Senneterre, QC

Secret
S21-6-2 (CO)

34 AC&W Squadron officially activated as a self-accounting unit on hand-over from AMC. All personnel on strength of the unit transferred from 11 TSU Montreal to 34 AC&W Squadron for administrative and accounting purposes. Included in this transfer were the following key personnel, who assumed the duties as shown:

In addition to the above, F/L CE Holtby reported on transfer to assume duties as the CTechO.

All construction work had ceased on the unit (with the exception of the Recreation Hall which has previously been destroyed by fire on 1 April) with the completion of PMQ’s, Messes, Quarters, and Operations Building. No landscaping completed, or roads paved. No landline or teletype facilities in Operations Building.

Coronation Day – A parade was held on the Station at 1000 hours to commemorate the coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth. An address was delivered to personnel on parade by the Commanding Officer. An inaugural dance was held in the evening, sponsored by the airmen. Music was provided by a local orchestra, and contributed by local townspeople.

Contracts issued to Atlas Construction Company for further work on the Main building, erection of Guard House at Main Building, Main Gate, and fire hose stations around the unit. A total of 6 trained and 5 untrained Fighter Controllers reported to assume duties in the Operations Section. F/L FD Williams, SAO reported to assume his duties. PMQ shortage due to location of Training Det (1 R&CS) on unit, and 10 PMQs allocated to officers while balance obliged to seek accommodation in Senneterre.

Fighter Controllers who reported 3 Jun assigned interim duties until unit becomes operational:

5 Jun 53

Operation "Swing Fog" commenced as regular routine to combat black flies and mosquitoes. All personnel on strength to be instructed on operation of equipment.

F/O BI Meyers Med/Nur reported on transfer to assume charge of Station Sick Quarters. Medical and dental treatment being provided by private practitioners in Val d’Or.

Inauguration of Operations Duty Officer – to be on duty from 1830 hours to 0800 hours – purpose, to operate the Station Switchboard. Inaugural meeting of the Officer’s Mess. Visits – Mr. EA Iveson – DND Inspector of Stores.

Reorganization of Administrative Building. General offices in lower quarters of NCOs section of Quarters #2, with Adjutant and CO located in VIP Suite.

W/C Kent departed on TD to attend CO’s Conference at ADCHQ 12 Jun. F/L CE Holtby assumed temporary command in absence of W/C Kent. Visits – The following officers made liaison visits to the unit: W/C Marcov – Sector Commander #1 ADCC; S/L Tripe – Senior Controller, 11 AC&W Squadron, Lac St. Denis; F/L Biggs – TelO, 11 AC&W Squadron, Lac St. Denis.

First pay parade. Inaugural meeting of Section Heads called by Commanding Officer. This to be a weekly feature, and to be held each Monday, at 1300 hours. F/O FA Nixon, Fighter Controller reported on transfer to replace F/O Clarke-Marlowe who was transferred to ADCHQ. Visits – The following representatives of Marconi Company visited the unit for the purpose of testing equipment: Mr. GS Jewell, Mr. RO Steen, Mr. WD Clarke, Mr. BC Borden.

Visits – Further representatives of Marconi arrived to test equipment: Mr. WL Slan, Mr. BJN Brady.

Thirteen airmen FtrCops reported on transfer from 3 ADCC Scarborough. 16422 P/O RJ Emerson (Air R/O) reported on transfer to assume duties. Visits – Further representatives of Marconi Company to test equipment arrived: Mr. KCM Clegg and Mr. R Reeves.

Complete dental equipment arrived, to be installed by Canadian Army Dental Corps members at a later date. Personnel from AMC, ADC, NE and Marconi reported to take part in flight trials of the ISG 98 height finder equipment. One North Star and one B-25 were employed in the exercise. Visits -

19 Jun 53

All operational staff employed under F/O Prentice and F/O Guylar on current Flight Trials. VHF contact with aircraft reported good. Preliminary tests of the ISG-98 proved highly satisfactory.

