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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1953-05-14, Page 4Laughing Tbrough Clouds Story of the R..C,A,F, Bi SE1MOU1t ROBERTSON copyright 1962' 88th INSTALMENT The Birmingham Express which ]eft Paddington at midnight and was scheduled to reach Byford at le le' theSQ i morning (a du lea in m three 8 if seldom. kept to in wartime) car- ried so few passengers that Gray- don had a compartment all to Iiimself. Stretched out full»length on, the seat, he half -dozed most of the journey, while he ran over the events of the past 24 hours, It was Bard to realize that so much had happened en this, the most eventful day since his ar- rival overseas and one which, thanks to the self-denying gener- osity of the little ATS girls, had been capped by the enjoyment of a sparkling comedy seen in Barb- ara's company, And the evening's climax was but the foretaste of pleasanter • times to come. For when he next visited Halebridge there would be no need forre- tense or deception. Also, he told imself with some complacency, not once all evening had Barbara entioned Lieutenant Bill Brand horn of the Royal Canadian Navy! At his desk next morning he was telling Corporal Robinson some details of the investiture ceremonywhen Wing -Commander Braithwaite rang through to ask ow many crews were ready for ediate operations. "I'm sure of four, sir.,"'Jack an- w eyed. "Perhaps five." "Slip across and see me. Bring e Final Training Reports with ou," the Chief Instructor direct - ;'It looks like four, sir," he said, he entered Braithwaite's of- ice, "I'm not sure of Warrant- fficer Gunn's crew—" "Gunn's o.k. He's flying this orning, That'll finish him. But e Old Man wants six, perhaps en. What about` Sergeant 'letcher?" Graydon studied once more the milled memo in his hand. quadron-Leader Watkins' report as curiously contradictory. What earth did the flight -commander can when he wrote that Flet - her "had bags of grif but could et cope?" On reading the report, Braith- ite declared that Watkins was eless clot ,a clueless type and a loody fool into the bargain, ad - that, despite his own praise- worthy operational record, he hadn't the slightest idea of the way to get the best results from hispupils. " „ I couldn't agree more," said but that doesn't help much, Fletcher has an excellent nt crew." "Too right! About the best on the station. MacLaren's his navi: gator, isn't he? Macs all right now that he's quit binding and started to work. And they don't come any better than the French- Canadian bomb-aixner, Both of them commissioned, eh? Flying with a sergeant skipper. Do you s'pose that makes any difference, mn Jolue? "Ex- cept Jack said slowly. that they're inclined to tell young Fletcher how to do his job occasionally, He tries hard en- ough." "Teo hard maybe. He's a high- strung little beggar, I see he's down for a cross-countrytomor- row. Better get up with him yourself. "I'll pull Dufresne out and you go as second dick. I can't hold up a crew this good and I don't want to switch pilots at this late date." "Right!" the. Chief Instructor rose from his chair with an air of finality. "That should do it. Throw the whole book at him. Comein on the satellite airfield and if he can set down on Number Two runway without breaking all your necks he's ready?" Graydon nodded assent. His own opinion, formed after the careful watch he had kept on Fletcher's work for the past fortnight, was the same as Braithwaite's. The boy's troubles were mental, not technical... Desperately anxious to make good, he was at heart a worrier. Lacking neither know- ledge nor skill, he was a prey to nerves and possessed too great a tendency to draw into himself. Also, he showed some diffidence in the handling of his crew, but then MacLaren was not the eas- iest man to control and 'Frenchy' Dufresne was almost as temper- amental. The five-hour exercise was run off as planned and when, late the following afternoon, Fletcher made a perfect landing on the short runway of the satellite drome, Graydon was fully satis- "SALADA' TSA We Fix 'Em All! No matter what make or style of radio you have