31 August, 1951
Advance draft of 11(eleven) officers, 8 (eight) NCO's and 10 (ten) airmen, accompanied by 22 (twenty-two) wives and 17 (seventeen) children, disembarked at Liverpool. Eleven married personnel went direct to North Luffenham; twelve married personnel went to London. Other advance draft arrived at Southampton on 31 Aug. consisting of one officer, 2 NCO's and 7 airmen.
1 September, 1951
No work.
2 September, 1951
Party arrived from London at approximately 1415 hrs. Detrained at Manton where they were met by W/C Spears and Cpl. Price. Hotel accomodation arranged for Officers and airmen married without children. Personnel with children were taken to their respective MQ's and installed.
3 September, 1951
All personnel reported to the temporary RCAF Wing Headquarters Building and were greeted by the Commanding Officer, Group Captain EB Hale, DFC and Wing Commander Spears. The Commanding Officer discussed the sitauation presently existing at the Station and emphasized the need for unlimited cooperation from all personnel in order that the initial organization of the Wing could be commenced without delay. W/C Spears conducted a general question and answer forum. Section Commanders, and their respective Staffs then proceeded to their temporary offices.
4 September, 1951
Personnel engaged in organization. G/C Hale, S/L Rosenthal, S/L MacArthur proceeded to CJS London to discuss matters pertaining to organization. F/O Reeves proceeded to Liverpool to supervise delivery of Mobile Equipment.
5 September, 1951
Organization continues. Orderly Room and Central Registry set up. Commanding Officer returned from London approx. 1800 hours. Three new RCAF Station wagons arrived from Liverpool.
6 September, 1951
Weather dull and misty. Action taken to set up small canteen. Reporters from Leicester Newspaper visit RCAF Personnel.
7 September, 1951
Weather misty with rain. S/L MacArthur and S/L Rosenthal return from London. W/C Spears returned from London in evening.
8 September, 1951
No work.
9 September, 1951
No work
10 September, 1951
Weather misty in morning. Muster parade at 1100 hrs. Air Commodore W. Blain visits Wing.
11 September, 1951
Weather clear with scattered clouds. Routine.
12 September, 1951
Weather misty with clouds. Sports in afternoon. CO proceeded to London and Farnorough Air Show. S/L MacArthur and S/L Rosenthal proceeded to London and Fighter Command in morning.
13 September, 1951
Weather cloudy with strong wind. W/C Spear, F/O Reeves and F/S Oliver proceeded to London by PMC 0800 hours on TW. Sub Canteen in HQ Temporary building now in limited operation for sale of Cokes, chocolate bars etc.
14 September, 1951
Weather cloudy and cool with fair wind. Routine.
15 September, 1951 No work 16 September, 1951 No work 17 September, 1951 Weather clear and cool. W/C Davidson, CO 421 (F) squadron, Odeham, arrived by air to deliver Vampire for CO's personal use. 18 September, 1951 F/O Townley and W/C Spears departed for CJS London via PMC at 0815 hrs. 19 September, 1951 W/C Spears returned from TD in London. Gloucester Meteor a/c from 421 Sqn visited unit and flew Wing Personnel in indoctrination flight. 20 September, 1951 G/C Hale departed for CJS London via PMC on TD. F/O Townley returned via rail from TD London at 2120 hrs. F/S Oliver advised of commission eff. Sept 51. 21 September, 1951 W/C Spears, F/O Oliver, S/L Rosenthal departed for Ely on TD re. rations from USAF. F/O Reeves, S/L Hemsley, F/L Bain departed for Ruislip to 3rd USAF HQ on TD. W/C Spears, F/O Oliver, S/l Rosenthal returned from Ely. S/L McIllroy arrived from 421 (F) Sqd in Meteor on short visit. Pilot and S/L McIllroy departed at 1500 hrs. 22 September, 1951 Routine. CO returned from London. 23 September, 1951 Routine. 24 September, 1951 Weather cloudy with high winds. F/L Marshall (PRO) from CJS visited unit for purpose of arranging publicity of handing over North Luffenham to RCAF. 25 September, 1951 Weather cloudy with high winds. W/C Spears departed for TD. F/L Marshall (PRO-CJS) interviewed personnel and took pictures. Departed 1430 hrs. 26 September, 1951 Weather partly cloudy. CO received invitation to fly with 421 (F)Sqd Odiham on operation Pinnacle. CO accepts. CO instructed that weekly CO's conferences be held commencing 0900 hrs. Mon 1 October 51. Sports afternoons cancelled this date. F/L Bainand F/O Murchie proceeded and returned from 12 Grp on TD. S/l Rosenthal and Hemsley departed for Renfrew on TD. 27 September, 1951 W/C Spears returned from TD. G/C Hale departed on TD for London. S/L MacArthur departed on TD for London. F/O Reeves departed for Fighter Command on TD. 28 September, 1951 S/L Rosenthal and Hemsley returned from Renfrew on TD. 29 September, 1951 No work 30 September, 1951 F/O Reeves returned from TD at Fighter Command. 1 October, 1951 1 RCAF (F) Wing HQ becomes self accounting for all purposes this date. First DRO in preparation CO assumes command. List of presonnel comprising 1st half main party arrived by signal. Preparations being made for their reception and Hotel accomodation. 2 October, 1951 First DRO in throes of preparation. 3 October, 1951 Normal routine 4 October, 1951 Normal routine 5 October, 1951 Normal routine 6 October, 1951 Saturday routine 7October, 1951 Sunday routine 8 October, 1951 DRO No. 1 published this date. Difficulty experienced by lack of Gestetner in shipment of equipment from Canada. Have to utilize RAF facilities. 9 October, 1951 Advice received that Scythia arriving on night of 11th at Southampton. Movement orders for Southampton and Liverpool draft completed.
