Daily Diary

No. 33 Service Flying Training School,
Carberry, Manitoba

December 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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OUR FILE 59-1-1(0.3)
REF. YOUR S.24-5-2.(DSD)
DATED…………………9 Feb./44
ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE

February 29th, 1944.

The Secretary,
Department of National Defence for Air,
Lisgar Building, Ottawa, Ontario.

Daily Diary – December, 1943
No. 33 S.F.T.S., RAF, Carberry, Man.

1. The information requested in your letter referenced
above is as follows:
(a) Aircraft – Anson II 8637
(b) Cause of Accident – Obscure
(c) Location of Accident – 2 miles south, 4 miles east of
Sydney, Manitoba.
(d) Damage to aircraft – “A” Category crash
(e) Injuries to Personnel – 4 occupants fatally injured.
Particulars as given in original diary entry.
(f) Particulars re Court of Inquiry – Squadron Leader E.W.C. Sharpe (C.2797) of No. 2 T.C.H.Q. appointed Investigating Officer to determine circumstances of accident.

G.W. Brown F.O
(G.W. Brown) F/O,
for A.O.C., No. 2 T.C.

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CARBERRY, Man.
1 December 1943

• The first snowstorm of any weight was experienced today and had the effect of reducing the hours fit for flying to 14 out of 24.
  A concert of classical music was given by members of the Music Club this evening in the G.I.S. Block; and excellent programme being received by a responsive audience.
  A meeting of the Station Boxing Club was held in the Recreation Hall, representatives of all interested Sections being present.
  F/O. MATHER (GD) 49263 proceeded on posting to No. 31 P.D. P/O. CLARKE (GD) 153552
  reported on posting from No. 2 F.I.S.

2 December 1943

• 2nd DEC – An exhibition snooker match was played in the Airmen’s Lounge between the Corporals and the Airmen.
  One senior NCO and fifty-five OR’s (ground personnel) reported on posting from No. 31 P.D.,
  personnel being reliefs for tour-expired airmen who are being repatriated on completion of their
  tour of duty in Canada Command.

3 December 1943

• A fatal accident occurred at 2345 hours. The aircraft was Anson II 8637, the four occupants who were fatally injured being:
  • F/O. J.F. LEE (136860) – Flying Instructor,
  • 1566934, LAC BLUE, A.F.,
  • 1800818, LAC BOLSWORTH, J.H.,
  • 1399640, LAC WHITELAND, T.C.
  • the three pupils belonged to Course No. 90. The cause of the accident was Obscure and is pending investigation.
• An excellent attendance was reported at the voluntary P.T. held in the Drill Hall, upwards of 70 personnel of all ranks attending.

4 December 1943

• An exhibition snooker match was played in the Airmen’s Lounge between NCO’s and Airmen, the Airmen being the victors. F/L. R.W. AMOR (43615) (GD) reported on posting from No. 31 P.D.

5 December 1943

• A minor accident occurred today. Anson II 8468 was involved. The pupil, whilst taxying in cross-wind, applied the port brake to keep the aircraft straight, with the result that the aircraft tipped on its nose. Category of accident “D” – no injuries to personnel.
  Aircraft serviceability was 64.3%.
  Personnel of the Station participated in a very enjoyable evening “sing-song” held in the Carberry War Services Club.

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CARBERRY
6 December 1943

• Three Senior NCO’s and 59 OR’s (ground crew) proceeded on posting to No. 31 P.D., on completion of their tour of duty in this Command.
  F/O. J.D. MAULT 151052 (GD) proceeded on posting to No. 36 O.T.U. P/O. J.S. WILLETT 153374 (GD) reported on posting from No. 1 I.F.S.
  A recorded session of popular jazz-tunes was held this evening in the Airmen’s Lounge. The Station Bowling league met tonight in the Bowladrome at Carberry.

7 December 1943

• A D.C.M. was held today for the purpose of trying 1449612 ACl JOHNSON, A.C., and 932553 AC2 BAILEY, L.M.
  The Station Badminton Club held its meeting in the Drill Hall this evening.

8 December 1943

• Floor-hockey and basketball practices were held in the Drill Hall, the practices being held prior to the forthcoming inter-Hut competitions.
  The Music Club met in the G.I.S. Block this evening, the programme consisting of classical works.
  The personnel of R.1., PETREL, held a very successful dance, the function being attended by the Carberry hostesses; the occasion was voted as being as enjoyable as previous functions of a like nature.

9 December 1943

• The Station was visited by A.V-M. T.A. LAWRENCE, A.O.C. No. 2 Training Command, who addressed all available personnel, conveying to them Christmas and New Year Greetings on behalf of himself and the R.C.A.F.
  Adverse weather conditions limited the hours fit for flying to 9 hours and 10 minutes out of 24 hours.
  The Badminton Club met this evening in the Drill Hall.

