Sydney, NS

Narrative Report
RCAF Station Sydney, NS
1 Dec 56 to 31 May 57

Christmas is again looming up on the horizon, so today the Station Gift Shop opened to purvey toys and other giftware’s to Station personnel.

DM Loomis of AFHQ/DCED visited the Station concerning the Recreation Centre project.

The results in the Station Hunter’s Sweepstakes were announced today. For a $1.00 entry fee, all hunters were permitted to enter the competition with prizes earmarked for the heaviest deer of either sex, the most points on a buck, and the heaviest doe. Winners were as follows:

The first issue of the Station magazine "Gairm" was published today. An attractive publication, the cover design features Nova Scotia Tartan and the magazine contains a fund of excellently written articles on Station and local affairs. Upon distribution to RCAF Units both in Canada and Overseas, the magazine received a gratifying response and numerous letters of congratulation were subsequently received by the Station. It is a distinct tribute to the talent and hard work put into the issue by all contributors, members of the Magazine Committee and all those who assisted, under the direction of F/C JE Broadbent who performed a period of summer employment with the Station last summer and who was instrumental in getting the publication "on the road".

The CO proceeded on TD to Station Summerside for practice flying leaving F/L Brunger in temporary command.

Under the direction of technical personnel from Sheldon Engineering Company, a course in pressurizing equipment got underway today, embracing some 10-15 personnel, both service and civilian, from various Stations in the area, from Moisie to Gander, as well as representatives from ADCHQ. The course is to continue throughout this week.

F/O Engbrecht returned from TD, and cross training, at Moody AFB.

A Christmas Bingo was held this evening in the three Messes. The lucky winners happily staggered back to their homes laden down with a collection of turkeys, chickens and "Christmas Cheer".

The Annual Christmas Concert was staged today by Queen’s School.

The traditional Section Xmas parties were the order of the day this afternoon.

This evening, the Officers Mess held a "Tom & Jerry" party for all regular and associate members.

The Station Children Xmas Party was held this afternoon in the three Messes. Due to the increase in the number of children, the School could no longer accommodate the crowd and it was necessary to split the attendance into three parts, using the respective Messes. However, this did not dim the festivities one whit, and after Santa Claus made his annual appearance on the Fire Truck, and distributed the "loot" to all present, refreshments donated by local suppliers were enjoyed by all. Gallons of Coca-Cola and a small mountain of ice cream "dixie cups" disappeared before the voracious appetites of the small fry and, although the aspirin consumption rates by adults also leaped, presumably, the affair was voted a happy and successful one.

Continuing the tradition of past years, the NCO’s were "At Home" to the Officers today from 1100 to 1200 hours, following which the entire assemblage adjourned to the Airmen’s Dining Room where they blossomed forth in cook’s hats and white jackets to service a sumptuous Xmas dinner to the AC’s.

Happy news was received today by better than one-third of the Officer strength of the Station. The CO was confirmed in Rank as a S/L, and F/L Brunger, CTSO, was also promoted to Senior Officer rank. F/O’s TEG Ker and AW Beals, COpsO and SAO respectively, added another ring of braid on their elevation to F/L and F/O EW Fox was granted his PC. All were to be effective 1 Jan 57, but receipt of the news today made the season indeed "festive".
The Station Basketball Team commenced play today in the Cape Breton Invitation Basketball Tournament. Although it cannot be reported that they romped off with the honours, they acquitted themselves well in view of the limited number of players available and the little play or practice that they have had, and the tournament was thoroughly enjoyed by all participants.

Best bibs and tuckers came to the fore again this evening as the usual New Year’s Eve parties (formal) were held by all Messes. 1957 was well and truly ushered in by the gala "Hogmanay" celebrations.

The Officers were at home today to the NCO’s, followed by the usual NY Day Levee, entertaining members of the other Services in the area as well as many invited guests from the civilian population of Sydney and surrounding area.

F/O JW Thompson, AWelO, MACHQ, made his first 1957 visit to the Station today, remaining until 23 Jan.

Sgt. JE O’Leary, ADC/SOMS, Command Sanitary Inspector, visited the Station and carried out a sanitary inspection today, finding all in good order.

F/O Brooks, COpsO, proceeded on TD today to Station Gander for a one-day operational liaison visit.

