HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2014-03-19, Page 15Wednesday, March 19, 2014 • News Record 15
Clinton: The Home of the Radar in Canada
David Yates
For the News Record
Perched in the heart of Huron at the
junction of Highways 4 and 8 is the
iconic radar antenna that has forever
identified Clinton as 'the Home of
Radar' in Canada. The antenna is part
of the AN/FPS 20 long range radar sys-
tem and is a relic of the Cold War. It was
developed in the late 1950's to detect
inbound Soviet aircraft and/or missiles
heading into North American air space.
In the event of a Soviet attack, as part of
the North America Air Defence
(NORAD) system, the AN/FPS 20 radar
would have warned civil and military
authorities that World War III was
underway.
In June 1967, the Royal Canadian Air
Force presented the radar antenna as a
gift to the people of Clinton and area for
welcoming airmen and women from
the US, Canada and the Common-
wealth for over a quarter century.
In 1941, radar technology was still in
its infancy but proved its worth during
the Battle of Britain when RAF/RCAF
Fighter Command overcame the Luft-
waffe's numerical superiority by scram-
bling its few fighter planes directly at
oncoming waves of German bombers.
Radar deceived the Nazis into believing
the British had far more fighters than
they actually possessed.
Royal Air Force Wing Commander
Adrian Cocks and two other officers
were driven by car out to a lot in rural
southwestern Ontario searching for a
location to establish a secret radar
school in early 1941. A Canadian
accompanying the party pointed to a
field in Tuckersmith Township and
asked "How about that for a site for your
school?' Wing Commander Cocks
politely said 'yes' and #31 RAF Radio
Direction Finding School was estab-
lished. Within 48 hours, the site was
surveyed, the contracts let and con-
struction began.
Clinton proved a wise choice for a
radar school. Its remote location
ensured the base's security. The lake
bluffs simulated the terrain of southern
England where most of the radar opera-
tors would be stationed. In order to dis-
courage visitors, the Clinton station was
the only air base without an airstrip.
The radar school officially opened on
July 20, 1941 for the training of Com-
monwealth airmen and women.
Although The United States was still
officially neutral, several Americans
dressed in civilian clothes secretly
trained in radar science at the Clinton
base before the attack on Pearl
Harbour.
In 1943, the base was renamed #5
RCAF Radio School and placed under
the command of Canadian instruc-
tors. Yet, many deep and long lasting
relationships between the locals and
British airmen were formed. In Octo-
ber 1968, a former English airman, Ray-
mond Evans, returned to Clinton on a
visit his wife's childhood home. Evans
married Jean Hurford, the daughter of
the Rector at St. Thomas's Church in
Seaforth. In a 'Clinton News Record'
article, Evans recalled several marriages
between local girls and airmen and
going to places like Bartliff's. The dance
pavilions in Bayfield and Goderich were
also popular places for young airmen
and their dates.
By war's end, 'Time' magazine paid
tribute to the Clinton base when it
reported that 'from tiny Clinton (pop.
2000) came a significant story of inter-
national co-operation. In four years, 2
323 Americans and 6 500 Canadians
have graduated from Clinton's Royal
Canadian Air Force Radar and Commu-
nication School. The US students, most
of them university men, thought so
highly of the school that it later became
the model for US training centres:
In 1945, the radar school became a
permanent RCAF station. As the Cold
War intensified and scientific know -
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March 251h 6:30 — 9:00 p.m. (Clinton Arena)
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how was as important as armies in the
field, Clinton became Canada's com-
munication and electronic warfare
training centre. On average, the base
was home to about 700 RCAF person-
nel throughout its existence.
Married quarters were built in 1948
for air force families. The subdivision
grew to include the AVM Campbell ele-
mentary school for base children and
both Protestant and Roman Catholic
Chapels. It was called Ad Astral Park
and had its own mayor and town
council.
The park now forms the oldest part of
Vanastra. With hundreds of airmen and
their families, the base was an impor-
tant part of the local economy. Social
events at the base were given promi-
nent coverage in local papers. In 1966,
with amalgamation of the Armed
Forces, the base was re -designated
Canadian Forces Base Clinton.
At a special parade on June 16, 1967,
Armed Forces Day, Base Commander
Colonel K. Greenaway presented Clin-
ton Mayor Don Symons with the AN/
FPS 20 radar. As a Centennial Year
project, the radar presentation was a
tribute of the 'cooperation between Her
Majesty's Forces and civilians residing
in Clinton which has resulted which
will never be totally severed.'
As virtually all radio and electronic
RCAF personnel had received at least
some training in Clinton, Greenaway
officially dubbed Clinton 'the Home of
Radar' in Canada. In turn, Mayor
Symons, who as a young airman trained
in Clinton, responded by telling the air-
men on parade that they 'should con-
sider Clinton as their second home.'
It was a timely gesture because the
Ministry of Defence announced that
CFB Clinton would soon be closed as
part of a reduction in the size of the Canadian Armed
Forces. On October 17, the radar was moved from the base
and mounted on a concrete pedestal at its present location.
On Remembrance Day 1969, the antenna was officially
dedicated. The Base Commander Colonel E. Ryan and local
politicians all stressed the good will between the town and
base. Member of Parliament Robert McKinley called the
radar memorial a 'reminder' of the 'good it has done for the
world by the men trained here.'
In accepting the radar on behalf of Clinton and area, Mayor
Symons hoped 'that the antenna not be looked at not as a
monument to war but as a symbol of the hope for a greater
society, a challenge to strive for better things! CFB Clinton
closed in 1971.
Although the radar school has long since ceased to oper-
ate, Clinton is remembered world wide as the 'Home of
Radar.' The antenna situated in the heart of Huron County
attests to the critical role the area played in the defence of the
Free World during World War Two and the Cold War.
Clinton Minor Baseball
FINAL REGISTRATION
2005 to 1996 born players
Saturday, March 22nd
Arena Meeting Room
Central Huron Community Complex
10am-1 pm
www.clintonminorbaseball.ca
REGISTRATIO N
SOCCER REGISTRATION EVENTSATTHE CENTRAL HURON (CLINTON) COMMUNITY COMPLEX UPSTAIRS
Thursday, March 6th 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm and Saturday, March 22"d 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
BOYS 8. GIRLS TRAVEL LEAGUE
FEES
Boys born in 1996-1999
$90.00
Girls born in 1996-1999
U14 Boys born in 2000-2001
$70.00
U14 Girls born in 2000-2001
U12 Boys & Girls born in 2002-2003
U10 Boys & Girls born in 2004-2005
IN TOWN HOUSE LEAGUE (Parent Participation Mandatory)
U8 Boys & Girls born in 2006-2007
$40.00
U6 Boys & Girls born in 2008-2009
Kiddie Kickers Boys & Girls born in 2010-2011
$30.00
Starting March 23rd players will be put on a waiting Iist.If there is room a $50 late fee will apply.
• A $50.00 uniform deposit (separate post dated cheque) is mandatory on all registrations. • Please bring your cheque to registration.
• If you are unable to make it to registration please send your information along with payment with someone else.
• All families are required to assist. Sign up at registration for duties.
• House league season will start the week of May 26" for the U8 and under teams and the week of May 5th for the Travel teams.