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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 - 2014 -2015 BCH Minor Hockey Registration Registrations are now being accepted for the upcoming season. Boys & Girls teams available! March 251h 6:30 — 9:00 p.m. (Clinton Arena) April 3rd 6:00 — 8:30 p.m.(Hensall arena - auditorium) Registration forms available at www. bchminorhockey.ca **Late fee's apply to registrations received after April 3rd** If your child has not played for BCH Minor Hockey before, a copy of his/her birth certificate will be required at registration. Questions? Please contact Nancy at 519-482-7301 or e-mail - nhuber@bchminorhockey.ca 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.