Completion of Flight Trials. First Mess Function – informal party, with Officers and their wives.

Visits – F/L FP Boyczuk, from RCAF Station Clinton, to establish liaison for 1 R&CS Detachment and to be transferred to this unit.

Visits – S/L L McKergow – ADCHQ – Command Messing Officer; Major WH Chisholm – AS&TO – EQA – Quebec; Captain CT McIntyre – AS&TO – EQA – Quebec for the purpose of discussing rations and general messing problems of the unit with F/L TA Newman, CAdO.

Two members of the CADC reported to supervise the installation of the dental equipment in the Station Sick Quarters.

An alarm was turned in at 2300 hours of a grass fire which had spread from burning garbage and threatened the TX building. The Station Fire Piquet were called out and assistance was given by airmen and officers equipped with a bulldozer, stirrup pumps and shovels. The fire was brought under control at 0300 hours.

A party of two officers and three airmen were flown by service aircraft from Val d’Or to 6 RD, Trenton to take delivery of ME vehicles allotted to the Unit.

First medical and dental services available in Station Hospital provided by Dr. Marineau (Dentist) and Dr. Bigue (MD) both of Val d’Or.

Visits – F/L J Parent, Command Nursing Service, for inspection of medical services available on the station and at Val d’Or.

Visits – F/O GW Fulton, 6 RD, Telecommunications Installation to supervise installation of landline facilities to 3 ADCC during "Exercise Tailwind". Reverend GA Young, Protestant minister to interview personnel, in absence of service padre.

Telecommunications facilities became available on unit for the first time. Lines were made available to 14 AC&W Squadron Parent and to ADCHQ. F/L FP Boyczuk reported on transfer to assume command of 1 R&CS Detachment. The Detachment will undertake the training of Radar Technicians on the Radar Site.

The IFF AN/APX-6 (modified) installation was completed. Considerable difficulty was experienced in erecting the horn antenna.

The first landline facilities became available with a temporary circuit to 3 ADCC Edgar. This line to be used in a telling circuit during "Exercise Tailwind".

Commencing at 0400Z on 10 Jul to 2359Z on 12 Jul this unit participated in ADC "Exercise Tailwind". The FPS-3 equipment was serviceable throughout the entire exercise except for a period of 10 minutes when capability was reduced slightly due to loss of angle markers. Personnel supervising the exercise: F/L SS Whetstone – AMCHQ – for installations in the Operations Building. F/L JD Joslin – ADCHQ – Telecomm observer on exercise. Visits – F/L CE West, AMCHQ, CE Boarding. Mr. L Taylor, Canadian General Electric, radio installation. F/O EL Stroud, RCAF Station Clinton, re establishment of 1 R&CS Detachment.

1 R&CS Detachment commenced the technician training of the 1^st course of 13 trainees. Additional courses are scheduled to commence every three weeks.

A signal was received from the AOC praising the effort of all units involved in "Exercise Tailwind" and recommending observance of Sunday routine for these units on Monday, 20 Jul. W/C Kent left by service aircraft from Val ‘d’Or for St. Hubert to attend a debriefing conference on "Exercise Tailwind". F/L CE Holtby assumed command of the unit during the CO’s absence.

The Commanding Officer returned from debriefing at ADCHQ.

The Commanding Officer departed for annual leave. F/L CE Holtby assumed command of the unit for the duration thereof.

S/L LC Scott, Command Chaplain, visited the unit for the purpose of setting up a semi-permanent Protestant Chapel. S/L WJ Bracken visited the unit for an Inspection of CE Section activities for ADCHQ.

Visits – F/O M Boutet, from ADCHQ, SOAF Inspection.

206084W F/O IM Philip reported on transfer to assume her duties as Station Adjutant.

Voting for General Election commenced – F/O LA Campbell i/c polling.

