DAILY DIARY
10 RADIO DETACHMENT - CAPE SCOTT, BC.
December 13, 1942 to December 31, 1942
13 Dec 42
Weather, heavy rain all day; slight wind from the southeast. Parade in AM for all personnel. P/O Beckett and LAC Corbin arrived at 2000 hours from Coal Harbour, walking in from Holberg. P/O Beckett is posted as supernumerary to establishment for the purpose of gaining operational experience. He is to act as Adjutant until regular position is filled from WAC. Construction crew cannot move out by 15th December, as was planned. They should be finished by Saturday next.
14 Dec 42
Weather, Continued rain with no change in temperature; slight southeast wind. Still no co-operation between Martin (Construction Crew boss) and Pollard (SAE). Awaiting scow with remainder of materials to finish job. P/O Mudrick arrived from WAC, 1000 hrs. He made general inspection of conditions of camp. Conferences were held throughout the day to arrive at a better understanding between Command and 10 RD. Scow beached northeast of camp 1 mile at 2030 hrs. Most of remaining equipment arrived.
15 Dec 42
Weather, Slightly cloudy; slight southeast wind; warmer. M/V "COMBAT" arrived from Coal Harbour with Cpl Selkirk, cook, and F/Sgt. Charman, mess caterer, and several Radio Operators and two security guards. More trouble with Martin re laying of sewer pipe. Martin quit job and Polard acts as supervisor. P/O Beckett and P/O Mudrick left for Coal Harbour which is now definitely the parent unit.
16 Dec 42
Weather, Rain. P/O Beckett discussed matters of administration, discipline, canteen supply, medical and dental parades with authorities at Coal Harbour.
17 Dec 42
Weather, Rain; strong south wind. Four of our men returned to Coal Harbour 7 days, 35 minutes AWOL after being granted 7 days leave. OC Coal Harbour sentenced them to 4 days detention and 8 days forfeiture. Christmas Dinner and recreational arrangements made with Coal Harbour. F/O Solomon to go to Coal harbour for further conference. Most of sewer pipe laid at Cape Scott. Three men on leave.
18 Dec 42
Weather, heavy rain, continuous windy. Construction crew almost finished. Remainder of space heaters installed. P/O Beckett arrived on "Combat" 1500 hrs. F/O Solomon left 1600 hrs for Coal Harbour.
19 Dec 42
Weather, very heavy rain, strong southwest wind, lower temperatures. Arrangements made for new mess hall to open tomorrow. Diesel #1 using far too much lubricating oil, lights are to be available 24 hours a day; three men detailed on shift system to maintain power units. Action to be taken to have mail come via "Combat" via Shushartie Bay direct to #10 RD rather than present unsatisfactory arrangement.
20 Dec 42
Weather, scattered showers and very high wind. Unit mess hall opened for breakfast. Quantity of food received from Marwell Construction Co. Orderly Room organization begun. SSO drafted. Most of Construction Crew left on their boat 1400 hours. Installation party ordered to report to WAC.
21 Dec 42
Weather, showers and continued wind. Station routine continuing as per schedule. Phone to be set up at Willow Point to relay messages to Coal Harbour. Arrangements made for "Combat" to pick up mail at Shushartie Bay.
22 Dec 42
Weather, slightly cloudy and warmer. Feeder #2 on diesel on one side of ground, only 115 volts available; difficulty encountered in locating trouble. Skeleton Construction Crew continued laying sidewalks. At 1400 hrs an American PBY flew over camp site and operational point at an alititude of less than 500 feet, number not obtained. F/O Solomon arrived from Coal Harbour on "Combat" at 1630 hrs along with P/O Stephenson from WAC to install AT3, HRO. Acute shortage of 40W lubricating oil for diesels. Demand sent out 2200 hrs. WAC notified Detachment ready to receive rations.
23 Dec 42
Weather, heavy rain with strong wind. P/O Stephenson short 25,000 feet of twisted line re installation AT3, HRO. Work started on Secret files. First issue of DROs drawn up. TOS all personnel, rather a difficult job, due to lack of proper reference authorities. Mimeograph machine a necessity otherwise too much typing is involved as at least 15 copies are needed.
24 Dec 42
Weather, much colder, blizzard at 1200 hrs. M/V "Combat" went back to Coal Harbour after darkness. Mine floated up towards shore. Naval patrol did not arrive before departure of "Combat". Christmas dinner of only two turkeys and a small cake arrived. Heavy mail packed over trail from Cape Scott Post Office. Switch US on feeder #2 replaced. XMFR's for TX on "Combat".
25 Dec 42
Weather, cold, partly cloudy with sleet in evening. Personnel made out quite well with rather skimpy meal by donating Christmas cakes sent as gifts to them. Rations getting very low.
26 Dec 42
Weather, cold and damp. M/V "Combat" attempted landing at 1000 hrs. Water too rough. Signalled sickman ashore and landing was made at 1300 hrs. AC2s Ramm and Williams taken to Coal Harbour for treatment. Too rough for "Combat" to land supplies. Indent made for rations to Coal Harbour. Work begun on installation of AT3. F/Sgt Doutre and party assisting P/O Stephenson.
27 Dec 42
Weather, very windy, hail and rain. "Combat" did not return. Ration situation becoming acute.
28 Dec 42
Weather, no wind or rain, warmer. No "Combat". Equipment aboard holding up installation of AT3 and RDF equipment. Communication with WAC made.
29 Dec 42
Weather, little change. AT3/HRO installation continuing as far as lack of equipment permits. Food picked up from Marwell's Camp #2 to alleviate shortage here.
30 Dec 42
Weather, slightly cloudy, cool. Party went to Fisherman's Bay to prepare stores to load on "Combat". AT3 Antenna system improved.
31 Dec 42
Weather, Slight wind, sunny and warmer. "COMBAT" arrived 1330 hrs. Water fairly rough. Two boxes of radio equipment and food lost in landing. XFMR's for RDF equipment landed safely, also some AT3/HRO supplies. F/L Ross, MO, made sanitary inspection of camp and found everything in order. AC2 Ramm returned from Coal Harbour Hospital. F/Sgt. McKay granted seven days leave. At 0430 hrs. a destroyer was sighted off west coast and it is believed they were dropping depth charges. No confirmation, however. CHL installation resumed again. Thryratron control unit set up and Tx run with 10KV plate voltage. Ground Ray perfect, but no echoes. Faulty feeder system believed to be the cause.
Wm HC Beckett, P/O,
for OC #10 RD Cape Scott
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Updated: June 20, 2004