Daily Diary

No. 33 Service Flying Training School,
Carberry, Manitoba

June 1943

This Transcription of the Operational Record Book of No. 33 Service Flying Training School that was Located at Carberry, Manitoba, Canada was created by the volunteers at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, Brandon, Manitoba. You can visit their website by clicking this heading.

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CARBERRY

• 1st June./43

“A” STRENGTH – PERSONNEL AND AIRCRAFT.

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	101	953	–
RCAF	6	67	–
RNZAF	3	–	–
CDC	2	3	–
RCASC	–	3	–
CPC	–	3
Civilians	–	–	68
Trainees
RAF	1	232	–
RCAF	–	–	–
RNZAF	–	4	–

“B” AIRCRAFT.

		Number
Anson II		106
	Serviceable	64
	Unserviceable	42
	Unavailable	3

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Carberry, 1943

• 1st June – Captain KAUKIMEN, C.D.C., arrived as relief for Captain C. MARQUIS (Hospital), from No. 2 M.D., BRANDON. Pilot Officer D. FORD left on posting to 38 S.F.T.S., ESTEVAN. Wing Commander B.G.D. NATHAN, Chief Instructor, returned this Unit from Course at Trenton. Number of hours fit for flying – NIL. Pilot Officer A.H. PHILLIPPE arrived on posting from No. 2 F.I.S. A bridge match was held in the Airmen’s Lounge – Officers v Airmen, with the Officers successful. The weather was extremely bad, and no flying was possible.
• 2nd June – Commanding Officer’s Parade was held this morning. Weather improved today and good progress was made in training.
• 3rd June – The weather again deteriorated and restricted flying training. A free YMCA film was shown at the Station Hospital, and a Softball game was played, No. 33 S.F.T.S. .v. A. 15 ARTILLERY TRAINING CENTRE at SHILO.
• 4th June – Weather again improved and good progress was made in training.
• 5th June – Weather good and training uninterrupted.
• 6th June – Weather good and progress maintained in training. Accident to Anson II aircraft No. 8468 was caused by the collapse of the starboard oleo leg on landing, the result of a ground loop. No one was injured and the aircraft was placed Category ‘B’.
• 7th June – Weather was again good and progress in training was maintained. A Soccer Match was held. Officers .v. Sergeants, and also a practice softball game was played in order to pick a Station team.
• 8th June – Commanding Officers Parade was held this morning. Cinema Matinee was given this afternoon to personnel engaged on night duties.
• 9th June – Weather was again good and progress maintained in flying training. Rip-Chords Concert Party gave their seventh edition in the Recreation Hall. Weekly Flying times: Advanced Training Squadron 585.25 hrs. Intermediate Training Squadron 630.20 hours.
• 10th June – Weather good, training uninterrupted. A free YMCA film was shown in the Station Hospital, and the film “Next-of-Kin” was shown in the evening, no charge being made for admission.
• 11th June – The Station was honoured today by the arrival of the Chief R.A.F. Chaplain in Canada, THE (REV) WING COMMANDER G.W.J. GREGSON. His personality is of such a calibre that there was an immediate and

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CARBERRY

• 11th June (cont’d) – and noticeable uplift of morale among all personnel of the Station, from Commanding Officer down to the newest A.C.2. It was a year since his last visit. On Sunday, when he participated in the Weekly Morning Church Service there was a remarkably large attendance. Instead of the usual Church Parade there was just a bald announcement that Wing Commander GREGSON would be giving the Sermon, and a result there was the largest attendance in the Recreation Hall for Sunday morning for a long time. Wing Commander GREGSON, however, had an unpleasant duty to perform, namely the announcement of the impending departure from the Station of the popular Anglican Padre, the Rev.(S/Ldr.) OWEN WILLIAMS. The Station track is now ready, and organised training will begin on the 15th June, trials being held to pick a team to represent the Station at the Scottish Sports in Winnipeg.
• 12th June – Weather was again good and training progress maintained.
• 13th June – Wing Commander (Rev.) G.W.J. GREGSON, Church of England Chaplain, from A.F.H.Q., conducted a Service.
• 14th June – Weather again good for flying and training continued. Flying Officer S.W.A. RICHARDSON proceeded on posting to No. 35 S.F.T.S., NORTH BATTLEFORD. Pilot Officer J.A. BAKER and Pilot Officer D. POWELL arrived at the Station on posting from No. 2 F.I.S. Command Trade Test Board arrived at the Station today. Weekly Flying Times: Advanced Training Squadron – 1157.35 hours. Intermediate Training Squadron – 1120.30 hours.
• 15th June – Flight Lieutenant P.C. MAJORAM arrived on posting from No. 39 S.F.T.S. A softball game was played between No. 33 S.F.T.S. and CAMP SHILO (away).
• 16th June – The Commanding Officer’s Parade was held this morning. Weather again good and training progress maintained. Pupil pilot on solo flying practice landed with undercarriage in retracted position. Pilot uninjured
  (Category C.l.) Pilot Officer M. HAWKINS arrived on posting from No. 31 P.D. MONCTON. Tonight No. 41 S.F.T.S., WEYBURN, entertained this Unit’s Boxing Team, and spring a surprise by producing such talent that they won six bouts and drew the seventh. The Carberry team had received considerable publicity as being Manitoba Service Champions, but across the Saskatchewan border they got a good licking.

