Tofino, BC

1955 – Narrative Report – National Archives of Canada


Narrative Report
RCAF Station Tofino
1 Dec 55 to 31 May 56

 

1 Dec 55

Weather - Clear. Sked arrived to transport Fighter Control Operators personnel to Holberg for period of Temporary Duty during exercise. This group is to replace the first group who went on TD 24 Nov 55 and crashed into Seymour Strait. Security Plan reviewed. Instructions issued to all Section regarding activation of Security Plan. Exercise Crackerjack commences.

2 Dec 55

Weather - Clear. Freight aircraft arrives with toys for Station Toy Shop and supplied for Central Warehouse and Snack Bar.

3 Dec 55

Weather - Cooler. Saturday routine.

4 Dec 55

Weather - Rain. Routine. Father Pruner conducted RC Services.

5 Dec 55

Weather - Rain. Survivors of Canso crash returned via bus and boat. New kit required by most of the personnel.

6 Dec 55

Weather - Rain. Security Task Force at readiness. Rumored that Exercise Crackerjack is over. Unit to continue state of readiness.

7 Dec 55

Weather - Rain - clearing in the afternoon. Fighter Control Operators on TD at Holberg to be returned immediately to unit.

8 Dec 55

Weather - Rain to clearing. Sked aircraft arrived. Christmas arrangements progressing. Children’s concert being practiced every day.

9 Dec 55

Weather - Stormy night - high winds. Aircraft arrived on station returning TD party from Holberg.

10 Dec 55

Weather - Reasonable. Weekend routine. Local Thespians from Ucluelet- Tofino put on a one Act play in Recreation Hall which was well received by station personnel.

11 Dec 55

Weather - Rain to clear. Quiet day.

12 Dec 55

Weather - Clear and cold. Aircraft in with G/C MacLean DRA/Protestant and party. Remained for lunch and inspection of Chapel. Departed same day.

13 Dec 55

Weather - Clear and cold. Aircraft in and out like flies.

14 Dec 55

Weather - Rain. Normal routine. The spirit of Christmas seems to be building up in all personnel. Christmas preparations are well under way.

15 Dec 55

Weather - Rain. Routine work day. Children’s Christmas Concert in the Recreation Hall in the evening. This production was excellent and was enjoyed by all personnel who attended. The teaching staff are to be congratulated on their efforts. It was the opinion of many that it was the finest school concert that they had ever seen. Two station pianos arrived by aircraft; one for the Recreation Hall, one for the Officer’s Mess.

16 Dec 55

Weather - Damp and cold. S/L Ashworth departed to Vancouver on TD. Normal work routine.

17 Dec 55

Weather - Clear and cold. Children’s Santa Claus party today. Well attended by all children and adults. Excellent presents were given to each child of servicemen and civilian employees. Ice cream, candies, cookies, doughnuts, chocolate milk, were provided for all children. F/O A Gallant did an excellent job as Santa Claus. The Recreation Hall was well decorated by the Station Entertainment Committee for the occasion.

18 Dec 55

Weather - Clear and cold. Snow in the evening - blizzard. Sunday School, RC Service and Protestant Services were held today. Routine.

19 Dec 55

Weather - Rain and chilly. Routine. First serious theft charge on unit.

20 Dec 55

Weather - Snow again, but disappeared quickly. S/L Fee, Protestant Chaplain in to conduct Christmas Carol and Memorial Service for AC1 Thompson - very well attended.

21 Dec 55

Weather - Intermittent rain to clearing. Section parties have started. Canteen decorations being put up. The Canteen looks nice with the new paint job and the decorations give it a festive look.

22 Dec 55

Weather - Snow - and lots of it. Possibility of a White Christmas. Sked in for Christmas leave - more room in aircraft than required. Christmas leave commences.

23 Dec 55

Weather - Snow, rain, sleet. Approximately 4" snow. Father Oliver arrived to conduct RC Services during Christmas.

24 Dec 55

Christmas Eve. Weather - Snow still on the ground, intermittent snow and sleet. Generally the celebrations are quite subdued on the unit. Married Quarters residents busy with last minute preparation. Bus laid on for trip to Ucluelet - 18 RC personnel transported for Midnight Mass. Very stormy and windy night. No Protestant Services held.

