Grostenquin France

Extracts from 2 Wing Historical Reports Pertaining to the Station Hospital

25 Jun 53

S/L CT Brighton, Air Division SO Sup and F/O A LeVere, AFHQ/DMS, reported on an investigation of narcotic losses.

9 Jul 53

F/L Marion reported in as temporary replacement during the absence of the SMO, S/L AM Beach.

7 Nov 53

The infant child of F/O JCVA Chartrand was stillborn early this morning in the Station Hospital and later buried in the Parish cemetery at Lelling by the RC Chaplain.

7 Dec 53

Visitors from Air Division HQ on official business were F/L D Pope, SOPA, and F/L DL Thompson, Division HQ Matron who is reporting here on a month's TD to assist in the hospital. F/L G Marion, Medical, returned from TD at SHAPE and AAFCE HQ and resumed his duties in the Station Hospital.

5 Jan 54

Miss Ann Lefebvre, civil nurse from Canada employed in the hospital. The existing service nursing staff have been overtaxed with work and it became necessary to employ a permanent civil nurse.

6 Jan 54

History in the medical field was made today at this unit when Mrs. Lavigne gave birth to twin boys in the Station Hospital. Mrs. Lavigne is a local French National married to a Canadian airmen. She originally came from Morhange and her twins are the first twins to be born in the Moselle in 20 years.

13 Jan 54

At 2215 hours the station was subject to a power cut off. The entire station was plunged into darkness until nearly 2330 hours. During this time the electric incubators in the hospital were in use for two premature babies. The power cut off presented a serious situation and it was necessary to arouse the entire station and gather in all the oil heaters available in order to prevent the demise of the infants. This action was done and served as a satisfactory measure until the power returned. The power failure was outside the unit perimeter and heavy rains and winds were in effect when the incident occurred. Fortunately, nothing serious occurred and the infants were out of danger.

15 Jan 54

Two airmen became involved in an altercation at Saarbrucken which necessitated their removal to base and hospital.

16 Jan 54

416 aircraft suffered a flame out and fire. The pilot, F/O SGJ Telford was removed to hospital for examination, suffered back injuries.

18 Jan 54

The CO underwent a minor operation in the Station Hospital.

2 Feb 54

G/C GD Calbrick, S/L JM Duncan, S/L FM Oakes, arrived from AFHQ and conferred with the CO and SMO on medical matters. They were accompanied by W/C W Laughland, SOMS from Air Division HQ, and F/L T Thompson. The party remained overnight. They inspected unit hospital facilities, St. Avold hospital facilities and sanitary aspects on the unit.

17 Feb 54

S/L JN Bracher departed on TD to Wiesbaden to visit sick and make payments to hospitalized personnel at 495th US Army Hospital.

13 Apr 54

W/C Hay, CJS London and SOMS 1 Air Div, W/C Laughland arrived at 1000 hours reported in on TD on inspection of medical facilities.

2 Jun 54

Dr. JV Whitehead, civilian medical officer reported for duty from 3 Wing. He will replace Dr. Halford who is posted to 3 Wing.

7 Jun 54

F/L CM Campbell, Wing Adjutant, collapsed at noon today and was admitted to the Station Hospital; will be in hospital for a week or ten days for a good rest.

3 Jul 54

F/L R Fee, (Aux) MO reported in from Canada on one months contact training.

15 Jul 54

G/C JR Cellars, RAF Medical advisor to AAFCE, Paris, arrived on unit accompanied by W/C W Laughland, SOMS at Air Division. The party toured the unit, lunched with the CO and discussed medical and hospitalization matters.

16 Jul 54

28722 F/L RC Shannon, 430 Squadron was pilot of Sabre Mark V 23040 when at 1615 hours he suffered an engine failure on take off. Aircraft sustained an "A" category crash and pilot received a compression fracture to the 7th dorsal vertebrae.

27 Jul 54

The Captain of the North Star 915 was admitted to hospital and F/O R McBride, Captain of North Star ex North Luffenham is en route to this unit to pilot the groundcrew personnel to Rabat. W/C JC McCarthy, CAdO still confined to hospital with a sciatic condition in his back muscles. S/L C Lamont, SMO of 4 (F) Wing reported in on TD as a relief MO pending return of S/L AM Beach.

