Narrative Report
52 AC&W Squadron, Tofino, BC
1 June 1954 - 30 November 1954
June 1954
F/O Widdis - CEO Station Sea Island - arrived by Service Aircraft re runway control panel system for use at Abbotsford runway lighting for Summer Camp. S/L Oakes - AFHQ - and F/L Parent - ADCHQ visited unit to discuss messing and medical problems. Visited new Tofino hospital. F/L Ashworth - CO - departed for Group Commanders Conference at Vancouver. F/O Jegard A/CO for four days.
Mr. RF Kaltenalch, BC Tel, visited Radar Site for purpose of estimating telephone communications required to connect FM link and NE 611 telephone systems.
W/C Thompson (CTechO 12 AD Group) and S/L Hurry (SOCE 12 AD Group) arrived by Air to view station buildings and facilities re-repair and maintenance.
12 Jun 54
Air Force Day. Station dance held in Drill Hall. Music supplied by 7 piece band (RCAF Auxiliary Vancouver). Very successful.
15 Jun 54
Practice fire alarm produced good results from station personnel and fire hall staff.
21 Jun 54
F/L Ashworth - CO - attended CAS reception at Joint Services Mess Vancouver.
22 Jun 54
W/C Nichol (AFHQ) S/L Lutes (AFHQ) S/L Hurry (SOCE 12 AD Group) F/O Robertson (ADC Org) arrived for detailed discussion on accommodation both present and future commitments. Main topics were TMQ’s, School and Recreation Hall (Bowling Alley) Snack Bar. Picture shows in Recreation Hall being shown twice weekly.
29 Jun 54
F/L Ashworth - promoted A/S/L whilst employed as CO. Weather for the month variable cloudiness - 12 days rain.
1 Jul 54
Dominion Day - Station participated in Sports at Ucluelet.
6 Jul 54
Established Admin HQ in Building #4. Telecommunications to occupy Building #39.
8 Jul 54
Mr. Kelso, Standard Furniture Co, on unit estimating drape requirements for 38 TMQ’s.
13 Jul 54
2 CMU Detachment completing work on Dental Clinic in Building #4.
16 Jul 54
S/L Collis (Accounts) from Station Comox on familiarization visit. Two airmen on TD for tri-service guard at British Empire Games Vancouver.
20 Jul 54
AOC’s Inspection carried out by Air Commodore Orr (Group Commander).
23 Jul 54
NW Tel have reached 60% completion on FM link for radar site. Weather for the month shows 6 days of sunshine. Remainder cloudy and drizzly.
Aug 54
F/O Fenwick (AS/FtrC) reported as Senior Controller AC&W.
FM link through Vancouver Port Alberni and Bamfield now completed.
S/L Stibbards Group Protestant Chaplain arrived by air for first religious service. Skeet range opened.
F/L Terrell (12 AD Group Telecom) visited unit to discuss Radar Towers and disposition of CPS 5 Radar. Radar and scopes to be mounted on #1 Tower as interim measures. Consolidating use of Ops Room if possible.
16 Aug 54
Mr. Foster, English Electric, visited Radar site power house on routine generator inspection.
17 Aug 54
TMQ Council inaugurated and put into effect/
18 Aug 54
Personnel from Vivian Engines Vancouver running 3 day test on 9 x 12 diesels. Mr. F Grant and five men from Electronics Labs Vancouver commenced installation of radio equipment and poles at Receiver and Transmitter sites.
19 Aug 54
F/O Moore (GDefO) on unit discussing Ground Defence procedures. Telecommunications staff increased by WO2 Nutt, FS Cadieux and four airmen to meet radar and communication forthcoming commitment.
23 Aug 54
S/L Ashworth departed for ADCHQ farewell party for AOC AVM James. F/O Fenwick Acting CO. August weather - fog and rain in the limelight.
2 Sep 54
CPS 502 equipment arrived via the Princess of Alberni.
4 Sep 54
Miss S Conery, civilian School Teacher arrived.
7 Sep 54
School officially opened. S/L Johnson (SOOrg) and S/L Wallace (GTelO) from 12 AD Group arrived to complete Travelling Org and Establishment Board for Tofino.
11 Sep 54
807 A/C KLB Hodson (CStaffO) from ADC visiting unit for familiarization.
12 Sep 54
S/L Stibbards arrived for Communion Service.
16 Sep 54
S/L Tinker (AFHQ Supply) and S/L Martin (SOSop 12 AD Group) completed official supply visit. Satisfactory results.
17 Sep 54
AVM JL Plant (AMTS) and A/C Orr (Group Commander) visited unit for one day.
26 Sep 54
S/L Stibbards arrived for religious service at 14:30 hours.
30 Sep 54
Promotions Cpl. to Sgt. - Cpl. WC Hart, LAC to Cpl. - LAC PN Smith. Rain dominated ¾ of Sept, weather otherwise clear and warm.
5 Oct 54
Mr. J Kowal and three men from Northern Electric installing NE 611 telephone system in Ops Room. Mr. Kyle (Bel Tel) arrived for final check on telephone communications at Radar Site.
10 Oct 54
S/L Stibbards (Protestant Chaplain) and Mr. R Hall (AMCHQ) were killed in air crash Mt. Arrowsmith whilste enroute Tofino (Crew members F/O Oppenheimer & F/O Saunders).
12 Oct 54
Lt. Swain (USAF) arrived to carry out preliminary radar siting (calibration). Kindergarten opened for six children - Mrs. Traer Teacher.
15 Oct 54
S/L Collis (Acct) Comox arrived to take pay parade.
17 Oct 54
Memorial service for S/L Stibbards, Mr. Hall and Pilots was held in Station Chapel. Rev Holmes conducted service.
19 Oct 54
Mr. Leitch of DND Inspection Services reported on progress of Electronic Labs.
25 Oct 54
Seaboard Sheet Metal men (four) arrived to re-roof the four towers at Site. Sunny weather prevailed for six days of the month.
2 Nov 54
Corporals Qualifying Exams. Radar gear CPS5 arrived as interim search.
11 Nov 54
Remembrance Day. Eleven personnel on parade in Tofino at Legion service. F/O Reider (AMC/Tec) on unit discussing LM/MF beacon installation.
15 Nov 54
F/O Roberts (Accounts) arrived from 11 SD on posting this unit.
16 Nov 54
Qualifying Exams Group 4 - two writing. W/C Freedman (ADC/Telecom) F/L Campbell (12 AD Group/Tel) and F/O Swanson (AMG) on unit discussing final arrangement for installation of CPS 5 on #1 tower.
18 Nov 54
F/O Sinclair and FS Tester - Fire Marshall visit.
19 Nov 54
Amateur show well presented. Fourteen entries from Kindergarten up. Fire alarm practice in connection with inspection proved successful.
25 Nov 54
Mr. Ferguson, School Inspector, on official visit to school. Premature baby born to Mrs. Schell - unsuccessful in attempt to reach Port Alberni.
27 Nov 54
Land search team familiarization trip to Indian River and Kennedy Lake.
29 Nov 54
Promotion Board - Airmen. S/L Collins, WO2 Sagadore & Sgt. Knobbs (Pay Comox) arrived for final pay. Tofino becomes self-accounting for pay effective 1 Dec 54.
POSITIONS:
|
CO |
19927 S/L JR Ashworth |
AL/Pilot |
|
SAO |
39287 F/O GL Roberts |
Accts |
|
REO |
43359 F/O MR Jegard |
Tel/Tel |
|
SrCont |
202402 F/O JE Fenwick |
AS/FtrC |
Signed: (JR Ashworth) S/L, CO RCAF Station Tofino