Visits – W/C AJE Leveque, Command RC Chaplain, visited the unit to discuss arrangements for semi-permanent chapel, and for interviews with RC personnel on the station.

A fire alarm was turned in at 2330 hours, but when the fire piquet arrived on the scene, no one was at the alarm box. F/O Pearson came down from the Operations Building to say that the operator had notified him that the alarm originated in that Building. Investigation proved it to be a false alarm, but gratifying results in the rapidity with which personnel appeared at the scene of a fire.

First two airwomen, both FtrCops, arrived direct from course in Clinton. F/O BI Meyers Med/Nur released for marriage. Flagpole erected today. Ensign to be flown effective 10 Aug. Voting finished – polls closed at 1700 hours. Approximately 60% of Station personnel exercised their franchise.

W/C Kent returned from leave and resumed Command of the Unit.

Received notification of change of AOC’s Annual Inspection from 9 Sep to 9 Oct.

Plans and requirements for the landscaping of entire PMQ and Station area completed by F/L Holtby and dispatched to AMC and ADC today.

27174 S/L J Jaworski, GL, reported to assume his duties as Senior Controller.

201297 P/O EM Fudge Med/Nur reported in to assume her duties at Station Hospital. Visits – S/L L McKergow – ADCHQ, Command Messing Officer. Major WH Chisholm, Val Cartier – to discuss Messing problems.

Visits – G/C RH Bray and W/C JEN Labelle, both from ADCHQ made a liaison visit to the unit in connection with Supply and Tech Services. F/O SR Guylar, 3 ADCC, for Flight Trials. F/O R Prentice, ADCHQ, for Flight Trials. Mr. RH Cairns, AMC – Marconi, for Flight Trials. Mr. RB Haig, AMC – Marconi, for Flight Trials, F/C HC Baker, AMC (under instruction) for Flight Trials – all arrived to take part in tomorrows tests.

Flight Trials commenced. Messrs. Cairns and Haig and F/C Baker departed leaving F/Os Guylar and Prentice to continue.

S/L J Jaworski departed for Foymount as member of Court Martial.

Visits – F/L RF Linden, ADCHQ, arrived with 5 NCOs for instructional duties on electrical equipment. Course for Station Personnel (Radar Techs) commences 28 Aug for a duration of 1 week.

Visits – S/L MW Williams, ADCHQ, Command Protestant Chaplain visited the unit for interviews with Protestant personnel and to discuss administrative problems regarding the Protestant services. Arrival of Cadillac Ambulance.

Visits – F/O DA Gordon, Area Welfare Officer made a liaison visit to the unit to outline the programme of Welfare Services. Road paving started.

Visits – From TCHQ Trenton, to 1 R&CS Det, for a Staff Visit re training programme: W/C VL Berg, S/L EG Baxter, F/O GJ Thomas (pilot) by air. From ADCHQ to 34 AC&W Squadron, for Staff Visit re personnel: G/C HC Ledoux, S/L HC Edwards, F/O JA Poole by rail. It is hoped that staff problems may be explained at this time, since the work load on all personnel is so heavy that normal routine cannot be done with any type of efficiency. The untrained personnel presently on the staff have to be constantly supervised.

200981 P/O LP LeBlanc Med/MO reported on transfer to assume his duties as Medical Officer for the Unit.

Three civilian school teachers arrived and were established in their quarters in the two schools. Miss Susanne Fortin – Protestant School. Miss Helen Daly and Miss Marion Stafford, RC School. Sunday routine was observed for Labour Day.

First Commanding Officer’s Parade held on the unit baseball diamond.

Visits – F/L JE Parent, ADCHQ, and F/O JB Hately, Med/Adm. – Medical Services discussion with CAdO.

The first baby born on the unit, in PMQs due to the lack of time to get the mother to Val d’Or Hospital. At 0330 hours to Cpl. J Turpin, Cook, a girl. The Telephone Company completed installation of cable to town of Senneterre. Visits – W/C J Morton, ADCHQ/SOAF – staff visit and inspection of accounting services at the unit.

