19 Radio Detachment - Gander, Newfoundland

9 - 31 Dec 42

NIL

(PF Peter) Flying Officer,
Officer Commanding,
No 19 RCAF Detachment,
Gander, Newfoundland

The first few days of the period between the dates given above were filled with P/O Peter's orientation of himself on the large station of Gander and the sending of urgent signals concerning a much needed panel truck, the contour of the GCI site and the bases for the equipment.

After ascertaining the state of progress existing at No 19 Detachment at that time, a detailed report with accompanying photographs was submitted to the Air Officer Commanding, Easter Air Command.

Next on the RDF officer's agenda was the task of making himself known to the important sections of Gander Station, and informing them of his job and the consequent assistance he would require from them.

This was followed by supervising the erection of the Steel Tower and Antenna arrays which was being done by the Atlas Construction Company. The direction of the electrical contractors, who were putting in the Diesel Generators and connecting up the distribution panels for the Detachment's power plant, was next accomplished.

The arrival of twelve Security Guards increased the Nominal Roll to thirteen persons.

By this time the Christmas festive season had rolled around and all the work of the local labour slowed down considerably which proved rather annoying with so much still to be done.

Water was then obtained by the Atlas Construction Company's well-digging activities and a slight change in the station's appearance was becoming visible as the buildings and tower neared completion.

The RDF equipment was removed from No 4 hangar of RCAF Station, Gander, to the Detachment and there it was unloaded and placed in the buildings by dint of great exertion on the part of all concerned since the transmitter alone weighs about three thousand pounds.

The Nominal Roll was again increased by the acquisition of an Equipment Assistant, LAC Lee, DW, R73922, on posting from RCAF Station, Gander.

A signal from EAC necessitated the examination of the three horse-power turning motor for the GCI antenna system for the presence of steel chips in the bearings. With only one officer and one leading aircraftsman to do this it was with considerable effort that the motor was taken into the station electrical shop and checked. Fine metal slivvers, somewhat similar to "trimmings" from a lathe, were discovered in one bearing.

The arrival of the RDF installation party consisting of Cpl Nowak, S, R250107 (RDF Mechanic (G) "A"), LAC Prodanuik, W, R250128, (RDF Mechanic (G) "B") and LAC Warren, JE, R93479 (RDF Mechanic (G) "B") gave the setting-up of No 19 Detachment added impetus.

At this point a fuel storage tank was "scrounged" for the fuel supply to the Power Generating Unit. The previously demanded panel truck had not appeared and transportation consisted of being brought out to the Detachment at 0800 hours and returning at 1700 hours, carrying sandwiches for lunch.

Flight Lieutenant J Henderson, Radio Officer from No 1 Group Headquarters, St John's, Newfoundland, came up to see the state of progress existing at that time. Great discussions followed on hooking up the Receiver to the Tower since buildings had been resited without accompanying blueprints and Operations Hut had come out with Receiver room remote from Tower, thus necessitating much more wiring than was originally specified. An alternative wiring system was figured out by F/L Henderson and P/O Peter and the installation party completed all the possible conduit and wiring work and testing was about to begin upon arrival of final materials.

Our Nominal Roll was once more increased by the arrival of Cpl Ingram, KN, R157942, (RDF Op (G) "B") and Cpl Flomen, E, R159679, (RDF Op (G) "B"), also LAC Johnston, GE, R150941 (Diesel Fitter "A") on posting from No 2 Detachment, Bell Lake, NS.

A signal came from AFHQ to the effect that the original Storage Room was to become the new Receiver Room. This necessitated rechannelling of floor and rewiring of feeder system to Antenna Tower. Operators, installation party, and Detachment OC waited patiently while the contractors slowly completed the changes. One consolation was the acquisition of a water pump and, as a result, the abolition of several smoking bee-hive stoves and the change-over to the hot-water heating system could be achieved.

The above mentioned changes took considerable time; however, several of the countless "odd jobs" entailed by an embryo RDF station were accomplished. In this interim the Diesel Power Generating Unit was tuned up the LAC Johnston. He connected up the electric starters to the Diesels, made a storage cupboard, adjusted the Diesels themselves until everything was brought right up to the mark.

Also during this period P/O Peter was promoted to the rank of Temporary Flying Officer, (DRO Feb 16th, effective 27-9-42).

The complement of the Detachment's personnel arrived and the commencement of operation seemed nearer.