WE CAN REPAIR IT Quick Dependable Service We Pick Up and Deliver BOB WEEKS, Radio 'and Sound No. 8 Highway -- 11/2 miles east of Clinton PHONE 633 - 3 feed with itis'iet-farrliance, Sub, jetted tie every test his mentor' could think nk of, the y ung 1i o f had aeanitted himself adini-l. pilot A. few more night .hours end he would be as proficient as anyone at Midlands. Jack knew Many less competent who were already on operations, Meanwhile, he de- cided that a .blunt word to Mac - Laren and Dufresne would not be amiss. It might be that no extra fly - Mg was needed for it was already dark when they came in on the and Flet- cher far.1 t 7.i w at d I' main runway a cher set down his machine with all the coolness and ' precision 9C a veteran, Seldom had raydo n ea perienced a smoother landing along the flare-path. r He reported to the Chief In» sta°uctor that he would pass Flet- cher as fit far operations. Then after dinner, he drew the Caned- ian navigator and bomb-aimer to a secluded corner of the ante- room. The remarks he addressed to thein were brief and pungent. Yet why, Jack asked himself as he prepared for bed, was the Chief Instructor so anxious to. pass out six crews in such haste? The order had come from the Sta- tion Commander, of course, and Group Captain Harmon was the sort to keep his own counsel, There was something big nn- pending. Three days later all senior crews at Midlands were summon- ed for a special briefing. All day the OTU had been rife with per- sistent rumors and when Wing - Commander Braithwaite, accomp- anied by the Senior Navigation Officer, entered the briefing - room the buzz of conversation ceased with dramatic suddenness. It was to be a "special exercise" undoubtedly, but of what nature? The Chief Instructor began quietly enough. "O.K. chaps. Sit down. We've a new sort of do on this time. It will be interesting, I• promise you. Right, Nav! Let's all have a screw at your map. He stood aside to allow the other to draw back a screen and to reveal a map big enough to cover one entire wall of the brief- ing -room, It was a large-scale map. A broad river was shown clearly in the centre of it. Cer- tainly it was not the Thames! Braithwaite, with a long pointer in his hand; turned to it. "Your target for tonight is --- Cologne!" • A low whistle of excitement ran through the gathering. This was no exercise. This was the real thing. At last! The whistle was followed by a babble of talk which Braithwaite, enough of a psy- chologist to realize that the ten- sion demanded some relief, did not try to suppress at once. It was a full minute before he raised a hand for silence. "Right! Now, settle down. Cologne. Aiming Point Y. Got it?" He indicated the -spot with his pointer, "There -•- along the river. That's the marshalling yards the freight tracks—for you lads who speak a different sort of English—, "Your nglish-- "Your job is to prang them with all you've got, There'll be more than a thousand bombers going out tonight, with bags of fighter escort. So it ought to be a very big show. If you do your stuff the way you've been taught here you'll come out topside. Now, listen—" He went into meticulous detail while he talked of heights, tracks and times. He spoke much more slowly than was his wont and there was no need to raise his voice above an ordinary conver- sation pitch. The gathering was so hushed and still each man could hear his neighbor's breathing. The navigating officer, who followed Braithwaite, talked of distances, of courses, of wind currents. He replied to some questions which the more inquisitive (or more vocal) ventured to ask and con- cluded by requesting all navigat- ors to meet him at the close of the session. He gave place to the Met. man, a studious -looking civil - DR. .1 ,A. McEWEN, physician and counfry caroller, carries an the oldest practice In Carleton Place, Ontario. Was calls for help, words of comfort and advice , . , fhere's drama every day Ouvo tiftp, T)0942yca tafti360, For forty years, in this office on Bridge Street, Dr. McEwen has answered the calls ()Phis patients. Today at 70, Dr. ,Mctwen still continues his practice in Carleton