Sydney, NS

Narrative Report
RCAF Station Sydney, NS
1 Dec 57 to 31 May 58

Cape Breton Senior Basketball League got underway this afternoon at the Rec. Centre with the CO tossing up the first ball of the season. LAC Pat Shetler, the Station RSpec, has been elected to the League presidency and has done much to re-kindle local interest in senior Basketball which had deteriorated during the past few years.

Mr. RB Abel, AFHQ/DCEF, visited the Station on a progress visit concerning CE projects. This evening the Cape Breton Badminton Association tournament continues in the Rec. Centre.

Messrs. Fort, Bateman and Hudson of Northern Electric Company departed today. This evening the CBBA tournament wound up and the CO presented trophies to the winners. Station Sydney was well represented by LAC Bob Arakelian who won the men’s singles and also was half of the winning men’s doubles team.

The first of a series of Inter-Mess sports nites was held this evening with the NCO’s winning the dubious honour of "Sad Sacks" in a round-robin tournament of Volleyball, badminton, darts, shuffleboard and table tennis. F/O Fleming returned from course at Yuma AFB.

The first Airmen’s Club Mess Dinner was held this evening with a record attendance of almost 90 Acs. The Officers Mess was turned over to provide sufficient space for the dinner and all sections made a particular effort to have NCO’s on duty during the early evening hours to permit maximum attendance. Mr. IJ Smith, President of 103 (Cabot) Wing, RCAFA was the guest speaker and he spoke very interestingly of the aims and operations of the Air Force Association. This evening was voted a rousing success by all present and it is hoped that it will be the forerunner of many such future gatherings.

The opening Curling Bonspiel of the season commenced today with better than 30 curlers from the Station Club using the Sydney Mines Curling Rink in hot competition for prizes of turkeys and chickens, anticipating Christmas.

The Curling Bonspiel wound up today with a rink consisting of Cpl. Lifford, Mrs. Lifford, LAC Herman Allen and LAC Fred Holesworth emerging victorious and a rink composed of Cpl. Fleming, Mrs. Fleming, F/O Morgan and F/O Veals in the runner-up spot.

S/L WJ Stephens, S/L CC Hyatt, F/L Norris visited on a familiarization trip from 2 ADCC.

F/O EH Collins, ADC/SOGT, arrived today on a staff visit. F/O JM Lapointed ADC/SOAF visited the Station briefly to conduct a surprise cash count.

S/Ls Stephens and Hyatt and F/L Norris departed the Station. S/L HE Bowman ACLO/MAC and WO2 JH Webb visited the Station in the course of ACLO duties in the CB area. Mr. RH Guile, District Supervisor, Bell Telephone Company, visited the Station, remaining overnight on a liaison visit with the wire chiefs. This evening the NCO’s Mess held a Mess Dinner with Mr. Lloyd McInnis, a local TV personality, as guest speaker.

F/O Collins departed.

This afternoon, from 1300 to 1400 hours, Sydney Forum resounded to the sounds of battle as the Station Hockey League opened with a spirited performance by almost thirty of the Station puck chasers. This evening an Airmen’s Club Dance was held, as well as a Christmas Party for the Combined Mess staff which was staged in the Rec. Centre theatre.

S/L Bowman and WO2 Webb departed to return to Halifax.

Queen’s School annual Christmas Concert took place this afternoon in the Station Theatre with the children once again captivating a large audience in a surprising and often hilarious performance.

An unofficial stand-down from 1500 hours onwards saw section Christmas parties in full swing throughout most sections on the Station. Unfortunately the shift workers could not make the most of this occasion but sections composed of predominately day workers celebrated in traditional fashion.

The Station’s Children’s Christmas Party was held in the Rec. Centre gymnasium with Mr. Gordon Beverley, the genial CE Section storekeeper, again doing yeoman service as Santa Claus. The PMQ Council ran the Christmas party as the first community project since their formation during the past Fall and their strenuous efforts, coupled with the fact that the gym at last provides a suitable setting for all ranks assembly such as this, made the occasion a particularly memorable one and certainly the most successful Christmas party which the Station has seen.
This evening decorating parties were underway in both the Officers and NCO’s Messes to add the true Christmas appearance to both institutes which are planning a very active social programme throughout the holiday season.

