DAILY DIARY
4 RADIO DETACHMENT - BROOKLYN, NOVA SCOTIA
1 Oct 1942 TO 15 Dec 1942
1 Oct 42
Nothing of any importance to relate. RDF Operators had a busy day.
2 Oct 42
1430 hrs. - P/O Gordon JK Officer Commanding proceeded to EAC on T/Duty via GMT Received DRO from Yarmouth showing promotion of 3 LAC's to rank of corporal. (2 RDF Mechanics and 1 Equipment Asst)
3 Oct 42
0900 hrs. - Held a cleaning up parade. Men worked diligently all morning without proper tools etc. but managed to make the surroundings much more inviting. A number of them gave up their passes to work.
4 Oct 42
0830 hrs. - The regular duty run was made to Liverpool to accommodate those desiring to go to church.
1000 hrs. - P/O Martin WS. Officer Commanding made long distance call to EAC re technical matters.
5 Oct 42
1129 hrs. - P/O Boyle Radio Officer arrived from EAC on TD to this detachment.
1330 hrs. - Started to fill boiler by hand to acquire heat. Hauled water from Liverpool by truck and had boiler filled and fire going by 1600 hrs. Buildings had been very damp and heat was welcomed by all personnel.
6 Oct 42
0830 hrs. - Eighteen airmen proceeded to Yarmouth for clothing parade. Picked up rations at Shelburne on return. Party in charge of P/O Neil. They encountered heavy rain storms on return and LAC Mickleborough, Transport Driver displayed skill in handling the vehicle with a heavy load and under trying circumstances. Party returned at approximately 1800 hours.
1000 hrs. - AC1 Anderson MA placed in detention for 72 hours. Tried by P/O Martin OC.
7 Oct 42
Weather bad and rained quite heavily all day.
1300 hrs. - LAC's MacNair and Scott departed by rail for TD to Scoudouc and EAC respectively. AC2 Carlson departed by Wagner Tours for transfer to RCAF Station Dartmouth.
2000 hrs. - Well drillers with Mr. Muir, RCAF engineer worked all day and night, water testing. It was a very bad night with heavy rain. Arranged for tea and sandwiches at midnight for the men. They were held up for a couple of hours as main cable broke.
8 Oct 42
0900 hrs. - Weather cleared off and work was started on the Pump House. RDF Operators had a busy day.
9 Oct 42
0830 hrs. - Remainder of personnel travelled by GMT to Yarmouth on clothing parade in charge of Sgt. Steeves. They were all equipped with necessary clothing on return, and again made the ration pick up on the same trip.
1130 hrs. - LAC Dryden, Telephone Operator arrived by rail from #6 "M" Depot in Toronto.
1000 hrs. - LAC Anderson quit detention
1400 hrs. - Our clerk in the Orderly Room received the sad news of the death of his father at Hamilton, Ont.
10 Oct 42
Weather fine and RDF Operators had a busy day.
1330 hrs. - Sgt Cooper arrived by rail, posted from RCAF Station Shelburne, to fill the position of Foreman of Works at this detachment.
11 Oct 42
Weather very bright and fine. Arranged softball game with the Navy for the afternoon for those men off duty. Result 8-0 for Air Force. P/O Neil has pitched all games, numbering 8 and has received excellent support from the team. Team has played 8 games and won 8. These games have provided exercise for the men interested and has created enthusiasm from the people of Brooklyn and Liverpool. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred this date.
12 Oct 42
1030 hrs. - LAC Banner of Security Guard reported to our DP&NH doctor in Liverpool and was recommended for treatment at RCAF Station Dartmouth. Action was taken immediately with SMO at EAC.
1730 hrs. - The airmen contributed 25 cents apiece for extras and a very fine Thanksgiving dinner was served to them in the evening. Chicken and all the trimmings. All credit was due to the cooks and the Messing Committee.
13 Oct 42
0900 hrs. - Another cleaning up parade was held and the surroundings look much better. The regular ration run was made to Shelburne.
1000 hrs. - An inspection of all buildings was made by Admin. Officer and Foreman of Works to check re fire precaution. A brake drum painted red was suspended from a standard with a hammer for beating it in case of fire. Pails for fire use only were also painted and suspended from same standard. This is temporary until proper system is installed. Airmen were instructed as to proper procedure in case of fire. The erection of the pump house is progressing favourably.
14 Oct 42
0900 hrs. - Airmen were detailed to chop down the brush and trees on the outside of the fence line to a distance of about 8 feet to give guards on duty a clear view.
1330 hrs. - P/O Boyle returned to EAC to proceed to Bell Lake on temporary duty.
15 Oct 42
1100 hrs. - Wing Commander Orr and Mr Innis from EAC paid us a visit and inspected the station. A familiar piece of equipment, the drill, which has been in use for many months was taken away as the drilling of the well was completed.
1900 hrs. - Three Radio Mechanics arrived via bus from Preston on Temporary Duty.