10 December 1943

• Course No. 88 graduated today. There was an intake of 61, 14 of whom were discontinued ( 9 for unsatisfactory progress, 2 for disciplinary reasons, 3 for medical reasons).
  • The disposition of these was as follows:- To:
    • No. 2 “M” Depot – 7.
    • No. 1 “M” Depot – 2.
    • Crse. 90 (On Unit) – 5.
  • The disposition of the graduates, six of whom received commissions, was as follows:- To:
    • No. 34 O.T.U. – 6.
  • No. 32 O.T.U. -10.
  • No. 31 P.D. – 14.
  • No. 1 G.R.S. – 14.
  • “Y” Depot, Lachine – 2.
  • No. 2 F.I.S, – 1.

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CARBERRY
10 December 1943
(continued)

• An exhibition snooker match was played in the Airmen’s Lounge between N.C.O’s and airmen.
  The weather improved, the maximum number of hours being fit for flying.

11 December 1943

• 11th DEC – A minor accident occurred today. An Anson II, No. 8439, was involved; the brake failed when the aircraft was taxying down-wind. The instructor endeavoured to correct swing by use of the engine, but without success. The aircraft swung violently and the starboard oleo leg collapsed. No injuries were sustained, the category of the accident being “C”.
• Adverse weather restricted the hours fit for flying to nine.
• F/O. P.J. WILLS, 44268, (GD) and F/O. E.G. COOK, 144270, (GD) reported on posting from No. 35 EFTS.

12 December 1943

• 12th DEC – 24 u/t Navigators, posted here for useful employment, were posted to courses as follows;
  • 19 to Course 91 at No. 5 A.O.S.
  • 5 to Course 91 at No. 1 C.N.S.
• Aircraft serviceability was 58.1%.
• The Station was visited by the “Beacon Theatre” Concert Party. The Concert, which was given in the Recreation Hall, was greatly appreciated by a capacity audience.

13 December 1943

• Eight ground personnel ex-U.K. reported on posting from No. 31 P.D.
• Failure of aircraft to start in cold weather adversely affected flight flying.
• F/O. A.C. LYNCH-BLOSSE, 117698, (GD) reported on posting from No. 32 E.F.T.S.
• The Station floor-hockey and basketball leagues were in full swing, and a series of games were played in the Recreation Hall.

14 December 1943

• A minor accident occurred today. The pilot taxying aircraft 8463 from taxi strip to swing compass failed to check brakes and pump them up on release of parking device on leaving line, with the result that aircraft 8463 struck stationary aircraft. No injuries were sustained.
• The Bishop of Brandon conducted a Confirmation Service in the evening at which five members of the Station were confirmed.

15 December 1943

• F/L. A.P. MILLER (A&SD), 24127, and P/O. J.L. HARDY (Equip), 142947, reported on posting from No. 31 P.D. S/O. L.P. COLES (Messing) No. V.30391, reported on posting from No. 12 SFTS.

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CARBERRY
15 December 1943
(continued)

• The airmen held their Christmas Dance in the Recreation Hall. The Dance was extremely successful, and a capacity crowd thronged the tastefully decorated Recreation Hall. Hostesses from BRANDON, together with a party of WD’s from No. 12 SFTS., attended, as did Group Captain and Mrs. J.S.T. FALL.

16 December 1943

• A category “D” accident occurred during the afternoon, a/c J.S.215, piloted by an instructor, landed with undercarriage retracted.
• The Station’s Christmas festivities continued, with the corporals holding a dance in the Corporals’ Club. The dance was attended by the Commanding Officer, Group Captain J.S.T. FALL, and wife, a most enjoyable evening being had by all.

17 December 1943

• F/L. A.B. WALTON (A&SD) No. 86182, proceeded on posting to No. 3l P.D.
• The Station Badminton Club Met in the Drill Hall.
• The Sergeants’ Mess held a social evening in continuance of the Christmas Festivities, the guests of honour being Group Captain and Mrs. J.S.T. Fall.

18 December 1943

• A Christmas Dinner Dance was held in the Officers’ Mess, several Carberry residents and out-of-town guests participating in a very enjoyable evening.

19 December 1943

• Aircraft serviceability was 56.6%.
• The Station was visited by a U.S.O. Concert Party. The Party entertained a packed Recreation Hall and gave a show which was generally acclaimed as being one of the best given on the Camp.

20 December 1943

• Inclement weather reduced the hours fit for flying to 16 out of 24.
• S/Ldr. E.A.F. REEVE (A&SD), 73364, proceeded on posting to No. 31 P.D.
• The Station Basketball and Floor-hockey leagues played their league games in the Drill Hall, enthusiasm in these games is now most marked, and a keen spirit of rivalry exists.