The Protestant Sunday School Christmas concert was held this afternoon in the Station Theatre. This evening the Officers Mess Christmas Cocktail party launched the social whirl for the holiday season.

Traditionally, dinner was served this Christmas Day in the Airmen’s Mess by a large gathering of Officers and NCOs following an "At Home" in the NCOs Mess at which the Officers were guests. A unique touch was added by an appreciable member of the local RCMP Sub-Division, who frequently dine on the Station, attending the Christmas Dinner in scarlet dress uniform and Inspector J Henry OC Sydney Sub-Division who attended and joined the CO in his capacity as "chief waiter".

Advice was received that F/O Fox, STelO, would be promoted to F/L effective 1 Jan 58. Although this was the only such stroke of good fortune on this Station this promotion board, F/L Fox’s promotion was received with satisfaction by all ranks, a testimonial to his popularity throughout the station.

Gala New Year’s Eve balls were held this evening in the Officer and NCOs messes and by members of the Airmen’s Club in the Rec. Centre gym. The Mess functions were the usual colorful and happy affairs but the Airmen’s Dance was the greatest success by virtue of its location in such a spacious and comfortable hall, in sharp contrast to the crowded conditions which have existed in the past in accommodating a full turnout in the restricted quarters of the Airmen’s Club.

The traditional New Year’s Levee was held in the Officer’s Mess this afternoon, entertaining members of Sister services in the area as well as outstanding local citizens. A large percentage of the officers also journeyed to Point Edward Naval Base and Victoria Park to return the compliment to the Army and Navy Messes. An "At Home" was held in the Officers Mess in which the officers reciprocated to the NCOs for their Christmas hospitality.

To launch the new year in memorable style, trade advancement results arrived today and were greeted with mixed reaction. Unfortunately the FtrCops, as a group, fell somewhat short of expectations although the remainder of the Station tradesmen who had written the examinations did exceptionally well.

At long last, after repeated UCR’s, the new staff car, a 1956 Ford arrived and the 1953 Chevy, which had seen rugged service over hazardous access road to the Station during the past four years, was consigned to "APDAL" and took its almost last resting place beside the Supply Section pending disposal. F/O Horsman assumed duties of Acting COpsO while F/O Fleming proceeded on leave.

Mr. ME Sheppard of RCA Victor visited the Station briefly today on a pre-inspection visit.

F/L Young reported on transfer today from Station Comox to assume duty as COpsO.

Mr. J Akerman of DND Inspection Services visited the Station today to do acceptance checks on the lightning arrestor installation and pressure inter lock system repairs.
The second inter-Mess Sports Nite was held this evening in the gym with a round-robin tournament in the usual sports taking place. The NCOs Mess, stinging from their ignominious defeat last month, redeemed themselves in true form by topping the tournament, with the Airmen’s Club winding up on the bottom of the heap and winning the "Sad Sack" Trophy. Dire threats were being voiced at the conclusion of the evening by both the NCOs and Airmen that next month would be the Officers turn.

The NCOs Mess held a "Come As You Are" party this evening and with utter disregard for CAP 6 and mess rules, a startling variety of dress and undress was the order of the evening. The Airmen’s Club held a platter dance in their own premises and, to top what is perhaps the Stations busiest single social evening, a formal ball was held in the Rec. Centre gym by the Cape Breton Civil Service Association.

Playoffs were held today in a Station Curling Bonspiel which had been proceeding over the past week or ten days to declare representative rinks for the British Consol Playdown in Halifax and the RCAF Maritime championship in Summerside. F/O Fleming’s rink emerged victorious and will proceed to the "Briar" Bonspiel, while F/O O’Leary’s rink are slated to carry Station Sydney colors into the Summerside tournament.
S/L HE Bowman, ACLO/MAC and F/L JS Bonham, CChap (P) MAC visited the Station today remaining overnight.

Station Sydney today commenced performing their own identification of air traffic, taking over this function for a trial period from Station Beaverbank in preparation for what is hoped will be an early conversion from EW to GCI status. The CO, F/L Henley (CTSO), F/L Young (COpsO0 and F/L EW Fox (STelO) represented the Station this evening at the Annual Banquet and installation of officers at Branch 128, Canadian Legion, Whitney Pier.

