Daily Diary

No. 33 Service Flying Training School,
Carberry, Manitoba

August 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.

IMAGE 1231

Carberry, Man.
1943.

• AUGUST 1st – Soccer which has enjoyed great popularity on the Station this season had a further boost today in the forming of a Junior League. This league comprises eight teams bringing the total of competitive league teams on the Station up to 19.
• 2nd – While Soccer is still the most popular sport on the Station, a considerable number of the personnel have shown a healthy interest in both Rugby and Cricket, so much so that it has been possible to form two new Leagues and a Rugby Union League comprising six teams and a Cricket League with 11 teams.
• 3rd – Great interest was shown today by both Officers and men in a Rugger game which had been arranged between the Officers and the pupils of Course No. 86. It was one of the best and most exciting games witnessed on the Station for some time and the Pupils were victorious by 9 points to 3.
• 4th – The Station participated today in a dual athletic meet with No. 12 S.F.T.S., BRANDON. Our Canadian friends, as usual, were very strong in all field events, and though our boys put up a good fight they were definitely outclassed. However, to atone for this drubbing the boys from the Old Country proceeded to win the various track events and on the day’s show only lost by 17 points on the whole. The meeting was thoroughly enjoyed by all who participated and the feeling between the two camps was one of complete unanimity.
• 5th – Squadron Leader E.A.F. REEVE, Chief Ground Instructor, proceeded to ROCKCLIFFE for a 14 days’ course on Aircraft Recognition. Flight Lieutenant J.A. SYKES was posted supernumary to the Unit today from No. 2 M.D. BRANDON. Swimming has been very popular during the hot weather and tonight three Officers and 22 men spent a very pleasant evening swimming at BEAVER DAM, a most attractive spot about six miles from the Unit.
• 6th – In the posting of Flying Officer G. F. WIMBURY, today to No. 31 G.R.S., the Ground Instructional School lost a very popular officer. When carrying out circuits and landings today a pupil had to make a forced landing when both engines cut out at 1200 ft. Only slight damage was done to the aircraft.
• 7th – A minor accident occurred on the Station today when a pupil was coming in to land. The aircraft drifted in a gusty cross-wind and the starboard propeller hit a glide path indicator.

IMAGE 1232

Carberry, Man.
1943

• AUGUST 8th – Flight Lieutenant J. M. O’Brien, A.F.M. , arrived on posting from No. 38 S.F.T.S., to take over control of Standard Beam Approach, which is being installed at this Station. During the past week weather conditions have been very favorable for flying and all courses have made record progress.
• 9th – In the Cricket League formed a few days ago the Airmen’s Mess were drawn to play against the Accounts Section. This game was played off tonight and the standard of play was very high indeed, a most exciting tussle taking place. The Airmen’s Mess were the best team and were the conquerors by 38 runs to 23. An aircraft piloted by a pupil, made a forced landing about 3/4 of a mile south west of the Unit through lack of fuel. No injuries were sustained by personnel and only minor damage caused to the aircraft.
• 10th – An exciting Rugger game, Officers versus Sergeants, was played on the Twickenham pitch today. Great enthusiasm was shown by the spectators, both officers and airmen, who had turned up in strength to support their sides. The Officers, although they put up a good show were beaten by nine points to six.
  A District Court Martial was convened on the Station today. President: Squadorn Leader W.B. SCARTH, MC., No. 2 T.C. H.Q. WINNIPEG. Accused: 1039954. ACl. ALEXANDER PRASHER. W.O.A.S. Striking his superior officer.
• 11th – Today, CARBERRY ‘B’ team met the ARMY A.15 at SHILO in the B.D.S.A.A. league. Great interest has been shown in all the league games and there were many supports from the station. The R.A.F. boys were victorious by four goals to nil.
• 12th – During the summer, there has been great competition between the various sections and huts on the Camp to have the best kept garden and the finest display of flowers. So successful were most of the efforts that the Commanding Officer, Group Captain T.B. BRUCE, MC., decided to have a Gardens Competition. Spurred on with this incentive, the Sections redoubled their efforts, and when the judging took place today, the station presented a brave appearance with it’s magnificent display of blooms and well ordered gardens. The Mayor and Mayoress of Carberry, Doctor and Mrs. R.J. WAUGH very kindly acted as adjudicators and said after, they had great difficulty in placing the prize winning sections. They were profuse in their praise of all the gardens and said it reflected great credit on all concerned. After the judging, the Mayor and Mayoress were entertained to tea in the Officers’ Mess. Prizes were awarded as follows:
  • 1st. Best Section . . Fire Hall . . $30.00
  • 2nd. Best Section . . No. 2 Group . . $20.00

IMAGE 1233

Carberry. 1943.

