Tofino, BC

Narrative Report
RCAF Station Tofino, BC
1 June 1957 - 30 November 1957

Overcast and cool. Many personnel on crabbing expeditions to crab pool at Wickaninish Bay.

Overcast to sunny and warmer in afternoon. Station softball team winners over Native Lads; Supply winners over ME.

Overcast and cool to sunny. Full dress rehearsal of both padres for Commander’s inspection and visit. Station work parade this date for final spit and polish. Temp quickens for the big day. Station poll for Service personnel opens for Federal elections.

Overcast and cool - sunny and warmer in afternoon. Drill and Honour Guard parade. CO’s conference this date. School children to Ucluelet for track and field meet.

Sunny and warm - fog and drizzling rain in evening. A/C DA Ross and Mrs. Ross, and aide, arrive at 1010 hours on Expediter - ceremonial parade successful. A/C Ross began inspection tour - very pleased with unit’s effort as borne out by kind words. Evening entertainment in Officer’s Mess.

Overcast and much cooler. A/C Ross inspects Operations site - departed 1400 hours. W/C Turner and Mrs. Turner depart on leave. F/L Mason acting CO.

Overcast and cool. Preparations for Air Force Day nearing completion.

Thin overcast - then sunny and warm. Advance polling in Federal election completed. Air Force Day well attended; children’s races - good prizes. Fly past of CF-100’s and Lancaster on tarmac were big thrill for children. RCAF team won fastball tournament and $50.00 prize; Ladies exhibition game well received. Entertainment in Messes and Club 52 in evening.

Sunny and warm - beautiful day. Many personnel on beaches for picnics. BC Aero Club "fly in" for crab feed - RCAF Chipmunk damaged when landing on beach - towed from beach to Building #1H (old hangar).

Overcast and cool. Federal election today. Results of Trade Board known this date - very good showing by personnel of this unit. Normal routine.

Overcast and cool - mizzling rain. Station Scouts, Cubs and Brownies on conducted tour of Kennedy Lake Logging Camp. Election results widely discussed.

Cloudy - brief sunny periods - sudden deluge of rain. Board of Inquiry for Trade Board failures held this date. Otherwise normal routine.

Overcast - steady rain - sunny periods. Normal routine.

Thin overcast to sunny. Boat Day. Normal routine.

Cloudy in morning - cleared to beautiful day. LAC Suter and Miss Wanda Gorill married in Station Chapel by Rev JW Leighton, officiating clergyman this unit. Beach party and crab feed in evening at Wickanninish for members of Officer’s and NCOs Messes.

Cloudy and warm - some sunny periods. Many picnics on beach. Fishing very good - 22 lb. Spring Salmon caught - largest so far this year.

Cloudy - occasional rain - chilly. Station very quiet. Normal routine.

Sunny but cool. Plans for Kennedy Lake Swimming Classes completed. Normal routine.

Sunny - cool breezes. Normal routine. Boating and fishing very popular.

Bright sunshine and warmer. CO returns from leave and resumes command.

Thin overcast - mostly sunny. First day of summer. Eight officers from 121 C&R Flight, Sea Island, arrive for stag party and presentation of primitive Indian ceremonial mask in appreciation of the services of 121 Flight. Party began on beach, was raided by a party of "Indians" from the Station who stayed to smoke the Pipe of Peace - entertainment continued ad infinitum in Officer’s and NCOs Messes. Representative Station Fastball team to Sea Island for Zone Tournament.

Dull - heavy continuous rain. Guests from 121 C&R Flight depart, uttering threats to "repay" hospitality of Station Tofino. Going away party in NCOs Mess for Sgt. Erickson, transferred to Bagotville.

Sunny and warmer - cool breezes. Normal Sunday routine. Many excursions to beach.

Sunny and warmer - cool breezes. Station fastball team returns - winning over Stations Comox and Holberg but losing to Station Vancouver.

Overcast - mizzling rain. Normal routine.

Gray day - steady rain. Officer’s Promotion Board sat this date. Sgt. Erickson and family depart after 26 months. F/O Baehr, RU Victoria, visited Station while on recruiting duties in Ucluelet.

Fog - drizzling rain to steady downpour. F/O Montgomery advised of his promotion to rank of F/L effective 1 Jul 57.

Brilliant sunshine - a beautiful day. Alert sounded at 0855 hours - Station Security Plan put into effect - All Clear at 1022.

