Sydney, NS

1 Dec 58

The CO and COpsO departed on TD to Sector St Margarets to attend an STP Conference.

Messrs. Ford and Johns of Northern Electric Co. departed today.

WO2 Vincent, F/S Prince and Sgt Lewis departed today. This evening saw the start of a Cape Breton Badminton Association Tournament in the station gym. The tournament, which proved extremely popular last season amongst station badminton participants as well as spectators, has attracted a record entry list this year and some fine matches have been played over the last few days.

The CBBA Tournament continued this evening in the Rec. Centre gym.

This evening, the annual presentation of Queens School Athletic Awards was held in the Rec. Centre, as well as the 1^st presentation of the Arky Dalton Memorial Trophy, for all-round ability in Track & Field and Swimming. Mr. J Dalton, Mr. WM Dalton, Mr. P Dalton and Mrs. DA Mombourquette, members of the immediate family of the late Arky Dalton were present and assisted the CO in making the presentation.

The CBBA Tournament wound up tonight with final matches after an extremely successful tournament. This morning an Air Cadet Officers’ Conference, under the auspices of Stn Summerside was scheduled for the Stn Theatre. Unfortunately, the directing staff of the Conference from Summerside were not able to attend, due to adverse weather conditions, but the remaining Officers from the Cape Breton Squadrons continued with an informal meeting, to resolve mutual problems. The CPO departed today on TD to ADCHQ for the annual civilian personnel conference.

S/L RJ Milage SOPA 1 visited the station to conduct an SOPA staff visit on Messes, Institutes and Recreation. Cdr LE Simms, the interim Base Superintendent at Point Edward Naval Base paid a courtesy call today on the CO.

Under PMQ Council auspices, a turkey bingo was held this evening in the gum. The affair was a huge success gaining participation from a record number of station personnel and guests.

F/O Boynes proceeded today on TD to Sector St Margarets for an STP Conference. Accompanying him was Mr. Gorden Petrie of System Development Corporation who is terminating his period of liaison duty here.

The Queens School children’s concert was held this afternoon in the Rec. Centre Theatre, attracting an enthusiastic audience of proud parents and, as usual, revealing a surprising and often hilarious, talent amongst the younger generation.

In keeping with the festive season tradition, section children’s parties were held this afternoon throughout most sections of the station.

An innovation this year was the introduction of Christmas Eve Carol Services in the Protestant Chapel and it attracted a surprisingly good attendance.

Christmas Day celebrated in the traditional manner. The Officers’ Mess was "At Home" to the NCOs for a period shortly before lunch, following which dinner was served in the time-honoured custom, by the Officers and NCOs to 17 living-in personnel and 7 members of the local sub-division of the RCMP. Inspector Henry, OC of the local RCMP joined the CO leading the detachment of keen, but not necessarily, skilled waiters.

Another "Old Year" exited in the usual gala fashion with the Officers and NCOs Messes conducting formal New Years Eve Balls in their own premises while the Airmen’s Club staged a lavish formal dance for a record crowd in the Rec. Centre gym.

The usual New Year’s Day Levees following an inter-change of visits between members of the Officers’ Mess with local Army and Navy Messes and with many distinguished local citizens attending.

A joint sigh of relief was heard today throughout the station when the TE results were received and it was established that the station had registered the highest pass rate (89.6%) in ADC. LAC Bedard, on of the FtrCops registered the highest percentages (89%), in his trade and group, throughout the RCAF. Needless to say, the Airmen’s Club was the scene of much jubilant celebration in the evening.

A U.S. Navy Radar Picket Aircraft crew remained overnight on the station after being weathered in the Sydney Airport. It was a welcome opportunity for station operational and technical personnel to trade notes with their airborne counterparts.

