41 Radio Detachment - St. Brides, Newfoundland

Following the placing of the New Committee in Office a general discussion on various topics was held.

When this Unit was first taken over by the RCAF from the American Signal Unit the Record Player was bought by Flying Officer RW Gush from the Americans for the sum of $35.00. Since this machine is installed in the Day Room for the enjoyment of all it was felt that it should become a part of the Station Equipment by purchasing it from Flying Officer RW Gush through the Canteen and Extra Messing Funds, or as, a second suggestion put forth, that the YMCA might wish to buy it and place it on loan to us during our stay here. Flying Officer Gush agreed to look into the latter suggestion. If the latter cannot be arranged it was decided to purchase it from Flying Officer Gush through the Extra Messing Fund.

LAC PA Rioux moved that the mail in future be delivered to the personnel through the Canteen in the Day Room rather than through the Orderly Room as it now is done. This caused some argument, the chief one being that the Canteen is only open at specified periods, whereas the Orderly Room was open all day, thus enabling the personnel to get their mail any time, more specifically the men on Night Shift who could get their mail in the morning when they came off shift, whereas they could not get it from the Canteen until 1200 hours. Further argument to LAC Rioux's suggestion was the fact, that, through the efforts of Sgt Corbin a very efficent mail box and sorting center had been installed in the Orderly Room thus enabling the mail to be handled very easily. There are still being some disension a vote was taken which resulted in an almost unanimous vote of twenty-five to two in favour of leaving the distribution centre in the Orderly Room.

LAC EK Foster asked the Commanding Officer, Flying Officer RW Gush, if it would be possible to have the mail picked up twice a day instead of only once as is now in force. This was felt to be a better idea on the part of the personnel as with the mail coming in from St. John's one night and going out to Placentia the next morning, personnel had no time to get their letters written and into the censor before the morning run. The Commanding Officer was agreeable with this idea and outgoing mail will now be picked up for censoring at 0800 and 1730 hours, each day.

Considerable data and pamphlets have been received at this Unit on various subject relating to Current Affairs, Rehabilitation, etc. The Commanding Officer approached the personnel with the suggestion that a Discussion Group be formed here. He then gave an outline of what he had in mind and what the material at hand consisted of, the purpose of such discussions, and some of the subjects that are recognized by the Air Force Authorities as suitable for discussion talks. Eleven of the personnel signified their desire to participate in such talks,which was a very good showing for the first discussion to be held here. LAC EK Foster was appointed Chairman of the first discussion which will be held on Friday Night at 1900 hours, the subject to be "What to do with Germany". As yet none of the "Serviceman's Forum" broadcasts have been heard at this Unit due to poor Radio Reception and the fact that the times for the broadcast were not well known. A movement is under way to discover whether the mentioned subject is re-broadcast over the new Shortwave outlet at Sackville, NB. This would be much easier for us to pick up and probably a more suitable time for listening could be arranged, with suitable discussions to follow the broadcast.

Extra messing was discussed and all the personnel were very satisfied with all that had been done. The Commanding Officer gave us the welcome news that Group Captain RS Grandy, OBE, Commanding Officer of RCAF Station, Torbay, had succeeded in securing a supply of fresh vegetables for us, and this news was received with applause. It was decided to have the duty Run into Argentia on Saturdays pick up some icecream, as has been done several times in the past, for Sunday supper. This would be charged to extra messing as formerly. Cpl JV Ethier, NCO i/c of the Mess then gave a brief talk on the messing, his methods and plans for the future, and in conclusion asked for any "Beefs" the boys might have with the meals. Strange as it might seem to personnel on other stations, there were no complaints whatsoever and everyone was loud in their praise of the fine manner in which the food was prepared, and served and the clean condition of the Mess at all times. it was moved that a vote of thanks be extended to the Kitchen personnel for their fine work, and the Day Room rang with applause. It was moved by Sgt Horlock and agreed to by all that the United States Coast Guard Personnel stationed here be invited to a Chicken Dinner here on the coming Sunday, and Flying Officer Gush agreed to approach the Officer Commanding that Unit in respect to this.

It was moved that a Vote of Thanks be given to the retiring committee for their fine work in the past and this was seconded by loud applause from everyone.

There being no more business LAC EK Foster moved the meeting be adjourned, and this was seconded by LAC TLDudley.

GF MacLeod Sec'y
Station Committee,
No 41 Radio Unit,
St. Brides, Newfoundland.

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Updated: April 6, 2003