Bright sunshine with cloudy periods. Normal weekend routine.

Bright day - cool winds. Station very quiet. Fishing and beach outings very popular with personnel. Station fastball team lost to Native Lads.

Sunny with cloudy periods - cool winds. Dominion Day parade and celebration in Ucluelet - Dance at night - Dominion Day Queen chosen from unit, Miss Anne Edwards, daughter of WO2 and Mrs. Edwards. LAC Anderson and family arrive.

Brilliant sun - beautiful day. Normal routine. Station quiet after holiday.

Dull heavy day. Sked cancelled. Normal routine.

Gray day - muggy. Normal routine.

Overcast - humid. Normal routine.

Bright sunshine - warm. Normal weekend routine. Kennedy Lake Swimming classes commence this date.

Sunny with cloudy periods - rain in afternoon - windy. Normal Sunday routine. Station fastball team lost to Native Lads.

Heavy rain - strong winds. Station quiet. Many personnel on leave.

Cloudy with sunny periods - overcast and rain. Normal routine. F/L Monteith, 5 Air Div, arrived on staff visit.

Overcast - rain. Boat Day. Normal routine. F/O HI McCurrach from 19 Auxiliary Wing Vancouver arrived on sked for a months Pers/Admin duties.

Overcast - drizzling rain. Officers gather to bid farewell to F/O G Manly who leaves tomorrow after one year in Tofino.

Rain - clearing in the afternoon. FC Dunn arrived to conduct Protestant service on Sunday. Ladies Softball team played at Tofino - and won. Mrs. Evanik has a new son.

Overcast. Many fishing. S/L Berthiaume arrives to conduct RC service. "Saturday night after pay parade" routine.

Intermittent rain. Very quiet on the Station. Church services held.

Dull and drizzling. Pay raise official this date - great discussion on this subject. Padres depart via PWA. Sgt. Hofkranz and Armament team arrive. S/L Collis from Station Comox arrived on audit duties.

Dawned a gorgeous day! - and remained clear all day. First day of Fishing Derby - Cpl. Osborne caught a 20 lb. Spring Salmon. S/L Collis departs. Ladies vs. NCOs and Officers game.

Dull in morning but became a beautiful day. Sked took out many passengers - 5 athletes flown to Vancouver to participate in Tri-Service track meet eliminations - 4 firsts and 2 seconds.

Bright and clear with hint of warmth in the air. Station work parade. Station exceedingly quiet.

A lovely day again. F/O Goddard and F/O Gilchrist arrive with a 121 C&R Flight a/c for the CO’s weekend use. Sgts Mess dining-in night this date.

Dull until mid-afternoon, then clearing. Station fairly quiet.

Overcast, then sunny periods in late afternoon and evening. Station quiet.

Dull, then rain for the rest of the day. Signal received stating that a decision on Tofino’s future role will be forthcoming "shortly".

Bright day. F/O K Jacobs, Area Welfare Officer, arrived from 5 Air Div. Things remain quiet.

Bright and sunny. Sked arrived - F/O Jacobs left. Station very, very quiet.

Dull and spasmodic rain. Civil Service personnel arrive to conduct tests and interviews. Otherwise, Station quiet.

Rather a nice day. Very quiet. Track team to Victoria to Tri-Service meet - LAC Hiebert won 3 weight events, discus, javelin and shot put - setting new records in first two.

Dull and drizzly. Quiet Saturday routine.

Terrible day - poured buckets. Quiet.

Dull but cleared nicely. Expected definite word of sorts on the fate of Station today - but none received.

A beautiful day for all Officer’s - NCOs Fishing Derby, which, though well attended by enthusiastic fishermen, was rather disappointing as the total catch was four. The CO took first with an 8 ¾ lb. Blueback.

Sunny - intermittent clouds. Sked arrived. Very quiet.

A lovely day. Alert lasting most of working day - Security Plan in effect until 1600 hours.

Rain. Routine. S/L Fee and family arrived for weekend visit.

Heavy rain. Swimming classes cancelled - miserable weather. S/L Berthiaume, RC Chaplain, arrived.

Still raining. RC and Protestant services this date.

Brilliant sunshine and hot. In view of holiday many at beaches today.

Rain again. All back to work.

Rain to clear. Normal routine. Boat Day.

Dull. Routine.