F/L AC Edmonds, ADC SOAF, visited the station to conduct SOAF audit. S/L Roy Wood and party visited the station and were driven to Baddeck and back by the CO, in connection with the forthcoming celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of Powered Flight and the flight of the Silver Dar Replica which is to take place at Baddeck on 23 Feb. 9, 02

F/L Edmonds ADC SOAF, departed. F/L NW Vaness MAC/ASWelO arrived on a regular welfare visit.

F/L Vaness departed for Halifax and Mr. M.E. Sheppard of RCA Victor Co. arrived on a pre-inspection visit. W/C P Hartman and S/L R Wood of AFHQ visited the station briefly and travelled to Baddeck with the CO and SPRO in connection with the Golden Anniversary of Powered Flight. Sgt. MD Loucks of the RCASC Supply Depot in Halifax visited the station on a liaison trip regarding rations.

The Station Ground Rescue team was called out today by the RCMP to search for an American civilian Comanche aircraft presumed down in the Mira Road area. Adverse weather conditions notwithstanding, the team continued with the search throughout the late afternoon and night. This evening a dance was held in the Airmen’s Club, celebrating its re-opening after extensive redecoration. The affair was heavily attended and those present were delighted with the "new look" which had been given the premises.

Unhappily, the ground search operation ended today when the aircraft wreckage was found and it was ascertained that the pilot was killed. Station personnel remained on duty at the crash scene assisting the RCMP in guarding the wreckage.

F/L Blackburn, as the RCAF liaison representative, attended a meeting at Baddeck with the civilian committee in charge of arrangements for the Golden Anniversary of Powered Flight celebrations. This evening he returned to the Mess accompanied by S/L Wood of AFHQ, S/L Bowdery, TCHQ, S/L Drake, F/L Rose of MACHQ, Cdr Morse, HMCS Shearwater, Halifax, to meet with members of the Sydney RCAFA Committee and with local press, radio and TV representatives concerning the GAPF. Today also saw the start of the F/O’s qualifying exams and the CEO, F/O O’Leary, launched into writing the full series of exam papers.

The first "Sad Sack" night of 1959 was held in the Rec. Centre with the NCOs Mess again coming out on the short end after the evening’s sports activities were tallied up. Cpls. Whittingham and Dixon of Sector St Margarets arrived on Td for crypto overhaul and servicing, remaining overnight.

In accordance with the newly announced policy of promotions for F/Os completing 6 years in rank, advice was received today that F/O George Fleming and F/O Wally Veals were promoted to the rank of F/L, effective 1 Oct 58.

JW Hoult and CP Lattin of Bell Telephone Co. visited the station on a liaison trip consulting the civilian wire chiefs. Late this evening, on the eve of breaking camp at the scene of the 17 Jan’s aircraft crash, an accidental fire at the campsite destroyed a considerable amount of Search and Rescue equipment. Fortunately, the RCMP constable and LAC Pat Shetler of this station, who were on guard duty at the time, were only slightly burned and the incident, while regrettable, was a happy one in this respect.

HE Fielding of MT&T reported for duty, replacing AC McDonald as one of our wire chiefs.

Mr. JW Hoult and CP Lattin of Bell Telephone Co. visited the station again on their return from Nfld., remaining for an Officers’ Mess stag this evening, when Mr. Hoult, who is on his farewell tour was granted Honourary Membership in the "RCBAF" and received an appropriate scroll.

S/L DJ Bullock and Dr. FT Alderdice of Sector St Margarets, visited the station on an STP liaison trip. Mr. AC McDonald, wire chief, departed to return to his parent company, MT&T on completing his tour with the project. Cdr J Steele, the newly designated Base Superintendent of Point Edward Naval Base, accompanied by Cdr Simms, paid a courtesy call today on the CO.

WO1 Paine of ADCHQ visited the station briefly today to conduct a periodic armament inspection.

A/V/M Bryns AOCTC, W/C Blackburn MAC HQ and F/O Walker TCHQ arrived today and, accompanied by the CO, visited Baddeck in connection with the GAPF. S/L Bullock and Dr. Alderdice departed today to return to St Margarets.