Landline DND 343, telling line to Edgar completed on a full time basis.

Battle of Britain Sunday – In commemoration of the Battle of Britain the RC personnel of the unit paraded from the front of the Combined Mess to the Recreation Hall at 1100 hours, parade being taken by S/L Jaworski; Protestant personnel paraded from the front of the Combined Mess to the Recreation Hall at 1500 hours. Reverend Young of Val d’Or officiated at the Protestant Service, bringing with him 10 members of the Bourlemaque Church Choir. Officers and their wives entertained the Church members at tea in the Officer’s Mess at the conclusion of the service.

Visits – On liaison visit from 11 AC&W Squadron, Lac St. Denis, by car: W/C DJC Jackson, CO; S/L W Tew, Senior Controller; F/L E Danis, CAdO; F/O LW Elliott, FtrCont; F/O JH Hilton, FtrCont.

Visits – Mr. R Taylor, Mr. G Partington, both representatives of Firestone Rubber Company, from Edgar to supervise the recoating of radomes.

At 1000 hours, in Station Sick Quarters, to F/O and Mrs Pearson, a son was born, delivered by F/L LP LeBlanc, assisted by F/O EM Fudge. Mrs. Pearson and child removed to Val d’Or hospital by Station ambulance at 1300 hours. F/Os EM Fudge and IM Philip vacated former living quarters in Station Hospital and moved into VIP Suite of Quarters #2.

Two day course of Instruction for Discussion Leaders given by BC Affairs started today. F/L DW East and Mr. JG Leroux were in charge of instruction, Dr. T Greenwood opened the course with a talk and general discussion for all station personnel at 1100 hours. At 1500 hours the Officers of the Unit attended a similar talk by Dr. Greenwood, who left for Parent that evening. Visits – D/L DW East, ADCHQ/SOTS/SOGT, Instructional duties; Mr. JG Leroux, Bureau of Current Affairs Representative; Dr. T Greenwood, guest speaker, Professor of Geopolitics, University of Montreal.

Commanding Officers Parade – The Commanding Officer called out all those who were promoted by their new ranks, and congratulated them during the course of the parade. Special feature was the presentation of the Korea Medal to 217546 LAC NG Whalen, Cook.

Visits – Mr. Bishop and Mr. Dalziel, both of Firestone Rubber Company took over the last part of the refinishing of radomes from Messrs Taylor and Partington. Their stay was for one week.

First course of Trainees from 1 R&CS Det. Held a graduation party in Combined Mess, with Commanding Officer and Mrs. Kent attending.

Visits – From R&CS Clinton to 1 R&CS Det. To attend graduation of 1^st course of trainees, and award diplomas: S/L GJ Bury and F/O EA Francis.

8 Oct 53

AOC’s Annual Inspection – A/V/M JL James arrived by train with his Executive Assistant, S/L C Allison. In the Inspecting Party were: W/C EC Briese, W/C AC&W Operations and S/L HC Freedman, CTelO/Tel-1. The Inspecting Party kept to the schedule as indicated in Appendix "A" and departed at 1650 hours.

Thanksgiving Day – Sunday Routine. F/L CE Holtby departed for Montreal on ADC authority to attend a conference under the auspices of IBM Consolidated Engines.

121002 F/O JC Richard, Tech/CE arrived from ADCHQ on transfer to assume his duties as CEO vice F/O CH Cohen Ftr/Cont.

Visits – F/O DA Gordon, Area Welfare Officer reported on monthly visit from ADCHQ. One interview was arranged, and the rest of the day was spent with CO and CAdO on Benevolent Fund problems. Colonel CB Climo and Lt. Colonel PR Lasalle, both of RCDC reported to the CO on one day’s temporary duty regarding Dental Treatment by civilian dentists, and to make arrangements for Dental Services on the unit.