Clearing - showers. Cpl. Fontaine and Mr. Wildman lost at Lost Shoe Creek - search party organized by F/O Tippett. Located at Webb’s cabins on beach, having walked from highway to beach via creek.

Dull day. PWA landing marred - collapsed front wheel - no passengers. RCAF "cat" aided in raising a/c. Swimming classes cancelled.

Very uneventful week. F/L Robinson’s transfer affirmed for 10 Oct 57. Station routine slow but seems to be picking up tempo. On leave personnel returning. Work parade on Thursday smartened up Station considerably. Fishing very popular pastime at present. Sunday dinners in dining room very popular with Officers and Senior NCOs and dependants.

Clear, bright - and for that matter - hot!! Guard of Honour drill this date.

Clear, bright and warm. Normal routine.

Clear and bright. Sked departed - full load of passengers for leave or duty at PNE. CO departed this date on TD - F/L Mason acting CO.

Clear - bright - hot. Simulated Air Defence alert sounded approximately 0830 hours. Security Plan in effect. F/L Robinson, FS Ward tested alertness of guards at all 3 sites - apprehended in all cases - All clear at approximately 1600 hours.

Clear and warm. Normal routine. Boat Day.

Clear to cloudy. Swimming classes as usual - best weather so far.

Clear day. Normal routine.

Dull with fog. Boat Day. Reduction in amount of mail noticeable.

Clear. Normal routine.

Clear and bright. Sked in. F/O Starkey departs on course at U of T. Cpl. Penner departs on course to Halifax. CO returns from TD.

Clear and bright. Normal routine. F/L Robinson’s transfer again deferred.

Reasonable weather. Many returning from leave. Softball team to Comox for Division Championships.

Rain. Swimming cancelled. Station ball team won game against Station Van - played team from Station Comox - lost in close game (2 runs).

Dull - but warm. Ball team lost to Station Holberg.

Bright - hot!! Nicest day of year. Red Cross Swimming examiner here this date.

Gray, foggy morning - some sun in afternoon. Station quiet after holiday weekend. School registration today.

Gray day - briefly sunny. Schools starts today. F/L Robinson out on sked for one week’s leave. F/L Mason fishing with CO caught 51 ½ lb. Spring Salmon - largest fish ever taken from the narrows. Challenge series ball game between Domestic and Ops site won by Ops.

Torrential rain all day - excessive winds gusting to 70 MPH. Sgt. Lewis’ transfer amended again.

Sun shining brilliantly after storm. Stag farewell party for Sgt. Lewis in NCOs Mess.

Dull to sunny. Station quiet - normal routine. Beginners exams and swimming display at Kennedy Lake to end summer session of swimming classes.

Incredibly beautiful day - warm sunshine - gentle breezes. Personnel take to beaches for picnics etc. F/L RD Ritchie, Protestant Padre from Sea Island holds service on Station.

Foggy - sun burns through in morning. Normal routine. Boat Day.

Dull to brilliant sunshine. Fishing Derby in Tsapee Narrows - Officers vs. NCOs. G/C Miller in party caught several fish - Officers winners - F/O Bartley brought in 54 lb. Spring Salmon from Dawley Passage - caught in wrong place - unfortunate!

Bright and warm after early morning fog. Sked in. F/L Robinson returns from leave. Normal routine.

Beautiful day. S/L McGillivary, SOAF from 5 Air Div, arrived on TD for audit. LAC Fifield from SOR departs on leave and posting to North Bay.

Brilliant sunshine. Normal routine. Boat day. Presentation of trophies and achievement awards to children of Kennedy Lake Swimming classes.

Warm sunny day. Normal routine. Station quiet.

Overcast and mild. Battle of Britain parade and services this date - Protestant conducted by Rev Leighton - RC conducted by Father Kelly. First day of No. 5 Blues.

Overcast - misting rain. Still expecting firm information on future status of unit.

Overcast to sunny. CO’s conference this date. Fishing derby between Officers-Senior NCOs and Airmen - Airmen winners.

Sunny - cool. Normal routine. Station quiet. Boat day.

Cool - sun shining brightly. Normal routine. Cpl. Siagris caught 53 lb. Salmon - his first fish.

Autumn in the air although sun continues to shine brightly. F/O FA Falle, ACC, and Sgt. H Rees, RSpec, from Station Holberg arrive on TD to review NPF equipment - depart early afternoon. Normal routine.

