Daily Diary

No. 33 Service Flying Training School,
Carberry, Manitoba

July 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.
1943

• 1st July – The summer sport life of the Station is now in full swing. The major interest of the men appears to be soccer. Every fine evening the soccer pitches are in use, either for Brandon League fixtures or the more local Station Inter-Hut league. Of the nine teams composing the League, Hut 13 already appear to be well on the way to the League Championship.
• 2nd July – Nursing Sister I.L. MUNGEN arrived on posting from No. 2 T.C.
  A further body of Air Cadets arrived for familiarisation training on this Station. There were four officers and eighty-one other ranks. Favourable weather, and aircraft serviceability during the past seven days has enabled all Courses, with the exception of No. 80, to gain flying. 72.4% of aircraft were available for flying
  training.
• 3rd July – Today Wing Commander B.G.D. NATHAN assumed command of the Unit in the
  absence on leave of the Commanding Officer, Group Captain T.B. BRUCE, MC. Flying Officer P. Marsh (RAF126059) arrived on posting from No. 33 S.F.T.S.
  The gardens surrounding the Fire Hall continue to be the best kept on the Station. The time and trouble, ingenuity and patience daily spent by the personnel of this Section have made of the Fire Hall a veritable “Garden of Eden”.
  The Station soccer team travelled to WINNIPEG this afternoon to meet the pick of the Winnipeg Victory Soccer League at the Osborne Stadium. Although the Winnipeg team did not reach standards of previous years, they provided No. 33 with stiff opposition, but the latter had no difficulty in running out winners by 6 goals to 4.
• 4th July – A combined Commanding Officer’s and Church Parade was held this morning.
• 5th July – Another concert of recorded jazz was held tonight in the Airmen’s Lounge. This serious minded group continue to study “jive” and “trucking”, and any new form of ancient “swing” with an intensity that merits recording in this Diary as a phase of the modern airman’s recreation.
  F/L. G.M. MORTON (RAF79947) left today on posting to No. 34 S.F.T.S. Pilot Officer O.W. PORTER (RAF146316) (GD) arrived on posting from No. 32 S.F.T.S.
  The Station Soccer XI travelled to ESTEVAN today and had their revenge in a return game, winning by four goals to three.

IMAGE 1223

Carberry. 1943.

• 5th July (Cont) – S/L. L.G. COSTELLO (R.C. Chaplain) arrived by air this afternoon from No. 2
  T.C. on temporary duty, and continued by air later in the day to No. 36 E.F.T.S. F/L. H.A. GRAY (W. & B.) arrived by road from WINNIPEG on temporary duty, and continued to BRANDON in the evening.
• 6th July – F/O. H.C. MANLY arrived from No. 2 T.C. on temporary duty, and departed the same day for No. 19 E.F.T.S.
  During the past week extensive alterations have been made to the ladies’ Room in the Sergeants’ Mess – with the result that a very charming addition has been made, which greatly enhances both the appearance and the facilities of this very popular Mess.
• 7th July – At BRANDON today the Station “B” Soccer team, playing in the Brandon League, lost to No. 2 Manning Depot by three to five. The opposition consisted entirely of R.A.F. personnel, one of whom was a former Carberry player.
  The last boxing match of the season was held tonight in the Drill Hall, when the Station entertained a team from No. 3 W.S., WINNIPEG. This Unit won six bouts, and the visitors one bout. There were two amusing exhibition bouts given by tiny Carberry Boy Scouts.
  F/L. D. WHITTAKER (W. & B.) left for No. 2 T.C. on temporary duty.
  This afternoon saw the departure of F/O. (Nursing Sister) JEAN S. MURDOCH for Eastern Air Command, on posting.
• 8th July – Rugger fans turned out in force tonight to see an exciting trial match on the Station. This keenly contested game formed the basis of the selection of the Station team – in preparation for a coming match in WINNIPEG.
  There were three minor accidents today, two occasioned by pupils’ errors, and one occasioned during RAF-Army exercises. Forms D.14 have been submitted.
• 9th July – Two officers and 44 Air Cadets ended their week’s stay on the Station and departed for their homes today.
  During the past week, with the exception of one half-day and night, weather conditions were favourable to flying training. All Courses gained time.
  W/C. B.G.D. NATHAN, Chief Instructor at this Unit, returned by air from No. 17 S.F.T.S. today. He travelled there yesterday for General Court Martial duties.
  A pupil had a slight taxying accident today.
  Down on the Carberry fairground tonight the Station’s baseball enthusiasts – of whom there are quite a number – had an enjoyable practise. It is noteworthy that so many R.A.F. personnel are taking a keen interest in this arduous American pastime

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Carberry.

