DAILY DIARY
2 RADIO DETACHMENT - BELL LAKE, NOVA SCOTIA
1 Oct 1942 to 22 Oct 1942
1 Oct 42
Published our first DRO today. S/L Black from Accounts in Dartmouth visited the Station. P/O Musselman and his Installation Party arrived on temporary duty.
2 Oct 42
The 8 foot fence around the Technical compound is nearing completion. Moved into Guardhouse for the first time. Held CO's Inspection. F/L Manders from EAC and W/C Williams from AFHQ visited the Station - interested mainly in the technical section.
3 Oct 42
Contractors are still working on the water intake to the pumphouse. Very little work to be done in order to complete the Administration Building.
4 Oct 42
Cpl Gregory, the Disciplinarian, arrived today. Entrance and exit from Station to be made only by the main road starting today. Still hauling our water supply in barrels from a lake near Dartmouth.
5 Oct 42
Regular station cleanup took place today. Telephone Company completing the installation of the telephone system.
6 Oct 42
F/O Clow from Preston and F/L McMann from Personnel Branch, EAC visited the station. F/L McMann promised to aid in completing our establishment.
7 Oct 42
Medical Inspection by MO from Dartmouth. Quite cool sleeping now - heating system is dependent on completion of water supply.
8 Oct 42
P/O Digby, the Administrative Officer arrived this afternoon. Outer 6 foot fence is almost complete.
9 Oct 42
Bright warm day following a cold night. Sentry boxes arrived, pumping engine placed in pumphouse, stores building moved to vicinity of MT Section and gate and fence around radio hut completed. Boxing gloves, horse shoes, baseballs, bats, football and rugby ball obtained for use of airmen from Dartmouth Air Station, Sports Officer and darts, monopoly, checkers, playing cards and stationery from YMCA.
10 Oct 42
Weather fair after a cold night. Fence on northern boundary of Station completed. Temporary steps erected over it to give access to latrines. Visited by F/O Clow, P/O Cranna, P/O Bradley of No. 1 Radio Detachment, Preston.
11 Oct 42
Weather dull in morning, clearing later in day. F/L Cairns, EAC, W&B, inspected pumphouse diesels.
12 Oct 42
Weather clear and cool. Promulgated orders instituting four Duty Watches, pass-in and out systems at main gate and distributed Permanent Passes. (Form RCAF R.174). Thanksgiving Day, a Public Holiday, so no work done on construction by contractor. Party of seventeen taken to Dartmouth Station for Volleyball.
13 Oct 42
Clear and cool. Started Duty Watches. Gasoline pump installed, work proceeding on engine in pumphouse. Temporary wood burning stove put in Guardhouse. Unable to get stove pipes for oil heater in barracks. P/O Drake, Security Guard Officer, inspected Guardhouse. P/O Musselman, here on temporary duty and departed today.
14 Oct 42
Clear and milder. Work started on incinerator, and levelling of ground to west of coal sheds to divert rain water. Work on clearing and ditching proceeding slowly by hand labour. Regular inspection by MO, F/L Cook. Promised to follow up lack of heat and water from health standpoint, also to provide proper first-aid kit. Took party to Preston for showers and movies.
15 Oct 42
Clear and cool. Semi-monthly pay parade. Water tank delivered to Station. Visit from Padre F/L Johnston, and S/L Campbell, CO #1 RDF, Scoudouc, NB, P/O Boyle arrived on temporary duty.
16 Oct 42
Clear and warm. CO's parade held. Water tank set up, ready for concrete piers. Shingling on store-house completed. Work proceeding on drainage.
17 Oct 42
Clear and cool. Compression pump set up in pumphouse, other work proceeding but completion of intake still awaiting diver.
18 Oct 42
Cloudy in morning and very heavy rain at night.
19 Oct 42
Cloudy with light rain and cold. Drainage around coal shed still unsatisfactory. Diesel house drainage now satisfactory. Administration Building ready except for Almatex on floors. Heating system ready if water can be pumped in.
20 Oct 42
Cloudy and cold. Obtained pumper from Dartmouth Air Station, filled boiler, started fire. Boiler blown out once.
21 Oct 42
Clear and warmer. Boiler blown out for second time, steam turned on in NCO's quarters, barracks, Mess-hall and canteen. Two defective elbows found but only necessary to cut off mess hall and canteen. F/L Fogo (W&B) and F/L McKenzie (Adjt) of Dartmouth Air Station visited us. Hope to get some acton on water supply. Work on office in MT Section, heating and wiring in Radio Hut and incinerator proceeding. F/L Cook, Medical Officer, made his weekly inspection and brought a first-aid kit. Excellent work done by LAC Dunning, WK R82116 (Fitter Diesel "A") and LAC Johnston, GE, R150941 (Fitter Diesel "B") getting heating system operating in face of diffculties.22 Oct 42
Heavy rain. Diver installed all but two sections of intake pipe. Electrician made temporary connection of condenser pump in Administration Building, which is now ready for steam heating test. Gyproc being put on inside of pumphouse.
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Updated: March 28, 2003