Beautiful day - sunny and warm. First Station Bingo of Fall season - very popular. Normal routine.

Sunny - very warm. Beaches and picnics very popular. Normal weekend routine. Brilliant display of Northern Lights at night.

Warm and sunny. A/C Whiting, W/C Hurry, F/L McKenzie, F/L Allison on unit for one day - CCE visit - depart in evening. Sgt. Lewis leaves on TD to 4000 MU Vancouver - for double banking.

Overcast and mild - thin sunshine. G/C Miller on Station to discuss close down procedures. Station quiet - normal routine.

Overcast - muggy - briefly sunny. G/C Miller still on unit - departs in evening. Normal routine.

Overcast - light rain. CO’s parade this date - very good. CO advised all personnel that imminent close down is not to affect standards of dress and deportment.

Early morning rain - thunder and lightning. Normal routine.

Rain - clearing to bright and sunny. S/L Fee, Protestant padre from 5 Air Div. arrives for service. Normal weekend routine.

Brilliant sunshine - warm. Geese and ducks starting fall migration. Protestant service held in chapel. Station very quiet.

Early morning sunshine - then overcast. Air Div. authorizes Station Tofino to go off the air on 1 Oct.

Overcast - light rain. Flag at half mast today - funeral of Norway’s King. Off air at 0759Z hours. CO’s conference. Station close down plan discussed and put into effect. Undercurrents of speculation re final disposition of Station. WO2 Campbell and F/L Foley, 5 Air Div. arrive on TD.

Bright and clear - noticeably cooler. F/L Taylor, 5 Air Div. here on SOSec duties. Sked in. Clearing of Ops site and technical inventories commenced.

Bright sunshine. F/O Jacobs, 5 Air Div. Area Welfare Officer arrived on TD, also F/L Ward, Command Legal Officer.

Bright and clear - cool. Canada Savings Bond drive appears to be very successful - $20,000 worth sold in three days. Building #1H (old hangar) ready for use as marshalling yard for Supply Section.

Cloudy to sunny and cool. Normal weekend routine.

Sunny - warmer. Father Sutherland from Christie School conducted RC service. Station quiet.

Cloudy and cool - quite cold in evening. Tempo picks up slightly. Checking of all TMQ inventories and UBAs commenced. Word expected of official press release from Ottawa re disposition of station.

Sunny - warmer. CO’s conference this date. Information received that RCAF interest would indicate close down to care and maintenance - final disposition still in doubt. WO2 SM MacNaughton from Sea Island arrives on TD for Orderly Room duties.

Cloudy - light showers - then sunny. What will probably be the last Airmen’s Mess Dinner at Station Tofino was held this date - atmosphere rather subdued. Presentation of Fishing Derby trophies. The Turner Trophy went to F/L Mason - other trophies to F/O Bartley, Cpl. Siagris.

Sunny - mild. Sgt. Lewis on Station from Vancouver to attend unfinished details in SOR. Six airmen isolated with flu - movies cancelled - Station Dance postponed one week - tentatively, or until threat of mass illness passed.

Overcast with rain - sunny periods. Three more airmen in hospital. National Press release re Station closure received this date - to be completed by 31 Jan 58. Final Dining-in Night held in Officer’s Mess.

Heavy rain - half gale winds. Fourteen cases of flu to date. Station quiet.

Clear and bright - fresh winds. Normal Sunday routine.

Clear and bright - cool. Thanksgiving Day.

Sunny - cool. CO’s Conference. Boards of Officers convened this date to consider airmen eligible for promotion.

Early morning rain - sunny periods. CO departs on TD - F/L Mason acting CO. F/L Robinson advised of transfer dates.

Sunny and cool - but pleasant. Normal routine. Station quiet.

Early morning frost - sunny. Four transfers today - F/L Eddy to Lac St. Denis. F/O Maxwell to Edgar, F/O Tippett to Beaverbank and F/O Mayne to St. Margarets.

Sunny - cool. Normal routine. Entertainment in Sgts. Mess for Associate and Honorary members.

Bright sunshine - cool breezes. Station quiet. Normal weekend routine.

Sunny and cool. Three M&W Techs from Station Sea Island arrive on TD to inhibit Station armament stores. Normal routine.

Sunny - cool. Normal routine.

Overcast - rain. Sked cancelled. Final dining-in night in Sgts. Mess for Senior NCOs and their wives - a most enjoyable evening.