Installed temporary HF antenna to permit operation on a frequency of 2526 kcs.

Comet High Level Exercise as per Operations Order 34/53. Report of Exercise from this Unit on S4-2-3 (Sr. Contr.) d 27 Oct 53. Visits – F/O CJ Eddie, ADCHQ/SOAF, Cash Verification.

F/O IM Philip left to attend the first Women Officer’s Conference at ADCHQ for approximately three days. Visits – Mr. DM Loomis, ADCHQ/AMC arrived on Inspection at handover from Atlas Construction Company., the Recreation Hall, the Gate House at Main Building, and Guard House at Main Gate.

Arrival of more ME vehicles: Tractor, agriculture; trick, dump c/w snow plow, and Bus, 15 passenger.

Trylon mast lowered by unit Telecom personnel. VHF Antennae dismantled, dried out in an oven, water-proofed, and reassembled. During lowering operations, mast boom-plate broken, but no damage to main mast or antenna installation. Consultant Engineers, Surveyor, Nenninger & Chenevert officially left the unit.

Official Opening of 34 AC&W Squadron, Senneterre – At 1000 hours the RCAF Band from Ottawa was picked up from Val d’Or by service bus as they deplaned from service aircraft. At 1500 hours AOC’s party arrived by service aircraft at Val d’Or and was met by the Commanding Officer, F/O Austin and two service vehicles. Members of the Official party were: A/V/M AL James and Mrs. James, S/L C Allison and Mrs. Allison, Staff Photographer from RCAF Station St. Hubert.

Officers and their wives entertained A/V/M James, Mrs. James, S/L Allison and Mrs. Allison at a cocktail party in the Officers Mess commencing at 1830 hours, and followed by a buffet supper at 2000 hours.

At 2100 hours the official party was conducted to the newly completed Recreation Hall, where the Commanding Officer and Mrs. Kent introduced service and civilian personnel of the unit and some 200 civilian guests invited from this region to attend the official opening to A/V/M and Mrs. James in a formal receiving line.

Dancing commenced at approximately 2200 hours. At 2230 hours, A/V/M James, speaking in both French and English, welcomed the guests to the Unit, and declared 34 AC&W Squadron officially open. Immediately following the opening of the Station, the AOC bowled the first ball down the new bowling alley. A buffet supper was served to all attending the Dance at 2359 hours and dancing continued until 0100 hours.

Official party left from Val d’Or by service aircraft. RCAF Band left from Val d’Or by service aircraft. The following personnel left the unit on Temporary Duty: F/L TA Newman, CAdO, and F/L FD Williams, SAO for 2 days liaison visit to Mont Apica; F/O DJ Dickson, GDO, F/O CH Cohen and F/O EL Babcock for 4 days GD course at St. Hubert; and F/O JH Ferguson, TAO for 2 weeks to Vimy Barracks, Kingston, Bureau of Current Affairs Course.

W/C Kent departed on Temporary Duty at ADCHQ for 5 days – Commanding Officers briefing. S/L J Jaworski assumed temporary command in the CO’s absence.

F/O JA Latraverse, SSO, and F/O JC Richard, CEO departed on two days Temporary Duty in Quebec City at DDP. Liaison visit regarding purchasing problems.

867 W/C Kent awarded the Coronation Medal while at ADCHQ on Temporary Duty.

Atlas Construction Company, having completed the new road to the town of Senneterre were officially "off the unit".

Remembrance Day parade, held in conjunction with the Val d’Or branch of the Canadian Legion.

One well at pumphouse contaminated by chlorine because of stuck valve in electrically operated chlorine-water regulator. Adjusted the following day.

