Parent, QC

The initial growth of the station continued to impose a heavy load on the ME Section. Demands for passenger carrying and freight taxed the available equipment and manpower to the utmost. The ME Staff met this challenge by working extremely long hours, and relief eventually came in the form of increased equipment and manpower. During the period of this report one 3 - ton 4 x 4 truck was written off in an accident on the EB Eddy road.

There had been an increase in the number of people on crew, and an ambitious training program for Fighter Cop personnel was beginning to bear fruit.

Instances of control of aircraft by Parent are still rare, although the request for surveillance of aircraft passing through the squadrons sub-sector have increased.

The synthetic trainer has proved to be invaluable to both controller and operator personnel. The former especially find it valuable in view of the dearth of "live" fighter tracks in this rugged part of Quebec.

It is anticipated that the unit will have an increased operational status in the coming year.

Weather - General - Commenting on the weather for the period of this report; a cool summer with above average rainfall was experienced. This had one very good feature in that there was a marked absence of forest fires. The first traces of snow appeared on 25 Oct. Parent had the dubious honor of 27 Aug 54, of making the front page of the Montreal "Star" because of unseasonable cold weather. The low was 34 degrees. A clipping of the news item is attached as an appendix. Referring back to a previous narrative, the trout, which had been stocked in Lower Lake, gave indication of having adapted themselves to their new surroundings. During the "fly" season the young rainbows were seen jumping and splashing in all parts of the lake, and on a summer evening one could watch them with interest rising for flies.

Scout Camp - Shortly after the commencement of the school holidays in June, the station Boy Scout troop held a summer camp on the river north of Parent. The camp was organized and conducted by the Scoutmaster, LAC F Toth, together with his able assistants. This venture was a marked success.

Lower Lake - During the summer the station received two aluminum outboard motor boats together with 10 HP engines and accessories. These boats were kept on Lower Lake for fire fighting purposes. A very attractive dock was constructed to accommodate them.

VHF Channels Operational - Close liaison between F/L Greig, CTechO, and F/O RS Park, SCommO, and CGE civilian technicians headed by Mr. R Bishop resulted in all 15 VHF channels

Bush Rescue - The Spring and Early summer of 1954 re-awakened a lively interest in outdoor life, and trout fishing in the numerous lakes and streams was the center of interest. On 5 Jun, the danger of fishermen becoming lost in the bush, which had been entertained as a fear in the previous year, became a reality. Sgt. JAM Labonte, who was a member of the advance party in 1953, became lost in the bush while on a fishing expedition in a party of six. An account of his experiences is attached as an appendix to the narrative. Fortunately, the episode ended on a happy note, and although it did serve as a lesson, it did not dampen the interest in the sport. A copy of a station bulletin issued in April 1954, in anticipation of such an occurrence is also attached as an appendix.

Intercept on Unknown Aircraft - June’s fine weather assisted by a light operational forecast indicated that an uneventful period lay ahead. This feeling of tranquility was dispelled at 1415Z when a track UE3A, was identified as "Unknown". Two of a flight of four aircraft enroute to Parent were diverted towards this "Unknown" by F/O Short, Duty Controller, for positive identification. The aircraft proved to be an Otter, CFOOH.

Increased Vigilance - At 1500Z on the same day as the above mentioned intercept #1 ADCC called a request that Parent "Maintain Extreme Vigilance till 1900Z. Full effort. North Eastern Air Command has something. If not Air Force Day a state of national readiness would be declared". This cryptic message with its emphasis on extreme vigilance was not rescinded until 1945Z.

Modification of Search Equipment - Although gratifying results were being attained on FPS-3 search gear, modification of the equipment by the addition of a Duplexer was awaited with some anticipation. On 14 Jun 14 AC&W Squadron ceased operating pending completion of the previously mentioned modification. Permission was received from 1 ADCC to go on a Released State until 2359Z 20 June. Due to the industry of Messrs. CW McCann, F Chinard, G Gariepy and F Smith, all Northern Electric employees, radar watch was reestablished at 1220Z 18 June. There was a marked increase in operational range. Where 230 mile range on a target had formerly been the cause of close scrutiny to check the accuracy of the plotted position, this range became a freely accepted figure. Indeed, the instance of sightings at 300 miles became too numerous for comment. After resuming operations with benefit of the Duplexer, the equipment proved to be extremely sensitive to internal interference. A rough motor or sudden fluctuation in power was sufficient to place indications of jamming on the radar scope. Familiarity with the modified equipment eventually eliminated the spurious reports of electronic countermeasures so prevalent in the first few days of operating with the new fitment.

