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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1951-01-18, Page 9111117RSDA:Y, JANUARY 16, :f951 CLINTON NEWS -RECORD PAGE NINE.,' cliio't al ,F Siaiion•• an astra Best Wishes From. The Station! (By -F/L y, T. DALTON, 'Sta'tion PRO) 'Station personnel have been sorry .to lose a number of colleagues •inning the past short while. Several have been referred to editor- ially in recent issues of this paper. We present short biographical -sketches of four other non-commissioned officers today: W01 ROBERT T. GE1V1MELL, Station `Warrant Officer Robert Gemmell joined the RCAF et Jericho Beach, Van- •aouver, .in 1935, when Videttes and Vancouvers were the big -names in aircraft. He moved from there to No. 1 Repair Depot. Ottawa, 'then to Station Trenton. When Flight Engineer training began in Caraada, WO Gemmell 'was associated with them at St. Thornes and Aytloner. April, 49, :Found RCAF Clinton with a new Station Warrant Officer in WO1 X. T. Gemmell. Here he has become well knewn to all. Woodworking is Gemmeil's chief hobby while tennis and :badminton hold his interest in sports. His skill and team spirit will be missed by the Badminton Club. 'Eva May Brien, Ottawa. became Mrs. Gemmel' in 1939, with 'Eric, 10, and Gail, 7, campieting'the family .group. "Bob" is transferred to 408 Squac`tron, 12ackeliffe: 'F/S Elmer Bean is capably acting as our SWO until WO1 /A. E. Sturgess, Camp Borden, arrives to take over the position, WO2'RICHARD G. HENLEY, Electronics Section Bobcaygeon, Ontario. claims "Dick" 'Kenley as its own. We 'won't argue, but he is.a good productend lofts of him. W02 Henley .began his RCAF tour in 1937 at Trenton follow- ing which he served at 5 (BR) Equ., Dartmouth. 4 Depair Depot, 7EAC, HQ, 'Halifax, then a period of occupation duties at Uetersen, Germany. On returning to Canada, he served at Goose Bay, Lab- rador, 9420 Unit, London, and then graduated to our kingdom in 'Tully 1'947. Dick is married to former Fldrcence 'Elizabeth Roome, Dart-. mouth. ' N.S., and they have one son, Slott, seven years old, 'It is ru+nioured that W02 • Henley suffered unenduraiily under the effect of F/O W. G. Fultonrs pranks;also that he is riot completely averse to a small party and finds time to consider ",ham" radio. Dick leaves us to go to Air Defence Group, St. Hubert, Que. SGT. J. FRANK REARD, Dental Clink Sgt. Frank Heard of the Canadian Dental Corps, who has ;been attached to the RCAF for most of his servile career, is a Clinton man, the son of L. J. Heard, well known barber in town. Frank served with the local 'reserve regiment from 1933 be- fore joining the Canadian Army in 1840. Ile trained in the 'Dental Corps end started his tour of RCAF units. - Brantford, Guelph and Port :Albert knew Sgt. Heard before he. went overseas in 1943 whore he Was employed with 6 Group -at Topaliffe, Allerton Parks, then Lincoln's Inn Field, London, before returning to Canada aria RCAF Station, Clinton, in 1945. 'He vies with anyone who claims long postings to one unit. remit is married to a local girl, the former Marg rret•Elizabeth 'Bette" Thomas, Goderich, and they have three children. Suzanne, tour, David, two, and Danny, 'six months. Miss Florence Evans, Rattenbury St., Clinton, who was formerly dental assistant to Dr. D. C. Derides, Clinton, is now the new assistant at the unit Dental 'Clinic. F/S PAUL PERRAULT, Commun?rations Section Paul Perrault, Montreal, began his long service career in 1934, 'spending four years with Canadian Grenadier Guards (Reserve), then one year with. the Auxiliary Air Force, transferring to the .Active Force in September, 1939. He was posted overseas in October 1940 on completion of Radio Course at No. 1 Wireless School, Monj;real, and attached to the RAF. Two years were spent at HQ No. 4 Group, Bbmber 'Command, Yorkshire, then a short posting to RAF Station, Har - ham, Suffolk. March, 1343, saw Paul repatriated to Canada and duties with the RCAF, serving at Winnipeg, Montreal, Vlctoriaville, Mont Jolt, Chatham and Sunnnerside, before becoming a civilan in August 1945. F/S Perrault, serviceman to the core, was pleased to re-enlist in October 1946 and find himself posted to RCAF Station, Clinton, as an instructor in R & CS. Miss Rachel Del'orme. Montreal, became Mrs. P. Perrault in April 1948 and their daughter, Linda, six months, says they are the best parents she could want. He is not fooling when he nays he is the best potato bug Meer in Huron County. 1 Anew job in the Signals Division, AFHQ, awaits F/S P. Perrault. 