Holberg, BC

1954 – Historical Record – National Archives of Canada


Historical Record
501 AW Squadron, Holberg BC
Period 1 Jun 54 to 30 Nov 54

1 Jun 54

Captain N Carmichael (RCDC – Comox) continued with dental work at the unit. Corporals RA Nichol and RL MacNeil – FtrCops from 2455 AC&W Squadron, Victoria, arrived on TD.

2 Jun 54

Captain Carmichael departed for Station Comox on completion of dental duties at the unit.

3 Jun 54

Sgt. S Faber – ClkAcc arrived from 52 AC&W Squadron Tofino to carry out accounting duties at the Unit.

4 Jun 54

Work on the sports field continued today in an effort to get it into first class shape for future ball games and other sports events.

5 Jun 54

LAC J Michaud departed for 12 Group HQ Vancouver BC on completion of teletype duties at the unit.

6 Jun 54

Sunday routine.

7 Jun 54

LAC RB Russell, TTOp, arrived on posting from 12 AD Group HQ, Vancouver, BC.

8 Jun 54

LAC JW Pym, FtrCop, arrived on TD from 10 GObC Detachment Vancouver for familiarization duties. MV535 "Nimpkish" departed for Vancouver this am for semi-annual inspection.

9 Jun 54

Work continued today on our station grocery store and it should be in operation in the near future.

10 Jun 54

Sgt. W Hetman and LAC JC Pye, MBC’s, arrived this date with MV 810 A/C Tender to replace MV 535 "Nimpkish" which is now in Vancouver for semi-annual inspection. SS Chilkoot arrived this date bringing in Unit rations and other supplies.

11 Jun 54

Cpls. RA Nicol and RL MacNeil, FtrCops from 2455 AC&W Squadron, Victoria, departed for parent unit on completion of familiarization duties. Sgt. S Faber, ClkAcc from 51 AC&W Squadron Tofino, departed for parent unit on completion of duties at this unit.

12 – 13 Jun 54

Weekend routine.

14 Jun 54

AC2 GAJ Pert, RdrPC(G), arrived on posting from 1 R&CS Clinton, Ontario. Weather remains very cool and wet for this time of year.

15 Jun 54

S/L WA Collis (Accounts – Station Comox) and F/L JJ Schlosser (Account – 12 AD Group HQ) arrived at 1730 hours this date for MI Audit and cash count.

16 Jun 54

MI Audit continued today. Weather remains very cool with heavy rains.

17 Jun 54

S/L WA Collis and F/L JJ Schlosser departed for Vancouver on completion of MI Audit. Trade examination this date – 25 candidates.

18 Jun 54

Cpl. JG Hounosme, RdrTech(G), arrived on posting from 33 AC&W Squadron Falconbridge. AC2 JW Cousineau, CD, arrived on posting from 2 TTS Camp Bordon. Station softball team departed for Vancouver by Canso aircraft to compete against Station Sea Island team.

19 Jun 54

Softball games called off due to rain. Weekend routine.

20 Jun 54

Softball team returned by Canso aircraft from Vancouver this afternoon. Lost one game to Sea Island 10-9. Better luck next trip. Commanding Officer – F/L RFM Walker departed for 12 AD Group on TD. Sgt. JM Cote, MedA, arrived on posting from Station Lachine Quebec. Weather remains cools with heavy rains.

21 Jun 54

W/C FH Nichols (AFHQ), S/L HA Lutes (AFHQ) and F/O A Robinson (ADCHQ) arrived this evening to complete an accommodation survey.

22 Jun 54

Accommodation survey party departed this afternoon for Vancouver. F/L Walker returned from TD in Vancouver. Weather remains bad with continuous rain.

23 Jun 54

Party of 14 CMU personnel arrived this afternoon to begin construction of the transmitter site. F/L P Frechette, Chaplain (RC), from Station Comox arrived to conduct religious services at the unit. No rain today, however, weather remains cloudy and cool.

24 Jun 54

F/L P Frechette, Chaplain (RC), departed for Station Comox after conducting religious services. Work has commenced on the construction of the transmitter station.

25 Jun 54

Cpl. HE Piper – Cook – reported on TD from 52 AC&W Squadron, Tofino, to relieve Cpl. Sawchuk presently on TD at Station Trenton. Weather remains bad with heavy rains.

26 – 27 Jun 54

Weekend routine.

28 Jun 54

Work on the transmitter building site continued today in spite of heavy rain.