• l0th July./43 – Pilot Officer M.A. COWEE (RAF146726)(GD) arrived today on posting from No. 39 S.F.T.S.
  More Air Cadets departed today.
• 11th July – Organised swimming took place tonight at BRANDON. P.S.I. chartered a ‘bus which took the party of both experienced and would-be swimmers to the open-air baths.
  F/L. B.F. DOLMAN (Eq) left for No. 7 E.D. on temporary duty.
• 12th July – Many airmen attended a concert of recorded ‘jazz’ music in the Airmen’s lounge tonight and, despite the heat, listened with grave and rapt attention.
  Two officers and 60 other ranks, all air cadets, arrived on the Station today.
  Two new flying instructors arrived today from No. 2 F.I.S.; they were pilot Officers R.W. MEREDITH and A.K. MATTHEWS.
• 13th July – An athletic team from this Station participated in the ESTEVAN R.A.F. sports day, and were successful in winning two out of the three open events against teams from neighbouring stations. We won the ‘mile’ and a mile mixed relay, and one of our entrants gained 3rd place in the 100 yards.
  Four flying instructed returned today from No. 1 I.F.S., after a beam approach course.
• 14th July – Pilot Officer G.T. WILDING (RAF.1522 89) (GD-Nav-W) arrived on posting from No. 31 A.F.S.
  Tonight the ‘A’ Soccer team entertained No. 12 S.F.T.S., BRANDON, and won five to Nil.
  A Dance was held tonight in the Recreation Hall, lady guests coming from Brandon and Carberry.
• 15th July – Soccer fans had a heart-to-heart talk in the Recreation Hall today, and thrashed out many difficulties that had arisen in the Station’s popular Inter-Hut league. A new selection committee was appointed.
• 16th July – F/L E.R.J. BIEZARD (RAF89841) (GD) arrived on posting from No. 39 S.F.T.S.
  Aircraft serviceability has recovered after last week’s drop, and weather conditions remained good only one night being unfit for flying. The senior course has completed its syllabus 7½ days ahead, and the other three courses have steadily gained more time. The week’s serviceability was 74.5%.
  A pupil pilot had an undercarriage accident today, which has been reported on the appointed forms.

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Carberry. 1943.

• 17th July – A Dance was held in the Sergeant’s Mess this evening. Among the hundred guests were 50 young ladies specially transported to the Camp from BRANDON for this occasion. Refreshments were served, and an enjoyable evening was brought to a close at 0130 hours.
  A pupil pilot was uninvolved in a minor accident tonight.
• 18th July – The usual Church Services were held this morning.
  The Recreation Hall was packed tonight for a concert given by the ‘CHEERIOS’ party from WINNIPEG. It was greatly enjoyed by an enthusiastic audience.
• 19th July – P/O C.R. LONGHURST arrived on posting tonight from No. 35 S.F.T.S. The Commanding Officer, Group Captain T.B. BRUCE, MC. reassumed command of the unit on cessation of leave.
• 20th July – The new Station rugger pitch, whereon the familiar tall posts are now proudly planted, was ‘christened’ tonight by a trial game. The ground has been named ‘TWICKENHAM’, in honour of England’s first and foremost rugger ground.
  Other sporting activities today were a soccer match in our ‘HAMPDEN PARK’, and a softball game at BRANDON.
• 21st July – Two Officers and 50 other ranks of the Air Cadets left this unit today.
  Information arrived today of the appointment to commissioned rank of No.1332704. Sgt. NORGROVE, S.M. and No. 1285083. Sgt. GREENWOOD, A. with effect from 26th April, 1943. Both Officers were posted to No. 38 S.F.T.S.
• 22nd July – Organised swimming took place tonight, on this occasion to NEEPAWA, a ‘bus being chartered for the purpose.
  P/O L.C. MORRIS (RAF.51014) (Tech E) left this Station for No. 31 P.D. for repatriation.
  P/O I.J. SMITH (Sig) arrived by air from No. 2 T.C. this afternoon to inspect standard beam approach equipment. He left by rail later in the day.
  14 airman, previously tested for aircrew duties, appeared before an Aircrew Selection Board at No. 2 M.D., BRAHDON, today. Of the 14, only 2 failed the classification tests.
• 23rd July – The roof of the Recreation Hall nearly became airborne tonight, when hundreds of happy airmen frantically cheered the most delightful ENSA show Carberry has enjoyed for many months. Smooth and polished, item followed item, making ” ‘B’ for Bertie” an initial to be remembered.
  Course No. 76 graduated today. There was an intake of 65 pupils; 28 were discontinued. The disposition of those being 9 to TRENTON, 14 to BRANDON, 1 to TORONTO, 1 take on N.E. Strength, (Med. reasons) Re-selection Board pending, and 3 transferred to Course No. 80 (med. reasons). Yesterday the 35 Graduates received their wings from Group Captain T.B. BRUCE, M.C. Officer Commanding this unit. Only four were commissioned. The disposition of the graduates is as follows: 4 to ARNPRIOR; 7 to PEARCE, 6 to CHARLOTTETOWN, 4 to SUMMERSIDE, and

