Showing 2 results

Archival description
Only top-level descriptions Halifax (Halifax County, N.S.)
Print preview
Card view Table view
Royal Canadian Air Force Pilots Flying Logbook of LCdr. Farrell, W.L.D.
Item · 1966-06-12 - 1977-09-17
Bill was appointed as an Ordinary Seaman (Officer Candidate) with the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) in 1943, and in 1944, he was appointed as an A/Probationary Sub-Lieutenant (Temp.) with the RCNVR. He served in HMCS Kings (Officer Training Establishment) in 1944 and was appointed as a Sub-Lieutenant (Temp.) with the RCNVR in 1945. In the same year, he served in H.M.S. St. Vincent for training and then in RNAS Rattray for #85 Observer Course. He also served in HMCS Warrior for 825 Squadron in 1946. In 1946, he was appointed as a Lieutenant (O) (Temp.) with the RCNVR and then transferred to the RCN through Short Service Appointment commencing 10/08/1946. In 1948, he was appointed as a Lieutenant (O) (SSA) with the RCN, serving in Magificent for 19 Carrier Air Group as an Observer in 825 Squadron. He served in HMCS Stadacona for Maritime Warfare School as a Naval Air member of Staff and in USS Palau for ASW Training. During the Korean War, he served in HMCS Iroquois in 1953. He was appointed as a Lieutenant-Commander with the RCN in 1954 and served in HMCS Cornwallis for Instructional Duties. He also served in HMCS Lanark in temporary command in 1958 and in HMCS Stadacona as First Lieutenant-Commander in 1963. In 1967, he retired from service. Bill was a colourful aviator who trained on Fairey Barracudas and Fairey Swordfish biplanes in Scotland at the end of WWII. He was posted to Canada's first aircraft carrier, HMCS Warrior, from where he flew Fairey Firefly fighter-bombers. Later, he flew from Canada's second carrier, HMCS Magnificent. During the Korean War, he served aboard the destroyer Iroquois. After retiring from the Navy, he worked as an administrator at Moirs and then at the local hospital before returning to aviation. He flew light twins for several years from Kelly Lake airport, performing duties such as ambulance flights and beach landing on Sable Island. Later, he flew Beaver aircraft into remote strips of Labrador and Newfoundland. When the company he worked for folded, he resumed work as an instructor at the Shearwater Flying Club. He took part in the annual Spruce Budworm spraying operations in New Brunswick, flying Grumman Avenger aircraft until an engine failure caused him to crash into the bush, demolishing all of the aircraft. However, he emerged unscathed from the cockpit. Bill was an ardent advocate for naval aviation and served as an editor for the Shearwater Aviation Museum's periodical. He also spearheaded a battle to preserve the Shearwater airport. A proud Canadian and a true patriot, Bill spent his final years attempting to persuade government authorities to re-equip our navy with a carrier-based task force to take part in UN and NATO operations. In his last days, he took on the cause of Omar Kadr and lent his talented pen in defence of national and international issues. SAM2009.0018.001
RCAF Pilot's Flying Log Book-RNVR Fleet Air Arm of Lt. Woods, A.J.
