201 entries.
wrote on March 5, 2024
Subject: THE year was Jan. 1956- to Dec. 1958
Share your Rockcliffe Story. re: RCAF Association News.
Rockcliffe Air base Memories ... I was working on the Mid Canada Radar line, as a member of 108 Com. Flight (helicopters) Ground crew and Air crewman flight duties. Our CO was S/L Heaslip. Our main northern bases, (Site 300) were Knob Lake, PQ. (Near a Mining town,-Schefferville, PQ) and (Site 400) at Great Whale River.
Home base was RCAF Stn. Bagotville, PQ.
In January of 1956, 108 Com. Flt was transferred to RCAF Stn. Rockcliffe; then under Air Material command. There were no quarters for single personnel when we arrived, as the Barrack Block had burned down in 1955.
A per diem rate of $ 7.50 was provided for those needing accommodation. Another member and I managed to rent a motel room for $13.50 a day.
Our walk to the base for work and meals was approximately one 1/2 miles. This only lasted about 4 weeks, as we were sent back north to work on the Mid-Canada Radar Line.
Our helicopter accommodations at Rockcliffe was a hangar* situated on the bank of the Ottawa River, north of the E/W runway. I was a good hike, so the Motor Transport Centre provided a vehicle run about every ½ hr. or when called upon. The control tower provided a green light for safe passage at the far east end of the runway.
Note:
*On March 12, 1930, Canadian World War I flying ace William George Barker (a Dauphin Manitoba, boy) crashed into the Ottawa River and died during an aerial demonstration over the field.
I also remember May 15, 1956 when a CF100 crashed into the Grey Nuns convent at Villa St. Louis, Orleans.
At the bottom of the valley area, 408 Squadron with their Lancaster aircraft were busy with the mapping of northern Canada.
I enjoyed my stay at Rockcliffe. It was a beautiful location, and when married, remained there until Dec. 1958. I remained with helicopters and my next posting was to Stn. Trenton, with (4 H OTU.) (108 Com. Flt. was disbanded in June/1958/
Per Ardua Ad Astra.
John Fefchak ( ret. CWO)
A Cold War Veteran ( 1951-1982)
wrote on November 9, 2023
Just a few days short of Remembrance Day 2023 was happy to hear a story about a navigator on Lancaster Bombers from my dentist, Dr. J. Robinson. His grandfather was a member of Goose Squadron during the Second World War. I shared with him a memory of my Dad, a bomber pilot on Lancs. With Tiger 424. We are keeping their memories alive for generations to follow. Read Of Luck and War: From Squeegee Kid to Bomber Pilot by Les Morrison
wrote on June 24, 2023
Hello to all past and present members.
I served with 408 '93 - '96 and loved every min of it. Take care and stay safe
wrote on March 9, 2022
Greetings from Wakefield Quebec....Served in 408 1979-1981. Per Ardua Ad Astra
wrote on November 10, 2021
So excited to find your facebook group for 408 squadron. My great uncle, Pilot Officer James Allan Earle, died on Jan 14, 1944 in a Lancaster assigned to target Brunsweig, Germany. The when crew was lost and are now buried on Hanover cemetary. It means a lot to me to be able to connect with the 408. I only knew Allan through home movies. He was my grandfather's youngest brother, and I understand he was probably the nicest and kindest of the 6 siblings. Their father died in 1928, and I think the death of Allan must have been almost unbearable for his mother. I would live to have known him.
wrote on July 22, 2021
Past member it is nice to read and bring back good memories. Cheers
wrote on April 25, 2021
I made an error in my 18 Apr entry for my first tour dates at 408 Sqn. It should have read 1979 - 1983.
From 1977-1979 I was with 444 Sqn in Lahr.
Sorry for the mistake.
Brian
wrote on April 18, 2021
I had two tours with the Squadron: July 1977-July 1983 as an LOH Flt Observer and from July 1985-July 1992 as LOH Flt Warrant and Squadron Sergeant-Major.
They were good times in my career and I made many good friends and memories.
wrote on February 16, 2021
I flew as a FE between 1980 to 1981 Loved that time and adventures.
wrote on January 6, 2021
I have good memories of my time flying Twin Hueys at 408 Sqn, 1982-86. Currently doing some research on my wife’s uncle, Sgt Donald Henderson, missing on a mission to Wilhelmshaven 10 Jan 1942. I doubt there are any survivors that would remember him, but worth a shot. In the meantime, research. For the moderator: I am willing to poke through ORBs and the like to help answer questions that might have answers found within them.
Admin Reply by: association
Good Morning Ted
any assistance you can provide would be appreciated
Norm
wrote on September 3, 2020
Did one of the SFOR tour with 408 in 2001 while attached to 403. 408 is an awesome unit to work with. Ad Astra
wrote on December 31, 2019
I would be interested if there are any living members in the Victoria area that were in the 408 Squadron that would have known my father F/O Fred Wood during WW11.
Regards Martin Wood (250.882.9253)
wrote on December 6, 2019
I transferred over to 408 Sqn from 450Sqn when 408 was reactivated with Col. Argue as its Commanding Officer
wrote on May 14, 2019
8-9 May 1942
408 Squadron Hampden I AE288 EQ-H
Warnemunde
Took off from RAF Balderton at 21:24.
Hit by 1/lei Flak Abt 836, 1/lei Flak Abt 844 and 1/Marine Flak Abt 204.
408 Squadron Hampden I AE297 EQ-F
Warnemunde
Took off from RAF Balderton at 21:22.
Coned by 11 & 13/Flak Regt 25. Hit by 1/Res Flak Abt 251, 1/Res Flak Abt 224 and 2 & 4/Res Flak Abt 227. Crashed near Rovershagen at 01:24.
wrote on June 27, 2018
A World War 1 centenial commemoration will be held at Forenville Military Cemetery, near Cambrai in Northern France where 100 mostly British soldiers are buried having been Killed in action on 8th October 1918. This memorial event lead by the local French people will take place on Sunday 7th October 2018. To the left flank of these men were battalions of Canadians.
In this same cemetery are the graves of 6 members of an RCAF 408 squadron Lancaster that crashed close to the cemetery on the night 12/13th June 1944, shot down by a night fighter while on a mission over Cambrai. The aircraft was DS726 EQ\"Y\" and you have details on this website.
I just wanted to assure you all that while the centenary event is obviously not for these men, that we will observe a fitting remembrance of them. Those men will NEVER be forgotten.
David Richardson
United Kingdom