10 October, 1951 2 RCAF Officers departed for Southampton to meet draft. CJS assisting in disembarkation and movement of draft. Copy of movement orders attached. 11 October, 1951 2 RCAF Officers departed for Liverpool to meet draft and route them to North Luffenham. Copy of movement attached. 12 October, 1951 HQ personnel organized to meet incoming drafts. Southampton personnel arrived by rail at 1595 hrs. All personnel accommodated in Hotels, etc around vicinity and single personnel in quarters. BB 57 turned over by RAF for this purpose in bad shape. No sheets available. Living in personnel arrived by bus at 2130. All accommodated. 13 October, 1951 Bagge of Liverpool personnel arrived by lorry at 1200 hours. Stored in storage shed. 14 October, 1951 Sunday routine. 15 October, 1951 All personnel reported in to 1 F Wing HQ at 1000 hrs. G/C Hale addressed all personnel and the Wing OR accounted for all personnel. 48 hrs passes were authorized those personnel with families into local accommodation. 16 October, 1951 CO departed on TD to London 17 October, 1951 Action taken to investigate organization of handing over ceremony. Committee to be formed by F/O MacInnes. Invitations completed and ready for mailing. 18 October, 1951 F/O Murchie departed for Liverpool to meet Empress of Canada draft. W/C Spears departed on TD for London with F/O Oliver. 19 October, 1951 Empress of Canada draft arrived at approx 1900 hours. Accommodation arrangements etc completed. 28 October - 14 November, 1951 410 (F) Sqn embarked on HMCS Magnificient at Halifax, NS for North Luffenham England via Norfolk, West Virginia, USA. At Naval Base (USN) the F86E Star Sabres were loaded on Aircraft Carrier having been cocooned for shipment overseas. 14 November, 1951 410 Personnel disembarked at Renfrew Scotland. Rear party at Renfrew under F/O HW Prince to reactivate aircraft prior to ferrying them to North Luffenham. F/O's Found and Joy remained in Renfrew to test fly aircraft. Advance party of 410 (F) Sqn left Glasgow at 2105 hrs by LM & SRR for North Luffenham, Eng. 15 November, 1951 Advance party of 410 (F) Sqn arrived Leisester and detrained by GMT for North Luffenham. Official handing over ceremony held today when RAF Stn Commander of North Luffenham handed over to RCAF Commander G/C EB Hale DFC, CO No. 1 Fighter Wing, HQ. Distinguished assembly of people attended on behalf of Canada such as Hon. Dana Wilgress, High Commissioner to UK for Canada and ACM Sir Harold Cochrane, RAF, Deputy Chief of Air Staff, as well as other local dignitaries. 16 November, 1951 410 (F) Sqn personnel "stood down" and were engaged in locating living quarters etc for their families. 18 November, 1951 Honourable Brook Claxton, Minister of Defence for Canada visited 1 Fighter Wing. He toured the Station area and was formally dined by the Officers of the Wing. All Officers present were introduced to him and Mrs. Claxton. 19 November, 1951 410 (F) Sqn was assigned to No. 1 Hangar. It is in reasonable good repair except for the untidy condition in which the RAF left it when they departed. Organization, accommodation and other Squadron duties being attended to. Correspondents and press photographers from London Evening Standard visited this station to obtain material for an article "Little Canada". 20 November, 1951 London Evening Standard correspondents continue tour of Station. 21 November, 1951 F/O Prince of RCAF detachments Renfrew Scotland advised that 3 aircraft were available for ferrying. Crystal supply was deficient and lagging. However OC plus F/O's Morrison and Morris left for Renfrew by air, an Anson a/c supplied by ACC 12 group. First three Sabre a/c arrived at North Luffenham today. S/L Hall OC 410 (F) Sqn was first RCAF Sabre pilot, of 410 (F) Sqn to land at North Luffenham. London Evening Standard correspondents finished tour of Station and departed. Story to be published Monday November 26th. Leicester Evening Mail correspondents arrive on Station to obtain material for article to be published Friday November 23rd. 22 November, 1951 Aircraft from Renfrew, Scotland continue to arrive. The pilots when weather permits are ferried up by an aircraft from 12 Group and then return with a Sabre. Weather conditions not favourable for flying pilots. Leave by train from Luffenham, Leicester or Peterborough and proceed to Renfrew via Glasgow. The OC of the RCAF detachments and his personnel are being quartered at RAF Stn. Bishop Briggs. 