Narrative Report
RCAF Station Sydney, NS
1 Dec 54 to 31 May 55
6 Dec 54
S/L Lomas, CO, departed for the CO’s conference at ADCHQ.
9 Dec 54
F/O Engbrecht returned from Fighter Controller’s Course at Tyndall AFB.
12 Dec 54
S/L Lomas, CO, returned.
19 Dec 54
The Protestant Sunday School Xmas party was held today. Reverend FN Archibald, officiating clergyman, was presented with a brief case by Station Protestant personnel on the occasion of his departure from Sydney.
20 Dec 54
F/O JO McNeill returned from Fighter Controller’s Course at Tyndall AFB.
22 Dec 54
The Station Children’s Xmas Party was held today in the School. Approximately 130 children and 50 adults attended, which crowded the limited space to the maximum, but Santa Claus managed to squeeze in and the event was judged a complete success.
23 Dec 54
Section parties were the vogue today throughout the Station. All were very well organized and run and no untoward incidents developed.
28 Dec 54
The Station resumed normal routine today after the Xmas leave break. A happy note was struck with receipt of advice from ADC that F/O Nourse, COpsO, is to be promoted to F/L effective 1 Jan 55.
1 Jan 55
The New Year dawned at Station Sydney with another "distinguished first" being logged by the RCAF in the area, when LAC and Mrs. Roger Rousselle became the proud parents of a baby girl, the first baby to be born in Cape Breton in 1955.
Gala New Years Eve parties were held last evening in all Messes, to welcome the New Year in traditional fashion.
11 Jan 55
F/L KE Rideout, ADC/SOCE visited the Station on a CE liaison visit.
16 Jan 55
Mr. Partridge of AMC/STelO Branch visited the Station to inspect the GPX-7.
17 Jan 55
F/L T Hea and F/O H Hynd, SOAF/Audit Team arrived on the Station and are keeping the Accounts Section busy with an audit.
Mr. Kostashuk of Northern Electric visited the Station to give instruction on the FPS-3 MTI.
18 Jan 55
S/L N Gallagher, Command Chaplain (RC), MAC, visited the Station on religious matters.
27 Jan 55
Mr. M Shewchuck, RCA Victor representative, visited the Station to repair the HRI.
31 Jan 55
The Station suffered a wild blizzard all day, with winds reaching 50 mph, and the temperature at 0 degrees. Personnel living off the Station were forced to remain in barracks overnight due to impassable roads.
2 Feb 55
Sgt. O’Leary, Command Sanitary Inspector, visited the Station and found conditions to be excellent.
Sgt. Kimmick, Command Fire Marshall, arrived for a liaison visit and inspection. A practice fire alarm was held with good results.
3 Feb 55
F/O JC Richard arrived on posting from Station Senneterre and assumed duties as CEO.
4 Feb 55
F/O JW Thompson, AWelO, MACHQ, visited the Station to offer welfare advice and assistance to personnel.
7 Feb 55
S/L B Madill, CO, Station Moisie and ex-CO of Station Sydney visited the Station.
The CO, accompanied by the COpsO visited Station St. Margarets on TD. F/L Newbegin, CTechO assumed temporary command.
8 Feb 55
In response to an appeal from the Red Cross, approximately 40 Station personnel donated blood today during the current "Donor Drive".
The Station Volleyball Team played an exhibition match with a team from North Sydney, bowing after a hard-fought match to the Northsiders by a 3-2 score. An excellent game was enjoyed by all participants.
12 Feb 55
F/O Richard, CEO, proceeded on a liaison visit at ADC/SOCE.
CO and COpsO returned from TD.
Exceptionally high winds were again the order of the day - gusting as high as 97 mph.
14 Feb 55
F/O KM Morgan reported on transfer from 1OS London, to assume duties as CAdO, from F/O Ker.
16 Feb 55
F/O JW MacDonald, Sector Telecom Officer, visited the Station.
17 Feb 55
Synthetic exercise "Dry Run" was carried out today.
21 Feb 55
F/O Richard returned from his visit to ADCHQ.
22 Feb 55
WO1 JH Clemens and Sgt. Curry of AFHQ/DCED visited the Station to inspect the power plant.