1115 hrs. - Major Turnbull of the CDC, EAC visited the station and made arrangements for dental treatment for airmen at this detachment. Long distance call was made to Adjutant at RCAF Station Shelburne to send transportation for him to take him to Shelburne. He was driven by MT to Mersey Hotel Liverpool and picked up there by MT from Shelburne.
16 Oct 42
1100 hrs. - Mr. Theriault, superintendent of the Stewart Construction Co. left for Halifax as his duties here were completed.
1430 hrs. - Pay was received from Yarmouth and Pay Parade held in the Airmens Canteen.
1900 hrs. - Attended a meeting in the Town Hall Liverpool re arrangements for a parade to be held Sunday, 18-10-42 in which the RCAF was to be represented.
17 Oct 42
1130 hrs. - Three Radio Mechanics arrived here on posting from No. 1 "Y" Depot Halifax at 1130 hrs. by rail. Weather very fine and warm and Radio Operators had a busy day. Fatigue party scrubbed all floors in the buildings. As there is not a supply of wax for the floors they have become quite a problem to keep clean.
18 Oct 42
1230 hrs. - A very cloudy and dull day. Proceeded by GMT to Liverpool to take part in the Victory Loan Parade. The airmen put on a very fine show despite weather conditions. Returned to station at approximately 1600 hours. Parade consisted of 21 airmen in charge of P/O Neil SF.
2230 hrs. - Powerline brok down due to bad storm and diesel generators supplied station from approximately 2245 hours till 0800 hrs. the next morning.
2230 hrs. - At about this hour the roving guard fired a shot at a moving object outside the line fence at the rear of the coal storage building which he judged to be a person. It was investigated immediately but nothing found out of order. As it was very bad night with high winds and rain it was concluded to possibly be a deer or shadows.
19 Oct 42
1130 hrs. - Weather quite cool and cloudy. One Nursing Orderly and another RDF Operator arrived by rail on posting to this detachment.
1900 hrs. - AC1 Wolfe (Sec. Guard) accidently fired a round of ammunition while at the standing position loading his rifle prior to going on sentry duty. The bullet went high in the air and luckily no bodily harm or damage was done. On investigation it was found to be purely accidental.
20 Oct 42
A very fine bright day. Rapid progress being made in construction of the Pump House. Sgt. Cooper Foreman of Works started work on area decided upon for the ensign.
2140 hrs. - Held a fire alarm practice. All available buckets, fire extinguishers, etc. were at the supposed scene of the fire in 4 minutes. The temporary brake drum and hammer, previously mentioned served their purpose until howler arrives.
1130 hrs. - Lt. Posen and orderly of CDC from No. 1 "Y" Depot arrived by rail to start dental work for airmen and both were attached for quarters and rations.
21 Oct 42
0900 hrs. - A drill parade was held for those not on duty and they were instructed by Cpl. Williams, Discip. After 45 minutes of drill and exercise the men were detailed for small cleaning up jobs around the station. P/O Martin, OC, proceeded on T/D to EAC by GMT and was driven by LAC Mickleborough on authority EAC phone call received night of 20-10-42, returning that night. Dental appointments made and work progressing very favourably.
1400 hrs. - Large boiler arrived by Long Transport for Pump House.
22 Oct 42
0900 hrs. - Weather very bad, heavy rain. Cancelled morning parade and had men off duty report to Lt. Posen for dental treatment.
1500 hrs. - 3 Airmen with temperatures of 100 taken to Doctor in Liverpool. Notification received from EAC to transfer AC1 Epp W to RCAF Station Hospital, Dartmouth.
21 Nov 42
1000 hrs. - Dark and overcast. Held a work parade.
1020 hrs. - Receive phone call from Mr. Batson YMCA Supervisor re transportation to our unit 22-11-42 to show movies. Nothing to relate this date.
22 Nov 42
1030 hrs. - Duty run to Liverpool for chruch.
1430 hrs. - Trip made to Shelburne to RCAF Station to pick up Mr. Batson. He brought movie projector and the men enjoyed a very fine show in the canteen at 1900 hours. He remained overnight and discussed ways and means of entertainment for the men at this unit.
23 Nov 42
1030 hrs. - Bright and much warmer. Mr. Batson returned via rail to Shelburne at 1130 hours. Electrician arrived to start wiring pump house.
24 Nov 42
0900 hrs. - Truck left for Yarmouth in charge of P/O WS Martin (C10933). On return picked up rations at Shelburne. Returned at 2200 hours.
1130 hrs. - P/O R Bradley (C13081) and F/O Curtis stopped in on way to Halifax. Left at 1300 hours by GMT.
1330 hrs. - R135358 LAC Groleau, JEB departed for RCAF Hospital Dartmouth via rail.
Four tons of hard coal bought and delivered from Innes Coal Co. for use in the Guard House and Operatonal Hut.
25 Nov 42
0900 hrs. - Heavy rains in afternoon. Remaining two tons of coal delivered for use in kitchen range.
1100 hrs. - F/O Curtis and driver filled their gas tank on return to Tusket from EAC.
1430 hrs. - F/L CV Tomkins (C11409), Padre from Shelburne arrived and made contact with several airmen.