25 Dec 55

Christmas Day - Weather - crisp and sunny. Amazingly calm after the storm of Christmas Eve. A very palatable, well laid out Christmas dinner was served to the airmen by the Officers and Senior NCOs. Married Quarters were the scene of much visiting back and forth between residents. It was generally acknowledged as "open house" in Married Quarters for single personnel. A very calm and collected Christmas.

26 Dec 55

Boxing Day - Weather - Clear and cold. A "day of rest" - Residents of Married Quarters and personnel still visiting.

27 Dec 55

Weather - Clear blue sky and very sunny, but cold. Some staff working, others not due to leaves. F/O GV Roberts promoted to F/L. F/O AV Robinson received PC.

28 Dec 55

Weather - Clear blue skies, and cold. Sked in today, returning personnel off Christmas leave and taking personnel on New Year’s leave. 4 Expeditors and one Dakota. Commanding Officer departed on New Year’s leave.

29 Dec 55

Weather - Clear blue sky, and cold. Normal routine.

30 Dec 55

Weather - Clear and cold. Normal routine.

31 Dec 55

Weather - Clear and cold. Recreation Hall prepared and decorated for New Years Frolic which was attended by some 150 personnel who were loud and long in their praise of the party. A buffet supper was served this year which added to the good time.

1 Jan 56

Weather - Dull and occasional rain. Reasonably quiet, all personnel recuperating from after effects.

2 Jan 56

Weather - Sunny and cold. Occasional rain. The choir which assisted Father Pruner on Midnight Mass Christmas Eve, visited the Christie School for dinner at the invitation of Father Pruner. The day turned out to be quite adventurous due to landing difficulties at Christie School.

3 Jan 56

Weather - Clear and cold to rain in late afternoon. Routine.

4 Jan 56

Weather - Clear and cold to steady rain. Normal routine.

5 Jan 56

Weather - rain - rain - rain. Commanding Officer’s Parade held in Hangar. Due to poor turnout a further parade was called by the Commanding Officer for 9 Jan. COs Conference this date to discuss preparation for new COs arrival.

6 Jan 56

Weather - Rain in horizontal streams, chilly and stormy. Normal work routine.

7 Jan 56

Weather - Clear to rain. Normal weekend. COs suite prepared for occupancy.

8 Jan 56

Weather - Rain. Normal routine. Sunday School and Protestant Service by F/L Carlson, Protestant Chaplain from Sea Island.

9 Jan 56

Weather - Cloudy to rain. W/C and Mrs. Turner arrived by aircraft.

10 Jan 56

Weather - Rain. W/C Turner and S/L Ashworth in day long conference and visited various sections of the station.

11 Jan 56

Weather - Rain to clear - to rain. Normal routine. Welcome party in Officer’s Mess for W/C and Mrs. Turner.

12 Jan 56

Weather - Clear. Normal routine.

13 Jan 56

Weather - Rain. Freight day. Normal work routine. A very successful Mess Dinner was held in the Airmen’s Mess in honour of the new Commanding Officer and the departing Commanding Officer. Formal Mess dinner etiquette was observed throughout the evening. It was agreed by all personnel who attended that such functions should be held every quarter.

14 Jan 56

Weather - Rain. A successful monthly Bingo was held in the Recreation Hall.

15 Jan 56

Weather - Rain. Normal Sunday routine. Sunday School, Protestant Service by Rev. Leighton.

16 Jan 56

Weather - Rain. W/C D Turner took over command of RCAF Station Tofino this date. Captain Taylor arrived by service aircraft for dental services to RCAF and dependent personnel.

17 Jan 56

Weather - Clear to rain. Work progressing on Snack Bar. It is hoped that this facility will be open before month end. Routine.

18 Jan 56

Weather - Rain. W/C Turner and S/L Ashworth out on TD. Sked in with Colonel i/c Dental. Rev. Leighton commenced Confirmation classes for Anglicans.

19 Jan 56

Weather - Clear. Operations personnel stood down due to long maintenance. All personnel working on Station cleanup. F/O Robinson departed on TD to Vancouver for Security conference.

20 Jan 56

Weather - Drizzle all day. Normal routine. W/C Turner returned from TD.

21 Jan 56

Weather - Cloudy and stormy. Jerry Gosley Show could not get in due to weather. Snack Bar in Recreation Hall opened - did a roaring business under the guidance of Mrs. MJ Howis.

