Historical Narrative
RCAF Station Sydney, NS
1 Dec 59 to 31 May 60
2 Dec 59
S/L RM McDonald, reported in to assume his duties as Commanding Officer. Captain Leppard of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires arrived for a liaison visit for the afternoon.
7 Dec 59
F/L Hawthorne and Cpl. McNevin, RU Halifax arrived on the station for recruiting duties in the area.
8 Dec 59
F/S KD Leslie reported in on TD from Chatham NB for Armament Inspection.
9 Dec 59
F/S Leslie departed for Chatham – Armament inspection completed. F/O TG Mitchell GObC reported in on TD for three days on GOC duties in Sydney area.
12 Dec 59
F/L J Thomas Air/P TOS from 4 (F) Wing.
17 Dec 59
F/L N Vaness Area Welfare Officer reported in from MACHQ on TD for 1 day.
22 Dec 59
S/L RM McDonald, CO, departed on Christmas and annual leave. F/L RG Henley assumes temporary command of the unit during the absence of the CO.
23 Dec 59
Children’s Christmas Party was held in the Rec. Hall under the sponsorship of the PMQ Council.
25 Dec 59
Christmas Day celebrated in the traditional manner. The Sr. NCOs were at home to the Officers for a period shortly before lunch, following which dinner was served in the time-honoured custom by the officers and senior NCOs to 32 living-in personnel and 9 members of the local subdivision of the RCMP. Inspector Glendinning, OC of the RCMP Detachment assisted the Acting CO leading the group of keen, but not necessarily skilled waiters.
31 Dec 59
The year ended with formal dances being held in the Officers’ and NCOs Messes while the Airmen’s Club staged a lavish dance in the Rec. Centre gym.
1 Jan 60
The traditional visit of the NCOs to the Officers’ Mess was followed by the New Years’ Day Levees following an inter-change of visits between members of the Officers’ Mess with local Army and Navy Messes and with many distinguished local citizens attending.
7 Jan 60
F/L N Vaness, Area Welfare Officer reported in from MACHQ for one day on welfare duties.
11 Jan 60
F/L RM Bradley and LAC MacNally, RU Halifax on unit for 3 days, recruiting duties in Sydney area.
18 Jan 60
S/L RM McDonald assumes command of the station on return from leave.
29 Jan 60
225 Boy Cubs from station and surrounding area participated in a "Cubaree" in the Recreation Centre.
2 Feb 60
Mr. John Oliver and Mr. Maurice Richard of RCA Victor reported in for one day periodic check-up and maintenance of equipment.
9 Feb 60
Mr. Gerald Cramm of RCA Victor arrived for 1 day TD to make arrangements for RCA Visiting team to visit unit for annual maintenance of telecom and operations equipment. Mr. Mahaffy visited the station for survey of fire equipment.
19 Feb 60
Station dance sponsored by the Station Hockey Club. There was a good attendance and a pleasant evening was enjoyed by all.
23 Feb 60
Mr. R Buchanan and Mr. J MacPherson visited the station from AFHQ to take over the new combined chapel from the contractor.
24 Feb 60
RCA Victor Maintenance Party of 11 persons arrived on the station for one week annual maintenance duties.
26 Feb 60
Mr. CH Connolly, North West Telephone Co. visiting the Station for three days.
29 Feb 60
Scouts & Cubs Father & Son Banquet held in the Station Theatre.
9 Mar 60
F/L Beasleigh from ADCHQ visited the Station on TD for 1 Day.
14 Mar 60
Severe snowstorm. Personnel living off station unable to get in to work, as a result of the storm.
18 Mar 60
St. Patrick’s All Ranks Dance held in the Rec. Centre under the sponsorship of the Station Curling Club. A satisfactory evening was enjoyed by all attending.
22 Mar 60
Station Volleyball team won the Sydney City Volleyball League Championship.
23 Mar 60
F/L N Vaness, Area Welfare Officer from MACHQ visited the unit for three days on welfare duties.
24 Mar 60
AOC ADCHQ & A/V/M WR MacBrien together with his aide, S/L Hamill visited the station for his annual inspection following the inspection of the Guard of Honour.
1 Apr 60
Cpls. Club came into being and is well received by all members.
4 Apr 60
F/L TP Flemming and F/O HA Gay reported on station from Summerside for 5 days duty on air cadet liaison duty in the local area. ADC Wire Swim Meet held in the station swimming pool.
5 Apr 60
Cape Breton Badminton Tournament commenced in the Rec. Hall. This will be a 4-night tournament to be played during the following week.
7 Apr 60
A/V/M JG Bryans AOC TCHQ arrived for an informal visit of the station remaining for two hours.
12 Apr 60
F/L Johnston, Dr. Aldflordyce and Mr. Jardine from Station St. Margarets visited the station and remained overnight.
14 Apr 60
Small fire occurred in garage of PMQ #29 causing about $75.00 damage. The fire was investigated and the occupants of the PMQ awarded an administrative deduction of $25.00. The Station Intersection Volleyball Team returned from Moncton as Zone 5 RCAF Volleyball Champions.
22 Apr 60
Easter dance for all ranks held in the Rec. Centre under the sponsorship of the Cpls.’ Club. A good attendance made an enjoyable party.
25 Apr 60
S/L HE Bowan and F/L PJ Conlin visiting the station for one week from MACHQ on Air Cadet Liaison duties in the area.
27 Apr 60
W/C Briese and party from St. Margarets visiting the station overnight. A Dining-In night was held in the Officers’ Mess in honour of W/C Briese who is leaving as Commander of Second Division.
30 Apr 60
Tests for Red Cross Water Safety Instructors, Royal Life Saving Society Awards for Life Guard Corps, Bronze Medallion Intermediate and Advanced Certificate, Respiration Certificate and Instructors Certificate.
2 May 60
WO1 Pain from ADCHQ visited the station for an Armament inspection. F/C Hillis TechCE reported in for summer employment. Guides & Brownies Mother & Daughter banquet held in Theatre.
4 May 60
S/L Lunn, S/L Fox and F/L Hunter arrived on the station for three days in connection with the Station Nuclear Defence Plan and Emergency Defence Plan.
5 May 60
Local Nuclear Defence Exercise carried out in the afternoon with all personnel and dependents taking cover in shelters. Everything worked satisfactorily.
15 May 60
F/L WL Stewart SOAF Branch ADCHQ arrived on the station for one week on SOAF inspection.
16 May 60
F/C KB Clark Pers/Adm reported in for summer employment.
18 May 60
F/L WH MacConnell, Legal Officer MACHQ arrived on the station for a two-day visit.
20 May 60
G/C Creeper CO, F/L Fleming, F/L Dewey and F/O Gay of Summerside, arrived on station for Air Cadets Duties, remaining overnight.
23 May 60
F/L Bradley & F/L Wilson from RU Halifax arrived on the station for one week’s recruiting duties in the area.
24 May 60
G/C Creeper, F/L Flemming, F/O Gay arrived for six days for annual inspections of Air Cadet Squadrons in the area.
27 May 60
The Commanding Officer opened the newly installed bowling alleys. These alleys have been long needed and are a definite asset to the recreational facilities of the station.
30 May 60
The Inter-Section softball season opened at 1830 hours with Admin coming up against the Combines.