Commendation for Heroism - A near drowning tragedy occurred in Lower Lake when LAC HE Carter, a non-swimmer, ventured out in a canoe. As almost invariably happens the canoe upset and Carter was rescued as he went down for the last time by Sgt. JD Richardson, the SWO. Subsequently, the AOC authorized a commendation to be entered in Sgt. Richardson’s conduct sheet for his heroism.

Death of Sgt. Henry Charest - The station was saddened by the first death to occur to station personnel. On 28 June, Sgt. Harry Charest, a member of the RCASC and stationed here as Ration Clerk, died suddenly of a heart attack. Sgt. Charest was very well liked for his cheerful personality and eagerness to do constructive things for the station. His passing was a distinct loss to the station.

Visit of 2424 Auxiliary Squadron - 2424 Auxiliary Squadron personnel under the command of S/L Wilson arrived fully prepared to tackle the entire Faker force scheduled to attack Eastern Canada "sometime in July". The Hamilton personnel spent the week-end investigating the entertainment available at RCAF Station Parent before settling down to the training programme scheduled to commence on Monday, 05 July. Reserve personnel were divided into six crews of five, all crews attending a short streamlined course on fighter controlling and ancillary trades, prior to being fitted into the operational picture along side regular force personnel when Checkpoint commenced. The Hamilton Reserve personnel proved to be industrious, eager to learn and an exceedingly pleasant group. When they departed it was to the sound of sincere invites to "Come again next year".

Exercise Check Point Commencement - Faker’s first hostile act locally was to direct condition four jamming against Parent’s radar equipment at 0733Z. This operational information was passed to 1 ADCC who ordered all units within the Sector to the highest operational state at 0855Z.

Check Point - Fighter Handovers - Of 13 handovers of fighter aircraft by other AC&W Squadrons, 2 were caused by a pictorial error at 1 ADCC. Of the remaining 11, 3 resulted in Tally-Ho’s, 4 were missed intercepts, and 4 controlled aircraft were placed on Combat air patrol as a defensive measure.

Check Point - General Criticism - Exercise Check Point proved to be a test with which personnel couldn’t quite cope due to lack of experience and insufficient trained personnel. This situation existed despite the enthusiastic assistance provided by Reserve personnel. A GCI crew with 65% of that minimum number required for efficient operations and a large part of that percentage with very little experience, was not capable of the efficient teamwork necessary to establish a bulwark against a sudden attack.

Check Point - Specific Faults - Lack of speed synonymous with inexperience and the inability to keep an up-to-date air picture on the plotting table were the main deficiencies. When one considers that the daily number of plots increased from 300 to 1000 it is realized that this question of speed was the crux of the whole problem during Exercise Check Point.

Check Point - Summation - Morale - For three days operations personnel had been subject to unaccustomed strain and high pressure work. Although the result of their labour was not successful in the extreme the effort was laudable. A challenge had been met and the consensus of opinion was that a few more trained people would also have made the exercise a tactical success.

Height Finder - Due to a lack of spares the ISG-98 Height Finding equipment had been of limited operational value for some months. Specifically #2 equipment being inoperative caused a blind arc in the sky, within which it was impossible to read heights on aircraft. To cover this blind area and to act as back-up height-finder equipment, TPS-501 radar was installed prior to Check Point. The equipment became operational at 2030Z 10 July, but due to unfamiliarity and technical difficulties, results were somewhat disappointing. Time has proved the TPS-501 to be a very effective instrument in the hands of an efficient operator.

Another Visit by Water Fowl - Another strange visit to the station by water fowl occurred when a duck, made its appearance inside the CO’s PMQ via the fireplace chimney. After spreading dust and ashes about the house the airborne visitor took leave by the front door. Owing to repercussions in the national press following an item in a previous historical narrative concerning a mysterious visit by migratory geese to the station, conjecture as to the motivation for the duck’s odd entry to the CO’s house will not be made.

Controller Training Recommences - There was a general feeling of well-being among untrained controllers, when F/O Tjeltveit, the oldest-operationally-untrained controller on the unit was sent to Tyndall Florida on the Fighter Controllers course. No less happy were the trained controllers on whose shoulders had rested the operational responsibility.

