings.

30 Apr 54

LAC J Michaud, TTOp, arrived on TD from 12 Group for Teletype duties. Son born to wife of LAC DF Field. Infant died shortly after birth.

1 May 54

Sgt. LM Byron, Carpenter from Station Comox, departed this date. Mrs. Lois Hadfield, wife of Mr. V Hadfield, Station Engineer, died this evening in her home near the station.

2 May 54

Coroners inquest was held this afternoon in connection with death of Mrs. Lois Hadfield.

3 May 54

Body of Mrs. Hadfield was flown from Port Hardy to Vancouver by service aircraft. Body of Field infant was taken to Port Alice by Service Motor Vessel for burial.

4 May 54

Mr. Haddow, Boiler Inspector, arrived on the unit.

5 May 54

Mr. Haddow departed for Vancouver on completion of unit steam installations.

6 May 54

Mr. PT Lypowy and R Clermont, DOT Surveyors, arrived this afternoon.

7 May 54

Considerable work was carried out today in the clearing of our sportsfield adjacent to the school.

8 May 54

Weekend routine.

9 May 54

Weekend routine.

10 May 54

S/L ABC Johnson, SoOrg 12 Group, and S/L W Davis of AFHQ arrived this morning to carry out an organization and establishment review of the unit.

11 May 54

S/L’s Johnson and Davis departed for Vancouver on completion of establishment review of the unit. Weather warm today – 75 degrees above.

12 May 54

Cpl. SR Rynoski, RSpec, arrived on posting from Station Comox.

13 May 54

Chilkoot arrived today. RC Chaplain arrived on TD from Station Comox.

14 May 54

F/L PG Power, Med/MO arrived on TD from Station Comox to replace MO on leave.

15 May 54

RC Chaplain returned to parent unit on completion of TD here.

16 May 54

Sunday routine.

17 May 54

2 CMU survey party completed survey of transmitter site this date.

18 May 54

2 CMU survey party departed this morning for parent unit.

19 May 54

F/O Niven and WO2 Waitt arrived on TD from 12 Group in connection with Supply Administration and ME and Marine matters.

20 May 54

Chilkoot arrived with rations and other supplies this date.

21 May 54

Niven and Waitt departed this unit on completion of TD.

22 May 54

Weekend routine.

23 May 54

Sunday routine.

24 May 54

Victoria Day – Statutory Holiday.

25 May 54

F/L JJ Schlosser (SOAF 12 Group) and Sgt. DR Jackson arrived for audit.

26 May 54

Audit by 12 Group party continues.

27 May 54

Schlosser and Jackson departed this date on completion of audit.

28 May 54

Captain N Carmichael. (RCDC), arrived on TD to carry out dental work at the unit.

29 May 54

Weekend routine.

30 May 54

Sunday routine.

31 May 54

S/L FM Oakes, Med/Nur – AFHQ, and F/L JE Parent, Med/Nur – ADC, visited this unit this date, departing at 1800 hours.

Signed by:
(RFM Walker) S/L
CO, RCAF Station Holberg BC