Mr. R Sheozaki, Northern Electric Co. visited the station today in connection with VHF antennae installation. The F/Ls turn came today with the start of the qualifying exams. Four station officers are involved in one or more subjects to be written and much midnight oil is being burned as the last minute "boning up" reached its peak.

W/C W Trischuk ADC/SOCE arrived today for a brief CE staff visit.

S/L Drake and F/L Rose of MACHQ, together with Mr. McIntyre, the Nova Scotia Provincial Government representative and a CBC TV representative visited the station and remained overnight in connection with the GAPF.

The CO and CTSO, with their wives, attending a welcoming cocktail party held tonight at the Wardroom at Point Edward Naval Base in honour of the new Base Superintendent, Cdr. Steele.

The CO, accompanied by the CAdO attended the parade of 29 Squadron RCAC this evening at Sydney Academy, where the CO presented wings to two of the cadets who had completed flying training during the past summer.

The teletype maintenance and overhaul party arrived from Sector St. Margarets on a regular inspection visit. The build-up of personnel and equipment, point toward the GAPF celebration at Baddeck on 23 Feb., commenced today with the arrival of a semi-trailer and crane from Greenwood and a panel truck from Summerside to assist in the transport and assembly of the Silver Dart Replica.

The Trinity Male Chorus, a renowned Sydney singing aggregation, gave a recital this evening in the station Chapel, which was well attended and much appreciated by station personnel.

F/O CV Walker and the Ground Crew party arrived with the 1^st two shipments of the Silver Dart Replica. S/L Bowdery SOPR TCHQ and two photographers arrived for public relations duties in connection with the Dart. W/C CC Underwood AFHQ CCE arrived on a liaison visit and inspection. W/C Underwood departed to return to AFHQ. WO2 Hopkins, Foreman of Works, together with two station carpenters proceeded to Baddeck where, with hired casual labour, they are to undertake construction of a temporary hanger for the Silver Dart Replica.

F/O Walker and his crew moved to Baddeck to reassemble the Silver Dart.

The temporary hanger at Baddeck was completed today and the fuselage of the Replica was moved out. Operations at Baddeck are now in full swing on the re-assembly and pre-flight testing of the Replica. The Station Greenwood hockey team arrived and were accommodated on the station on a visit to play an exhibition games against Glace Bay Miners tomorrow, 14 Feb. A very successful Airmen’s Club Valentine dance was held this evening in the Rec. Centre gym.

The Officers’ and NCO’s Messes held Valentine Balls this evening with an enthusiastic turn-out in each case. The RCA Victor Mobile Repair party arrived for the periodic Radar overhaul. S/L J Leadbeater and crew, with an Otter aircraft from 103 SAR Flight Greenwood, arrived today for a period of duty providing ferry flights and airlift to Baddeck, in connection with the GAPF celebration.

S/L Drake and F/L Rose, MACHQ, arrived in connection with GAPF. S/L Drake having been appointed overall RCAF Co-ordinator, is using the station as a local base for this final week’s tasks.

S/L Drake and F/L Rose moved to Baddeck to be on site for the final arrangements. W/C Hartman, who has been nominated to fly the Silver Dart Replica arrived today and was transported to Baddeck to undertake flight testing. F/L W Bell, AFHQ/DAEng arrived and was transported to Baddeck to act as technical consultant and to do the final worthiness checks on the Dart.

Army vehicles from 6 Coy RCASC Halifax arrived with equipment for the GAPF celebration and the drivers were quartered on the station overnight. Driver and crew of the Army Ground Control Radio Van arrived with their vehicles, remaining overnight before proceeding to Baddeck.

A 2^nd Otter aircraft and a helicopter from 103 SAR Flight arrived for transport duties between Sydney and Baddeck and crews are quartered on the station. W/C Hartman, F/L Bell, F/O Walker and members of the Ground team for the Silver Dart appeared tonight on the local CJCB TV show "Carousel" and were interviewed in connection with the upcoming celebrations.