22 Jan 56

Weather - Clear and chilly. Normal Sunday routine. Sunday School. Snack Bar a success - open Sunday afternoon.

23 Jan 56

Weather - Snow, rain, and sunshine. Normal routine. F/O Robinson returned from 5 Air Div.

24 Jan 56

Weather - Still snow and rain - colder. First game of Station basketball league tonight; all concerned most enthusiastic.

25 Jan 56

Weather - Snow and cold, clear beautiful sunshine - shades of Eastern Canada. Normal routine. Father Pruner in for RC Services.

26 Jan 56

Weather - Clear and cold, sunny. Normal routine.

27 Jan 56

Weather - Clear and cold. Boat day. Normal routine.

28 Jan 56

Weather - Clear and cold. Normal Saturday routine. Corporals and below and wives using Canteen more frequently now that beer is served by the glass rather than by the bottle. The atmosphere is certainly more inviting for female guests. S/L Fee arrived for Protestant Services.

29 Jan 56

Weather - Clear and cold. Sunday routine. Sunday School and Protestant church service. S/L Fee departed today.

30 Jan 56

Weather - Clear and cold. Captain Taylor and assistant departed for Station Comox. S/L Ashworth returned from leave to write F/L Qualifying exams.

31 Jan 56

Weather - Clear and cold. Normal routine. Basketball league operating with games on Tuesday and Thursday.

1 Feb 56

Weather - Clear and cold. Station social evening in Recreation Hall for presentation to S/L Ashworth.

2 Feb 56

Weather - Clear and cold. Normal routine. Senior NCOs hold party as welcome to W/C Turner and farewell to S/L Ashworth. A very successful party.

3 Feb 56

Weather - Clear and cold. Warming up in the evening to rain all night. Officers held a farewell party for S/L Ashworth.

4 Feb 56

Weather - Rain, snow disappearing quickly. Normal routine.

5 Feb 56

Weather - Rain. Normal routine. Sunday School.

6 Feb 56

Weather - Clear in the morning, foggy during the day and evening. No sked run. S/L Ashworth departed after almost three years as Commanding Officer.

7 Feb 56

Weather - Rain. Outbreak of measles. MIR set up an isolation ward. Fortunately only German measles. 1 airman, and 7 children involved at this date.

8 Feb 56

Weather - Rain, foggy. Normal routine. No new cases of measles reported.

9 Feb 56

Weather - Rain, cloudy, windy. Aircraft expected to take Flying Officers MacGregor, Begley and families to Holberg.

10 Feb 56

Weather - Rain - cloudy. Aircraft for F/O MacGregor and F/O Begley still unable to come in. New Orderly Officer duties added today with inspection of Airmen and civilian quarters.

11 Feb 56

Weather - Reasonably clear. Aircraft unable to take off from Vancouver. Routine weekend. F/O MacGregor and F/O Begley still waiting for aircraft.

12 Feb 56

Weather - Clear bright morning - snow during evening. Snow flurries. Weather bad over mountains. Normal Sunday routine.

13 Feb 56

Weather - Clear and cold. Light snow on ground. F/O MacGregor, F/O Begley and families depart via Dakota to Port Hardy, then to Holberg. W/C Turner’s first Orderly Room case today. The role of the unit was reduced to EW this date.

14 Feb to 17 Feb 56

Weather - Fair during this period. Normal routine.

18 Feb 56

Weather - Clear and cold. St. Valentine’s Bingo and Dance this date. Not very successful. It has been the experience at this unit that all rank functions are not too well attended by Officers and Senior NCOs.

19 Feb 56

Weather - Rain and sleet. Normal Sunday routine. Father Pruner conducted RC Services. Protestant Sunday School.

20 Feb 56

Weather - Rain and sleet. Commanding Officer departs on TD to COs Conference in Vancouver via MV Uchuck.

21 Feb 56

Weather - Cold with snow. Last game of House Basketball League. HQ team, "Luckies" win. Playoffs to be held in March.

22 Feb 56

Weather - Cold and Clear. S/L Fee, Protestant Chaplain arrives for Services in the evening.

23 Feb 56

Weather - Cold and clear. S/L Fee departs. Normal routine.

24 Feb 56

Weather - Cold and clear. Snow still on the ground. General mood of everyone seems to be affected by cold and miserable weather. Normal Friday routine.

25 Feb 56

Weather - Snow still on the ground, cloudy. CO returned from TD via service aircraft. Normal Saturday routine.