The drive for improvement of dress and appearance which had been initiated by ADCHQ was implemented today with the commencement of kit inspections of living-in airmen. The inspection which had become almost a thing of the past is designed to check the quantity and condition of uniform items held by all airmen with a view to bettering the standard of dress and appearance of all personnel.

A home-grown romance blossomed today in Station Sydney when F/O DE O’Leary CEO, announced his engagement to Miss Janet Kazimer, who coincidentally enough, happens to be our Clerk Engineering. In honour of the occasion an informal party was held this evening in the Officers Mess. F/L Henley represented the Station at the Annual Banquet of the Ashby Branch of the Canadian Legion in Sydney.

The NCO’s Mess held a Monte Carlo Nite this evening when the whirl of the roulette wheel, the rattle of chips, and the usual gamut of games of chance provided an interesting evening for a large crowd of patrons. This evening also the Airmen’s Club held an informal dining-in-night.

The Officers Mess this evening held a Sports Nite and saw a large turnout of regular and associate members and their wives disporting themselves in the Rec. Centre gym and swimming pool and returning to the Mess later in the evening to continue their celebrations in less strenuous form.

F/L Fleming’s curling rink consisting of F/O Creelman, Sgt. Parker and Cpl. Fleming departed today for the British Consol Bonspiel in Halifax.

A small but extensively stocked Dry Canteen was opened today in the Snack Bar in the Rec. Centre with a wide selection of staple groceries, toilet goods, etc on display in display cases donated by one of the local merchants. The cases have been slightly re-modified and refinished to provide an attractive showplace for goods, while surplus lockers and cupboards from some of the Barrack rooms are used for storage of the remainder of the stock. A healthy opening day’s business engendered optimism that the canteen will prove to be a major source of revenue for Station Fund.
Mr. EB Murrin, principal of Queen’s School, appeared this evening on "Guest Spot" a local TV Show and was interviewed concerning Service schooling.

The semi-annual sports banquet, long postponed for a variety of reasons, was held this evening in the NCOs Dining Room and awards and trophies were presented to winners in summer sports during the 1956-57 season. Although the celebrations featured softball, golf and track and field, somewhat out of season, a festive spirit prevailed and the evening was a happy one for the large group of Station sportsmen who attended.

Another "distinguished first" was recorded today when the Rec. Hall was the scene of a play-by-play radio broadcast of a basketball game between the Harmon Air Force Base team from Stephenville, Nfld. And the Cape Breton All Stars. The All Stars, composed of outstanding players from the CB Senior Basketball League in which the Station participates, acquitted themselves well but were no match for the polished performance of the USAF team. A large crowd of spectators attended the game and later reports indicated that the broadcast, too, had been received with interest in the local area.

F/O Morgan, CAdO, proceeded on leave and F/O B Wooding assumed duties as Acting CAdO in his first skirmish with the "paper war". The floor of the Rec. Centre gym, which has been subjected to continual and heavy wear during the past ten months is undergoing refinishing and the gym today is closed for approximately one week.

The Harmon AFB Basketball team left today to return to Nfld. After a busy weekend during which they played two games against the CB All Stars as well as journeying to Antigonish to play the St. FX College Varsity Team.

Heavily armed cupids and bushels of hearts graced the Rec. Centre gym this evening to provide background for the Station Valentine Dance.

The RCAFA Maritime Convention closing banquet and dance were held this evening in the Rec. Centre gym. A/C M Costello AOC/MAC, was the senior guest while S/L AR "Andy" McKenzie of Station Chatham was guest speaker. Close to two hundred RCAFA members and their wives thoroughly enjoyed a fine chicken dinner catered by the Combined Mess staff and the dance following was a fitting climax to what has been a very successful convention.

In connection with Boy Scout Week, the Station Cub Pack, under the leadership of LAC Norm Dodsley, appeared on the local TV Show "People and Things".

F/O JF Coll left for Station Cold Lake and a period of TD at CPU.