Anti-Aircraft Artillery Course - F/O Ramsay and Richardson left Parent for a two week course with the Army at Picton. This course, beside succeeding in its primary objective of making controllers more familiar with the capabilities and limitations of AAA, also assisted in cementing relations between two of the three components of Air Defence Command.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Aircraft - A break in the normal operational routine and a piercing of the veil of anonymity normally shrouding air traffic was achieved with the identification of track number VA2A, initially plotted in Parent’s sub-sector, as HRH the Duke of Edinburgh’s aircraft enroute from Churchill to Quebec City.

Unidentified Airborne Object - F/L Short and LAC Slade, whilst making an early morning weather check, saw what was described by one witness as a "capsule shaped copper coloured object". The object was said to have hung motionless over the domestic site for approximately three or four minutes. A full report was submitted by the SIO to Command Intelligence who have maintained what one source of disapprobation referred to as "a discrete silence".

Water Sports - An Aquakhana was held using the facilities provided by the beach which had been constructed on the shore of Lower Lake in the Spring. This event was featured by swimming races, water skiing and novelty events such as :greasy pole", water "tug-of-war", etc. In conjunction with this event a group of personnel from Station Senneterre visited the Station to compete in Bowling, Softball and Basketball. The Parent teams were victorious in Bowling and Softball and Senneterre took the honors in Basketball. Also on the programme a girl’s Softball team from the town of Parent played the Station Airwomen; the game was won by the Airwomen. A copy of the day’s programme is attached as an appendix. The various companies supplying merchandise for NPF outlets donated trophies for station sports competition. Also, the CO’s of Station Parent and Station Senneterre presented cups for inter-station competition in bowling and softball competition. As a result the station has acquired a nice array of trophies, which are displayed in the Rec. Hall, and which serve to stimulate station sports activities.

Solar Jamming - In an earlier paragraph it was mentioned that modification of the equipment and subsequent extreme sensitivity of the receiver was the cause of frequent false ECM reports. On the credit side of the ledger must be mentioned that there was also an increase in vigilance in an endeavour to separate the bona fide jamming from internal "noise". This increased watchfulness was rewarded by observation of a weak condition 1 jamming, each morning and evening. This was eventually associated with sunset and sunrise and a series of bearings of the sun by hand compass confirmed these suspicions. On the following day (27^th Aug 54) another series of bearings were taken and an alteration of frequency executed. The results of these tests were forwarded to Sector who have requested that further tests be carried out and results passed to them for information and action.

Commanding Officer’s Leave Approved by NCO - The original member of the Station, FS RJ Poole, left on transfer to Station Edgar. The departure of "the original" brings to mind a celebrated telegram which he sent shortly after arriving at Parent. The humor of this message is worth recounting for the record and the circumstances are as follows: CJS Washington wired a request for leave for W/C Underhill, the CO designate. As Poole, then a Sgt., was the only RCAF member at the location he wired back, "Leave granted signed Sgt. Poole". To his undying credit is the fact that he did not wire "Leave not granted".

Operations General - The unit maintained its normal EW role with nothing of special significance to note. F/O’s Robb, Barraud and Mesure reported to Tyndall for the Fighter Controllers course, whilst F/O Tjeltveit returned from that course to take his place as a trained controller. It was anticipated that all u/t controllers on the unit would have completed the course by December.

Sports and Hobbies - Commencing in August a number of station projects in the NPF field were initiated. A trap shooting range was built and equipped, together with a 25 yard rifle range and a pistol range. These additions provided many hours of practice and enjoyment to devotees of this sport. Work was commenced on a permanent rink. This consisted of clearing a selected site between the single quarters and the maintenance compound. A log cabin was built as a dressing room for the rink and overhead lighting was installed for night games. Erection of the rink project was under the supervision of Sgt. KT Rourke, NCO i/c SP, and the fine job is reflected by the enjoyment provided during the present winter. Work was also commenced on a ski tow and at the same time of this narrative this project is nearing completion. Another facility, which was completed in the Fall, was an outside barbecue, which was built by the CO, CAdO and SWO. This barbecue is located in the shore of Lower Lake and is an aid for summer recreation. Also, during the summer, a tiny tots playground was built by the combined efforts of the Ladies Auxiliary, Officers and Sgts. Messes and the SWO’s Section. Another project was the building of a toboggan slide. This slide together with a children’s rink has provided a healthy outlet for the energies of the younger generation.