29 Jun 54

Work continues on the Station Grocery Store.

30 Jun 54

Sgt. Clarke of 2 CMU Calgary departed for parent unit on completion of surveying of transmitter building site.

1 Jul 54

Statutory Holiday. American party of seven personnel departed today on completion of evaluation work at this unit.

2 Jul 54

Holberg village held their sports day this afternoon. Personnel of this unit were invited to attend.

3 – 4 Jul 54

Weekend routine.

5 Jul 54

Unit grocery store began operation today. Canso arrived bringing in fresh vegetables.

6 Jul 54

Station cleanup continued this afternoon in preparation for the Group Commander’s visit.

7 Jul 54

P/O GF Barker, Radiographer, arrived on TD from AFHQ to check unit x-ray machines.

8 Jul 54

Work on the transmitter site continued today.

9 Jul 54

F/O’s Fenwick and Palmer, AS/FtrC’s, arrived on TD from 5 ADCC on TD for controller duties. First RCAF dependent (Mrs. G Farquhar) was transported by service aircraft this date from Holberg to Vancouver, inaugurating a new policy whereby dependents can utilize service aircraft on a space available basis.

10 Jul 54

Work continues on transmitter site despite heavy rain.

11 Jul 54

Sunday routine.

12 Jul 54

Station Grocery Store officially opened today with Sgt. J Bonise, RCASC, in charge. P/O WE Hyde (Accounts) arrived from Station Sea Island to take over SAO duties during the absence on F/L Stephens on leave.

13 Jul 54

Baby boy born to FS and Mrs. H Gascoyne in the Station Hospital.

14 Jul 54

Clearing of the transmitter building site almost completed in spite of adverse weather.

15 Jul 54

Rifle drill continued today for honour guard. Considerable improvement being noted.

16 Jul 54

Weather clear and cool.

17 – 18 Jul 54

Weekend routine.

19 Jul 54

AC1 JE LaVigne, SFA, arrived on posting from 2 TTS Camp Borden, Ontario.

20 Jul 54

Heavy torrent of rain today.

21 Jul 54

Station cleanup continues with great zest.

22 Jul 54

Chilkoot arrived bringing supplies and rations.

23 Jul 54

F/O McGuirl, Supply Officer, proceeded on TD to DDP Victoria.

24 – 25 Jul 54

Weekend routine.

26 Jul 54

F/O McGuirl returns to unit on cessation of TD.

27 Jul 54

Heavy gale today, knocking clothes dryers in PMQ area all over camp.

28 Jul 54

AC1 EJ Papineau, FtrCop, posted here from 1 R&CS Clinton Ontario.

29 Jul 54

Weather fair and clear.

30 Jul 54

F/O JE Isaac arrived this station on posting from 5 ADCC Vancouver to take over duties of Adjutant and Administration Officer.

31 Jul – 1 Aug 54

Weekend routine.

2 Aug 54

Work continues at Transmitter Site.

3 Aug 54

Holberg Village gives dance inviting the unit. A gala affair.

4 Aug 54

Cpl. KE Barry posted to Station Comox.

5 Aug 54

Chilkoot arrives bringing supplies, rations and two automatic clothes dryers for Airmen’s barracks.

6 Aug 54

Today was one of the hottest days in Holberg’s history.

7 – 8 Aug 54

Weekend routine.

9 Aug 54

F/L Stephens departs this unit on TD to 12 Group for financial duties.

10 Aug 54

LAC G Chartrand arrived on posting from Station Sea Island.

11 Aug 54

AC1 GL Klix, FtrCop, arrives on posting from 1 R&CS Clinton Ontario.

12 Aug 54

Chilkoot arrives with supplies, rations and a small amount of furniture for PMQs.

13 Aug 54

AC1 NF Ling, FtrCop, arrives on posting from 1 R&CS Clinton Ontario.

14 – 15 Aug 54

Weekend routine.

16 Aug 54

Flight Sergeant H Gascoyne transferred to 6 RD Trenton Ontario.

17 Aug 54

F/L Stephens returned to unit on cessation of TD.

18 Aug 54

AC1 RC Harry, Cook, posted from 52 AC&W Squadron Tofino BC.

19 Aug 54

Chilkoot arrives bringing supplies and rations.

20 Aug 54

LAC G Hawresh arrives on posting from Station Chatham, NB.

21 – 22 Aug 54

Weekend routine.

23 Aug 54

LAC RAE Hamilton, SFA, posted here from Station Sea Island.