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Carberry. 1943

• 23rd July (Cont) – 14 to MONCTON for repatriation. F/L. G. HOWARD, AFC., was the Officer i/c Parade.
  During the past week flying training continued satisfactorily. Course 80 spent three days on ground examinations. The week’s serviceability was 72.9%.
• 24th July – The pick of the Station soccer players gave an exhibition game at Osborne Stadium, WINNIPEG, this afternoon, against No. 1 C.N.S., RIVERS. There were a large number of Winnipegers present, all of whom appeared to enjoy thoroughly this game, which Carberry won, 6-2.
  The Corporals’ Club held a very successful dance in their Club Room tonight. Lady guests included Lt. MACKAY and members of the C.W.A.C. from BRANDON. Prizes were awarded for novelty dances, and were presented to the winners by Mrs. BELCHER, wife of F/L. Belcher (Medical Officer).
• 25th July – The Englishman’s national game – cricket, does not appear to be extremely popular at the moment on this Station. There have been two Station matches during the month, both at Winnipeg, and both, sad to say, have been lost. Carberry were all out for nineteen runs when playing against the Wireless School, who scored 143; and we were also beaten by four wickets by St. George’s. Perhaps when a few more practice games have been played on the Station, it will be possible to pick a stronger team.
• 26th July – Snooker has had a “revival” on the Station. An airmen’s snooker championship has partly been responsible, and tonight there were many onlookers at the semi-final at the Airmen’s Lounge.
  Course No. 86 commenced training today.
  In a Brandon League game at home tonight, Carberry lost Nil – 1 to A.4., A.T.C., BRANDON.
• 27th July – S.H.Q. always ready to challenge the Station at anything, have now thrown out a challenge to any Section at ‘Tug o’ War. As a result of this gesture the sports Officer is now busy organising opposition teams, and is looking for experienced heavyweights.
• 28th July – A well-attended Airmen’s Dance was held tonight in the Recreation Hall. Lady guests travelled from as far as Brandon for this occasion, and were well rewarded by an entertaining evening.
• 29th July – Air Vice-Marshal T.A. LAWRENCE, Air Officer Commanding No. 2 Training Command, WINNIPEG, with many of his Staff Officers, visited the unit.
  F/L G. McNAUGHTAN (S.M.O.) proceeded on posting to No. 31 S.F.T.S., and S/L K.D.F. MORLE arrived from No. 31 S.F.T.S. to take up the duties of S.M.O.

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Carberry. 1943.

• 30th July – A pupil had a “wheels up” forced landing today.
  The Rugger Committee have appointed new officials, and an eleven-a-side Inter-section League has been planned to commence next week.
• 31st July – F/L. A.B. YOUNG (RAF102981)(GD) proceeded on posting to No. 31 P.D. for repatriation. Today being pay-day, the ever popular Station magazine”GEN” was on sale. Noteworthy among the contributions is another story from the pen of F/L. R.C. RIVAZ, DFC., a pupil of-this Unit, whose recent book “The Tail Gunner” has been recently highly commended in the Air Force Journal.
  Our cricket team played No. 3 Wireless School in the Assiniboine Park; WINNIPEG, today and suffered a severe “licking” from the competent hands of a mixed Australian and New Zealand team. Carberry were all out for 46 and the home team ran easily to 106 for 6 wickets.
  Total flying hours for the month of JULY, 1943:- 8173.10.

  STRENGTH – PERSONNEL.

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	114	818	–
RCAF	5	74	–
RNZAF	3	1	–
RAAF	–	1	–
RCADC	1	3	–
RCASC	–	3	–
CPC	–	3
Civilians	–	–	64
Trainees
RAF	15 (3 ex-army)	176	–
RCAF	–	–	–
RNZAF	–	3	–

‘B’ AIRCRAFT STRENGTH 

		Number
Anson II		121
	– Serviceable	69
	– Unservicable	38
	– Not Available	14

• (T.B. BRUCE) G/C.,
  OC., No. 33 S.F.T.S.