The NCOs Mess held a mixed dining-in-night this evening and, although only 50% of the members and their guests could be accommodated, the affair was a 100% success.

An innovation was tried this evening when the Officer’s Mess held a Tri-Service Mess Dinner with a token representation from the Navy and Army headed by Commander GM Wadds, Base Superintendent, Point Edward Naval Base and Colonel FA Cooke, Corp Commander 3 Militia Group. It is hoped that these affairs which provided an excellent opportunity for members of the three Services to become better acquainted, will become a regular event.

A rink from the Station Curling Club, composed of Cpl. TAN Fleming, Mrs. Fleming, Sgt. Parker and F/O Morgan won the second division of the Mackie Bonspiel, top annual event of the CB Curling Club in Sydney Mines.

F/L NW Vaness, ASWelO/MAC, visited the Station concerning personal welfare matters. Mr. JW Hoult of Bell Telephone also visited the Station on a liaison trip with the civilian wire chiefs.

F/L Vaness and Mr. Hoult departed today. The gym was reopened, colorful and gleaming with its newly refinished floor and now sporting a reproduction of the Unit badge in the center of the floor. A/C EM Reyno, Deputy AOC (A) ADC who was expected to visit the Station next week today advised that his visit would be postponed until the week of 10 Mar. While this was disappointing in itself, the Station still looks forward with pleasure in welcoming the A/C back to Sydney.

An Airmen’s Club dance was held this evening but with a disappointingly small attendance. This was not completely unexpected since this was a trial at having major social activities during the season of Lent and it now appears that such a procedure will not prove completely successful.

Another Inter-Mess Sports Night went into the records this evening and the Airmen’s Club became the first group to become "Sad-Sacks" twice; as a matter of fact, twice in a row. The Officers Mess barely nosed out the Airmen in a hard fought struggle to evade receipt of the trophy and spirits were expected to run higher than ever in hopes that the Officers Mess will join the ranks of "Sad-Sacks" on the next occasion.

The NCO’s Mess conducted an Inter-Service Sports Night this evening with the members of the CPO’s Wardroom from PENB, adjourning after the sports events to "splice the main brace" in the Mess. The Airmen’s Club held a Monte Carlo Nite this evening and joined the ranks of enthusiastic and inveterate Station gamblers. "D-Day" was established today when A/C Reyno advised that a visit to the Station would be made on 13 Mar.

The gambling fever must be catching; the galloping dominos, spinning roulette wheel and fascinating crown-and-anchor dice were active tonight as the Officers Mess held a Monte Carlo Nite and fabulous sums of money (phony) were both won and lost.

F/L Walker, ADC/SOAF visited the Station to conduct a cash count and an SOAF audit. F/L JS Bonham CChap (P)/MAC arrived today to conduct a Protestant Mission during the remainder of the week.

The first Protestant Mission Service was held this evening at 2000 hours with F/L Bonham and Reverend MacDonald, Station officiating clergymen (P) in attendance. Although the congregation was small the enthusiastic approach of F/L Bonham gained much interest and it is expected that future services may be even more successful.
Officials of the Sydney Rotary Club and Mayor RG Urquhart of Sydney visited the Station today to confer with the CO and CAdO concerning the first official visit by Major General EG Plow, the new Lt. Governor of NS, to Sydney on 24 and 25 Mar. The spirit of the Station in arranging the traditional Guard of Honour and assisting wherever possible during the Lt. Governor’s stay here was gratefully received by the visiting officials.

The second Mission service was held this morning at 0900 hours and, in recognition of F/L Bonham’s kindling of interest in yesterday’s Service, was greeted by a considerably increased attendance.
A/C Reyno, Deputy AOC(A) arrived by air at Sydney Airport and was met by the CO and the CTSO and driven to the Station where he arrived at 1710 hours. Following a reception and salute by a Guard of Honour, which gained his plaudits for an excellent turnout, the A/C paid a brief visit to an informal gathering in the NCO’s Mess, remaining until 1800 hours. At 1930 hours cocktails were served in the Officers Mess followed by a mixed Mess Dinner of all Officers Mess regular and associate members and their wives. It was indeed a memorable occasion and the most heavily attended Mess Dinner in Officers Mess history; so much so that dinner was served in the NCO’s dining-room since the approximately fifty guests could not be accommodated in the Officers Mess. The highlight of the evening came when the A/C was invested with honourary membership in the RCBAF, receiving the traditional school and badge of honour (A CB tartan tie) with the usual and hilarious admonition of duties and responsibilities being administered by F/O Creelman. Following the Mess Dinner an informal evening continued until the wee small hours in the Officers Mess.