Work has started on renovation of an old contractor’s building for use as a hobby shop. However, this renovation is not yet completed. Finally, the station theatre was equipped with conventional stage drapes and curtains; this improvement has increased the utilization and patronage 100%. The Officers Mess and the Sergeants Mess built fireplaces in their respective mess lounges. The fireplaces overcame a great deal of the barren appearance of these messes inherent from their design. The fireplace in the Officers Mess was further enhanced by a well balanced set of moose antlers presented by F/O DS Berube. The antlers were from a moose which had been shot south of the station by F/O Berube during the hunting season. Also, during the late summer the ball diamond was improved by addition of soil and fertilizer and seeding with clover. If this seeding is successful the ball diamond will be the only grass plot on the station.

Transfers - The month of September witnessed a number of transfers out of historical significance. In addition to FS Poole, who has been mentioned earlier, F/O PR Spurr, the SSO, was transferred to Sea Island. LAC W Slade and Cpl. D Johnstone, two other "originals", were transferred to Station Edgar and Station Ste. Marie, respectively; and F/O R Westwood, the Adjutant, was transferred to CJATC Rivers. F/O Spurr was replaced by F/O CW Hines, and F/O Westwood was replaced by P/O TP Harris.

Squadron Crest - The proposed squadron crest referred to in a previous historical narrative was returned by AFHQ with suggested alterations, as the motto was already being borne on the insignia of a flying squadron. The crest under discussion shows an off-set radar grid superimposed by the Plough Constellation. The new motto, provided by Rev. Father JM Houle, an Oblate missionary at Sanmaur, Quebec, is "WEYMM-TA-CHU-IG" an Indian name meaning "high mountain from which one sees afar". This motto refers to the mountain on which the Operations building is constructed. Being the highest eminence in the general area it was used in the distant past by the native tribes as a lookout point to watch for invasion by the Iroquois. The latter used the Gatineau River as their invasion route of this Algonquin territory. The word "WEY-TA-CHU-IG" is from the Cree dialect. As a matter of interest the headwaters of the Gatineau River rise in the Parent area. Another item of interest in the historical background of this area is revealed in Costain’s recent book, "The White and the Gold". This book indicates that the first white men in what is now the Parent area, were the famous fur traders, Radisson and Grosseliers. It is told that they made their way to the Gatineau by ascending the St. Maurice River and portaging to the Gatineau. The natural portage route between these great rivers leads through Mauser Lake, on the adjacent shores of which lake the town of Parent and this station are located.

Throughout the Fall season the Station Entertainment Committee introduced a bi-monthly programme of station dances with station bingo parties on the alternate weeks. In addition outside orchestra were imported on a number of occasions to intersperse station dances with live bands. These entertainment activities together with the sports programme, left little time for idleness on the part of those with the incentive to entertain themselves. Another facility in this field was the re-location of the library in one of the single quarters. The station library has been a gratifying success through the efforts of an able and active committee headed by F/L GL Dumais and WO2 RH Steele. The messes and station fund make monthly sustaining grants towards the library. This money has been well spent with the result that the station has an excellent library well stocked with good reading material. The library was given a further assist by a free issue of books from AFHQ. Incorporated in the library is a record library which contains selections of dance, semi-classical and classical recordings. The record library is also sustained financially in the same manner as the fiction library. The record library was the suggestion of WO2 M Hill, president of the Entertainment Committee. It provides a pool of recorded music in place of each mess and institute duplicating effort by buying their own.

NPF Outlets - The station Snack Bar was taken over by Station Fund from the concessionaire. This institute in the succeeding months has become the most successful venture on which station fund has embarked. The success of the Snack Bar is due to a major extent to the work of Mr. JJ Dwyer, the manager. This man’s untiring efforts and scrupulous honesty have made him a sort of "institution" on the station. Anything which is entrusted to him is done well and reliably. In November the station fund opened a Gift Shop in the lobby of the Snack Bar. Through local improvisation and a generous gift of show cases from the Robert Simpson Company of Montreal, this institute has become a miniature shopping centre for the station. The combination of Gift Shop and Snack Bar has become the radiating center of activity on the station. Added to this is the adjoining Post Office Department. The isolated location of the station has proven the need for a regular post office and the volume of business in mail and savings accounts makes this a busy enterprise.

Visitors from AFHQ and Command - On 20 Sep, W/C M ST C Clark, Messing, S/L WAR Barry, TOEB from AFHQ, and S/L L McKergow from ADC, and a Mr. Hartwick from the establishment branch at AFHQ, visited the station to do an evaluation on messing establishments. Concurrently S/L SI Evans and W/C WM Taylor, women officers from AFHQ, visited on a radar station familiarization tour. Also, in this period G/C RH Bray and G/C DA Willis, STSO and SPSO, respectively, visited the station on annual inspection.