1 RCAF NEWS NOTES Our Best Wishes! To those who are ill, some with heavy colds, some wiith'tle flu — our wishes for a speedy recovery. A Hearty Welcome! Urvfartunately, I haven't been able to personally welcome the new members of our community, but I do hope they will accept. our friendship and enjoy their association with us. Has. Tonsils Removed Scott Mackenzie had his tonsils removed in Clinton Public Hos- pital lest Wednesday, iiabest're- port is Mat lie is recovering rapidly. We hope to see him out playing again soon, The Lost is Found The lost finally has been found. For about two weeks, the pet est of Miss Mary Ellen Patton was logt, Now it is again safe at home, thanks to Sammy Jenkins who found it and returned it to its owner. Expresses Thanks On- behalf of the members of the Airmen's- Wives Auxiliary who attended the bingo in the Sergeant's Mess on January 9, I wish to say thank you to all the members of the NCO's Wives Auxiliary—Jo Dubois, president, AWA Club. OWL Meets ,. The monthly meeting of the Catholic Women's League was held on January 15 at the home of Mrs. H. M. Fitzgerald, with the president, Mrs. Noel Wade, in the chair. The director, F/L H. S. Wight, R.C. Chaplain, was in lattendenee. The next meet- ing will be held at the home of Mrs. Brill -Edwards Monday. February 26. Zurich Club Visits Sunday afternoon proved very enjoyable for the badminton enthusiasts, An invitation having been extended to. the Zuridh Badminton Club to join us in an afternoon of friendly games. The Zurich Club, elth'ough a •com- paratively new entry in the Western Ontario "C" league. is proving to be a very friendlyand art extremely enthusiastic club. We wish the club the very best as it progresses. 0 PLEASE NOTE! The Officers' Wives Auxiliary have had a Cook Book published which contains many tantalizing recipes. Anyone may secure a copy of the book from any mem- ber of the Auxiliary or corselet Mrs. W. M. Garton, 17 Victoria Blvd. The Cook Books are p. each. OUR CORRESPONDENTS The fallowing are Adaetral Park correspondents for news items for this section: Mrs. George Cooper, 51 Winnipeg Rd.; itIrs. J. Clarke, 29 Regina Rd,; Mrs. R. S. Park, 26 Quebec Rd.; Mrs. R. A. Boyle, 46 Edmonton Rd.; Mrs. H. M. Miller, 13 Vic- toria •Blvd.; Mrs. C. A. Mason, 6 Toronto Blvd. 1111111111111 1 11111111111 III 1 III II 11i1t1111111111i3 1 1111111 113 111111111111111111111111111I11111111111111 111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111 l 1111111111111111 1111 1111111111111111(11111111111l11111111111111111111II1l fiave Y ou Called The "A.B.C. CAB?' ' • 4044. .► to For Prompt, Courteous Day and Night Service PHONE —559— Office A. B. C. Ranch —LETS GO ANYTH 1E ANY W HE 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 IIIIIIIIIIIIIlN1111111111111111N111111110111111111111111101111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 IIIIIIIIi111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111M 111111111111111111111 FREE CONCERT IN REC CENTRE THURSDAY NEXT "The Commodores", rousing colorful male quartette of sing- ing entertainers, and the "Video- elbtes", aanizing team• of Swiss Belt Ringers, are featured artists on the Toronto Star's free good music concert to be held in RCAF Recreation :Centre, on Thursday, January 25, at 8 pan. "The Commodores" are a lively success wherever they appear. This male Quartette was never really organized; it just happen- ed. Each member has'something peculiarly his own. All ere in- dividualists whose personality and vocal glits have a single bang of their own. Their musical director and ar- ranger, Carl Tapscott, was choral director and 'arranger for the Navy Show's "Sea Shanty Choir", During the show's trans -Canada tour in 1943, when the large oast' practically lived, in dressing rooms, Tapscott picked up with three fellow choristers and they formed a "barber -shop" quartet. They amused themselves and the rest of the company with their unusual harmonies. As the weeks went by their repertoire widened to include serious numbers until finally they began to win the admiration of the whole cast. The following year when the comp- any split into three units for overseas service, it was inevit- able that the Commodores should become a solo feature. Tapscott, who does all the ar- ranging, has been organist and choir leader of Rosedale Presby- terian Church, Toronto, for the lost 14 years. While performing as a group he is second tenor. Harvard Reddick, Port Simpson, B.C., is first tenor; John Ring- ham, Vancouver, is baritone and Donald Parrish, Wallaceburg. is bass, Leo Lighter, an outstand- ing pianist, accompanies nth e quartette. "The Video-ettes" "The Video-ettes" or Swiss Bell. Ringers are an amazing hus- band and wife team who derive miter . from • the most unusual instruments. As well es the Swiss bells they play musical wine glasses, musical pine sticks, musi- cal bottles. a balloon and musical teapots. They delighted audiences of 35,000 persons during the To- ronto Star Free Conecrts et the CNE, bandshell last summer. Born in Saskatchewan, Art Guinness' musical career dates back • to his childhood when he was an ardent vaudeville fan. During one of these shows he was intrigued with a man who played a musicaltsaw, Art went home to try his hand at it. Event- ually, he coaxed a couple of notes cut of it and then and there he decided he'd make a career of musical novelties. The original set consisted of bottles and betimes, thea.