26 Feb 56

Weather - Rain. Sunday routine.

27 Feb 56

Weather - Snow and rain. Cold. Station Fund Meeting today. COs conferences to be held every Monday.

28 Feb 56

Weather - Very heavy rain. Normal routine.

29 Feb 56

Weather - Snow, hail, sleet, rain, or what have you. Heavy rain and milder weather of last few days have removed considerable amounts of the snow. Normal routine.

1 Mar 56

Weather - As they say, March came in like a lion today with stormy weather, high winds and lots of rain. Sked could not get in today. Normal work routine.

2 Mar 56

Weather - From all accounts consider this to be the worst day of the year with "horizontal" rain all day. Extremely windy and gusty. 70-90 miles per hour recorded. Many TV antennas twisted. Search Radar antenna blown off the Tower in late evening. PTA held successful Whist Drive in School play room in an effort to raise funds.

3 Mar 56

Weather - Everything in the book as far as weather is concerned today. Rain, snow, sleet, hail, wind, sunshine. Many personnel beach combing today looking for glass balls after the big storm last night. Routine weekend.

4 Mar 56

Weather - Snowing heavily. Sunday School. Normal Sunday routine. It was anticipated that RC Services would be held today but S/L Poirier, RC Chaplain could not get in due to inclement weather.

5 Mar 56

Weather - 6" snow on the ground. Clear and sunny. Sked arrives. F/L Lewis, Messing Officer visited unit. LACs Corbett, Gilbert and Hoemans, Fighter Control Operators depart for Metz, France. Operational crews and certain Technical staff will be diverted from Operations site to work in domestic area. Supply and Telecom staff endeavoring to locate spares or new antenna.

6 Mar 56

Weather - Snow still on ground. Clear. F/L Lewis departed. Lancaster in from Comox. Heavy rain in evening will soon remove snow. Officers hold Invitational Cribbage and Card tournament in Officer’s Mess; Senior NCOs win.

7 Mar 56

Weather - Rain - cold. Sked flights will now arrive and depart RCAF Station Tofino every Wednesday instead of Thursday and Tuesday as previously arranged. The rain is removing snow.

8 Mar 56

Weather - Snow - rain - to sunshine. Cold and clear. W/C Turner held first Commanding Officer’s parade. Excellent turnout. 77 personnel on parade. W/C Turner was very pleased with the general turnout of personnel.

9 Mar 56

Weather - cool. Usual routine. Fighter Control Operators employed by CE Section; doing a very good job.

10 Mar 56

Weather - Bright sunny day. Normal Saturday routine. Successful dance and dinner was held for Officers and guests.

11 Mar 56

Weather - Bright sunny day. Usual Sunday routine. Successful Badminton Tournament run off in Recreation Hall.

12 Mar 56

Weather - Cloudy and cool. Snow again. Normal routine.

13 Mar 56

Weather - Bright and clear, definitely warming up. Spring may be arriving? F/L Carlson, Protestant Chaplain held Service in Chapel. Station Boat Club being organized; considerable interest shown.

14 Mar 56

Weather - Cloudy but still warm. F/L Carlson departs. Considerable freight arriving by boat - furniture and CE materials for new TMQs.

15 Mar 56

Weather - Still reasonable. Normal routine.

16 Mar 56

Weather - Still reasonable. UHF installation consisting of four single Txs and RXs was completed by unit and #10 TSU personnel this date. Boat day today. Freight commitment remains heavy.

17 Mar 56

St. Patrick’s Day - Weather - Reasonably fine. Dance in Recreation Hall. Was obviously unsuccessful. Ted Toombs and his orchestra in attendance but there was a noticeable lack of Officers and Senior NCOs at this function.

18 Mar 56

Weather - Still fair. Rev. Leighton conducted Protestant Services today. Sunday School as usual.

19 Mar 56

Weather - Dull, intermittent rain, Work on local roads has improved this facility considerably and has been possible because of the very reasonable weather in the past few days.

20 Mar 56

Weather - Fair, warmer. A number of Corporals on unit are attending Corporals Course at Station Comox. Course consists of drill, service management, general service knowledge, and is continuous for a duration of two weeks. It is anticipated that all Corporals on the unit will complete this course before mid May.