F/L RO Marcotte and F/O TC Porter of ADC/SOSup arrived today to undertake a supply inspection.

F/L Marcotte and F/O Porter departed today, apparently pleased by the results of their inspection into supply and accounting.
F/O JS Illingworth, A/SOFSc, ADCHQ, made a staff visit to the Station today.
F/L JS Bonham, CChap (P), MACHQ, visited the Station again today on religious administration matters.

F/O Wooding departed today on TD to the Current Affairs course at Courville, PQ.

The Officers Mess held a Valentine Dance this evening.

F/O B Wooding returned from TD.

F/O LW Horsmen AS/FtrC TOS on transfer from 14Trg.

F/L Ker departed today to attend the Junior Officers Admin. Course at 1OS, London.

A/C PA Gilchrist, D/AOC (Ops), G/C MW Pollard, CO Station Chatham, W/C JE Labelle, SOSup, W/C RR Steeves SOComm, and Dr. Conn of ADC/ORB arrived this afternoon for a brief visit to the Station. The visit was concentrated, almost exclusively, on operational matters. This evening, an informal "stag nite" was held in the Officers Mess for the visitors and Station Officers.

A/C Gilchrist and his party departed today for Station Beaverbank.

The Station Curling Team departed today for Station Summerside to participate in the Maritime Championships and the RCAF Zonal Playdowns.
Mr. RH Guile of Bell Telephone Company, visited the Station today in his capacity as supervisor of wire chiefs.
F/L JE Parent, ADC/SOMS/Matron paid a staff visit to the Station today.
F/O MI Wilson, ADC/SOPA/Recreation Branch also visited the Station.
F/O HG Brooks, COpsO, departed today on transfer to Station Gander. F/O GE Fleming assumed the position of Acting COpsO.

The Officers Mess ran a "Monte Carlo" nite tonight for all regular and associated members and their wives.

The Curling Team returned from Summerside after having been nosed out in the semi-finals in a hard fought game with Station Goose Bay.
The CO proceeded on TD to Station Summerside for flying practice. S/L Brunger assumed temporary command.

S/L JR Ruel, ADC/SOAF, arrived to do a cash count and NPF audit.
FS GM Dawson of ADCHQ visited the Station concerning NE-611 telephone system.

The Command visitors, S/L Ruel and FS Dawson both departed today.

A round robin volleyball tournament was held this evening to select a team to represent the Station in the Zonal playdowns for the RCAF championship. The Officers Mess triumphed over two teams from the Airmen’s Club and one from the NCO’s Mess and will be journeying to Moncton for the Maritime Championships and Zonal playdowns on 16 Mar.

The CO returned from TD at Summerside.

S/L BA Eisenhower AFHQ/DCEA, S/L LE Larcombe ADC/SOPA, S/L Powell ADC/SOCE, and F/L AR Hanson ADC/SOAR visited the station reviewing accommodation requirements and to inspect the Rec. Centre which is in the final stages of construction.

S/L Eisenhower and his party departed today for ADCHQ. F/L AM Proud and F/O G MacDonald, both of ADC/SOGT visited the Station on ground training matters and to conduct a projectionists course for Station personnel.

F/L Proud and F/O MacDonald departed.

F/O Fleming, A/COpsO and F/O Fox, STelO, departed on TD to attend a Sector conference being held in Moncton.

F/O’s Fleming and Fox proceeded from Moncton to Station St. Margarets for a telecomm and operational liaison visit.

The Officers Mess volleyball team departed for Moncton for the Maritime Championships and Zonal playdowns being held at 5 SD.

The Volleyball team returned from Moncton having lost out to Station Chatham in the semi-finals of the zonal playdowns after a terrific battle. Due to a misunderstanding, it was believed that the intersection championship teams on each Station were to compete for the Maritime Championships as well as the zonal playdowns. Upon arrival at Moncton, we found that the Maritime Championships could be contested by a Station all-star team, but nevertheless the six "sixty-minute" men entered both tournaments and progressed into the quarter finals in both. By that time, however, the strain was beginning to tell and a council of war decided to withdraw from the Maritime Championships and pursue our fortunes in the zonal playdowns. Under the circumstances, however, "our heads are bloodied but unbowed".