F/O Small and FS Barnett of 1 R&CS Clinton also visited the Station regarding the NE-611 telephone system.
28 Feb 55
FS Plumb of Station Chatham visited the Station today to do modifications to various weapons in the Station Armament Section.
F/L Newbegin and F/O Leschuck both were admitted to hospital today, and F/O Richard assumed the duties of CTechO.
2 Mar 55
Another violent storm raged about the Station today - winds reaching a new high of 105 mph in gusts, with snow and rain.
7 Mar 55
Captain Smith and three airmen from 640th ACW Squadron USAF arrived today for exchange duty in Operations, while F/O Brooks with three Acs proceeded to Stephenville for duty with 640 ACW Squadron.
The first of a planned series of Inter-Mess Competitions was held this evening in the Airmen’s Club. After the results for the nights activities were tallied up it was found that the Airmen had won this first venture into darts, cribbage and beer-drinking competitions, and the Officers and NCOs will be practicing up for a rematch.
12 Mar 55
The CO proceeded on TD to Station Summerside and F/L Nourse assumed temporary command.
14 Mar 55
Captain Smith and other USAF personnel returned to Stephenville today, while F/O Brooks and our three FtrCops returned home from their sojourn with the USAF.
15 Mar 55
A minor fire in ME vehicle 413A10-D54 broke out at 0245 hours today, in the parking area in rear of the ME Section. Only prompt action by the Commissionaire on duty at the Security Area gate averted serious consequences. Minor damage only was incurred through what was believed to be a short circuit in the block heater. Commissionaire Wareham was commended for his efforts in the matter.
16 Mar 55
F/O TEG Ker appointed USecO vice WO1 PD Mills.
23 Mar 55
F/O Ker departed on TD to Security Officer’s Course at RSC of I, Camp Borden.
24 Mar 55
F/L Newbegin again assumed temporary command of the Station while S/L Lomas departed on course to Station North Bay and a short period of leave.
28 Mar 55
F/O Engbrecht appointed Sports O vice F/O W Leschuck.
29 Mar 55
F/O Beals represented the Station at the Canadian Legion Banquet in North Sydney attended by the Lt. Governor of Nova Scotia.
31 Mar 55
"P" Day - promotion day - rolled around again for the airmen. Glad tidings were given by the CO to Sgts. Corkery and Sinnis who were promoted to FS; Cpl. Burgress on promotion to Sgt.; A/Cpls. Fogo and Bourque on their confirmation in that rank; and to LACs Hibbs, MacKenzie, Foulds, Peters, Baker and Shaw who now sport "two hooks".
1 Apr 55
F/O W Leschuck, STelO, was transferred to ADCHQ effective this date.
F/O JC Richard appointed FPO vice F/L Newbegin.
4 Apr 55
The CO and F/O Ker both returned to duty after their various excursions.
5 Apr 55
F/L Bonham Command Chaplain (P), MACHQ, visited the Station on Chaplaincy matters and conducted a three day Holy Week Mission.
12 Apr 55
Mobile Repair Party from Northern Electric commenced work on the overhaul and peaking of radar equipment.
15 Apr 55
US Marine Corps C-119 31681 in distress with engine trouble in two engines was assisted by control to Sydney airport where a landing was made in extreme adverse weather conditions. Unfortunately, the aircraft overran the runway end and nosed over suffering considerable damage. However, no serious injuries were suffered by the crew or passengers, and great credit is given to F/O Brooks of this Station for his excellent controlling which was a major factor in recovering the aircraft. Sydney Control Tower was unable to contact the aircraft due to radio trouble and F/O Brooks conducted an emergency landing, approximating GCA in precise controlling of the aircraft almost to the point of touchdown. Subsequently, a letter of commendation from the CAS was received by F/O Brooks for his part in the incident.
16 Apr 55
The CO departed for the CO’s conference at ADCHQ, and F/L Newbegin assumed temporary command.
17 Apr 55
A USMC investigation team, headed by Lt. Colonel NE Baird, arrived from MAG 25, Cherry Point, NC, to conduct the investigation on the accident to the C-119 on 15 Apr. Guards and a salvage party also arrived from the USN base at Argentia, NF.