During the morning the Deputy AOC conducted a searching inspection of the Station and was most congratulatory over the fine state in which he found the Unit. An informal luncheon was held in the Officers Mess attended by all officers and following a brief private discussion with the CO the A/C departed at 1600 hours by air for Halifax.
This evening the Airmen’s Club held a St. Patrick’s Day Dance.
The final Protestant Mission Service was held this evening in the theatre at 2000 hours followed by an informal social gathering and the serving of refreshments.

A Station Curling Bonspiel, to wind up the curling season, was held today by the Curling Club at the Sydney Mines Rink.

As a culmination of the Protestant Mission conducted during the week, a Protestant Church Parade was held this morning by Reverend MacDonald with F/L Bonham as guest preacher. The capacity congregation was both inspired and challenged by F/L Bonham’s closing sermon and a great deal of satisfaction was felt on the Station amongst Protestant personnel at the excellent impression the Mission had made.
The Station Curling Bonspiel concluded this afternoon as a rink skipped by Cpl. Lifford, composed of Mrs. Lifford, and LACs Fred Holesworth and Herman Allen (all of the VMW Section) topped the eight rinks competing to take the Station Championship for the 57-58 season.

The CO proceeded on leave and F/L Henley assumed Acting command of the Station. F/L Bonham departed to return to Halifax.

The CO returned to duty and F/L Henley proceeded on leave with F/L Fox assuming his duties as acting CTSO.

The CO attended a Rotary Club Luncheon in the Isle Royale Hotel at which the Lt. Governor was guest of honour.

The Station Volleyball League, which came through a busy and very successful season, wound up this evening with the final of the Station playoffs. The Officers Mess again emerged victorious, but only after nosing out the senior NCOs team in a very close final match.

The fondest hopes of the NCOs Mess and Airmen’s Club almost came to pass this evening on the monthly inter-mess Sports Nite when upon totaling the results, it was found that the Officers Mess and Airmen’s Club had tied for "Sad-Sack" honours for March. While not a clear-cut victory for the other ranks, considerable jubilation exists that the Officers had finally been classified at least "half Sad Sacks".

Airmen’s promotions, effective 1 Apr, were announced today by the CO and once again Station Sydney has won more than its fair share of honours. Two new Sgts. And eight new Cpls. Were appointed on the Station out of a total of forty-nine personnel eligible, testifying to a healthy 20% of promotions.
S/L Leadbetter and six of a crew from 104 K flight stayed on the Station overnight together with 2 USAF officers from a search helicopter which was forced to land at Sydney due to weather.

Federal Election Day again and a civilian poll for the convenience of wives and Service employees residing on the Station operated today throughout the Rec. Centre.

The mobile X-ray unit from HMS Stadacona arrived today to conduct free chest X-rays of Station personnel and dependents.

The Navy mobile X-ray unit departed to continue their tour of the Maritimes.

The Station "A" team captured the Sydney Volleyball Championship tonight for the third successive season. This year the Sydney League, which had grown by leaps and bounds during the past three seasons, embraced twelve teams in two sections. The "A" team held a commanding lead throughout the winter schedule and were favoured to regain the championship. However the opposition squads provided particularly stiff opposition and extended the "A" Team to the limit before bowing out. The CO, who had been invited by YMCA executives who administered the league to present the Officers Mess trophy, emblematic of the City Championship, was faced with the somewhat embarrassing but nevertheless cheerful prospect of presenting a trophy donated by the Mess, to a team composed, in the majority, of members of the Mess.

Mr. Rube Guile, Bell Telephone Company Supervisor, paid another of his periodic visits to the Station.
Informal dances were held this evening in the Officers and NCOs Messes to continue the busy social schedule which has operated throughout the winter season.