„ wine glasses and bells were added, The bottles are from Japan while the bells were brought from Germany and are considered priceless. After several attempts at find- Ing a reliable partner • for the act, Art discovered a girl with a good musical background and decided the- only way to keep her was to make her a perman- ent partner, so he married her. After marriage Art and Mable Guinness formed their team and called themselves "The Vid'eo- ettes". Doors open at 7 pan. All seats are free to the public, and tickets should be secured early. RCAF personnel are reminded that tickets must be presented et the Recreation Centre for ad- mission to the free concert. Tic- kets are available free at the Station messes and canteens. 0 Bingos Are In Vogue In Roundel Terrace A most enjoyable bingo was held in the Recreation Centre Monday evening, sponsored by Station Fund Entertainment Committee. The attendance was not es high as expected, the in- clement • weather being a deter- rent to many. 131g things are expected of the next bingo which will be held Monday, February 5. Plan to at- tend and place your corn on those lucky lucky numlterst c. The RCAF carried out 213 Search and Rescue operations during 1949. Surnmerside, P,E,L, is the home of the RCAF's navigation train- ing centre, the Air Navigation School. Air Marshal W. A. Curtis, Chief 0f the Air Staff, is tine only Canadian chief of staff ever bo have served in all three armed services. tu For glowing health . , . vitality . • . strength, do as the sports champs do, Drink milk! It's nature's hest refresh. ment, finest food, for into milk, nature pours vitamins, minerals, proteins . , . the very things you need for sturdy growth and development. A glass of milk is a swell drink anytime. Enjoy it your favourite way, plain or malted, as a milk shake, or poured over cereal. To keep in championship form, drink three glasses everyday. . nellell MODS 5* v s e:rt 4us-:j11RON ST.,, TORONTO Far] Editor! F/L J. T. DALTON Station 00':. AROS Local,_ 52 ' No.µ 11 RCAF PERSONALS - Mrrs. W. J. Bracken at present is visiting at her home in Prince Edward Island. Miss Elaine Mills spent the weekend with her friend, Miss Pat Santis, Goderich. LAC E. T: Bushel, 55 Winni- peg Rd., spent the weekend at the home of his mother in Kin - lough. Miss Pet jeausins, Goderich, entertained' Miss - Mary Ellen Patton in, her home over the weekend. Wits .Cheryl Madsen, ' Quebec Ave., invited inane of her small friends to a Party to celebrate her biethday. :AC1 K. A. Roberts, Camp Bor- den, recently spent a few days at thehome of his brother, LAC C. W. Reberits, 20 Edmonton 114• Miss Christine Smith celebrat- ed' her birthday tin Friday, Jan- uary 12, with a party. Oh, to be young again. Parties are such fun; F/L J, H. Lyndh, Station Edu- cation Officer, and family, have moved into ' the house formerly occupied by T/0 J. G. Munnoch, 9 Halifax Rd. A hearty welcome is extended to CPL. and Mrs. R. Freeman. who have recently moved to Adastnal Park, 43 Winnipeg Rd., from B•ruceflield. Mrs, S. R. Burbank spent a were recently in Toronto. With her two sons Bill and Jimmie, she will' leave shortly to join W/ / C S. R, Burbank in Ottawa. S/L and Mrs. C, H. McVeigh entertained the members of the Joint Services Indoctrination Course Saturday evening prior to the buffet patty at the Officers' Mess. F/S end 1Vfrs. Dilck Holder - Shaw, who have been residing in Clinton for the -pest two years, moved on Monday to the house formerly occupied by WO2 and Mrs. R. G. Henley. Mrs. Pat Miller Heads Officers' Wives Group The Officers' Wives Auxiliary held their nnonthly meeting Tuesday, January 9 in the din- iiig room of the Officers' Mess. The semi-annual election of members to the executive was held, The following members were eledted: honorary president, Mrs. Barbara Miller; president, Mrs. Pat Miller; vice-presidnt, Mrs. Velme Grant; secretary, Mrs. Fern McCalirn; treasurer. Mrs. Belie Classen; chairman of com- mittees, Mrs. William Garton. (RCAF Sports on next page) North Star ln' The East (Centinue_d from preyious week) (By F/L "Bob" McKee, AltOS) Strategic Seaport