By now the station is loaded to capacity with personnel and vehicles for the GAPF celebrations tomorrow at Baddeck. This afternoon, a press reception, in connection with the celebrations, was held in the Officers’ Mess, sponsored by Trans Canada Airlines for members of the publicity media. This evening, the CO, in company with S/L Drake and other officers, met the CAS and party from Ottawa who arrived by Comet for the Baddeck celebrations.

The great day arrived! Starting at 0400 hrs, the station quickly built up to a fever pitch as personnel, vehicles and equipment moved towards Baddeck for the celebrations which commenced at 1000 hrs. The Station, which, as a whole, feels a proprietary interest in the proceedings responded admirably to the extra stresses and strains imposed by the task and a number of personnel were detailed to duties at Baddeck as part of the celebrations. As is now a matter of record, the celebration was a complete success and gained national interest, not even marred by the minor accident suffered by the Dart at the end of the commemorative flight. A 1½ hour telecast of the proceedings was channelled over the CBC Network through the local CJCB TV station and much comment and interest has developed locally. This evening the CAdO, in company with F/L Bell, F/O Walker and LAC Trimm of the Ground Crew team, attended 103 Cabot Wing RCAFA 50^th Anniversary Dinner in Sydney, where F/L Bell, F/O Walker and LAC Trimm were enthusiastically received and lauded as celebrities of the hour. As an anti-climax, F/L FL Conn ADC SOSec visited the station today on a Security familiarization and staff visit.

All but two of the RCA Victor overhaul party left today.

Messrs. Sheozaki, Smith & Miller of Northern Electric Co. arrived today to undertake VHF antennae installation. S/L Drake & F/L Rose visited the station remaining overnight enroute from Baddeck back to Halifax.

S/L J Arsenault A/SORA(RC) ADCHQ visited the station remaining overnight, for familiarization.

The CO commenced leave today with F/L Henley assuming temporary command.

F/S WJ Hannam ADCHQ SOSec Branch visited the station today and conducted Secret Indoctrination lectures for almost all station personnel.

A/C DAR Bradshaw D/AOC/O visited the station briefly today on operational liaison and to observe an STP exercise in progress. Although he had an opportunity for an informal luncheon in the Mess with the Officers, the A/C’s visit was cut short when deteriorating weather hastened his departure by air to return to St. Hubert.

F/L NL Vaness ASWelO MAC arrived on a regular staff visit.

The CO returned to duty from leave.

F/O GM Spencer arrived on posting from Stn Cold Lake pending release. CAdO proceeded on leave.

This St. Patrick’s day was celebrated in fine ‘gaelic’ style at an Airmen’s Club dance this evening.

A forerunner of summer and the Royal Visit appeared today when a kit inspection was called for all living-in personnel to review the holding and condition of summer dress items in preparation for Royal Visit duties and the adoption of summer dress.

F/L J Harrison visited the station on TD from Stn St Johns for liaison duties in connection with the assignment of emergency Security Force personnel from Stn St Johns to Sydney in the event of hostilities.

An Easter egg hunt was held this afternoon for all station children in and around the Rec. Centre, under the auspices of the PMQ Council. This evening, W/C Easton and S/L Wood of AFHQ and S/L Drake of MACHQ visited the station for a meeting with station and RCAFA personnel, concerning the combined RCAFA Air Show and Air Force Day to be held at Sydney Airport 20 & 21 Jun.

The CAdO returned today. An advance Easter present was announced today for 10 station personnel who are promoted in rank effective 1 Apr. The lucky ones are Cpl R Roberts promoted to Sgt and LACs Kellar, Beaulieu, Magee, Ferance, Dauphinee, Shetler, Buckley, Scott and Hacking promoted to Cpl. Of course, in the time-honoured style, these elevations in status were duly celebrated this evening by the customary promotion party.