First gale - leaden sky, high winds - steady downpour. F/L Robinson now advised of transfer to Comox - dates TBA. Station Farewell Frolic held this date - very successful. Rec. Hall beautifully decorated with colored lights and streamers - favors, hats, balloons and noise makers. Capacity crowd enjoyed themselves immensely - dancing to music of local orchestra - liquid refreshment, delicious buffet supper and novelty numbers added to enjoyment. A party to remember.

Leaden skies - periodic downpours in morning - cleared to sunshine in afternoon. Station quiet after last night’s celebration - amusing to see children playing in party hats with noisemakers from party.

Early morning rain - cloudy with sunny period. Normal weekend routine. Entertainment in Officers’ Mess for Associate and Honorary members.

Clear again after 4 days rain - cool but pleasant. Normal Sunday routine. Station quiet.

Overcast - cool - rain in afternoon. Boat day. Normal routine. Station quiet.

Steady rain. CO’s Conference this date. Preparations under way for transfer information expected momentarily. Final Sgts. Mess meeting and stag party.

Early sunshine - intermittent rain. Transfers of 30 airmen announced this date. Tempo quickens as SOR prepares for movement of personnel. Fourteen children absent from school today - influenza. Total of 22 cases among single personnel to date.

Early morning fog - then sunny. Accidental fire alarm this morning. Halloween party for children in Recreation Hall - excellent fireworks.

Frosty - sun shining brilliantly. Confirmation of transfers received this date. Six DOT officials on unit to inspect Communications facilities with a view of their use by DOT.

Sunny - cool. Station quiet.

Sunny - slightly warmer. Normal weekend routine. Station quiet.

Early morning frost - sunny. First draft of 25 personnel depart unit this date, including F/L Robinson. SAC B52 and two jets sighted at 34,000 feet.

Bright and frosty. CO’s conference this date. Normal routine.

Sunny - cool. Sked delayed by breakdown en route. Normal routine.

Sunny - heavy frost in morning. A/C Ross and aide arrived at noon - muster parade in Recreation Hall - A/C Ross made brief farewell speech. CO departs on TD - F/L Mason acting CO.

Sunny - quiet frosty. Three families depart this date.

Heavy overcast - rain in evening. Normal weekend routine.

Overcast - heavy rain all day. S/L Halle, 5 Air. chaplain, on Station for RC service. Station quiet.

Rain. Station personnel, under command of F/O Maxwell, to Tofino for Remembrance Day observance.

Clear briefly - intermittent downpours. Station quiet after holiday. Normal routine.

Leaden skies - rain. CO returned from TD and resumed command.

Gary day - some sunny periods. Transfers of Mess Hall personnel advised. F/Os Maxwell and Tippett advised of departure dates.

Overcast - milder. Four more families leave today. CO departs on TD - F/L Manson acting CO.

Sunny and cool. Normal weekend routine. Station quiet.

Gray day - steady downpour. Protestant service in Recreation Hall.

Rained heavily - then cleared to bright and sunny. Boat day. Normal routine.

Clear and frosty. Official disbandment order received this date - process to be completed by 31 Dec 57.

Clear - very cold. Crypto machine taken to Vancouver by F/L Mason. F/L Montgomery acting CO.

Overcast - heavy frost. F/O Bartley on TD to Vancouver with crypto gear.

Overcast - rain. Boat day. Normal routine.

Overcast - sunny periods. F/L Manson returned from TD. F/L Montgomery departs for TD to Vancouver.

Heavy rain. Normal weekend routine. Station quiet.

Light overcast - then stormy. Acting CO’s conference this date to determine tentative SOS dates for remaining personnel.

Broken overcast - quite cool. S/Sgt. Carpenter from RCDC arrived on TD to close down dental clinic.

Stormy - cleared by noon. CO returned from TD. WO2 Campbell from 5 Air Div. and WO1 Spurgeon from 2 SD arrived on TD re Station close down.

Sunny - quite cold. Break in at power plant at Ops site - precision tools missing. AFP and RCMP investigating.

Clear and cold. F/L Montgomery returned from TD. Final issue of TMQ News printed this date. Normal routine.

Clear and mild. Station Recreation Hall and Snack Bar closed this date. Normal weekend routine.

Signed: (SD Turner) W/C, CO RCAF Station Tofino, BC