21 Mar 56

Weather - Fair. Work on Married Quarters progressing to the point where suites are taking shape. A concentrated effort is being made by the CE Section to complete these suites as soon as possible.

22 Mar 56

Weather - Fair. Normal routine.

23 Mar 56

Weather - Fair. Freight day. Freight commitment continues to be heavy. Normal routine.

24 Mar 56

Weather - Cold rain. New pews installed in Station Chapel in preparation for Protestant Preaching Mission. Chapel cleaned by Ladies Chapel Guild. A very successful electrical appliances Bingo was held in the evening. Biggest crowd of the year. More interest was created by having various give-away gimmicks. Cpl. Falconer and F/O Robinson operated this Bingo.

25 Mar56

Weather - Clear and warm, sunshine. Protestant Preaching Mission started today. Church Parade for Cubs and Brownies. Very well attended. As a matter of fact, the Chapel was full to capacity. S/L Fee dedicated the Cub Pack Flag which was donated by Mr. Carr at Port Alberni.

26 Mar 56

Weather - Excellent. Protestant Preaching Mission continued today with Church Parade in the morning and volunteer services at night.

27 Mar 56

Weather - Fine. Preaching Mission continues today with visits to Sections and TMQs by S/L Lee and Church service in the evening. In all, a total of 299 souls attended Services.

28 Mar 56

Weather - Extremely bad today. Snow, rain, wind. Persons anticipating Sked for Easter weekend departed by boat this date. S/L Fee returned to Vancouver. 300 tons of freight received consisting mainly of CE materials.

29 Mar 56

Weather - Raining. Sked arrives despite rain. Two aircraft loads of personnel transported to Vancouver for Easter Leave. C119 of 435 Squadron arrives bringing antenna parts from the United States. Installation commenced immediately. Telecommunications personnel will work all weekend.

30 Mar 56

Weather - Improving. Good Friday. Holiday routine. Installation of antenna continues. No Church Services on the unit.

31 Mar 56

Weather - Fair. Holiday routine. The following personnel RCAF Station Tofino promoted: FS Cadieux, Sgt. Newman, Sgt. Bell, LAC Orr, LAC Mitchell.

1 Apr 56

Weather – Fair. Easter Sunday. Family Service in Chapel conducted by F/O J McKnight. RC personnel transported to Ucluelet for Easter Services. Antenna installation completed 1 Apr.

2 Apr 56

Weather – Reasonable and improving. Equipment turned over to Operations at 1650 hours 2 Apr.

3 Apr 56

Weather – Closing in. Sked flight returning Easter Leave personnel just makes it in. Another trip tries, but returns to Vancouver.

4 Apr 56

Weather – Fair. Remaining Easter leave personnel returned to unit.

5 Apr 56

Weather – Improving. COs parade this date. Guard of Honour drill commenced in preparation for inspections.

6 Apr 56

Weather – Clear but cool. Normal routine. Freight commitment continuous to be high.

7 Apr 56

Weather – Clear and warmer. Naval Expeditor arrives from Victoria with two frogmen endeavoring for the last time to locate the "Cannon". Due to poor tide conditions and roughness of water the divers were unable to locate the wreck on which the Cannon is located.

8 Apr 56

Weather – Clear and cool. RC Mission commences this date by Services in the Chapel conducted by Father Bulloch. Improvements in the Chapel were carried out previous to the Services, such as installation of remaining pews, hanging of window drapes, and alter hangings. Drapes and hangings were made by Mrs. Menzul and Mrs. Cadieux. Material was supplied by the Public and NPF.

9 Apr 56

Weather – Clear, bright and warm. RC Mission continues today with Church Parade. Landscaping continues and improvements are being noted. NPF boats received from Woodwards Stores. Many people anxious to get them in the water for fishing. Boats will not be launched until weather is more stable.

10 Apr 56

Weather – Clear, bright and warm. RC Mission continues. Normal routine.

11 Apr 56

Weather – Clear, bright and warm. A lovely day. First signs of warm weather in the air. RC Mission completed today. Approximately 290 RC souls attended Services throughout the Mission. Wives of RCAF personnel were conducted through Operations Site by COpsO. It is considered that guided tours of Operational facilities for wives create a definite interest in their husbands jobs.

12 Apr 56

Weather – Clear, bright and warm. Station work parade. All personnel except skeleton staffs organized into work gangs and working on Station beautification. The effort was certainly worth while. Many long outstanding jobs were completed. It was a work force of some 75 personnel.