This evening, at 2230 hours, upon request of the Acting CO, Lt. Colonel Baird authorized a USMC aircraft which had brought the investigating team to Sydney, to perform a mercy flight to transport AC1 DW Knock of the Station to Halifax for specialist medical attention. AC1 Knock had been hospitalized locally but today, his condition worsened considerably and Dr. CA D’Intino, attending physician, advised immediate removal to Halifax for attention by a throat specialist. Lt. Colonel Baird promptly volunteered the use of his aircraft and, accompanied by a civilian nurse, AC1 Knock was flown to Halifax. Happily, he made a prompt and complete recovery.
18 Apr 55
F/L Newbegin attended to "Stars on Ice" show now playing in the Sydney Forum to present the Officers Mess Hockey Trophy to 45 Squadron, RCAC, who were victorious during the seasons play amongst the local RCAC Squadrons.
19 Apr 55
G/C WH Swetman, CO Station Summerside, accompanied by S/Ls Shanks and Stanley, and F/L Townley visited the Station today whilst in Sydney area on Air Cadet liaison duties.
20 Apr 55
The USMC investigation team departed today.
Mr. Rodgers, of DND Inspection Services, visited the Station in connection with the RCA radar installation.
21 Apr 55
Messrs. Morrison and Johnson of DCL visited the Station regarding the contract for construction of the new Recreation Centre.
F/Ls Williams and Hynds, SOAF, arrived to do an audit.
22 Apr 55
Mr. Trottier of DOT Lands Branch visited the Station regarding the transmitter side property.
The Northern Electric and RCA Victor MRP’s departed today.
25 Apr 55
The CO returned to duty from the CO’s conference a ADCHQ.
28 Apr 55
Crews were again exchanged by this Unit with 640 ACWS USAF, Stephenville, for approximately one week’s cross training.
3 May 55
Four personnel from Maritime Asphalt Company arrived today to undertake repairs to the roof of #2 tower.
5 May 55
Terminal Construction Company commenced work today on the contract for the long awaited landscaping of the PMQ area.
The cross training crew returned from TD at 640 ACWS.
7 May 55
W/C Steeves, ADC/SOComms arrived for a staff visit.
8 May 55
W/C Steeves departed.
The CO proceeded on TD to Fort Pepperrell for a conference with NEAC, USAF.
9 May 55
EM Johnson, Resident Engineer for DCL, arrived to supervise the Landscaping and repairs to #2 Tower roof.
12 May 55
HD Worden, AFHQ/DCEF arrived on visit for technical investigation on shortcomings in Armco-style PMQs.
13 May 55
The CO returned to duty from Fort Pepperrell.
14 May 55
The Station Mixed Bowling League concluded their season’s activity with a pleasant banquet and social evening in the NCO’s Mess tonight. Trophies were presented to the various individual winners and the Coca-Cola trophy, emblematic of the league championship, was awarded. Thus wound up a very successful season of one of the most popular Station sports.
16 May 55
Flight trials commenced today on the FPS-502 radar.
17 May 55
The DM Audit Team arrived today to undertake their first audit of the Station.
20 May 55
The flight trials, having gone quite successfully, concluded today.
23 May 55
A fireworks display, celebrating Victoria Day, was staged this evening in the PMQ area for the benefit of Station children.
25 May 55
Absentee voting in Ontario Provincial Election underway until 8 Jun amongst Station personnel who are Ontario residents.
27 May 55
The DM Audit team departed, having completed an exhaustive audit of Station accounting since its opening. An excellent report was rendered verbally by Mr. Lyons, i/c Audit Team, to the CO prior to his departure and considerable pride is felt by all concerned in having met the exacting requirements of the Team.
28 May 55
A minor fire broke out at approximately 1428 hours today in the roof and floor of the radome of #2 tower. Station personnel responded alertly to the alarm and damage was kept to a minimum. It was found that the fire had been started accidentally through carelessness of employees of Maritime Asphalt who are repairing the roof and thus the Station’s record of no fires of any consequence is preserved, and the continual emphasis on fire precautions proves its worth.
31 May 55
F/L C Dingwall of ADC/Legal Branch visited the station.
Signed by:
(GA Armstrong) S/L
Commanding Officer