Place --- a practice which has touched the lives of thousands. Thirsk of the reassuring comfort, the help in time of trouble brought to millions because doctors everywhere can be quickly readied by telephone. Think what this means to you and your family in peace of mind, in safer, more pleasant living. Then you'll realize that no Brice earl measure the v tItxe of your telephone. BELL 'tELEPIIOHE COMPANY -Of CANADA "Immediate servLce�� IN YOUR LOCALITY FOR Estate Planning and Wills Investment Management and Advisory Service 4% Guaranteed Investments 2% on savings — deposits may be mailed Real Estate Services rot prompt attention etsti RAYL l < IATERSON ''rust (Veer Hoioxill, Ontario, Phone S1 or any office Of GUARANTY TRUST CoMI'mot OTS' CANADA 'trot nn ttt s VIO V' It AL cl rt'AaV t • wilvtisott MrAo.ut4. ritt,ts • Sttti trntt eAtA,r sr>a, MAttt1R Citi4 tut • trANCOWatt Hello Homemakers -to -be! You. be challenged . w111 sawn. to serye food to suit your man's taste in every dish. No doubt your plain cheese sandwiches and chocolate cake has delighted him when serv- ed after the show, but the bride. must fry bacon without frizzling it, cook eggs only until tender and at the sante time, watch the toast and coffee and set the table. Leftovers will also be a problem unless small-scale recipes are used, even then, you will value ways of dressing up ordinary dishes with leftover soups, vege- tables and other refrigerator treasures. Homemakers never cease learn- ing new ways and perfecting old methods. TAKE A TIP 1. For breakfast: Start cocking bacon on medium or low heat (never high), Then place strips on a paper serviette as soon as fat has lost its white color, Keep bacon in oven of 200 de- grees while eggs are being cook- ed in covered pan on low. Cof- fee may be percolated using warm water from the tap if it is perked only two minutes for four cups. By the way, set the table the night before; also pre- pare cereal and fruit juice. Pour juice in serving glasses if it can be covered with .aluminum fail and stored in electric refriger- ator. 2. For lunch: Heat soup; make a hearty sandwich and serve on a plate along with tossed green salad and a pickle. For dessert, serve fresh fruit (diced pine- apple) with cookies, prune whip, sliced bananas or ace cream. 3, For dinner: Select oven meals if you have an electric range. One example is Braised Steak, Creamed Onions, Baked Potat- oes and Rhubarb Crisp, If you worry about food boiling over place baking dish in a layer cake tin and pour hot water around food being baked. Do this with oven glassware as well as other baking dishes. 4. Garnishes always make dishes more attractive if used sparing- ly . and neatly. A sprig of cool, clean parsley, watercress, cel- ery top wedge of tomato, or slice of pickle always go on main course casserole or meat platter, 5. Toppings for dessert should not be neglected, A cherry, a cut marshmallow, a teaspoon of whipped cream, a sprinkle of cocoanut add glamour to milk puddings, jellied desserts or plain cake. 6. May we remind you to make some of the preparations for dinner immediately following lunchSomeone is sure to overstay their call on the bride ian who, for ten minutes, spoke of nothing but weather. Then Braithwaite, rising again, turned to the Station Commander. "I think the lads would appre- ciate a word from you, sir," (To be continued) 11I(ll i', I 1, during the afternoon. Braised Stuffed Steal I Ib, round steak 2/3 cup bread crumbs 2 tbsps. minced onions tok 1 tsp. poultry seasoning r tsp. pelt re ' 2 lisps. s o tning Wipe steak with damp cloth, then poundwith the.potato mash- er. Combine remaining ingred- ients for dressing and spread over steak, roll up and tie in shape, Add 1/4 inch of water to roast pan or casserole. Cover and bake in electric oven of $50 degrees for 1%s hours, Serves two, Spareribs in Tomato Sauce 1 lb. spareribs 2 tsps, shortening 1 small onion, diced % can tomato soup 1 tsp, Worcestershire Sauce 1/1, cup water Cut spareribs into two portions, brown in the shortening in a heavy pan. Season with salt and pepper, Add onion, soup, sauce and water, cover closely and sim- mer over