F/O E Siemens Air/Obs reported on transfer from Stn Holberg, for employment as an AS/FtrC. A small bombshell was received today in the form of advice that the Bell Telephone contract for telephone maintenance is to terminate this date and that Messrs Bob Evans and Herman Fielding, Wire Chiefs, are to depart and return to their parent company, Maritime Tel. & Tel.

John Warr of Norwesto Communications Ltd. reported for duty as temporary Wire Chief, pending clearance and arrival of the new Wire Chief selected by the company. Today being the RCAF’s 35^th Birthday, considerable celebrating was the order of the day. During the afternoon, a tea for wives of all station personnel and female civilian employees was held by the Station Women’s Auxiliary. The evening saw an Officers’ Mess Dinner, including cutting of a ceremonial birthday cake which was high-lighted by a sparkling account of his Service days and more particularly his sojourn in POW camp, given by Mr. "Pinky" Gaum, local MLA. Following the Mess Dinner, the wives, who had partaken of a Buffet Supper at the CO’s residence, joined the party for a formal Ball, continuing until the wee small hours. At the same time, the NCOs and ACs staged an all-ranks Birthday Ball in the Rec. Centre gym.

The station played host today to the RCAF Maritime and Zone 5 Volleyball Tournament with teams representing Stn Chatham, 5SD Moncton, 16XD Deberts, Stn Greenwood, Stn Torbay and Stn Sydney participating.

The Volleyball Tournament continued today and happily for us, although as host station it was perhaps somewhat inhospitable, both Tournaments were won by Sydney teams. The Airmen’s Club "B" team won the Zone 5 playdowns and qualified to proceed to the RCAF championships in Winnipeg, while an all-star station team won the Maritime championship in a hard-fought with Stn Chatham in each case.

Messrs. Coxall & Leplante of RCA Victor Company visited the station to continue emergency repairs to 15 JID Trainer.

WO1 MacDougall, Command Fire Marshall of ADC arrived for a staff visit and inspection.

The CO departed on TD to the CO’s Conference at ADC leaving F/L Henley in temporary command.

F/L JS Bonham MAC/SORA (P) arrived on the station for a staff visit, remaining until Friday 17 Apr.

The CO returned today from the CO’s Conference. The first Nuclear Defence Take Cover test was carried out this afternoon for all working personnel of the station. The test went off smoothly and little time was wasted by personnel in taking cover in the basements of the insulate PMQs and the Rec. Centre which provide the only underground cover on the station.

Just before the CO’s Conference this morning, Sgt FJ Park of the station Power Plant was awarded a cheque and plaque for an original suggestion he had put forward regarding lubrication of Vivian Diesel engines. The CAdO departed on TD to Stn Uplands to check and take over the PMQ inventory in anticipation of his transfer to that unit at the end of May. Dr. ET Alderdice and Mr. H Jardine from Sector St Margarets arrived on a liaison visit concerning STP and meteorological matters. This afternoon a Take Cover test was run involving dependent wives and children residing on the station and again the entire test ran off smoothly and with few difficulties, as the "cabbage patch" residents headed for the cellars.

F/L I McHardy, Stn Greenwood, arrived on TD to accompany, in his capacity as Zone Co-ordinator, the Airmen’s Club "B" team who are proceeding tomorrow to Winnipeg for the RCAF championships.

F/L JA Newbegin, ADC SOPC2 arrived on TD on a staff visit. The Airmen’s "B" Volleyball team departed by North Star for Winnipeg to participate in the RCAF Playdowns.

The CAdO returned – "the hard way".

Mr. John Warr, Supervisor of Norwesto Communications Ltd., who has been acting as Wire Chief for the past month, departed today after Mr. S.A.M. Fortin, who will be one of the permanent Wire Chiefs, reported for duty. The Airmen’s "B" returned from RCAF Volleyball championships in Winnipeg, having won 2 and lost 2 matches, which saw Portage emerge as this year’s RCAF Champions.