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Carberry 1943

• 17th June – Perfect flying weather and training continued satisfactorily. Flying Officer C.W. WESTCOTT (Tech) arrived on posting from No. 41 S.F.T.S. Aircraft landed with undercarriage in retracted position. Pupil pilot uninjured (Category C.l) A free YMCA film was shown at the Station Hospital. There were many sports fixtures for today. Soccer at HAMPDEN PARK, Officers .v. Hut 9, and at WEMBLEY Hut No.10 .v. Hut 32. In the Station Bowling League Team 9 .v. 12, 13 .v. 11, 14 ,v. 10 and team 15 .v. 16. Softball, Parachute Battalion, CAMP SHILO .v. No. 33 S.F.T.S (at home).
• 18th June – Weather good, training uninterrupted. This has been a very busy month for all who have connection with the Rip-Chords Concert Party. The cast spent night after night rehearsing for their latest edition, and gave tonight their first of two performances, in Winnipeg. As usual they crowded the the theatre. Plans are in hand for the Station Concert Party to entertain at WEYBURN on the 30th and ESTEVAN on July 1st.
• 19th June – Training continued under perfect weather conditions. Our first real cricket match of the season was played amid the charming surroundings of ASSINNIBOINE PARK, WINNIPEG, this afternoon. T. EATON AND COMPANY fielded a team which made our own side look weak. Despite efforts, to the contrary it has been noticed that our enthusiasm for cricket has somewhat waned. Perhaps it is due to the absence of the old English ‘accessories’ to the game; namely ‘springy green’ lawns, placid spectators in deck chairs, a hearty feed, and a round of beer in the pavilion after the game.
• 20th June – Combined Commanding Officer’s and Church Parade was held this morning.
• 21st June – Weather good and training continued satisfactorily. A Court of Enquiry assembled today on 1053847 AC1. WILKINSON, ACH/GD, absent without leave from 27th May 1943. In contrast to cricket, association football arouses the whole Station to delirious enthusiasm; the peak of which this season was probably reached this evening when the first ‘International’ Match – – SCOTLAND .v. ENGLAND – – was played. The wife of the Commanding Officer, MRS. BRUCE, after shaking hands with the teams, in the presence of a large crowd, kicked off for ENGLAND. SCOTLAND won by four goals to two, and in the opinion of all it was the best game seen on this Station. Today saw the arrival of the No .86 PORT ARTHUR SQUADRON of Air Cadets consisting of two officers and fifty other ranks. For them it was a big moment. Elaborate arrangements had been made for their stay, and by the time they leave the Station they will have had an intensive period of what to them will have been interesting training, and instructions. The enthusiasm of these boys was matched only by their appetites.
• 22nd June – Flying Officer J.C. PARKINSON proceeded on posting to No. 35 E.F.T.S. Softball League, No. 33 S.F.T.S. .v. A15 A.T.C., CAMP SHILO.