The CO proceeded on TD to ADCHQ, and S/L Brunger assumed temporary command.

Mr. Gordon Moore of Vivian Diesel Company, Vancouver, arrived for a one week visit to conduct modifications to the lubricating oil system on the three diesels in the power plant.

F/L C Strugar ADC/SOAF visited the Station to conduct a cash count.

F/L Strugar departed.
F/O JO McNeill departed on transfer to Station Edgar.

The CO returned from TD at ADCHQ.

RB Abel of ADC/DCEF visited the Station on a progress visit concerning the construction currently underway.

A/C EM Reyno, A/AOC, visited the Station accompanied by Mrs. Reyno. All officers and their wives "dined-in" in the Officers Mess this evening, following which the entire party attended the performance of "The Desert Song" being presented in Sydney under the auspices of Sydney Rotary Club. Following the show, the party returned to the Mess for an informal evening.
Four years of patient waiting culminated today in the take-over of the Recreation Centre. Mr. Abel supervised the take-over inspection and departed for AFHQ this evening.

Following a brief inspection of the Station and a luncheon with all officers in the Mess, A/C Reyno departed for Station Beaverbank this afternoon.

The annual Airmen’s promotion board results were announced today and the following Station personnel profited as shown: FS JG Hopkins (FW) and FS R Giovenazzo (Cook) to WO2; Sgt. JJ Sawchuck (ClkAcc) to FS; A/Sgt. RF Rozee (FtrCop) and Cpl. JT Forgeron to Sgt.; LAC’s TAN Fleming (CommTech), JH Backwell and WH Maxwell (both FtrCops), RT Ellison and JT Kennedy (both RdrTechG), CM Darrach (SupTech), J Arsenault (cook) and AG Shepherd (Ftr Cop) to Cpl.

Another Monte Carlo night was held in the Officers Mess.
F/L Ker returned from his course at Station London.

HM Genn of the Bell Telephone Company visited the Station today concerning telephone cabling to the new buildings, e.g., Rec. Centre, Admin. Building and Dispensary, as well as the new PMQ area.

Mr. GC Gillinwater, Director of Water Safety for the Nova Scotia Red Cross, visited the Station today to check out seven Station personnel as lifeguards for the station swimming pool and to review water safety equipment and procedures in connection with the pool.

F/L HT Cox, Chap (P), Station Greenwood, arrived today to conduct a three day mission for Station Protestant personnel.

The Station Curling Bonspiel was held today at the Cape Breton Curling Club in Sydney Mines. Nine rinks competed and the winners were skipped by F/O Fleming and consisted of Miss Barbara Lomas, F/O FE Creelman and Sgt. JR Parker.

A Protestant Church Parade was held today in the Theatre of the Rec. Centre with F/L Cox as guest chaplain, to conclude the Mission held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

WO1 WG Morgan, ADC/SOPA, Recreation Specialist, visited the Station to assist in setting up of programmes and procedures for recreation activities and to advise on the procurement of equipment.

Mr. JB Hoult, area supervisor for the Bell Telephone Company, visited the Station today.
F/L AW Beals proceeded on TD to Station Gander to conduct a cash count.

F/L JS Bonham, CChap (P), MACHQ, visited the Station today.
WO1 Morgan departed, to return to ADCHQ.
F/L Beals returned from TD at Gander.
This evening a stag was held by the Officers Mess to entertain Officers from Point Edward Naval Base.

F/O JB Christensen AS/FtrC TOS on transfer from Station Cold Lake.

WO1 WAM Smith, ADC/SOPhoto visited the Station today on a staff visit.

F/L Ker, F/O Fleming and FSD Corkery proceeded on TD to Harmon AFB for the NEAC Newfoundland Complex Operations Conference.

F/O HL McCormick of Station Gander visited the Station today on supply liaison duties.

F/L WA Bradshaw of Station Beaverbank visited the Station today to conduct a cash count.

F/O JA Whitley, Sector TelO visited the Station today.

F/L Ker and his party returned from Newfoundland today.

F/O Coll and seven airmen proceeded on TD today to Station Greenwood to undergo the Red Cross Water Safety and Swimming Instructor’s Course.

F/L Beals, SAO, proceeded on TD today to 5 SD, Moncton for a conference concerning the introduction of the new cash imprest accounting procedure.
F/O Creelman, SSO proceeded on TD to Station Beaverbank and the Halifax area on supply liaison duties.

