DAILY DIARY
1 RADIO UNIT - PRESTON, NOVA SCOTIA
25 May to 14 Nov 1945
25 May 45
Clear and warm. Ventura aircraft from RCAF Debert carried out four (4) test flights today. Results were satisfactory and ground to aircraft communications were maintained from this Unit. An overall picture of the expected Radar coverage of the station is not possible as yet, as further calibration flights will be required. A station dance was held in the Recreation Hall in the evening - WRCN's were our guests. A very pleasant evening had by all.
26 May 45
Clear and warm. Maintenance was begun on station lawns and gardens. An electric lawn mower has been made by the W&B section. Four flower gardens are anticipated - plants to be purchased from Station Funds. "Liberty Run" to Dartmouth in evening.
27 May 45
Sunday - clear and warm. Regular church run in morning - well attended. Personnel attended free movie at the Capitol theatre in Halifax in pm. Very quiet all day.
28 May 45
Cloudy and cool. Final preparation to place Radar Equipment operational began this day. Telephone system for plotting to Filter Room at EAC being repaired and heating system at operations building being re-conditioned. Inter-unit softball and volley-ball played in evening, followed by MMCA film.
29 May 45
Cold with heavy fog. Monthly meeting of Sports-Entertainment Committee held in morning. Discussion on organization of future dances and open house entertainment was held. Plans to complete the Hobby House were promulgated.
30 May 45
Cold with rain. Polling for Dominion Election underway. Polling booths have been set up at SHQ. Work commenced on construction of dark-room for photography in Hobby House. Station operational as of 2013 hours GMT this day. New equipment operating satisfactorily.
31 May 45
Cold with rain. Six Radar operators posted this Unit this date. Three others on leave prior to discharge. YMCA film in evening "Princess O'Rourke" well attended - good entertainment. Operational staff on watch for Lancaster Bomber Squadron en route from United Kingdom.
Installation of Canadian CHL type of Radar Equipment was completed this month and Unit went "on the air" on May 30/45, having been closed down since March 12/45.
General state of health on Unit - Very good during month. One hospitalization. Four men were discharged during the month surplus to requirements.
Strength of Unit this date - 2 Officers, 57 other ranks.
1 Sep 45
Cloudy with scattered showers. A signal was received at 1300 hours from EAC ordering the Unit "Off the air" at 2359 GMT this date. Unit ceased operations at that time and the Radar ops. building was closed up, awaiting further instructions.
2 Sep 45
Sunday - cloudy and cool. Regular church run to Dartmouth in the morning. "Open House" held in pm. WRCNs were our guests.
3 Sep 45
Labour day. Clear and warm. Only skeleton staff remained on the station. Very quiet on the Unit all day. Softball game in the evening followed by YMCA film "Naughty Nineties".
4 Sep 45
Clear and warm. Sports activities only on the station - volleyball, softball, etc.
5 Sep 45
Clear and warm. Check on inventories began this day.
6 Sep 45
Clear and warm. Arrangement were made today to return equipment held on inventory charge to RCAF Dartmouth.
7 Sep 45
Cloudy and warm. Very quiet on Unit.
8 Sep 45
Clear and very hot. Temp. 92º F. In preparation for disbandment of Unit, surplus tools etc are being returned to RCAF Dartmouth.
9 Sep 45
Clear and warm. Church run to Dartmouth in the morning. Three SP's were discharged this day. Open house held in the afternoon, the WRCNs were our guests. It was a very successful party as the weather was fine.
10 Sep 45
Clear and warm. Extensive sports program being carried out on unit to alleviate monotony of waiting. Inter unit volley ball and softball games were played off.1 Oct 45
F/L Staples, RC (Can. C27730) left this unit. Heavy wind today, partly cloudy. Show in evening - "Swing Out Sister" - good entertainment. Equipment being returned to parent units according to plan.
2 Oct 45
10/10 cloud, heavy wind, heavy rain showers. (Can.R99599) Sgt. GG Rigney (Radar Mech "A") and Sgt. AE Blake (Radar Operator "B") discharged today. Camp quiet in evening.
3 Oct 45
3/10 cloud, clear sky & sunny. Work proceeding on removing equipment. Evening quiet on Camp. Today is the official Disbandment date and all personnel are taken on strength RCAF Station Dartmouth but are to remain at Preston on Attached Duty. One Radar Operator discharged.
14 Nov 45
As per EAC signal 0333 d/16 Oct/45, documents are hereby reviewed for retention. By noting correspondence in file S.14/4, it will be noted that requests for postings were few on the life of this Unit, hence it may be deduced that morale in general was of a high standard. From the files of the S.21 series it will be noted that the operational value of the Unit was good, when the RAF equipment was in use while the value attained when CHL equipment was substituted was less spectacular. In non-secret file 3-1, it is the opinion of the present CO that in certain trades, i.e. Fireman (Stationery Engineer) and Diesel Fitter and W&B, the establishment was slightly under requirements. In file 24-1, the W/T test made may be of future scientific importance. Files 28-1,2 may be viewed from the legal standpoint, on the grounds that, - as the SSO's were drawn up with the view of obtaining the highest degree of efficiency and discipline, with the least harshness; - charges and breaches of discipline were few, as seen in files 18-1 and in the Service Police returns made to EAC and AFHQ.
Disbandment action is as follows: All equipment has, by this date, been turned over to the parent Units, i.e. RCAF Station, Dartmouth (non-secret) and #1 TSU (secret). The files (secret and non-secret) have been parcelled and are retained at RCAF Station Dartmouth pending disposal. The Unit has been "winterized" i.e. all water cut off and the pipes of the heating system draind to prevent breakage from frost.
No personnel remain on the Unit.
(AF Ferguson) P/O
CO #1 RU
Preston, NS
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Updated: March 27, 2003