Historical Record
501 AW Squadron, Holberg BC
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