The RCA Band from Halifax arrived on station where they will be staying for the next few days while undertaking engagements in the Cape Breton area in aid of Army Recruiting. A Welcome conclusion was reached today when advice was received of an increase in establishment of 6 Controllers. This culminates some years of work to have the station raised from EW to GCI status and for an increase both in operational scope and in population in the coming months.

F/L EA Ireland ADCHQ/SORad arrived on a Radar staff liaison visit. This evening the RCA Band presented a concert in the Rec. Centre gym under the auspices of 4 Militia Group, which, although unfortunately lightly attended, was much appreciated by those present.

Airmen’s "B" Volleyball team won the station inter-section volleyball championship this evening, defeating Officers’ Mess team in the final match.

RCA Band departed to return to Halifax

F/L Chase COpsO departed on TD to 640^th ACW Squadron Stephenville, Nfld. on a liaison visit and to work out difficulties which have arisen since the introduction of the AMIS system.

F/L Chase returned from TD and the 104 K Flight ECM team arrived to undertake training exercises.

104 K Flight aircraft and crew departed after carrying out ECM training missions.

Lt. Col. RV Hyde, Director of Air Force Postal Services paid a familiarization visit to the station and discussed postal facilities. He brightened our hopes of obtaining a civilian Post Office and promises to push the matter upon his return to AFHQ. Mr. Winmill of AFHQ/DGNS visited the station to undertake a survey of mosquito and fly control.

Once again this evening the station was called on to arrange a Mercy flight through RCC Halifax to airlift Mr. Wm. Hillier of Glace Bay, who had been injured in an automobile accident to Halifax for brain surgery. Space on TCA flights was unobtainable and the case was rated by both the attending physician and the neuro-surgeon in Halifax as one of dire emergency. The SAR organization swung quickly into action after our call and an airlift from Greenwood arrived and picked up Mr. Hillier at 0300 hrs 17 May and transported him to Halifax where it is understood, he stands a good chance of recovering from his injuries.

The 2^nd Annual Station Sports Banquet was held this evening with Mr. Don McIsaac, local radio sportscaster as guest speaker. He pointed out the importance of sports and athletic activities to the population at large and commended the station on the active sports programme in which we have engaged. Following this a buffet supper and presentation of the year’s trophies, athletic awards were presented to a number of station personnel. These awards followed the patter of college "letters" comprising a block letter "S" with tab attached reading "Sydney Athletic Award" which personnel may wear on sport jackets, sweaters, windbreakers, etc. and have been devised based on a scale of points awarded participation in various sports activities both at intra and inter station levels. It is hoped that the awards may provide an additional spur to personnel to at least participate in sports activities, even though they may not possess championship talents. The evening’s festivities concluded with a very enjoyable all-ranks dance. The CO attended the commissioning of Her Majesty’s Ship HMCS "Cap de Madeline" at Point Edward Naval Base.

G/C Creeper and party arrived for a 10-day visit to carry out Air Cadet Inspections in this area. F/O Starks AS/FtrC Gander visited the unit and F/L McDonald SOGT/Ed arrived on a 2-day staff visit.

The weekend routine was upset by a farewell party for the CAdO F/O Morgan and two of our AS/FtrCs F/L Fleming and F/O Christensen.

Northern Electric overhaul party arrived for 10 days under the direction of Mr. GL Bell. F/O Aldworth attended the 3 Militia Group Officers’ Mess Dinner at Victoria Park. LAC Barry released from the Service due to his conduct.

F/L Chase COpsO accompanied G/C Creeper on the Air Cadet Inspection at North Sydney. The CO attended a Dinner and Reception for Sir Saville Garner, United Kingdom High Commissioner to Canada.

The three heads of the Services attended the investiture of Rt. Rev. Msgr. Ronald McLean, Chaplain General (RC) of the Armed Forces.

(GA Armstrong) S/L
CO RCAF Station Sydney NS