low heat for one hour. Serves two. • Broiled Veal Patties a lb. minced veal 1 cup mashed potatoes 1 tsp, minced celery 3, tsp. salt pinch of cayenne 1 egg yolk lemon juice or parsley er foil together at top, then twist or fold over Pace one. or threo. apples on Mall ei etric *lomat turned to position three and bake 25 minutes'. Anne Allan invites you tow,rite to her, To Clinton News -Record, Send in year Suggestions on homee malting problems and watch this column for replies, 0 HENSALL rounding municipalities to .tri in with them, Constable g. R. Davis reported re complaints on speeding .on ding Street stating he had contacted the Provincial pace and tela, they would co-operate with hien in stopping the swine: J. A. Peterson reported�the tax arrears as being $458.88, and stat- ed that only ten dog Iicences had been secured So far. The tax Col- lector was instructedto return the Ji52 tax arrears et six delin- quent tax payers as uncollected to -tlecount treasurer for collec- tion. The constable wasnsruc- ed to >;roceed to collect at once the dog tax from all those in arrears.. Petmission was granted L, P,utnpocl to operate the service station at King Street and High - 'ay 4. Permission was granted F. C. Kalbfleiseh and Son Ltd., to erect a service station at the corner of Queen Street and high- way 4, the operator to apply for permit to operate the same. Lcv,v of the Ausauble River Conservation Authority hi the amount of $494.26 was ordered Paid, The matter of appointing, a fire chief was considered in view of the (eming resignation of Fire Chief Ed kink. The Reeve was to contact B. A. Kyle, re same. United ()bends iv ur is1 � A!nA e s lir i'y Anniversary services will be ob- served in 1 ensall United Church on Sunday, June 7, Magistrate Groom, Tiilsonburg, will be guest speaker at the morning service; in the evening, Rev, H. Dickenson, Goderich, will deliver the address. A special musical program is be- ing prepared, under the direction of S. Ronnie, choir leader, and Miss Greta Laramie, organist. Council Meeting • Council meeting was held Mon- day, May 4. A delegation con- sisting of J. Drysdale and D, Cook appeared from the Chamber of Commerce regarding a celebration for Coronation Day, The Reeve stated lie had been in contact with T. Pooley, reeve of Exeter and he was informed that the RCAF Centralia were putting on a Day and were asking the sur - Combine veal, potatoes, celery, salt, cayenne and egg yolk. Shape mixture into flat round patties and chill, With tooth picks, se cure strips of bacon around pat- ties, Broil eight minutes on each side. Broiled Meal: Turn a half can of green string beans into a heat- ed broiler pan, Arrange cooked whole carrots on rack alongside the veal patties, Brush carrots with shortening. Place pan in oven with top element on broil or high. Adjust the shelf so that the top of meat and vegetables is at least two inches from electric element. Turn meat and carrots in eight minutes. Broil sliced bananas en sliced bread for dessert during last eight minutes. The Question Box lIrs. G. C. asks: Is it necessary to blanch asparagus before pack- aging to freeze? Answer; If trimmed asparagus is scalded one minute, then chilled in running water for two minutes it sets the color"and removes any particles of dirt. Package in moisture vaporproof boxes for freezing. Remember that freezing does not sterilize foods. Mrs. H. C. asks: Should the rhubarb skin be removed before making into jam or jelly? Answer: No. It is not necessary to remove skin of fresh cut rhu- barb. Mrs. F. M. asks; Can you tell us again about making apples on top of electric element? Answer: Peel around the top of a baking apple, then core and add sugar, nutmeg and a daub of but- ter. Place apple on a 12 -inch square of aluminum foil and gath- GET SET FOR and join the FUN PARADE at the Wingham Arena FRIDAY, MAY 15 featuring , . , Roy Ward Dickson and his GOOFY GANG IN PERSON Hundreds of Prizes Valued at over $2,500.00 Be sure to bring a "Gagbag" -- a shopping bag filled with odds and ends. One item in It may win you a tine NEW EASY WASHER,. 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