9 Aug 54

Hospital is receiving many patients for colds caused by the rapid weather change.

11 Aug 54

416 (F) Squadron suffered a fatality when 44718 F/O GL Beaulac in Sabre 23119 crashed 1¼ miles NE of Creutzwald, Moselle. Pilot found in aircraft ejection seat, parachute partly opened. Body removed from wooded area and brought to station hospital for funeral direction from Metz.

17 Aug 54

W/C W Laughland, SOMS, F/L DL Thompson, Division Matron, S/L N McArthur, SOMS/Matron, S/L D Stewart MED/MO Hygiene visited the unit and conferred with the CO.

15 Sep 54

W/C W Young, Med/MO visited by air and left for Air Division HQ.

4 Oct 54

S/L MC McArthur reported in from Air Division HQ on medical matters.

13 Oct 54

F/O AH Tuplin has been on non-effective strength for past two months and is confined at present in US Army Hospital at Landstuhl.

15 Oct 54

W/C SB Murphy, Med/MO, RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Opthalmologist completed his survey of unit personnel for optical corrections. General condition was reported good, only one or two pilots borderline but they are still within the acceptable area.

20 Oct 54

Medical Board done on F/O AH Tuplin who is in hospital at Landstuhl and who is being posted to non-effective strength.

16 Nov 54

F/O R Steward, 3 (F) Wing, reported in as President of Board of Inquiry re F/O JJ Doyle who was injured at 3 Wing when he met with a non-service accident. F/O JJ Doyle returned from 3 Wing to Wing Hospital.

25 Nov 54

F/O W Mulcahy, Med/Nur was married by F/L L Perusse, RC Chaplain in RC Chapel to Mr. KJ O'Brien, Tech Rep for GCA unit. A reception was held in the Airmen's Mess at which a large number attended. The CO proposed the toast to the bride and groom.

21 Dec 54

The hospital staff had a rather busy day. A baby was flown to Landstuhl for an emergency operation this morning. A second call came when a 3 (F) Wing aircraft crashed near Bitche. The pilot was picked up without injuries and delivered to 3 (F) Wing.

3 Feb 55

Mr. RC Hamond of Ottawa arrived on unit for a two day narcotic check.

10 Feb 55

F/L MM Seymore, Nursing Sister, from # 1 wing inspecting hospital facilities and expecting to return in approximately two days.

4 Jan 56

Hospital reports three births during the past week.

11 Jan 56

The hospital reports two births during the past week.

19 Jan 56

The Hospital reports five births during the past week.

24 Jan 56

. G/C HJ Bright (SOMS) visited the hospital.

25 Jan 56

The hospital reports four births during the past week.

31 Jan 56

The hospital reports five births during the past week.

8 Feb 56

The hospital reports six births during the past week.

15 Feb 56

The hospital reports three births during the past week.

22 Feb 56

The hospital reports five births during the past week.

29 Feb 56

The hospital reports two births during the past week.

7 Mar 56

The hospital reports three births during the past week.

11 Mar 56

F/L Carlye left for Canada today, grounded medically.

4 Apr 56

The hospital reports three births during the past week.

11 Apr 56

The hospital reports six births during the past week.

18 Apr 56

The hospital reports one birth during the past week.

9 May 56

The hospital reports seven births during the past week.

16 May 56

The hospital reports seven births during the past week.

3 Aug 56

G/C JC McCulloch Consultant in Ophthalmology to DND arrived 2 (F) Wing at 1000 hours and departed 2130 hours. Purpose of visit: assessing medical requirements; Professional talks to Medical Officers.

10 Dec 56

F/O Belliveau back on station after an unfortunate PMC accident while on his way to Le Havre for onward transportation to Canada. Mrs. Belliveau recovering in Landstuhl hospital.

23 Jan 57

Sad news received from the hospital this PM. FS DP Bergie from Wing Maint passed away resulting from a heart attack.

18 Apr 57

CO was admitted to the hospital this date for an unknown period of time – possible a week to 10 days.

23 Apr 57

Dr KK Neeley from Defence Research Medical Laboratories visited the station today and held a conference with SMO and party.

10 May 57

G/C Newson again was placed in the station hospital for a few days. W/C Curries takes over duties as Acting/CO.