Tofino, BC

Completed Station Barrack inventory check. Ironed out several discrepancies via R/T with S/L Jackson – accounts Comox. Received Organization Order outlining change over from AMCHQ to ADCHQ under Comox effective 1^st Jan 54. Carried out Fire Alarm practice. Good results.

S/L Scott, Protestant Chaplain ADCHQ and S/L Gilbert Protestant Chaplain 12 AD Group visited unit on clerical matters – also held service. Active interest taken in badminton every Thursday night. School bus to Ucluelet running smoothly. Discussed 100’ clearance of trees from buildings with Mr. Taylor and arrangements made for partial payment of work completed before winter rains ceased operations. Held Barrack inspection.

LAC Noaly proceeded to Sea Island for medical re release from service. Successful Bingo night held. Interior of Canteen receiving paint job. F/O Jegard returned from ADC telecom conference. Civilian Station Electrician vacancy filled by Mr. McGrath. Discussing QCA landing fees via signal with 2 SD Vancouver. Measles apparent in Ucluelet. School closed until further advised.

Pay parade carried out by F/L Cosgrove, Comox. WO2 Walker and FS Upton 2 CMU Lincoln Park arrived to report and investigate on conversion of oil problems. Rehabilitation of storage tanks McLeans Dock under consideration. Farewell party for Sgt. Hillcoat on posting to 1 Group (Auxiliary) Montreal. Station Fund meeting and Combined Mess Meeting held to finalize Xmas and New Years activities.

Kiddies Xmas Party very successful.

Dakota a/c arrived to enable personnel on Xmas leave to reach Vancouver.

Christmas Day – Excellent Dinner prepared by Kitchen staff.

A/C returned with leave personnel. Present incoming mail indicated 40 letters every two days.

Stag held for Station personnel.

New Years Eve dance was large success. Weather for month of December shows seventeen days solid rain with intermittent clear days. Weather has greatest effect on morale during this winter period.

Effective date for handover from AMC to ADC under Comox.

Personnel completing New Years leave. German measles on camp but isolated. Mess Hall minus one messman difficult to hire at this time. Asked 12 Group for 3 Cleaner Helpers to be added to the establishment. Dominion Govt. Telephone busy installing two telephones.

S/L Gilbert Chaplain Protestant 12 Group visited unit for Sunday service in Recreation Hall.

Measles prevalent on camp. Dr Ross called in.

Eleven Officers from 12 AD Group and RCAF Comox arrived to discuss new Org Order presented by Comox as it affects Tofino. Members of the party were: W/C McNeill Acting CO Comox, W/C Thompson C Tech O 12 AD Group, W/C Bryant C Tech O Comox, S/L Wilson C Ad O Comox, S/L Hyslop SOCE 12 AD Group, S/L Wynne SMO Comox, S/L Hainer Supply O Comox, F/L Buchan SOMS 12 AD Group, F/L McNichol CEO Comox, Mr. Hay CPO 12 AD Group, S/L McCallum SPSO 12 AD Group. S/L Wynne completed vaccinations – TABTD’s during Org. visit.

Considerable administration details at hand – nominal rolls – establishment – some difficulty organizing correct records for civilian personnel. Barrack inspection shows some improvement made in cleanliness.

Snow fell for several hours. Coal supply getting low – no sign of oil burners.

Organization Order 1036 arrived designating this unit as 52 AC&W Sqn under control (Administrative) to AD 12 Group and Operationally to 5 ADCC with pay accounting services at Comox.

Square dancing lessons showing enthusiastic results in Recreation Hall. Completing annual R211A’s.

Considerable snow (5"). Cpl. Martin proceeding on Compassionate leave to Edmonton. F/O Jegard departed for 2 weeks TD Holberg familiarization of radar equipment. WO2 Idiens and Sgt. Hall arrived from 2CMU Calgary to assess BB#4 for rehabilitation. Three married ladies carrying out Sunday school commitment. Requested authority for Father Pruner to act as Officiating Clergyman (RC). ME section grading runways clear of snow. TD18 required to clear snow to radar site. Current events lectures in progress every Thursday. Slight accident to station wagon during ladies’ grocery run – roads icy -- $30.00 damage. Weather for January was unusual. Seldom is snow seen yet approximately 10" remained on the ground for 8 days. Several clear days indicated much improvement over December. Temperature dropped to 22 degrees F for 3 consecutive days.

Phone installed in Fire Hall to cover 24 hour availability.

Requested Mercy Flight (RCAF Search Rescue) to evacuate premature Indian baby. Excellent RCAF response.

Current events lecture. Section Commanders conference.

WO2 Otto departed for ADCHQ CE conference. LAC Sheppard becomes second transfer out of Tofino (to Sea Island). RCAF and Provincial graders busy putting Tofino – Ucluelet road in shape after snow. Discussed Security problems with Commissionaires. Wayside Chapel (Shantytown) held religious service in Recreation Hall.

CO departed for 12 Group to attend CE conference. F/O Dick, G/OB/C gave lecture and showed films in Canteen to RCAF and civilian personnel this area. LAC Robilliard (FF) and LAC Norlin (ME) reported for duty.

S/L Halcrow and 3 officers from Comox inspecting WK sub station. Cpl. Smith (supply) admitted Shaughnessy.