24 Aug 54

Weather warm and sunny.

25 Aug 54

Work on Transmitter Site nearing completion.

26 Aug 54

Chilkoot arrives today bringing in rations and supplies.

27 Aug 54

Flight Sergeant TK Hogan, METech, arrives on posting from 1 SD Downsview Ontario.

28 – 29 Aug 54

Weekend routine.

30 Aug 54

AC1 RG Greer, Cook, arrives on posting from Station Trenton Ontario.

31 Aug 54

Honour Guard trained again today in anticipation for Group Commander’s visit.

1 Sep 54

LAC’s Grant, Kennedy and Murphy (FtrCop’s) arrived on posting from 1 R&CS Clinton Ontario.

2 Sep 54

Chilkoot arrived today bringing in rations and supplies.

3 Sep 54

LAC JA DesPins proceeds on TD to 12 Group Vancouver for Teletype Instrument course.

4 – 5 Sep 54

Weekend routine.

6 Sep 54

LAC JG DesRoches proceeds on TD to School of Aviation Medicine, Toronto, Ontario for ClekTyp(Med) Course.

7 Sep 54

AC1 GL Shufflebotham and Cpl. JG Hounsome proceed on TD to RCAF Detachment Ste. Marie Quebec for inclusion on RdrTech Electronic Course.

8 Sep 54

Service aircraft unable to land here due to heavy rain.

9 Sep 54

Chilkoot arrived today with rations and supplies. Unloading held up for four hours due to unsatisfactory condition of loading cranes.

10 Sep 54

LAC F Wilkins, METech, arrived on posting from Station Comox.

11 – 12 Sep 54

Weekend routine.

13 Sep 54

AC2 M Lindhorst, PPOp, arrived on posting from 2 MD Station St. John’s Quebec.

14 Sep 54

General cleanup continues. Weather is warm.

15 Sep 54

LAC JA DesPins returns from TD in Vancouver.

16 Sep 54

Chilkoot arrived today. Very easy load.

17 Sep 54

LAC RE Robertson, METech, arrived on posting from Station Comox BC.

18 – 19 Sep 54

Weekend routine.

20 Sep 54

Station Theatre (in Rec. Hall) reconditioned eliminating excessive sound and allowing for bigger screen.

21 Sep 54

LAC WB Cliffe, GD, arrives on TD from Station Comox.

22 Sep 54

F/L P Frechette, Chaplain (RC), arrived on TD from Station Comox for religious services.

23 Sep 54

Chilkoot arrived today bringing in rations and supplies.

24 Sep 54

F/O JB Lucas arrived on TD from AFHQ for the purpose of Road Inspection.

25 – 26 Sep 54

Weekend routine.

27 Sep 54

F/L P Frechette and F/O JB Lucas return to parent units on cessation of TD.

28 Sep 54

A/C Orr, W/C McCallum, S/L Wallace and F/O McRae (all 12 Group) arrive on TD for Group Commander’s visit.

29 Sep 54

A/C Orr, W/C McCallum, S/L Wallace and F/O McRae return to parent unit on cessation of TD.

30 Sep 54

Chilkoot arrived today bringing in supplies, rations and a small amount of barrack furniture.

1 Oct 54

Liaison of Current Affairs consisting of 8 officers arrived and departed the same day.

2 – 3 Oct 54

Weekend routine.

4 Oct 54

Sgt. GE Hibberson arrived on posting from Station Comox.

5 Oct 54

Cpl. RE Sproule, PPOp, posted to Station Comox.

6 Oct 54

Sgt. RN Bennettes, ClkEngr, arrived on TD from Station Comox for CE Cost Accounting.

7 Oct 54

Chilkoot unable to arrive until late at night due to weather conditions.

8 Oct 54

Weather clear and cool today.

9 – 10 Oct 54

Weekend routine.

11 Oct 54

Cpl. Appel, LAC Cox and LAC Friessen proceeded on TD to Sea Island for inclusion in Ground Defence Course.

12 Oct 54

Sgt. Porier and Flight Sergeant Hogan proceeded on TD to Vancouver for the purpose of purchasing ME spares.

13 Oct 54

Cpl. Hounsome and AC1 Shufflebotham return from TD at RCAF Detachment Ste. Marie, Quebec.

14 Oct 54

Chilkoot arrived today at 0730, the earliest it has ever.

15 Oct 54

LAC DesRoches returns from ClkTyp Medical Course at School of Aviation Medicine, Toronto, Ontario.