This great strategic seaport of Singapore, scene of the British Empire's greatest military disas- ter, even four years atter the close of the war, was i a very. uneasy state. There were und- ercurrents of .racial and political strife which will make Singapore an unknown quantityin the fu- ture donfhiet. The native Malayans arc out- numbered heavily by the. Chin- ese, who, originally, were import- ed from South China as coolie labour. The native :Malayans re- sent the presence of the Chinese in their land and blame the Brit- ish for this condition— a fact which bhe Japanese used in the conquest of Malaya. Communist Danger At the present time, the Conr munists—mostly; Chinese — are creating havoc on the mainland and are poised as a slumbering threat within the bastion of Singapore itself. To combat this, the British have military forces there, but not in sufficient num- bers to combat the elusive guer- illas who at present are every- where, but fight no pitched battles. To alleviate the situation. many of the business men ere formed into 'volunteer units, and after a hard day's work, go home to a night of patrol work against the universal enemy of freedom. Singapore and the mode of life of the people gave one the feel- ing thathere wag a city with a large white population, all of whom, with their forced gaiety and pleasureful life, gave one the impression that in their hearts they knew they were there on a temporary basis. With all the forces arrayed against their tenure, one could ,only admire their gallantry and wonder as to their future. Landing at ,Hong Kong From Singapore, we flew north through many tropical rainstorms to Hong Kong, pas- sing en route. Siam and Indo- China. The landing on Kai Tak aero- drome proved more than just routine. The approach to this aerodrome is a: very difficult one for large aircraft. There are mountains at each end of the runway, end in corning down for a landing,the aircraft is travel- ling at a greater :than usual rate of speed. This, combined with landing on a runway under re- pairs and very rough indeed, caused the two port tires to blow out. When this happened. the aircraft lost the braking traobion of the two tires, and if the pilot applied brakes to the other two tires, the aircraft would go in- to e ground loop which dould be' disastrous. So there we were, having re- covered from the initial swerve of the blowout, rolling merrilly at . 90 miles per hour toward Kowloon Bay, which . awaited at the end of the runway. Here, however, the blessing of tricycle undercarriage, with nose Wheel steering, took over. As we de- creased ecreasedspeed, the captain, S/L Howie Morrison, DSO, DPC, very. skilfullysteered the aircraft a- round the perimeter roadway away from the bay,. and the only casualties were the news corres- pondents who nearly fainted with the excitement of having more thana routine story to file. Tense With Excitement Hong Kong proved to be an- other city tense with excitement, which is understandable when You look at a map, see the tiny island, mainly mountainous, pois- ed on the coastline of the massive power of Red. China, and realize also it is the richest of plums be- cause of the immense wealth of. the City 0f Victoria. Hong Kong appeared to be a city loaded with all the riches of both east and west. There were the arts and crafts of the east for sale. Wealthy merchants, both white and Chinese, have built some of the world's most splendorous homes on the Peak, which is the mountainside part of the city. Wealthy Refugees When we visited Hong Kong, it was jammed to overflowing with refugees from Conununist China, most of them very weal- thy. While an the Hong Kong hotel, we met a wealthy Chinese lady who had fled from Shang- hai "leaving everything" as she said. but as she•'left we noticed that she entered a new Rolls- Royce complete with uniformed chauffeur and footman. The con- trast was still Eastern --the very rich and the very poor. (Continued in next issue) 0 Flying to Tokyo F/L .1. V. Watson, AROS, left Saturday on temporary duty, of approximately one month, to fly with 426 (T) Squadron on the airlift to Tokyo, SEE AND HEAR THE COMMODORES and VIDEO-ETTES at CLINTON Thursday, Jan. 25 aa o.m. featured in THE STAR WEEKLY'S FREE CONCERT presented in cooperation with Ontario St. United Church and RCAF (Doors open at 1.15 fem.) AT THE LEFT— The Commodores: Harvard Reddick, first tenor; Carl Tapscott, second tenor and arranger; Donald Parrish, bass; and John Kingham. baritone. BELOW— The Video-ottes: Art and Mabel Guinness, famous entertainers, the Swiss Bell Ring- ers. RCAF RECREATION CENTRE COME EARLY! ALL -SEATS FREE! Secure your tickets early. A number are available 3-b 11311111111111111