2000 hrs. - Entertained WE Spence, a Chief Petty Officer off the ship Chambly (Canadian Corvette) who was leaving for Ottawa the following day to be decorated for his work on the sea.
26 Nov 42
1130 hrs. - R84840 LAC MacNair, EK, WEM, returned from TD at Scoudouc. Electricians and plumbers progressing rapidly with the installation of jacket heaters in Operational Bldg. and Guard House.
R154788 Cpl Williams, CP returned from Annual Leave.
27 Nov 42
1100 hrs. - Held pay parade. Truck left for Shelburne on regular ration run. R64884 Sgt. Steeves, RP NCO i/c Guard, made the trip and returned with two borrowed rifles.
W/T made their first contact with Tusket this date.
Jacket heater completed in the Operational bldg. and heat now supplied. Men have been working under trying conditions prior to this as no heat of any source was available.
28 Nov 42
Heavy snow storm all morning and cold. Nothing of importance to relate this date. Gas pump now wired and ready for use.
29 Nov 42
Clear and cold. Duty run made to Liverpool for church parade.
30 Nov 42
0930 hrs. - Phoned the Provincial Oil Company in Bridgewater, NS to deliver 500 gallon of gasoline. Inspection of the tank revealed about 3 inches of water had seeped in due to the short neck of the intake pipe. Heavy rains caused seepage which drained into the intake pipe. This was corrected by pumping and steps taken to build a cement base around the intake pipe to raise it above the flat level of the ground.
Strength: 30/11/42
officers - 2
airmen - 63
W S Martin P/O
OC #4 Radio Detachment.
8 Dec 42
R135813 LAC Boulanger, NE departed via rail to RCAF Hospital, Dartmouth, NS on authority EAC letter.
Plumbers completing all fixtures i.e. putting up shower curtains, covering joints etc.
9 Dec 42
1330 hrs. - C6790 F/O Scott, JW proceeded to Scoudouc, NB via rail.
1630 hrs. - Received DAPS wire advising posting of one Cook, R78669 Cpl. Garnett, R from No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax. R112268 A/Sgt/ Cook, RW RDF Mech. "B" married at Berwick NS with permission to Miss Mary Elizabeth Baird.
10 Dec 42
Weather bright and cold.
1200 hrs. - Two Std. GD R55677 Lac St. Hilaire, JC and R177156 AC2 Imbeau, R arrived via rail on posting to this Detachment from No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, NS
1330 hrs. - Held a work parade to arrange a reading room for the men. Tables and chairs and floor lamps, writing desk placed in an extra room in the NCO's Quarters to provide such accommodations.
1900 hrs. - R13538 LAC Groleau, JEB returned via bus from RCAF Hospital, Dartmouth. Granted one weeks sick leave, eff. 11 Dec 1942.
11 Dec 42
Light snow falls during the night. Held a dance in the auditorium of the Liverpool High School. The men decorated the Hall very nicely within a few hours. The affair was quite successful and the proceeds turned over to the IODE. The IODE Ladies served supper at intermission and their assistance and services were greatly appreciated by all in attendance.
12 Dec 42
Dark and mild. R103226 A/Sgt Cooper, LV built a cement block around around the intake pipe of the underground storage gas-tank and added an extra piece of pipe to the main stand to prevent any seepage or drainage of water into the gas tank. Received posting notice from EAC to the effect R127273 LAC Rochette, JG and R108062 LAC Thurber, JLW Std GD's posted eff. 17 Dec. to RCAF Station, Yarmouth, NS
13 Dec 42
Heaviest snow fall of the season fell this date. Heavy storms all night. RDF Optrs. had a quiet day. Nothing of importance to relate.
14 Dec 42
Cold with approx. 6 inches snowfall on the level.
1300 hrs. - held a parade for pay in airmen's Canteen.
1430 hrs. - RCMP arrived to inform RCAF Carrier Pigeon had been around premises of Bruce Robinson, Port Mouton, NS, since Friday 11 Dec. 1942. C12610 P/O SF Neil acompanied them to Robinson's home. On arrival Mr. Robinson had captured pigeon this date and crated it to deliver to the RCMP authorities. Mr Neil brought it back and wired EAC for disposal instructions. Answer received at 1700 hrs. to crate pigeon and foward it care of Pigeon Loft, Dartmouth, NS. No. on leg-band was RCAF 31360. Carrier tube revealed no message and Mr. Robinson stated same was empty when pigeon was caught.
1930 hrs. - Received wire from EAC that R135957 LAC Charron, JAO was to replace R108062 LAC Thurber, JDW on posting to Yarmouth eff. 17 Dec. rep. 18 Dec. 1942.
2000 hrs. - Received wire that C12442 P/O JM Matthew to return from Bell Lake to this detachment 16 Dec. 1942.
15 Dec 42
Bright and cool. Light snow during night.
1330 hrs. - Shipped pigeon to RCAF Station, Dartmouth, NS Advised EAC of time of arrival in Halifax.
1400 hrs. - Truck left for Shelburne to pick up rations. Returned at 1800 hrs.
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