• AUGUST 12th (cont’d) – 1st Best Hut . . No. 13A . . $30.00
  2nd Best Hut . . No. 14B . . $20.00
  Consolation Prizes (each of ten dollars)
  Guard Room. M.T. Section. No. 6 Hangar.
  No. 31A. No. 14A. Workshops.
  Flying Officer W. A. CARTER arrived at the unit today on posting from No. 2 T.C. for Medical duties.
  Pilot Officer A. F. SALMON was posted to No. 31 P.D. MONCTON, for repatriation. Slight damage was caused to an aircraft today when the tail-wheel tyre burst on landing.
• 13th – As a sequel to the gardens competition, some of the sections in truly patriotic style returned their prize money to the Commanding Officer to be donated to the various War relief funds. This is indicative of the spirit which exists on this Station. That monies were disboursed as under:
  Prize money won by No. 2 Group donated to Chinese Relief Fund.
  Prize money won by Fire Hall donated to Milk for Britain Fund.
  Prize money won by No. 6 Hangar donated to Red Cross Fund.
  Prize money won by Hut No. 13A donated to Red Cross Fund.
  Prize money won by Hut No. 31A donated to Red Cross Fund.
  Prize money won by Guard Room donated to The C.O.’s Benevolent Fund.
  CARBERRY troup of BOY SCOUTS had a very successful day on the Unit selling tags in aid of the CHINESE RELIEF FUND. A minor accident occurred today. The starboard tyre of an aircraft burst on landing causing the machine to swing violently. The port oleo leg collapsed. No other damage was caused.
• 14th – All during this week the Station Cricket Team have been putting in hours of practice in preparation for their game with WINNIPEG JUNIORS. This match was played today and while the boys from CARBERRY put up a good show the JUNIORS won. A pupil made a wheels up landing today. Slight damage was caused to the Aircraft but no personal injuries were sustained.

IMAGE 1234

1943.
Carberry,

• AUGUST 15th – The Station tonight was entertained by the WINNIPEG POLICE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, who were given a most enthusiastic welcome. This was their second visit to CARBERRY, and the concert was well up to previous standards. Flying Officer W. A. CLARK arrived on posting from No. 31 P.D. MONCTON, to take up duties of Duty Pilot.
• 16th – The Station Soccer Team today again met their old rivals at WEYBURN and after a strenuous battle were defeated by 7 goals to 2.
• 17th – Great interest was shown tonight in the softball game with the A.15 A.T.C. team from SHILO. The CARBERRY boys had however to hand it to their Canadian brothers and were defeated by 4 points to 1. A minor flying accident occurred when a pupil overshot on a single engine approach and ran past the boundary markers striking drainage ditch.
• 18th – Today in glorious weather a picnic was held for wives and families of Living out personnel. The spot chosen was one of the most charming in the district, situated about nine miles from CARBERRY amongst beautiful CYPRESS HILLS. Sports and games were organised by FLYING OFFICER F.J.B. MORGAN, and the outing was voted a huge success. Prizes for races were presented by Mrs. T.B.BRUCE and Mrs. W.M. MOORE.
• 19th – Course No. 80 graduated today. There was an intake of 62 pupils. 19 were discontinued (14 for unsatisfactory progress, 1 for disciplinary reasons and 4 for failure to pass ground exams.), the disposition of these being as follows:
  14 to BRANDON. 1 to TORONTO. 1 to 35 E.F.T.S. 1 to 34 O.T.U.
  1 to No. 1 R.A.S, ROCKCLIFFE, 1 to TRENTON.
  Five pupils were transferred to No. 62 Course, the training of three of them being interrupted for medical reasons, and two for disciplinary reasons; the 38 graduates received their wings from Group Captain T.B. BRUCE, MC. Officer Commanding this Unit, and eight of them received commissions. The disposition of the graduates is as follows:
  14 to CHARLOTTETOWN. 4 to ARNPRIOR. 4 to TRENTON. 4 to PEARCE.
  3 to PORT ALBERT 3 to ‘Y’ DEPOT, HALIFAX, and 6 to MONCTON.
• 20th – Flying Officer R.M. HORSLEY, DFC. (120849) proceeded on posting to No. 31 P.D., MONCTON for repatriation.
• 21st – Showing all-around superiority on the field, speed, positional play and the ability to take advantage of nearly every opening, the Station Soccer Team sent the RIVERS eleven to the sidelines in the first round of the Manitoba Championship in an overwhelming victory of 5 goals to nil at Osborne Stadium today.
  Squadron Leader E.A.F. REEVE (73364) Chief Ground Instructor, returned from ROCKCLIFFE today, having attended an Aircraft Recognition Course there.

