DAILY DIARY
6 RADIO UNIT - Louisbourg, NOVA SCOTIA
1 Jan 1945 to 8 Jun 1945
1 Jan 45
Slack day today - only 2 a/c plotted No outstanding ranges. Weather clear and cold. Boys ate a big New Year's day meal which was prepared by R112087 LAC Reid, JJ and R217651 LAC Prosser, NE. This meal included all the trimmings which go with a spread of this kind. NCO's did the serving.
2 Jan 45
High winds forced us to tie down but were on restricted operations. Halifax line dead all day from 0630 hrs. R138839 Cpl Herrington, BE posted this unit, arriving today. Ration run to Sydney, NS. R141308 Sgt. Hutton, SM was busy sanding the floors of mess hall and canteen making an excellent job of same.
3 Jan 45
Halifax line still dead till 1139 hrs. Busier today - 40 a/c plotted. Max. range, only 80 miles no IFF. Number of airmen attended New Year's Dance held in Louisbourg, NS. They report a very enjoyable time.
4 Jan 45
Only 20 a/c today - max. range 116 miles no IFF. Snow today. Show "Sun or Storm" a Russian picture. Average attendance. R191181 LAC Cameron, JR left today for No. 22 R Unit, Port Dufferin, NS. Boys arriving back from New Years leave.
5 Jan 45
Slack day - only plotted 7 a/c with max. range of 70 miles. R205970 LAC Sales H arrived on station to take over sanding operations on the floors in camp. R129800 LAC Anderson left today for No. 22 R Unit, Port Dufferin, NS.
6 Jan 45
Plotted 12 a/c only. Max. range of 106 miles. Weather clear. Flooding of rink again started after the thawing. All the boys taking part in the work. Dance run to Sydney at the Armories there. Boys enjoyed their outing.
7 Jan 45
Busier today. Plotted 32 a/c with max. range of 100 miles. Had a track 488 miles in length today. Weather clear. Church parade with average attendance. R112057 LAC Reid, JJ and R217651 LAC Prosser, NE really prepared an excellent meal with turkeys, cranberries etc. Work was being completed in the administration building in sanding also the "Rec" hall received another coat of varnish.
8 Jan 45
Only plotted 1 a/c today. Were tied down from 1140 to 1330 hrs due to high winds, on restricted operations. Heavy snow today also. Boys all in one end of the barracks as sanding floor commenced. Show in evening held in the kitchen "A Yank at Eton" average attendance. No one from town up for show.
9 Jan 45
Heavy rain and cold weather caused the entire gantry and aerials to be coated with ice. High winds and a solid sheet of ice on screens forced us to tie down again on restricted operations at 1915 hrs. Ration run to Sydney. Dance in Navy Hut with a number from our unit present. Everyone enjoyed it.
10 Jan 45
Unbolted aerial at 1245 hrs after removing most of the ice from screen with blow torch etc. Plotted 3 a/c only today. No. max. range to speak of. A general meeting was held in the Canteen at 1330 hrs. with Can C15241 F/L SR Talbot presiding. It was explained that the expenses of the New Year's dance have been defrayed and it would not be necessary to charge $2.00 per man on pay day. It was further explained by F/L SR Talbot that a motor had been purchased for the hobby shop and it was moved and seconded that motor be paid for out of Canteen funds. R27172 LAC flemming, EWA gave an account of the work being done at the hobby hut and that the work bench will be ready in a few days and motor to be installed. R100925 F/S Schooley, JWA was appointed to look after the purchasing of skates. A hockey discussion took place and committees formed for this winter activity. All new committees were formed for sports, entertainment, canteen and mess. It was moved and seconded that a dance be held in the "Rec" hall on Tuesday 16 Jan/45 and that the Glace Bay girls be invited to this event. It was then asked by CAN C15241 F/L SR Talbot as to the condition of the heating and the food and found everything satisfactory. It was moved and seconded that R173685 Cpl. Barrans, GWV be in charge of the new pool tournament and that CAN R93734 Sgt. Page be in charge of a dart tournament. Both these tournaments were to commence at once. It was decided that R102102 LAC Pedlar, JR be appointed to look into the situation of having the station paper printed. Moved and seconded that a pen be bought for the Ops hut. It was also moved and seconded that the barracks be partitioned off and part of it used as a recreation room and the airmen living in barrack be responsible for all breakage. R271472 LAC Flemming, EWA and R168695 LAC Gulliver, RA are to be in charge. Meeting concluded until the end of the month.
11 Jan 45
Plotted 27 a/c today. Max. range of 116 miles. Took 42 min. abnormal maintenance to tighten complete aerial turn table assembly. Found mounting of reducer unit cracked. Work was nearly complete in the sanding of our floors. In this operation they are shellacing and varnishing the floors as soon as they are sanded. Boys were cleaning off the rink and flooding it. R174304 LAC Bickford, RJ and R184571 LAC Sinkins, J posted to Pennfield Ridge. R198637 LAC Gregor, E posted this unit as Driver Transport.
12 Jan 45
Weather cold and clear. Plotted 26 a/c - max. range 71 miles. Clothing run to RCAF Station, Sydney, NS. A pool tournament has got going along with a dart tournament coming out of first bracket.
13 Jan 45
Weather dull and snowy. No activity today. Halifax line dead for short time. Ration run to Sydney. Boys out practicing hockey today.
14 Jan 45
Reducer gear mounting broken. Taken down and sent to Louisbourg to be brazed. Two bolts sheared off requiring drilling etc. Bolted aerial down on restricted operations. Church run to Louisbourg. Educational films shown in Rec. hall. These films were sent from Halifax, NS.
