DAILY DIARY
24 RADIO Detachment - TIGNISH, PEI
March 1, 1943 to December 10, 1943
1 Mar 43
F/O DJ Heath & Sgt JW Schooley per CNR to Tignish arriving 23.55 hrs.
2 Mar 43 Work commenced on installation of Diesel Engines. Engines placed on beds and gasoline lines being installed. Weather mild. 3 Mar 43 P/O RG Allen per CNR from No 1 GRS to EAC Halifax, attending Radio Conference. Roads at Tignish blocked to panel truck by snow. 4 Mar 43 Snow and high winds, heavy ground drift, roads blocked. Work continuing on fuel lines. Sgt WW Pitts arrived at Tignish, PEI on posting. Now have a competent Diesel man to the great relief of those engaged in installing engines. 5 Mar 43 Weather cold. Roads still impassable. Dump truck, Army Type 4X4 broken down, connecting rod having broken and gone through block, truck left in a farm yard. Sgt WW Pitts happily engaged setting up Diesel Engines. 6 Mar 43 F/O DJ Heath & Sgt JW Schooley returning by CNR to No 1 CRS in am. P/O RG Allen returning per CNR in late pm from Radio Conference at Halifax. Weather moderating but still cold. 7 - 10 Mar 43 NIL 11 Mar 43 LAC Engelberg S AWL First orderly room case. Weather very mild, heavy thaw. New engine shipped for Army Type 4X4. 12 Mar 43 Rain, snow thawing. P/O Allen RG and F/O Heath DJ per MT to Alberton PEI , unable to go further on account of blocked roads. Continued by Rail to Tignish. 13 Mar 43 Pay parade at Detachment. P/O RC Allen & F/O Heath with LAC MacAllister DW walked to Alberton, thence per MT to No 1 GRS RT Holman's hauling coal by truck to the detachment, 5 carloads to haul in all. Weather moderating, roads bad. LAC's MacDonald EW and Baldwin SW detailed to assist with Diesel Engines which are now operating. 14 - 16 Mar 43 NIL 17 Mar 43 Storm. Rain and snow. 18 Mar 43 P/O RG Allen, OC, F/O DJ Heath with Equipment Assistant and Clerk General to Tignish and No 24 Detach per MT. Roads not all ploughed and some fields had to be used. 19 Mar 43 Weather mild. Photographs taken of snowbanks on Alberton to Tignish highway.
1 Apr 43
Snowfall in the forenoon making the roads bad. Contractor started work on the Barrack Room floors today and has promised them for occupation in four days time. In the evening the airmen attended a dance at Alberton at the invitation of the local branch of the Women's Auxiliary and had a good time.
2 Apr 43
Weather was dull and cool but no more snow fell, road are getting cut up. One RDF Mechanic arrived for duty.3 Apr 43
A heavy snowfall with high winds blocked the roads but the Army Type 4X4 managed to get through, this vehicle has been invaluable and is excellent when the roads are bad, however it doesn't improve the roads at all and makes it difficult for any ordinary car to follow. Two Security Guards reported to day for duty from No. 1 GRS.
4 Apr 43
Today the airmen moved into the barracks, with the exception of the NCO's quarters and Hospital Wing the buildings are completed inside, some painting is required around windows but otherwise they are ready for use. Weather was mild and the snow thawing fast.
5 Apr 43
Hospital Assistant and MMMT arived today on posting from 1 GRS bringing Panel truck and rations. The mess hall and orderly room are being organized and the first meal was served in the mess - supper.
6 Apr 43
NIL
7 Apr 43
Heavy snowstorm. Ration run to Summerside by means of the Dump truck was slowed down by bad roads, but managed to get through.
8 Apr 43
Weather turned mild and windy, everyone trying to drain off the water lying around in puddles. Airmen went to a dance at Alberton. RDF Operator, Cpl arrived on posting.
9 Apr 43
Instructions received today to erect the tower, no riggers on the detachment, but think it can be managed. Sorted the steel girders and tower material.
10 Apr 43
More snow and sleet, roads somewhat worse, the highway being very slippery.
11 Apr 43
Heavy snow all day with a ground drift. In the evening took the truck with some of the airmen to a sing-song at Alberton held in a private house. The people of Alberton are doing their best to make everyone welcome and have been very hospitable.
12 Apr 43
Weather mild today. Mr. A. Murray of theAuxiliary Services at No 1 GRS came to the detachment and gave us a 'talkie' in the Mess Hall, Palm Beach Story. It was well attended and greatly appreciated, arrangements have been made for another show next week.13 Apr 43
Corporal arrived from No 8 CMU to look over the facilities for the erection of the tower and turntable, nothing done today as the train usually arrives hours late.
30 Apr 43
Station Strength - Officers - 2, Airmen - 52.