Construction and Demolition - Throughout the summer a crew of workmen under contract with CGE erected the antennae farms for the Receiver building and Transmitter buildings. During the summer, also, the majority of the contractors camp was disposed of by CMHC, and the bulk of the temporary buildings were torn down. Subsequent to demolition of the construction camp buildings, the CE Section relocated the entry road to the station from the EB Eddy road and erected a new, but temporary, guard house. An Armco building (metal prefab) belonging to the RCAF was dismantled in the construction camp area and moved into storage by the CE Section. Two other major jobs carried out by CE were gravel fill placed on the water line to the Ops building, and road repairs. Two bad spots on the connecting road to Parent were improved by culverts and fill.

Synthetic Trainer - An increase in efficiency was anticipated with the arrival of a synthetic trainer on the unit and it becoming operational on this date. Practice intercepts are carried out on every shift with a resultant improvement in R/T and intercept procedures.

Hurricane Hazel - The night of 15 October found the fringes of Hurricane Hazel attempting to duplicate the damage perpetrated by the eye of the storm farther south. The anemometer which automatically controls the pressure inside the radar "balloons" was unable to cope with the wind strength and changes in direction. The result was that the balloon pressure was set manually to resist winds up to 85 MPH. The storm was useful, however, in maintaining Nature’s balance as it leveled many of the dead birch and spruce trees in the surrounding forests. These trees had died through raising the mean temperature in the case of birch, and through the ravages of the bud worm in the case of the spruce.

Last U/T Controller - This date found the last of the u/t controllers, F/O Richardson, Tyndall Air Force Base bound. This reduced the number of controllers on the unit to 8.

Visit of Sector Commander - W/C McNair and S/L Tew from Sector visited Operations during an ECM exercise. It was observed and remarked upon by W/C McNair that having only one landline seriously affected the operational capability of 14 AC&W Squadron. Back-up ground-to-ground communication equipment consisted of an HF link comprising three channels. Strong interference from civilian stations, notably New York Marine, made this an unsubstantial "emergency only" operational link with Sector Command. October grew to a close with no further facts of operational interest to record.

SAC Overfly and Operational Exercise - November was an active month operationally, besides normal day to day routine, exercises planned for this month were Dry Run and Think Fast. The latter exercise was a penetration of 1 and 2 Sector ending with the synthetic bombing of Chicago and Detroit. Canadian stations were advised of flight plan information, making the exercise primarily a test of USAF radars. Aircraft in use were B-29s acting as penetrating bombers whilst B-25 and B-26 aircraft filled ECM roles. 3 Nov was particularly busy; Parent’s sub-sector being penetrated by B-26 aircraft at heights between 20,000 and 40,000 feet. Pick-up ranges varied between 122 miles and 228 miles.

Remembrance Day - Remembrance Day was marked by a parade in town and two flights of Air Force personnel. Church services were held; RC personnel attending the normal church service whilst a Protestant ceremony was conducted in the Canadian Legion Hall. After church service W/C Underhill laid a wreath on the cenotaph. In the evening officers of RCAF Station Parent were invited to a memorial dinner as guests of 181 Canadian Legion Parent.

ME Section - FS GB Bartlett reported on transfer and took over charge of ME from Cpl. D Reid, who had been NCO i/c ME, since the station’s inception.

7 Crew Schedule Inaugurated - The personnel situation was so encouraging numerically speaking, that operators were re-organized into a seven crew schedule; three crews on days, one on evenings, one on midnights, giving two crews three days off every seven days. This was a radical change in strength. In October, an average crew numbered five airmen. This new wealth of personnel reduced the work load and increased the operational efficiency. Also, giving a boost to morale in general.

Medical - As recounted earlier the period witnessed the first death on the station but also during the period eight new citizens arrived in the station hospital. In the field of medical treatment a dentist was added to the station with the transfer in on 1 Nov, of Captain F Messier, RCDC. The Dental Officer will divide his time between this station and Station Senneterre. A dentist was an acquisition which was badly needed and to coin a pun, "filled a great need". Changes in staff in the medical section also saw the departure of Nursing Sister "Tex" McIntosh, the first woman officer to serve on the station. NS McIntosh’s transfer to a flight nurse course with the USAF at Montgomery, Alabama, was a pleasant contrast in clime. F/O McIntosh was replaced by F/O L McKinney. The facilities for attending to the medical welfare of dependants, particularly deliveries, were greatly enhanced during 1954 by the receipt of new obstetrical equipment.

Signed by:
(CC Underhill) W/C