Five Station personnel today completed the Red Cross Water Safety Instructors Course at the Sydney YMCA which has been underway throughout the week. Unfortunately, only two personnel gained the instructors rating although the remaining three did reach senior swimmer’s qualification.

The semi-annual trade examinations were held today with 34 personnel writing for higher grouping. It was difficult indeed for many of them to concentrate on this important task when today was marked by the opening of the fishing season and the aspiring "Izaak Waltons" amongst the group were eager for the cessation of the work so that they could race for their favorite fishing spot to try their luck.

F/O G MacDonald of ADC/SOGT paid a staff visit to the Station today.
A very successful Station Dance was held this evening in the Rec. Centre gym and, as an added attraction, W/C Babineau, S/L Jaworski, Major Peterson and F/L Wolfe of ADCHQ, who were on route to Gander and forced to land at Sydney due to weather, were unanticipated but nevertheless welcomed guests.

F/O MacDonald departed to return to ADCHQ. A/C JC Stevenson, Chief Personnel Services, AFHQ and a party from AMP Division did not arrive.

Again "no show". A/C Stevenson and his party, bucking seasonal but adverse weather in the Halifax-Greenwood area, were unable to make their scheduled visit to the station.

Success! A/C Stevenson, G/C Costello (DRA) (RC), W/C Holdham (DPAL), W/C Clark (Chief of Food Services), S/L Sutherland (DPA Welfare), S/L Walker, F/Ls Cooper and Parks and Mr. McEwan, together with F/L McCaffrey (SOFSv/MAC) and F/L Vaness (ASWelO/MAC) finally arrived on the long-anticipated visit. Due to difficulties with the weather however, their stay was curtailed and they had time for little else but an informal lunch and a very quick tour of the Station before departing for Station Summerside.

The RCAF Maritime Zone V Volleyball tournament got underway today with teams from Chatham, Debert, Moncton and Beaverbank attending although, unfortunately, weather and aircraft unavailability prevented Summerside, Greenwood, Torbay and MACHQ from being present. However, very enjoyable tournaments were held in both divisions with Chatham emerging victorious over Sydney by a slight margin in the Maritime championship, while Sydney turned the tables to win the zone honours in the final match on Sunday afternoon.

The CO departed on TD to the CO’s Conference at ADCHQ and F/L Henley assumed acting command of the Station.
F/L Henley also took the salute at an Air Cadet Church Parade held in Dominion this morning by the combined Dominion and Glace Bay Squadrons.

The PMQ Council held a card tournament this evening in the gym which, although lightly attended compared to expectations, caught the fancy of those present and it is expected that this type of social affair will become very popular in the future and should prove to be a source of revenue to the council and satisfaction to the participants.

The Airmen’s Club held a Mess Dinner this evening in their own dining room on a half-and-half basis. Due to the number of Acs involved and the limited size of the dining room, as well as the difficulty in releasing all AC shift workers at one time, it had been decided that Mess Dinners held by the Club would be attended by only half of the members at a time alternatively. The lack of numbers detracted very little from the success of the evening or the enjoyment of those who did attend.

The Officers Mess Volleyball Team, Zone V champions, departed today for Station Lachine to compete in the RCAF Trans-Canada championships.

The team returned, unhappily not victorious, but after a very enjoyable trip and a most interesting and enlightening tournament. Grim resolutions are the order of the day as the team members vowed that next year things would be better and they will be more successful in the top playdowns.

The CO returned to duty from the CO’s Conference at ADC.
WO1 Aucoin and Sgt. DeGrouchy of ADC/SOCE visited the Station regarding repairs and modifications to the diesel engines in the power plant.

Qualifying exam results for the F/Os and F/Ls were received today and again Station Sydney has maintained a high standard. Out of ten subjects written by four candidates, nine were passed.
A Mobile Repair Party from Northern Electric Company arrived today to undertake overhaul of the FPS-3.

S/L CF Hagyard ADC/SOAF visited the Station today to conduct a cash count and SOAF audit.