13 Apr 56

Weather – Clear, bright and warm. Normal routine.

14 Apr 56

Weather – Closing in. Fog and clouds. Aircraft from Comox with TAC band orchestra and girls could not land. Considerable disappointment on unit as an excellent evening of dancing had been anticipated for some time. However, Ted Toombs and his orchestra were organized for a dance in the Airmen’s Canteen which apparently was very successful. This dance was for Corporals and below only.

15 Apr 56

Weather – Clear in the morning to bright sunshine in the afternoon. TAC military Band arrives in three Dakotas. An excellent concert was enjoyed by some 200 persons. The concert was held outdoor with the Hangar Doors of #1 Hangar being the background. The band departed at 1600 hours. Normal Sunday routine. Sunday School and Protestant and RC Services being carried out. S/L Poirier and F/L Carlson conducted these Services.

16 Apr 56

Weather – Clear, bright and warm. A complete renovation of the warehouse aspect of Supply has been completed. The undertaking which commenced three months ago involved re-arrangements of all sections and a paint out of the whole building.

17 Apr 56

Weather – Unbelievably clear, bright and warm. Usual routine. COs conference in the morning. Practice alert called by the CO today. Security Plan put into effect at the sound of the siren and remained in effect for one hour. The CO was extremely pleased with the results.

18 Apr 56

Weather – Clear, bright and warm. Normal sked arrives. F/L Cavanaugh SOSEC 5 Air Div. and S/L Fee arrives. S/L Fee conducted Protestant Services in the evening. 25 Persons attended.

19 Apr 56

Weather – Clear, bright and warm. S/L Fee departs. CE Section are repairing various portions of the station for further landscaping.

20 Apr 56

Weather – Clear, bright and warm. Routine working day. F/L Cavanaugh departs via Ucluelet.

21 Apr 56

Weather – Still clear and sunny. According to the local residents they cannot remember such a lengthy spell of clear weather. Many personnel go to the beaches these days, especially in the evenings where it is becoming the habit to prepare and eat their suppers in picnic style. Another successful electrical appliance bingo was held this evening with the number of persons attending bettering that of last month.

22 Apr 56

Weather – Clear and sunny. Normal Sunday routine.

23 Apr 56

Weather – Clear and sunny. Normal routine. F/O Robinson departed on TD to Victoria.

24 Apr 56

Weather – Fine and clear. Group Captain Costello, W/C Gallagher, S/L Poirier, all RC Chaplains visited the station and personnel. Departing in the afternoon. W/C Paul of 5 Air Div. also visited this Station and was in conference with the Commanding Officer concerning Operations.

25 Apr 56

Weather – Fine and clear. HMCS Comox and sister ship HMCS Fortune visited Tofino Harbour. A softball game was organized between the ships and the RCAF for the evening. The RCAF being the winners. Entertainment was organized for the crews, Petty Officers and Officers in the various Messes on the unit. Such visits as this are excellent for relationships between the two Services. It was the opinion of most servicemen that visits of this type should be encouraged.

26 Apr 56

Weather – Fine and clear. Another work party was organized for this date to carry on with the good work started some two weeks ago. Again, through the efforts of all concerned the appearance of the Station was further improved. The Commanding Officer and his wife, and Officers and wives were guests of the Commanding Officers of the HMCS Comox and Fortune during the afternoon. The ships departed for Victoria in the evening.

27 Apr 56

Weather – Fine and clear. Normal routine. Continued warm weather has made the beach a very popular recreation ground.

28 Apr 56

Weather – Clouding over, misty, fine rain. Routine.

29 Apr 56

Weather – Clearing. Normal Sunday routine. Sunday School.

30 Apr 56 to 5 May 56

Weather – A week of beautiful weather, only slightly marred by rain on the 28 Apr. Normal routine was followed throughout the week with no unusual occurrences. It is worthy of note that the Softball league is being followed with enthusiasm by both players and spectators. The three team Station House league is composed of: (a) Old Timers – (Corporals and above) (b) The LACs (c) Fighter Controllers.

6 May 56

Weather – Still remains clear and fine. Usual Sunday routine. Sunday School in the morning. The usual excursions to the beach by all personnel for the remainder of the day.

7 May 56

Weather – Clear and fine. Work progressing on Building #32, 9 TMQ suites, and Building #36, COs residence.