Cpl. Traer (Fire Chief) departed for Edmonton on fire course. Cpl. Murphy repairing refrigerators on station. Preparations in effect for Valentine’s Dance. Clerk Typist 2A, Mr. Lundy, arrived for CE Section. WO2 Otto enroute ADCHQ for CE conference. LAC Dalton baby very sick – spinal meningitis.

F/L Dunn (SO Sec 12 AD Group) and F/O Moore (Ground Defence Officer) discussed security and Defence school – covered local problems such as Guardhouse. Sgt. G Fisk arrived as Orderly Room Chief and SWO.

Search and Rescue a/c airlifted AC Knudson (FF) to Shaughnessy suspected pluerisy. Mess furniture arrived via Uchuck and Princess Alberni.

Stock taking in Institutes. CO’s Conference. Current events lecture by Sgt. Menzul. Badminton in evening.

Operation of Canteen not too efficient. Informal investigation.

Mr. Haddow, BC Boiler Inspector, arrived re-boiler insurance. Furniture for VIP and officer’s quarters and school now installed. WO2 Otto returned from CE Conference ADCHQ.

F/O’s Hall and McKinnon and pay staff arrive by air. Station Fund and Combined Mess meetings. Revising station standing orders. Bingo going over well. Group Chaplain held up by weather for church service. Weather for February remained reasonable for first 10 days however remainder of month was constant overcast with few breaks in rain. The volume of administration and supply duties are showing a marked increase. Mail days (3 times a week) are reasonably heavy. Canteen requiring too much supervision. Morale on unit appears good considering inclement weather which forces everyone indoors.

Time clock in operation for civilians. Grader touching up roads. F/O Freeman (Telecom 12 AD Group) discussing CPS 5 interim radar.

S/L Hyslop (SOCE 12 AD Group), WO2 Waitt (Supply 12 AD Group), WO2 Ostrander (ME rep 12 AD Group) arrived to visit Indian River water supply, check alterations requirement for school, complete supply audit; and ME discussion for points to be brought forth at Command ME Conference.

Mr. McPhee and Mr. Norris of Federal Electric visiting unit re LF/MF Beacon installation.

Station clean up ordered. Requesting transfer authority from 12 AD Group. for married families to allow them to move into partially furnished quarters whilst awaiting RCAF furniture. Several TA and general interest films shown in Canteen. CE Section progressing with Cost accounting. JH McRae personnel showing results with APU installations at Receiver and Transmitter sites. Diesel oil samples sent out for test at Vivians - improper burning.

Considerable turnover of station engineers and firemen. New establishment effective 1 Jan 54 arrived with omissions on Security Police and Telecom branch. Civilian administration problems clearing up. Considerable anxiety over poor operation of 9 x 12 Vivians at radar site.

CO proceeded on leave. F/O Jegard acting CO.

Trade Test Exams - LAC Dalton (ME), LAC Harry (cook), LAC Waldron (admin). Mr. Sykes, Orlov and Cousins arrived QCA from AMCHQ to discuss and observe on telecom facilities at site. Micro wave in lieu of land line or FM being suggested.

Benefit Dance held in Recreation Hall for Hospital incubator. 2CMU making purchases for rehab BB#4. F/O Widdis (CEO Sea Island) checking water line and trestle repairs committed against Sea Island FE. Security fencing proposal in final submission stage. J Taylor attacked by cougar. Sgt. Wade, LAC’s Morgan and Piper on Phase One Ground. Defence at Sea Island. RCAF trucks assisting Provincial Government to gravel roads.

LAC’s Caron and Lepage (GD’s) arrived for duty. Cpl. Thompson (SP) departed for CAF 1B course in Ottawa. Requesting increase in wages to $165.00 for messmen. WO2 Idiens and WO2 Walker (2CMU) arrived to supervise BB4 and oil conversion projects respectively. Promotions arrived for LAC’s Woolverton and Piper to Cpl. and substantive Cpl. rank for Cpl. Thompson.

Air Commodore Orr and S/L Handley visited unit for two hours. Mr. Bruce Wally and Mr. Tulk (CAE contractors) arrived PW Airlines for estimate on Receiver - Transmitter facilities. March weather was clear and cool for first eight days. Remainder of month was cloudy with somewhat less rain than Feb.

Personnel services branch arrived on official visit. W/C Spear (AFHQ DPA), W/C Gordon (ADCHQ SOPA), S/L McCallum (SPSO 12AD Group), S/L Trischuk (TAE CE/FE), F/O McKinnon (TAC CE), Mr. Flynn (TAC CE).

W/C Spear and party departed. Discussed Recreation Hall, bowling alleys, canteen. F/O Morel, Comox Accounts arrived for surprise audit. Several CMU personnel departing.

S/L Handley (SASO 12 AD Group) arrived to prepare visit for Group Commander.

Air Commodore Orr arrived for week end.

Queen’s birthday. Fishing at Ken Falls.

CO’s parade - barrack inspection. Station Fund and Off/NCO’s Combined Mess meetings.

Preparing Recreation Hall for Jerry Gosley show.

Pay day. W/C Briese (W/C Ops AC&W) and F/L Paul (5 ADCC) arrived via Puntzi Mountain. Jerry Gosley Smile Show entertained in Recreation Hall - successful.

Jerry Gosley Show departed for Holberg. Erected TV aerial at Canteen for trial run. The weather for May was surprisingly clear. Queen Charlotte Airlines were able to complete most of their scheduled runs. More though being given to future station entertainment - facilities that are most necessary in winter.

Signed - JR Ashworth, S/L, CO 52 AC&W Squadron