Item · 1943-09-19 - 1949-12-16
Lieutenant Woods, A.J was born in Los Angeles, California on December 21, 1922, to Stanley Clifford Woods and Kathaleen Maude Sheperd. He was appointed as an AC 2/c RCAF with seniority dated May 4, 1943. In 1943, he served in RCAF Edmonton for #4 Initial Training School. He was then appointed as a LAC RCAF with seniority dated September 19, 1943. In the same year, he served in RCAF High River for #5 Elementary Flying Training School, and then in RCAF MacLeod AB for #7 Service Flying School, where he was awarded his wings on October 4, 1944. He was then appointed as a Sergeant Pilot RCAF with seniority dated October 4, 1944. In 1944, he served in RCAF Calgary for #2 Aircrew Graduates Training School and was released from RCAF Special Reserve to RCAF Class E Reserve on December 1, 1944. He was transferred to RNVR on June 14, 1945, and appointed as a Sub-Lieutenant (A) (Temp.) RNVR with seniority dated June 14, 1945. He served in the RN College Greenwich for Courses in 1945, RAF Colby Grange for Service and Advanced Flying Courses in 1945, and H.M.S. Premier for Training in the same year. He was then transferred to RCN(R) on October 1, 1945, and appointed as a Sub-Lieutenant (P) RCN(R) with seniority dated October 1, 1945. In 1945, he served in RNAS Peplow for 758 RN Squadron for Advanced Instrument Flying School, RNAS Rattray for 717 RN Squadron, and RNAS Inskip for 766 RN Squadron.In 1946, he was appointed as a Lieutenant (P) RCN(R) with seniority dated April 6, 1946, and served in RNAS Eglinton for 719 RN Squadron for Strike Forming Training Unit, RNAS Arbroath for 783 RN Squadron for Anti-submarine homing Radar Training, and H.M.S. Implacable for Deck Landing Training. In 1947, he served in RCAF Pat Bay for 825 Squadron and HMCS Warrior for Carrier Qualification, where he was appointed as a Lieutenant (P) (SSA) with seniority dated April 6, 1946, for Short Service Appointment commencing April 30, 1947. He then served in RCNAS Dartmouth for 825 Squadron, HMCS Stadacona for Officers Divisional Course, and HMCS Magnificent for 19 Carrier Air Group as Pilot in 825 Squadron in 1948. In 1948, he served in RCAF Trenton for Central Flying School for Flying Instructor School, and in 1949, he served in HMCS Shearwater for Instructor Duty in #1 TAG. In 1950, he served in HMCS Naden for Duty with Reserve Training Commander and HMCS Antigonish for Watchkeeping Training. In 1951, he served in HMCS Shearwater for Flying Refresher, 803 Squadron, 870 Squadron, and 880 Squadron, as well as in RNAS Lossiemouth for Maintenance Test Pilot Course. He also served in HMCS Shearwater as Naval Air Test and Liaison Officer and in RNAS Anthorn for #1 Aircraft Receipt and Dispatch Unit. In the same year, he served in RCAF Centralia for Instrument Flying School.In 1953, he survived a ditching of a Sea Fury at the entrance to Musqudoboit Harbour NS on July 1. He was then selected for permanent commission and served in NHQ for Special Duty at Naval Detachment Central Experimental Proving Establishment at RCAF Station Edmonton. He also served in RNAS Gosport for 705 RN Squadron for Helicopter Conversion Course and RCAF Edmonton for Special Duty as Officer-in-Charge of Naval Detachment Central Experimental Proving Establishment at RCAF Station Edmonton. In 1954, he was appointed as a Lieutenant-Commander (P) RCN with seniority dated April 6, 1954. In 1955, he served in HMCS Niagara for Duty at USNAS Boca Chica for Fighter All-Weather Training Unit, USNAS Cecil for Banshee Trainer, USNAS Oceania for F2H-3 Conversion, and HMCS Shearwater for 870 Squadron as Senior Pilot. In 1956, he served in HMCS Stadacona on Staff of Flag Officer Atlantic Coast as Staff Officer (Air Training). In 1958, he served in HMCS Naden as Commanding Officer VU-33 Squadron, and in 1960, he served in HMCS Hochelaga for #6 Officers Management and Logistics Course. In 1961, he served in NHQ on Staff of Director of Naval Aircraft Requirements, and in 1963, he served in CFB Borden for Senior Officers NBCD Course. In 1964, he served in HMCS Chippawa for Duty as Liaison Officer RCAF Training Command, and in 1965, he served in HMCS Chippawa on Staff of Deputy Chief of Staff as Staff Officer Multi-Engine Pilot Training. He was retired on July 1, 1968.Lt. Woods received the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the air when a British 'Attacker Jet Aircraft' was being ferried from RCAF Station Namao to Halifax for loading on board HMCS Magnificent to return the aircraft to Britain. Lt. Woods had an engine flame-out at 30,000 feet, 60 miles from Sault Ste Marie, and despite only having a 2,000 foot ceiling, he made a successful dead stick landing. The fault was repaired, and he headed for Ottawa where once again, at approximately 60 miles out, the engine failed again, and all attempts at a relight failed. The plane had an ejection seat, but Lt. Woods chose to save a valuable aircraft and made a successful belly landing.Lt. Woods retired with the rank of Lieutenant-Commander (P) (RCN)in 1968. Sadly he passed away on the 19th of January 1980 in New Westminster BC. SAM.1996.56.1a