23 November, 1951 Front page photographs of "Life at No. 1 Fighter Wing" appears in Leicester Evening Mail, with written article. 25 November, 1951 F/L RP St. John and F/L Gill arrived by air on an North Star transport aircraft of Air Transport Command from Montreal Canada via Nfld, Greenland, etc. F/O Nichols also came with the party. For personal reasons three officers were left in Canada to rejoin the Squadron on 25 Nov 51. 26 November, 1951 Six more aircraft came in from Renfrew. Reported weather conditions were favourable. Two page story supplemented with photographs appear in London Evening Standard. Article entitled "Little Canada", and depicts how Canadians are happily settling in at North Luffenham. 29 November, 1951 Nil aircraft reported in from Renfrew due to unfavourable weather. W/C Davidson COpO anxious to commence flying operations tomorrow. Nine officers departed for Liverpool. Officers tendered a reception by the Borough of Stamford, Mayor Bowman presiding Mayor. An excellent time was had by all. A total of 23 aircraft have now been flown to North Luffenham from Renfrew, Scotland. These are being checked and hastily prepared for operational training. 30 November, 1951 First major accident occurred at Renfrew Airport today when 105183 AC1 W Richards ComTech (A), was sucked into the Air intake of a Sabre. Aurman suffered possible fracture of skull over left eye, and fracture of right knee. All multiple undetermined internal injuries. Airman resided at 112 Woodland Ave Verdun PQ. Airman was entered at Southern General Hospital, Govan Road, Glasgow, Scotland. He has been placed on the seriously injured list. W/C Davidson was checked out on a F86 Sabre aircraft today and completed his initial flight. Weather conditions permitting in Scotland a further lot of 8 of aircraft were expected in today and arrived safely. 1 December, 1951 Physicians at Southern General Hospital reports that 105183 AC1 W Richards removed off seriously injured list to slightly injured. No fracture only multiple abrasions and lacerations. Patient still in Hospital. 3 December, 1951 Another 5 pilots departed by air for Renfrew to ferry aircrafts to North Luffenham. Not considered that any will be flown in today due to inclement weather that has settled in. Mr. AC Johnston, photographer of RAF Review (Similiar to RCAF Roundel) visited Squadron and took pictures of various flying personnel for publications. 4 December, 1951 Seven more aircraft were flown in today from Renfrew. Presumed that this operation will be completed by 7 December 51. Weather conditions have been fair with considerable clouding. G/C B Cross, CBE, DSO, DFC, Sector Commander, Eastern Sector, UK, gave a resume of operational and control aspects for Officers of No. 1 Fighter Wing. This address proved interesting and was of considerable value to pilots of 410 (F) Sqn. 5 December, 1951 Pilots of 410 (F) Sqn commenced recce flights today. Weather overcast, heavy cloud formation. W/C Davidson COpO and Schwabs (RAF) were aloft on a familiarization flight. Three more aircraft came in from Renfrew today. Which reduce our total to 4, one of which in unserviceable. 6 December, 1951 Additional personnel from Rear Party of 410 (F) Detachment, Renfrew, Scotland reported North Luffenham. Three more aircraft flown in from Renfrew leaving only a balance of 4 remaining. S/L Hall, F/L Hall, F/L Gill, F/O's Broadbent, Bain, Nichols, and Found were guests of ACC 12 Group Newton, Notts, at a mess dinner. Excellent flying weather. 7 December, 1951 Excellent flying weather. Pilots are taking advantage of same and as a/c are serviceable are going on sorties. No additional aircraft flown in but surplus technical personnel at Renfrew reported North Luffenham for duty. 9 December, 1951 The last 4 Sabres were flown in from Renfrew. This completes our reactivating programme at Renfrew. Additional personnel reported North Luffenham from Renfrew to strengthen the airmen ranks. S/L Hemsley asst C Tech O Wg and F/O HWD Prince report that the cooperation of the Ministry of Transport officials at Renfrew was superior. Excellent spirit. 