DAILY DIARY
26 RADIO DETACHMENT - LANGARA ISLAND, BC
July 17, 1942 to December 21, 1942
The following is a synptic review of events occurring here, prior to the arrival of the Officer Commanding.
17 Jul 42
Cape Canso arrived with Sgt Gray and 20 men to commence work on Construction Camp and the RDF site for No 26 Detachment. Work commenced with the cutting of a trail to the RDF site, a distance of 3/4 miles from the Lighthouse site.
15 Aug 42
F/L Robinson and S/M Johns arrived today to take charge of the construction. Work on the Dock began with the blasting of rock to prepare a bedding for the crib, which was constructed at Egeria Bay, and floated to the dock site. Considerable difficulty was experienced in getting it anchored. However, eventually this difficulty was overcome by anchoring the crib down with rock, which prevented it from washing out.
1 Sep 42
Ramp and dock were finally completed, and the planking a road, construction of braces for bridges between the dock and the Lighthouse were also coming to a quick finish.
3 Sep 42
F/O Thomas arroved today, to take charge of further construction here. The trail from the Lighthouse to the RDF site was surveyed, and construction of the road began. The stumps were cleared, stringers and sleepers were placed, and the planks layed, averaging 200 feet of road per day.
15 Sep to 15 Oct
A road was completed to the camp site, and the clearing of stumps and brush began. Soon an area large enough to permit camp construction, was cleared, and the footings for the Mess Hall and No 1 & 2 Barracks were poured.
15 Oct to 15 Nov 42
Construction work on barracks #3, the Hospital, the Administration, the Ablution Hut and Recreation Hall are in progress and a road, a half mile from the camp site is already completed. Work is progressing favourably in spite of inclement weather and mud. Great difficulty was encountered in pulling stumps, and laying puncheon for stringers.
15 Nov to 15 Dec 42
Work on buildings is progressing favourably. Personnel are already occupying the Recreation Hall. Tents at the Lighthouse area, and inclement weather warrants the use of one building at the site as sleeping quarters.
21 Dec 42
S/M Davies arrived to take charge of further construction, F/O Thomas departing with personnel of the advance party.
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http://www.pinetreeline.org/rds/rds26-1.html
Updated: January 16, 2004