IMAGE 1235

1943.
Carberry.

• AUGUST 22nd – The SHOWBOAT CONCERT PARTY gave a very creditable performance to the troops tonight in the Recreation Hall. After the Concert the players were entertained in the Officers’ Mess. During the course of the evening Group Captain T.B. BRUCE, M.C. extended a very cordial invitation to the 21 young ladies comprising the party to attend the Dance to be held in the Officers’ Mess on the 28th August, 1943. This invitation was enthusiastically accepted by all.
• 23rd – Course No. 68 commenced today with an intake of 60, including one Officer.
• 24th – The Station Baseball Team played A .4 A.T.C. BRANDON, at the local fair grounds tonight and were defeated by 14 points to 4. When night flying was in progress the weather deteriorated very suddenly, ceiling coming down to 50 feet. Every precaution was taken by the night flying personnel, and a general recall sent out. One aircraft, in trying to locate the flare path, crashed in a field east of the aerodrome and burst into flames. Both occupants, a flying instructor 571510, Sergeant INGRAM, A.W., and a pupil of No. 86 Course, 1586744 Leading Aircraftman SHORNEY, F.R., were fatally injured. There was also one minor accident. A pilot overshot on landing and applied his brakes, causing the aircraft to tip up on its nose, damaging the airscrews.
• 25th – In the Station Junior Soccer League the Officers’ Mess Staff defeated the Airmen’s Mess staff by 2 goals to nil.
• 26th – Hut 13 again proved their mettle in the Inter-hut knockout competition by defeating Hut 11 by 6 goals to 1.
• 27th – The Cinema show tonight again proved that it has many followers when the film ‘Slightly Dangerous’ was shown to a packed house.
• 28th – One of the most successful dances yet organised was held in the Officers’ Mess tonight. The distinguished company present included many senior Officers from CAMP SHILO, and from nearby R.CA.F, AND RAF. units. For the occasion the gardens adjacent to the Mess were beautifully festooned with coloured lights, and tables were placed on the lawn for refreshments. Music was provided by the Station Dance Band.
• 29th – A combined Commanding Officer’s and Church Parade was held this morning.

IMAGE 1236

1943.
Carberry,

• AUGUST 30th – Once more soccer fans waxed enthusiastic over the game tonight when the RAF boys beat No. 2 at BRANDON team in the B.D.S.A.A. league by 3 goals to 2. Station Magazine “GEN” issued today.
• 31st – Many of the airmen tonight spent an enjoyable evening at a ‘Sing-Song’ in the War Service Club in Carberry. Light refreshments were served.
  TOTAL FLYING HOURS FOR MONTH OF AUGUST, 1943: – 7075.40.
  STRENGTH – PERSONNEL.

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	109	843	–
RCAF	6	71	–
RNZAF	3	1	–
RAAF	–	1	–
RCADC	1	3	–
RCASC	1	3	–
CPC	–	3
Civilians	2	–	64
Trainees
RAF	14 (3 ex-army)	169	–
RCAF	–	7	–
RNZAF	–	–	–
RAAF	–	1	–

‘B’ AIRCRAFT STRENGTH

		Number
Anson II		111
	– Servicable	73
	– Unservicable	16
	– Not Available	22

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