15 Jan 45
Machine shop in town started on brazing today. Aerial bolted down at 334º. Pay day today. Station paper "Echo" published and the boys had quite a trip to Sydney due to icy roads.
16 Jan 45
Installed motor and reducer unit again. Back on air fully operational at 1405 hrs. Plotted 5 a/c. Ration run to Sydney. Boys practicing hockey and are looking forward to a very active season.
1 Apr 45
Rain, fog and wind. Activity very slow with a maximum range of 72 mi. Church parade today with a number of airmen attending church both RC and Protestant.
2 Apr 45
Cloudy in morning, turning to clear and bright in afternoon. Fairly busy in afternoon and evening with max. range of 95 miles. Pool tournament started today.
3 Apr 45
Low clouds with snow falling during the day. Very little activity with a max. of 76 miles. Ration run to Sydney. Roads were in very bad shape due to the spring thaw. Show "The Lodger" a mystery which was very entertaining. Number of airmen attended the Easter dance at the Navy League of Canada in Louisbourg. A very enjoyable evening.
4 Apr 45
Weather clear and bright but little activity. Max. range 111 miles. Our station dance which was to be held this evening was cancelled on account of the very bad roads.
5 Apr 45
Overcast with rain and a drop in temperature. Very little traffic with a max. of 100 miles. Ration run to Sydney, NS. Show "Bermuda Mystery" was a very interesting mystery picture. A stag party was held in honor of R217651 LAC prosser, NE who was leaving for Goose Bay.
6 Apr 45
Cloudy with rain. Fair activity during afternoon but little at night. Max. 113 miles. R129410 LAC Mesher, RW visited this unit from RCAF Station Debert. LAC Mesher was a former member of this detachment. The fire alarm sounded at 0935 hrs. which turned out to be a fire drill. All men were on the bit and went to their respective posts according to our fire orders.
7 Apr 45
Clear and bright though quite windy. Moderate activity with 93 miles for the maximum. Ration run to Sydney and the roads still in bad shape. R168695 LAC Gulliver, RA was posted overseas after a lengthy period at this unit.
8 Apr 45
Clear and bright with little activity and a maximum rang of 95 miles. Church run to Louisbourg, NS.
9 Apr 45
Clear in morning, turning hazy during late afternoon. 30 tracks with a max. range of 110 miles. A general meeting was held in the Mess hall at 1030 hrs. The meeting decided to appoint a new Canteen stewart in the person of R271472 LAC Flemming, EWA. They also decided to hold a dance on Friday, 13 April/45 with the girls from Glace Bay invited and it was also agreed that six Navy personnel be invited to attend. It was explained by CAN C15241 F/L Talbot that in the event of Germany's capitulation that all personnel are to report back to this station. Mr. Talbot also enquired into the food and accommodation of the men on the station. Meeting adjourned at 1130 hrs. Show "Show Business" with George Murphy and Eddie Cantor, a musical picture.
10 Apr 45
Foggy and cool, clearing towards evening. Little activity, max. range of 100 miles. Show "Heavenly Days" a comical picture with Fibber McGee and Molly. Ration run to Sydney, NS.
1 Jun 45
Light rain and fog in morning, changing to clear and bright in afternoon. 11 a/c for a max. of 94 mi. Navy dance in Louisbourg with members of this detachment in attendance. Had a visit from Bob Swim, YMCA Sydney who was interested in social and sporting activity of this unit.
2 Jun 45
Cloudy and cool. Jitter appeared on tube but changing V73 cleared fault. 10 a/c for a max. of 95 mi. Boys put the tapes on tennis court and received six new rackets. This camp is looking forward to an active season along this line of sport. Ration run to Sydney, NS.
3 Jun 45
Cloudy and warm. Brushes on Ward Leonard generator gave a few minutes trouble in afternoon but cleaning them cured fault. 5 tracks only for a max. of 104. Church run to Louisbourg with average attendance.
4 Jun 45
Coudy and warm. Ward Leonard brushes still giving trouble on and off all day. Brushes received and installed today. 9 a/c for a max. of 98 miles. Show "No Time for Love" a very comical picture, much enjoyed by personnel.
5 Jun 45
Cloudy and warm with 6 tracks only for a max. of 70 miles. R65289 Sgt. Quillian, TH posted and arrived this unit.
6 Jun 45
Chilly with heavy rain most of the day. 85 tracks for a max. of 88 miles. R76621 Sgt. Laugly and R256637 LAC Garnett, RM of the Fire Section, Sydney made a short inspection at this unit. General meeting was held in the Mess hall with C18947 F/O WJ McLaughlin presiding. It was explained by R84174 Sgt. Makison that co-operation of the personnel was needed in taking care of the tools in the hobby shop. It was moved that a dance be held on Tuesday 12 June/45 and moved that the girls from Sydney by invited to the dance. The different vacancies of the committees due to postings and discharges from this unit were filled. It was decided that the sports committee arrange various tournaments such as tennis, pool and sharp shooting. Discussion arose as to whether a suitable crest could be made for this unit. C18947 F/O WJ McLaughlin then inquired as to the heat and food. Everything suitable for the personnel.
7 Jun 45
Foggy with rain. At 0400 the IFF receiver became very badly overheated. Discovered C28 had gone open-circuited and the high current developed had melted some tar out of choke in power supply. Replaced condenser and checked choke. Back operational at 0430. 5 tracks for a max. of 77 miles. Show "Dark Mountain" a very entertaining picture with average attendance.
8 Jun 45
Misty and raining. During PM repaired Tx. Spark Gap by replacing wire which had broken (apparently due to strain). Lancasters returning to Canada started making an appearance. 27 tracks with a max. of 112. Ration run to Sydney. A number of boys caught some speckled trout today and report the catch is good.
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Updated: March 28, 2003