S/L Hagyard departed to return to ADC.
Shortly after 1000 hours this morning a near fatality occurred on the Station, but fortunately right in the main door to the Dispensary. The infant son of Cpl. AG Shepherd, whose wife was visiting the Dispensary was parked in a baby carriage outside and when Mrs. Shepherd returned to the carriage she found the child choking and already cyanotic. LAC Marcel, the Station MedA, answered Mrs. Shepherd’s call for assistance and rushed the baby into the Dispensary where, fortunately, Dr. D’Intino, the attending physician, was still conducting sick parade. Dr. D’Intino administered emergency treatment and oxygen and succeeded in restoring the child’s breathing. The baby was transported to Sydney Hospital by the Station ambulance where it remained for observation overnight. It was believed that the child had regurgitated food and had inhaled it into the air passage in the throat. It was unanimously agreed that it was indeed a fortunate coincidence that the incident should have occurred in such close proximity to the Dispensary and at the time when the Dr. was in attendance, otherwise the results may well have been tragic.

Station Bingo, under the auspices of the PMQ Council, was held this evening in the Rec. Centre. A new venture is being tried in using merchandise prizes in lieu of cash and it is hoped that this may prove most attractive to patrons and increase attendance.

Patrons of the galloping dominos, and other followers of lady luck in the Airmen’s Club, again challenged fortune this evening in another of the Monte Carlo Nites which are becoming very popular.
The CE Section held a lobster party this evening in the Station theatre.

Victoria Day Statutory Holiday.
The CO and CAdO this evening attended a cocktail party on "L’Aventure" a French frigate on fishing grounds patrol which was paying a good will visit to Sydney.

Captain deFregate Mounier, Commander of "L’Aventure" paid a courtesy call to the Station this morning.
The Deputy Minister’s Audit team arrived today to undertake the annual audit.

Captain Mounier, Lt. De Vaisseau Antoine, Mr. J Parmentier (French Consul Halifax), Mr. C Gorra (French Consular Agent, North Sydney) and Mayor RG Urquhart, Sydney were guests at noon today at an informal luncheon in the Officers Mess.
S/L RH Morris and F/L H Giggey of GObC Halifax visited the Station today while touring GObC posts in the area.
F/L NW Vaness ASWelO/MAC arrived today for a visit on personal welfare matters.
A new pick-up truck for the CE Section arrived today and the old one, which has seen arduous service in our busy works and buildings organization, was retired from active service to await disposal.
This evening, a stag farewell party was held in the Officers Mess in honour of F/O B Wooding who is departing on transfer to Station Lac St. Denis. At the same time an informal gathering was held for the officers wives, to bid au revior to Mrs. Wooding.

F/O CL Gibson, Station Gander, arrived on TD for familiarization on CE Section operations.
F/L Vaness, S/L Morris and F/L Giggey departed to return to Halifax and F/O Wooding departed for Lac St. Denis.
The Station Search and Rescue team left for a S&R training exercise at Lake Ainslie.

Upon receipt of advice from Command today that Pinetree Sites are to hold Air Force Day, open to the public, planning got underway here for our first Air Force Day celebration.
G/C WH Swetman, S/L Lutes, F/L Hibberd and F/L Wood visited the Station overnight while undertaking annual inspections of RCAC Squadrons in the Sydney area.

The Officers Mess held a Monte Carlo Nite.

Northern Electric Company MRP arrived today to undertake overhaul of all Station Communications equipment.

A Station dance was held this evening in the Rec. Centre but it now appears that, with good weather upon us, attendance at such affairs is declining and it is expected that this will be the last Station dance until the commencement of the next season.
WO2 WJ Marsh ADC arrived on a Telecom staff visit.
The CO attended the annual inspection of 587 (Whitney Pier Legion) Squadron RCAC which was conducted by G/C Swetman.

At this time of year lobsters have become almost the staple fare throughout the Island and this year a bumper crop seems to be on the market. The NCOs Mess held a lobster party this evening and in spite of their valiant efforts in demolishing a frighteningly large quantity of the crustaceans, washed down with liberal quantities of beer; no reports had yet been heard of any resultant shortage in the market. It will remain for perhaps another three or four scheduled lobster parties by various Station elements to contribute their portion toward reducing any apparent glut on the market.

Signed by:
(GA Armstrong) S/L
CO, RCAF Station Sydney, NS