10 December, 1951 Commenced new working hours, 0800 - 1200 & 1300 - 1600 hrs. This gives flying personnel more daylight flying and also assists in various other technical matters. A further draft of airmen reported from Renfrew which leaves approx 13 more at that unit. An excellent display of formation flying was held today. Staff officers from CJS London and cameral personnel of British Gaumont News Service were on hand to film the fly pasts. OC led one flight and F/L Gill led the other. All personnel commented on the excellent flying performance. Gaumont British Newsreel Staff commenced taking film of life at No. 1 Fighter Wing. 11 December, 1951 All service personnel from RAF Bishop Briggs and Renfrew have reported to North Luffenham except the OC of the Detachment and 2 airmen; AC1 Richards still at Southern Hospital and should be discharged in about 5-10 days. On discharge he will be moved to this unit by RAF Movements Group. SMO of wing anticipates his repatriation back to Canada. Squadron aircraft enjoyed excellent flying weather and were engaged in a number of routine flying exercises and formation flying.Gaumont British Newsreel Staff continues taking movie. 12 December, 1951 Routine flying operations. More personnel arrived from Renfrew which reduces personnel to 1 officer and 2 other ranks who will be arriving on Thursday 13 Dec 51. Civil representative of Canadair, Sperry General Electric Co. reported from Renfrew and will assumed their duties here with the Wing HQ. Gaumont finishes film. Long version to be sent to Canada, short version to be shown in England. Copy of this film to be obtained for historical Record of No. 1 Fighter Wing. 13 December, 1951 A dense fog has settled all over England, Wales and part of Scotland. All commercial and military flying has ceased until more favourable weather conditions exist. No flying commitments undertaken at North Luffenham. Mr W Matheson & Caswell, civil representatives of Canadair Ltd Montreal reported here from Renfrew Scotland where they were engaged in assisting with the reactivating of 410 (F) Sqn aircraft. Those who could be spared were permitted to visit the Root Group Ltd firm in Coventry, who are manufacturers of automobiles. This proved very interesting and all in the group had an excellent time.Canadian Press and Southern Press correspondents arrive with F/L Marshall to make tour of Station. 14 December, 1951 Fog is still heavy and no flying can be undertaken. At each morning briefing, all section heads meet with the flying personnel and present any problems they have. This is very good as in this group, any important announcements can be made. OC and COpsO are always present and outline any specific matters they have. An officer is appointed daily to act as caravan officer with GCA operator on the runway. He has been instructed to report on all aircraft landings and any which are below standard, the pilot will be advised accordingly. All RCAF activities at Renfrew have been officially concluded. F/L Freeman GCA specialist gave a brief resume of GCA facilities as they existed at this unit. Press agents finish tour of Station. 15 December, 1951 No work 16 December, 1951 No work 17 December, 1951 BBC Staff members arrive to make preliminary tour of Station with view of broadcasting a programme at a later date. 18 December, 1951 BBC representatives finish tour of Station. 19 December, 1951 Childrens Concert held in the Edith Weston School. CBC record programme for broadcasting to Canada. 20 December, 1951 Christmas Tree Party for RCAF children and all district children. Presents given by Santa Claus to all children. Recordings made by CBC for transmission to Canada. 21 December, 1951 Five day Christmas Leave period commences after work. Section Christmas Parties held in afternoon. 22 December, 1951 No work. Post Office open for distribution of mail. 23 December, 1951 No work. Post Office open for distribution of mail. 24 December, 1951 Every effort made to distribute last minute mail. 25 December, 1951 Christmas Day Routine. 1000 to 1100 hrs. Senior NCO's visit Officers Mess, 1100 to 1200 hrs. Officers visit Senior NCO's Mess 1200 to 1400 hrs. NCO's served dinner to airmen. Very enjoyable and successful day. 26 December, 1951 Routine. 27 December, 1951 Routine. Personnel return from Christmas Leave period 0800 hrs. 28 December, 1951 Routine. 29 December, 1951 No work. 30 December, 1951 No work 31 December, 1951 Routine. Airmens New Year Eve Dance, held in NAAFI building. Officers New Years Eve Dance held in Officer Mess. Live broadcast to Canada made by BBC at 2355 hours from Officers Mess.