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CARBERRY

• 23rd June./43 – Section Officer C.M. RAYNOR, Command Catering Officer, arrived on the Unit to inspect messing. One Officer and eleven other ranks Air Cadets arrived on the Station today for Summer Camp. Weather good and training maintained.
• 24th June – A graduation ceremony and parade for No. 76 COURSE was held this afternoon. Flying Badges were presented by Croup Captain T.B. BRUCE, MC. Squadron Leader H.M. ROBERTSON was the Officer i/c Parade and Flight Lieutenant A.B. WALTON was the Parade Adjutant. This Course had an intake of 69 pupils, of whom 45 graduated and 24 were discontinued. Of the graduates, eight were commissioned from this Unit. The disposition of the graduates was as follows:- Five to No. l F.I.S., TRENTON, six to No. 2 F.I.S., PEARCE, sixteen to No. 31 G.R.S., CHARLOTTETOWN, two to No. 34 O.T.U., PENNFIELD RIDGE, eleven to No. 31 A.N.S., PORT ALBERT, and four to No. 31 P.D., MONCTON, one to No. 3 F.I.S., ARNPRIOR. A free YMCA film was shown in the Station Hospital. Two soccer matches were played, Officers .v. Hut 14, and Hut 10 .v. Hut 11.
• 25th June – Three more Air Cadets arrived on Camp today for the Summer Camp. Weather excellent, and good progress made in flying training. Flight Lieutenant G.J. WRIGHT proceeded on posting to No. 36 O.T.U. A baseball practice (hardball) was held on the local fairground.
• 26th June – Group Captain A.J. ASHTON and Flight Lieutenant H.V. BELL arrived on the Station to visit the Air Cadets.
  Pilot Officer PERRIAULT arrived on posting from No. 1 C.N.S. RIVERS. The Station’s new Anglican Padre, the Rev. Squadron Leader D.C.H. MICHELL arrived today from MONCTON. Thirty-two new pupils arrived for COURSE NO. 84.
• 27th June – A Combined Commanding Officer’s and Church Parade was held this morning. The Service was conducted by Squadron Leader Rev. D.C.H. MICHELL, the new Station Chaplain. Twenty-two new pupils arrived on the Station today and, together with thirty-two pupils who arrived on the 26th and two transfers from No.82 COURSE, comprise COURSE No. 84. Tonight the Station was entertained by a WINNIPEG Concert Party – THE PRIORITIES OF 1943. This band of amateurs is sponsored by CANADA PACKERS, LTD. General opinion afterwards was that their turns were the ‘most polished and witty’ which had been seen here for a long time. Squadron Leader Rev. L. OWEN WILLIAMS proceeded on posting to No. 31 P.D., MONCTON. Pilot Officer A.F. SALMON arrived on posting from No. 2 F.I.S.

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CARBERRY

• 28th June./43 – COURSE No. 84 officially started today. Weather was again good and progress was maintained in flying training. Pilot Officer R.H. TAYLOR arrived on posting from No. 2 F.I.S. There was a salutory touch to the friendly soccer match played tonight between a Station team and a team from the R.A.F. Station, ESTEVAN. The visitors have not been beaten for two years, and needless to say did not spoil their record at ‘WEMBLEY’ – – our principle ground.
• 29th June – Good flying weather and training maintained. Flying Officer P.G. KING proceeded on posting to No. 31 O.T.U. Flight Lieutenant G. HOWARD arrived at the Station on posting from E.C.F.S., and Pilot Officer T.J. GOLDING arrived on posting from No. 38 S.F.T.S. A Softball match, in aid of the Junior Red Cross, was played today at CASTLE HILL, No.33 S.F.T.S. .v. CASTLE HILL. There was also a soccer game between Officers and Hut 31.
• 30th June – Commanding Officer’s Parade was held this morning. Weather was again perfect and good progress was made in flying training. Tonight the Station entertained in the Drill Shed the boxing team of No. 2 ‘M’ DEPOT, BRANDON. Although we beat BRANDON by a margin of two fights the entire evening’s show was evenly contested; good sportsmanship was shown throughout; and the bouts gave keen enjoyment to several hundred spectators. The Commanding Officer, Group Captain T.B.BRUCE, MC, presented the prizes. There were two diversions. Two tiny CARBERRY Boy Scouts boxed a couple of bouts, and two Station ‘all-in’ wrestlers gave great entertainment to the crowd and ended by throwing the referees out of the ring. Today being pay day there appeared the inevitable Station Magazine – – ‘GEN’, which was briskly sold at all pay parades.
  ‘A’ STRENGTH – PERSONNEL

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	104	1066	–
RCAF	5	75	–
RNZAF	3	–	–
CDC	2	3	–
RCASC	1	3	–
CPC	–	–
Civilians	–	–	64
Trainees
RAF	4	179	–
RCAF	–	–	–
RNZAF	–	4	–

‘B’ AIRCRAFT STRENGTH 

		Number
Strength		119
	– Servicable	74
	– Unservicable	33
	– Not Available	12

• H.M. Pezzani S/L
  for T.B. BRUCE)
  Group Captain – COMMANDING,
  No.33 S.F.T.S., R.A.F., CARBERRY, MANITOBA
  TOTAL FLYING HOURS FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE: 8036.30.