8 May 56

Weather – Clear and fine. Commanding Officer’s Conference. Otherwise normal routine. W/C Hurry (STSO) and F/L McKenzie (SOCE) 5 Air Div. HQ, arrived on a staff visit to discuss construction engineering problems.

9 May 56

Weather – Clear and fine. Normal routine. Princess of Alberni arrived in Ucluelet with large freight shipment of TMQ furnishing including stoves, refrigerators and washing machines.

10 May 56

Weather – Clear and fine. Normal routine. W/C Hurry and F/L McKenzie departed this date. Weekly Commanding Officer’s parade commences. Parades will take the form of COs inspection and drill parades. Ceremonial Drill will be practiced for the annual inspection in June. Guard of Honour progressing very well.

11 May 56

Weather – Fine and clear. Normal routine. Captain Harding, AJAG for this area arrived this unit to discuss legal problems of personnel.

12 May 56

Weather – Fine and clear. Normal Sunday routine.

13 May 56

Mother’s Day. Weather – Clear, bright and warm. Mother’s Day celebrated at RCAF Station Tofino by a Mother’s Day Service conducted by Rev. J Leighton and F/O McKnight, Sunday School Superintendent. Each mother received a boutonniere in the form of a Carnation. This service was well attended and the Chapel was filled to capacity. Twenty-two light aircraft from Flying Clubs of Vancouver and Chilliwack visited the unit and were welcomed by the Commanding Officer. They breakfasted in the Combined Mess and toured the beach in a hired bus. Crabs were obtained and cooked by a civilian employee of this station for the Flying Club group. CBUT Television Station in Vancouver accompanied the outing and took pictures which were later part of a TV programme in Vancouver. All aircraft had departed by 1300 hours.

14 May 56 to 18 May 56

Weather – During this period the weather remained clear and bright, and was, if anything warmer due to the lack of breeze. Normal routine was in effect and there were no unusual occurrences. F/O Robinson, the drill instructor, is extremely satisfied with the results of the drill in the first two weeks. It is obvious that there will be no problems regarding the final drill.

19 May 56

Weather – Fine and clear. Normal routine during the day. The final monster Bingo of the year was held in the Recreation Hall and in attendance was the record Bingo of the season.

20 May 56

Weather – Fine and clear. Normal Sunday routine.

21 May 56

Weather – Becoming unsettled. Clouds and showers, but still reasonable fine. Normal routine being followed.

22 May 56 to 24 May 56

Weather – Reasonable. CE Section working overtime to complete suites in Building #32, 9 MQs approaching completion. Occupancy of two suites expected 1 Jun 56.

25 May 56

Weather – Cloudy. Poor weather conditions did not prevent TV Varieties stage show from Comox arriving. This stage show played in the Recreation Hall to approximately 300 persons. Residents of Tofino and Ucluelet area were permitted to attend. $70.00 was collected and turned over to the Tofino General Hospital Committee as a donation from the Station. All persons who saw the show were impressed with the talent displayed. A party was held in Club 52 after the show for the entertainment of show personnel and Corporals and below. W/C Turner departed on annual leave. F/L Bell Acting CO.

26 May 56

Weather – Clear and warm. TV Varieties show personnel departed for Comox at 1000 hours. F/C Millman arrived to conduct Protestant Services. Normal routine.

27 May 56

Weather – Clear and bright. Sunday routine. Final Sunday School class of the year. Presentations were made to Mrs. Fisk and Mrs. Morgan, teachers for the last two years who will be departing this summer. F/C Millman assisted F/O McKnight, the Sunday School Superintendent. F/C Millman conducted Protestant Services at 1100 hours.

28 May 56

Weather – Fine and clear. Landscaping progressing.

29 May 56

Weather – Much hotter. Little sea breeze during the day. F/O Jacobs arrived for Welfare visit.

30 May 56

Weather – Hot. No sea breeze. CPOs from 5 Air Div., ADC HQ and AFHQ arrived by Canso for discussions with the Commanding Officer and AdjT/CAdO, Civilian personnel given conducted tour of Station.

31 May 56

Weather – Cloudy and deteriorating rapidly. Canso cannot return to Vancouver due to weather. F/O Robinson departs on TD. Canso aircraft must remain over another day.

 

Signed:

(SD Turner) W/C
CO, RCAF Station Tofino, BC