21 December 1943

• The maximum hours were fit for flying.
• Eleven u/t Navigators reported on posting from No. 2 M.D.; personnel being posted to this Unit for useful employment pending absorption into courses.
• The Station badminton and bowling teams played their weekly League games.

22 December 1943

• The Station was visited by Frank Guy Armitage, who presented his original one-man entertainment “Dickens and His Queer Folk” to an appreciative audience accommodated in the Recreation Hall.

23 December 1943

• Fifty percent of the Station personnel who received the Christmas Leave Grant left during the afternoon for varying destinations.
• An exhibition snooker match was played between airmen and corporals this evening.

24 December 1943

• The Station Camera Club opened its exhibition of members’ works, the display being held in the Airmen’s lounge, a very fine display being on view.

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CARBERRY
25 December 1943

• There was no flying today.
  Holy Communion was celebrated in the Station Chapel at 0730 hrs., a short Carol Service being held at 0850 hrs. A film show was provided at 11.00 hrs. by the YMCA for the inmates of the hospital. The airmen had their Christmas dinner at 1300 hrs. in the newly decorated Mess Hall. Suitable Christmas fare was provided, and was served to the airmen by Officers of the
  Station. A free film show was provided for personnel in the afternoon. A “Smoking Concert” was held in the evening in the Airmen’s Canteen, the party spirit was well to the fore, and a most enjoyable evening was had by all those present.

26 December 1943

• Flying was resumed as usual. Aircraft serviceability was 64.6%.
• A “sing-song” for service personnel was held in the Carberry War Services Club.

27 December 1943

• P/O. F.J. GOLDING (EQUIP) No.144304 proceeded on posting to No. 31 P.D.
• Arrangements have now been made for personnel of this Station to have free use of the Indoor Skating Rink at Carberry on Monday and Wednesday of each week; the inaugural night saw a large crowd of enthusiasts and beginners taking advantage of the facilities available.

28 December 1943

• 28th DEC – F/O. J. WALKER (GD) 124619, proceeded on posting to No. 36 O.T.U.
  The Station Badminton Club met in the Drill Hall.

29 December 1943

• A minor accident occurred today, a/c F.P.756, piloted by Sgt. Smith (pupil) was taxying towards the hangar when the starboard oleo leg collapsed. Category of accident “C”.
• It was the intention on this date to give a party on the Station for the children of Carberry. Invitations had been issued to 170 children, and full arrangements had been made fore refreshments, suitable entertainment and the distribution of an individual gift for each child. Unfortunately, the party had to be cancelled at the last minute owing to scarlet fever cases being reported in the village. As a measure of consolation, the gifts were taken to the War Services Club in Carberry, and distributed to the children by an Officer seasonally attired in Santa Claus costume.
• Advantage was taken by a good number of personnel to skate on the Carberry indoor rink.
• The Music Club held a concert of classical music in the G.I.S. Block before an unusually large and appreciative audience.

30 December 1943

• P/O. A.L.R. JORDAN (GD) 53727 reported on posting from No. 38 SFTS.
• F/O. T.V. WHATLING (GD) 48965 proceeded on posting to No. 32 O.T.U.

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CARBERRY
30 December 1943
(continued)

• An exhibition snooker game was played between NCO’s and Airmen, the game being won by the NCO’s .

31 December 1943

• The Station Badminton Club met in the Drill Hall.
• New Year’s Eve hospitality was offered in generous measure by the residents of Carberry to personnel remaining on the Station.
  Sing-songs were organised in the Corporals’ Club and Airmen’s Lounge, and the New Year was greeted in traditional style and enthusiasm.
• During the month four out-door skating rinks have been prepared for use by all ranks of this Station. These rinks are now in excellent shape and advantage is taken by all personnel to indulge in this beneficial form of exercise whenever practicable. Two rinks are set aside for “beginners”, who receive tuition from the more expert skaters.

CARBERRY
31 December 1943
(continued)

• Total Flying Hours for the Month of December, 1943:- 6612 hours.

PERSONNEL STRENGTH

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	116	838	–
RCAF	6	56	–
RNZAF	1	–	–
RAAF	–	–	–
RCADC (CDC)	1	2	–
RCASC	1	2	–
CPC	–	3
Civilians	2	–	63
Trainees
RAF	5	200	–
RCAF	–	3	–
RNZAF	–	3	–
RAAF	–	10	–

AIRCRAFT STRENGTH

		Number
Anson II		116
	– Serviceable	80
	– Unserviceable	33
	– Not Available	5

(J.S.T. Fall) G/C.,
O.C., No. 33 S.F.T.S.