W/Cs W Rodger and NJ Gallagher, CChap (P) and CChap (RC) respectively, arrived for a staff visit on Chaplaincy matters.

W/Cs Rodger and Gallagher departed.

The CO departed today by PMC for ADCHQ to attend the CO’s conference. Unfortunately, he was taken ill at Antigonish and returned to Sydney where he was hospitalized and is to undergo surgery tomorrow.
F/O JW Thompson, AWelO, MACHQ, paid a regular visit to the Station today.

F/O Thompson departed to return to Halifax.
An Officers Mess "Come-As-You-Are" Party was held this evening with new heights of hilarity being reached in the costumes (or lack of them) in which some members were bound to attend.
F/O Coll and his party returned from TD at Greenwood.

S/L Brunger, upon instructions from ADCHQ, departed today to represent the Station at the CO’s conference. F/L Ker is assuming temporary command.
F/O Creelman returned from his TD trip to Halifax and Station Beaverbank.

F/O Horsman departed on TD to Station Clinton to attend the Guided Missile familiarization course.

The quarter final round of playoffs in the Sydney City Volleyball League were held this afternoon and evening in the Rec. Centre Gymnasium. The four winning teams are to play off for the championship on Tuesday, 7 May at the Sydney YMCA.

S/L Brunger returned from TD at the CO’s Conference at ADCHQ, and resumed temporary command of the Station.

The Station "A" Team won the City Volleyball Championship for the second year in a row. This year, it was embarrassing in a small degree since the Officers Mess have donated a trophy for annual competition and this, the first occasion which it was contested, it was won by a Station team. However, we have successfully defended our title from last year, trophy or none.
G/C FR Sharp, AFHQ/DManEng, Mr. Scott and F/O Illing arrived for a visit regarding the electronic trade training preliminary study.

G/C Sharp and his party departed.
The MRP from Northern Electric Company arrived to overhaul the FPS-3 radar.

F/L Beals, SAO, proceeded on TD to Station St. Margarets to conduct a cash count.

Finals of the Station Mixed Bowling League were held tonight with the "Youngsters" winning the league championship.

F/C’s Hughes and Haines from URTP Squadrons and McMaster University and University of Toronto respectively arrived for summer employment.
W/C WW Abra and Mr. Stenton of AFHQ/DCED visited the Station to inspect the new construction.
Twenty members of the GObC visited the Station today on a familiarization tour.

F/O EE Nursery and WO1 J Grovestine of ADC/SOVME paid a staff visit to the Station today to inspect the ME organization.
F/L Beals returned today from TD.

W/C EC Briese, Sector Commander visited the Station today in company with S/L AR MacKenzie, ADC/SOPA, who was conducting a staff visit on NPF outlets.

F/O Nursery and WO1 Grovestine departed.

F/O Horsman returned from TD at Station Clinton.

The Northern Electric MRP completed their overhaul of the FPS-3 today and departed.

S/L WT Kay and F/L JE Freebairn, ADC/SOAF, visited the Station today to conduct an SOAF visit.
Honorable George Marler, Minister of Transport, paid a short unofficial visit to the Station in company with Leo McIntyre, Liberal candidate in the forthcoming Federal election.
The Training Command Band dance orchestra arrived today to play for the official opening dance in the Rec. Centre tomorrow night. Shortly after their arrival, they made a half-hour TV appearance on the local Station, CJCB-TV, on the programme "People and Things" which on this occasion was completely devoted to the band.

The official opening of the Rec. Centre was marked tonight by a monster dance, featuring the TC Band Dance Orchestra, "The Jetliners" and attended by close to one thousand patrons from the local area. The affair was a great success and marked one of the few occasions when a Station of this nature is permitted to freely entertain members of the civilian population. Interest in the Station is exceptionally high amongst the local population - particularly in the Rec. Centre which is undoubtedly the finest building of its kind on Cape Breton Island, if not in the province.
Prior to the dance, a cocktail party was held in the Officers Mess to entertain official guests, which included the Mayors or their representatives from most of the surrounding towns, as well as distinguished local citizens.

Signed by:
(GA Armstrong) S/L
Commanding Officer