The following article is from RCAF Radar 1941-1945 (Royal Canadian Air Force Personnel on Radar in Canada During World War II) and is used with permission of the author, WW McLachlan
On September 22nd 1942, a volunteer radar contingent, Norm Evans, Martin Gilmore, Ray Goode, Bill McLachlan, Ken Hughes, Camile Godbout, John Allen, Paul Coughlan and Bob Gates (Bob was later killed along with 20 other radar men being transported to Sardinia), along with other trades sailed on the Lady Rodney on the port tail side of a huge convoy heading for Britain.
When near Newfoundland we split-off and sailed into St John's. We stopped briefly at Torbay Air Base and then with a nutritious lunch in hand (cod sandwiches), boarded the Newfie Bullet to Grand Falls and thence to Botwood, to await our transport to the Cape.
While in Botwood, an American Clipper Ship crashed in the water while landing with a number of casualties. A very brave red-haired stewardess dove under the water and saved a number of the injured. The radar men were assigned to entertain the injured.
We moved bombs in the storage bunker, did clean-up jobs around the station and fought-off the girls in Grand Falls. When at last our boats arrived, we were ready to leave. the service police breathed a sigh of relief, I'm sure.
The OK Service and the Lawrence K Sweeney, whose captain was F/L Howell of Yarmouth, NS, were loaded to the hilt. The 40 or so of us boarded at Botwood...
The boats snuck along the coast to avoid enemy subs, which were numerous at the time. A whale was sighted in the dim light which gave concern until identified. The ship's cook provided a meal of greasy beans and found his clientele diminished. This action was fortified by the roll and toss of the small wooden boats. I sat in the rear center of the galley table to avoid the view of the sky at one movement and the sea the next instant. I ate heartily and, and not being ill, was rewarded with the job of dish-washer.
The boat had little free-board and thus the waves at times swished over the deck. I found a hammock in the hold, but the forward and aft motion made me feel ill, so I lay on the kitbags stowed there and did manage some shut-eye.
When we arrived at Quirpon, we were boated from the Mother ship by smaller craft which bounced and sank in the waves.
We landed in the cove and trod our way to the half-constructed Nissen huts. We were welcomed by the advance party of radar personnel - Sgt Max Gammon, Cpl Cliff Boxtrom, Cpl Bob Brooks, Ken Serivens and F/L Bob Margeson and C/O, Squadron Leader Kenny (a WW1 pilot), and other air force trades and some civilian workers.
We were paid a handsome amount before leaving Halifax and advised to purchase all necessities, as there would be no stores where we were going. We thus received no pay while at No. 30 RD. But on our return we were millionaires, more or less.
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Updated: August 28, 2003