Evaluation Exercises. Combined effort of Canadian and USAF personnel in order to evaluate the efficiency of equipment, and to give advice to the technical staff as well as operations personnel in operating methods. Approximate duration of exercise – three days. The evaluation team consisted of:

11 Nov 53

At 1045 the Commanding Officer held a Remembrance Day Parade of all Station personnel not on duty, in front of the Combined Mess. Coronation Medals were awarded to: 21583 WO1 WJ Mosher of 34 AC&W Squadron, and 23616 FS JA Cadieux of 1 R&CS Det. At 1100 hours, two minutes of silence was observed in commemoration of fallen comrades, and the parade was dismissed. Sunday routine was observed for the remainder of the day.

Visits – DND 709 Mr. RR McCaig arrived to inspect RX1, TX1 and TX2 for a period of 4 days. F/O CH Lockhead arrived on two days temporary duty from 12 Examination Unit, Clinton, Ontario, to supervise Radar Examinations at 1 R&CS.

Evaluation Exercise complete and team departed for 14 AC&W for a period of two days. First marriage between staff personnel who have met since being transferred to this unit. Married: 44772 A/Cpl. RC Craig, SP, to 214883W AW1 SA Carr, Clerk Typist at the Rectory in Val d’Or by the Reverend GA Young, unit padre.

Erection of antennae at the three remote sites completed.

F/O Vance, Lt. Burris and five USAF NCOs returned from 14 AC&W Squadron to complete data of Evaluation Exercises with Ops Staff. During the late evening, a main water pipe burst under the road from the main gate. CE personnel spent the entire night digging in an attempt to locate the exact location of the break without success. Five continuous days of labour were required to repair water mains. At fault were two 20 foot lengths of Bell & Spigot C1 pipe. The Station was not disrupted too greatly since PMQs were fed from primary line from pumphouse, while the balance of the camp was fed from the reservoir. The level of water was maintained in the reservoir by running a temporary line from the last hydrant before the break up to the inlet of make-up water. Maintenance site was without water for five days.

Visits – F/O K Wheatley, Tech/CE flew by service aircraft from ADCHQ to Val d’Or bringing parts for break in water mains, and remained on the unit for three days to help in locating the break.

2D9834 Captain RG Docks, and Cpl. LeBlois, RCDC arrived by rail from 14 AC&W Squadron Parent, on temporary duty for a period of 30 days to set up and conduct the Dental Clinic on this unit.

Arrival of 6 RD weather-proofing party for VHF antennae at remote sites. F/O RJ Emerson, Tech/Tel left for two days TD at 31 AC&W Squadron, to attend Telecom Conference there.

F/O RJ Richard left on undetermined TD at 14 AC&W Squadron, following a telephone call from S/L Bracken, ADCHQ, and relative to a similar break in water mains as experienced at this unit.

Departure of party from 6RD for weather-proofing of VHF antennae. New antenna erected at the lash-up VHF site to replace one on "A" channel which was partly shorting.

Monitoring programme on resistance of all remote sites antennae was started. Over half of the antennae "repaired" by 6 RD were showing signs of reduced resistance. Visits – S/L SC Hall arrived from 1 Group HQ (Auxiliary) – SOAF Inspection.

Summary – At this period, the following personnel were holding key positions at 34 AC&W Squadron, by direct transfer to the position, or by appointment by the Commanding Officer.

Unit Strength

Services

Unit grocery store manned by civilian personnel opened on 24 Nov and operating successfully.

Bowling Alley operating under management of service personnel.

Snack Bar in Recreation Hall operating under management of service personnel and dependants.

Women’s Auxiliary of all ranks wives formed, and regular money-making programme in effect.

Boy Scouts and Cubs formed, leaders being Service personnel, and clubs self supporting from money-raising programmes.

Committees formed and meeting regularly:

Daily checks of fire alarm system have been conducted since mid June.

Monthly fire alarm drill, and tests of Main Building Fire Reporting System.

Submitted in accordance with AFAO A4/1

(WC Kent) W/C
Commanding Officer
34 AC&W Squadron
Senneterre, PQ