General Health on the Station has been good, and entirely free from any epidemic sickness. No loss of time has been occasioned by sickness or accident during the month.
(RG Allen) P/O
OC #24 Detachment, RCAF,
Tignish, PEI
1 Jun 43
The strength of the Detachment this date: 1 Officer, 52 Airmen. Weather fine, mud drying up nicely. Work on Station boudary fence and concertina fence enclosing operations compound progressing. Command Medical Officer accompanied by S/L Hanna, MO. from No 1 GRS Summerside visited the Detachment today. Dr. Clark of the Experimental Farm, Charlottetown visited the Detachment to make an inspection of soil on site for seeding purposes. P/O RG Allen and Dr Clark investigated damage done by two aircraft from No 1 GRS Summerside that force-landed at Tignish and Nail Pond.
2 Jun 43
More rain - more mud.
3 Jun 43
Still raining, cleared up slightly by noon. Personnnel attended dance in the Institute Hall Alberton, PEI
4 Jun 43
Rain let up, windy. Very short of personnel. Father Robin, priest from Tignish, visited the Detatchment today. Moving picture show held in the Recreation Hall sponsored by Canadian Legion Services of Summerside.
5 Jun 43
No rain, cold wind. ASV Beacon became unserviceable.
6 Jun 43
Clear and warm, strong wind. P/O Allen proceeded to Mt Pleasant to procure parts for ASV Beacon.
7 Jun 43
Weather fine but windy. Work progressing on grading of roads and construction of boundary fence. F/O Macdonald (C13654) Administration arrived by GMT at 2030 hours on posting from No 1 Detachment Preston, NS. Personnel attended dance in Institute Hall at Alberton.
8 Jun 43
Weather fine and mild. Erection of concertina fence nearly completed.
1 Dec 43
Overcast with cold strong winds. Gas storage tank is unserviceable having frozen with evidence of water and dirt in the gas. F/S Tilbury, REW (1027A) RDF Mechanic reported on posting from 4 RD Scoudouc. He replaces Sgt Schooley, JWA (R100725) who has been posted to No. 6 Detachment, Louisburg, NS. R168066 Cpl Shoultz, KG; R168075 LAC Gale, CS and R188688 LAC Davies TD, reported on TD maintenance from No. 4 RD Scoudouc, NB.
2 Dec 43
Overcast and cool. MT run for rations to Summerside and the dance at Alberton got through by using detours owing to snowdrifts.
3 Dec 43
Overcast and comparatively mild. Mr. Phinney of the Canadian Legion War Services came up from No 1 GRS Summerside and brought up a movie projector which is to remain. We also have an operator on strength R264864 AC1 Stoddard,GD Films will be sent up by train, twice a week. Heretofore it has been necessary to transport machine and films to us by MT.
4 Dec 43
Cloudy and cool. We have lost two senior NCO's R100925 Sgt Schooley, JWA, RDF Mechanic posted to No 6 RD, Louisburg, NS and R53978 Sgt Blissett, DH, Service Police, posted to Yarmouth, NS. P/O Davidson, DW (C29953) Radio, departed on TD to No 1 OTS Domaine D'Estrel on course.
5 Dec 43
F/O Alexander RR Marine Craft 1 from EAC arrived on Air Sea rescue work, determining feasibility of basing winter rescue craft at Tignish shore with crews. RC Church run to Tignish in morning. Protestant church service in Recreation Hall in afternoon conducted by F/L Woodside, padre, at No 1 GRS Summerside.
6 Dec 43
Cloudy and cool. The boiler in operation hut burst, owing to failure of the thermostat which actuates the return pump. W&B No 1 GRS Summerside were contacted and temporary electrical heaters were installed in telephone and operators room. Movie in Recreation Hall in the evening.
7 Dec 43
Fair and cool. R108033 F/Sgt Grant, E (Survey) arrived from EAC to survey a M/F, D/F site in the vicinity. R221429 Sgt Logan, OW (Water & Sewer inspection) from EAC was with us for the day. The usual movie run to Alberton took place in the evening.
8 Dec 43
Fair and cool. A dance in the Recreation Hall attracted a large majority of the personnel. The usual invitations were extended to a large number of guests. R81233 Cpl Cameron, GJ (MMMT) returned from TD at Summerside.
9 Dec 43
Fair & cool. The outdoor rink is coming along nicely. The boys have managed to get a bit of ice formed, the wiring is yet to be completed. A new furnace for the operations hut arrived and was installed. OC's inspection parade in the afternoon.
10 Dec 43
Fair & cool. OC's Barrack inspection in the morning. A movie in the recreation hall in the evening.
This page is located at
http://www.pinetreeline.org/rds/detail/rds24-9.html
Updated: June 13, 2004