16 – 17 Oct 54

Weekend routine.

18 Oct 54

Cpl. Appel, LAC Cox and LAC Friesen return from TD at Station Sea Island, BC.

19 Oct 54

Canso arrived today bringing in fresh milk for Mess Hall and groceries for dependents.

20 Oct 54

Sgt. WG Metcalfe arrived on posting from Station Edmonton, Alberta.

21 Oct 54

AC1 NW Nixon, GD, posted from this station to Station Comox, BC.

22 Oct 54

Cpl. Murphy, Refrigerator Tech, and Cpl. F Dodsworth, StnryEngr, arrived on TD from Vancouver.

23 – 24 Oct 54

Weekend routine.

25 Oct 54

LAC BA Friesen, PPOp, posted to AFHQ/DCED, Ottawa, Ontario.

26 Oct 54

Postings are really starting to come in now. LAC RD Turnbull, Stwd, posted to Station Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.

27 Oct 54

LAC DR Elmore posted to 2455 AC&W Auxiliary Support Squadron, Victoria, BC.

28 Oct 54

LAC OB Armstrong, FtrCop, posted to 1 GObC Detachment, Vancouver, BC.

29 Oct 54

LAC DA Mill, FtrCop, posted here from Station Sea Island. Former Navy man.

30 – 31 Oct 54

Weekend routine.

1 Nov 54

Weather remains good for this time of year. Clear skies with heavy morning fog. Canso unable to land in Holberg Inlet. Eleven Peterson Electric Company personnel departed today on completion of telephone installation on the unit.

2 Nov 54

Interior work on Administrative Building continues. Painting being done today.

3 Nov 54

Cpl. AR Buss, OpMME arrived on TD from Sea Island to carry out winterization of vehicles.

4 Nov 54

Scheduled aircraft did not arrive today due to bad weather. MV "Nimpkish" proceeded to Port Alice with civilian employees requiring x-rays.

5 Nov 54

Work on Admin Building continues. Painting should be completed very shortly.

6 Nov 54

WO2 MH Rose reported to carry out inspection of messing facilities at this unit. Station dance held in the ME Section tonight. 21 Airwomen arrived from 5 ADCC to take part.

7 Nov 54

Sunday routine.

8 Nov 54

Painting of interior of Administrative Building continues. Should be completed this month.

9 Nov 54

Sgt. LJ Mottershead departed for AFHQ for 5 day course in connection with Identification.

10 Nov 54

WO2 Rose departed for parent unit on completion of messing liaison visit at this station.

11 Nov 54

Remembrance Day.

12 Nov 54

Cpl. GM Hynes, Cook, arrived from Station Vancouver to be in charge of Combined Mess during absence of Cpl. Cannings on annual leave.

13 – 14 Nov 54

Weekend routine. Heavy rain both days.

15 Nov 54

Painting of interior of Admin Building completed this date. F/O Sinclair and FS B Tester arrived on TD from ADCHQ Station St. Hubert Quebec to carry out fire inspection of the unit.

16 Nov 54

Winds of gale proportions today. CPA delayed due to weather.

17 Nov 54

Weather clearing today.

18 Nov 54

LAC BG Petre, TgTech, arrived on TD from Station Lincoln Park for telecom maintenance work.

19 Nov 54

Gales today with heavy rain.

20 – 21 Nov 54

Weekend routine.

22 Nov 54

Trade Advancement began in earnest today.

23 Nov 54

F/L P Frechette, Chaplain (RC), arrived on TD from Station Comox. F/O JP Niven and WO2 DH Wait and FS WJ Carlson arrived on TD from 12 Group to carry out ME and Marine inspections of the unit.

24 Nov 54

F/L P Frechette conducted religious service in the Station school this afternoon.

25 Nov 54

F/L Frechette departed for parent unit on completion of religious duties at the unit. F/O Niven and FS Carlson departed for parent unit on completion of ME and Marine inspection at the unit. F/L Schlosser, SOAF, 12 Group, arrived to carry out audit at the unit. F/O RE Laird arrived from 5 ADCC Vancouver for Internal Briefing.

26 Nov 54

F/L Schlosser and F/O Laird departed for parent units on cessation of TD here.

27 – 28 Nov 54

Weekend routine.

29 Nov 54

Organization of festive season activities now underway. Weather good today.

30 Nov 54

Sched run (Canso) did not arrive due to bad weather.

Signed by:
(RH Anderson) F/L
CO, 501 AW Squadron, Holberg BC