High Level Interference!  

Back Row ???, Ike "Hank" Webster, ???, Paul Palayk (sp?), Leo Evanson, Bill Maggs, ??? Middle Row  ???, George Russell, Mackie, Bill Bjorn, Jack McDougall, Joe Penner, ??? Front Row Archie Graham, Jack Archer, Phil Barrett, Bo McFadden, Bill Walker, ??? , Wally Sinclair Editor Note: According to source. Phil Barrett this course photo was taken in 1952 vice 1956.

Update Submitted By Phil Barrett
This photo in the Course group is titled First Dry Chem Course 1956 and was submitted by Jack McDougall. Jack had his dates out a few years. Note that Art McFadyen and myself were both WO2's and I can't remember what Bill Walker was a F/S I think or a WOI. Any way Art and I were CFR in Fall of 1953 so that dates the picture at 1952. It was at Aylmer and was one of two special courses held for Senior FF NCOs from various stations. Instructors were Art McFadden ; Bill Walker ; Fred Sacho and myself. Art and I were at AFHQ at the time. It was the beginning of the introduction of high volume DC as well as a screening process. Only two students failed those two courses. I can't remember the name of one - a F/S from either Summerside or Greenwood' who threw in the towel shortly after the beginning of the practical phase. Art worked both students and us pretty hard with fire sets and this chap just couldn't hack it. He remustered right there to some other trade. The other fellow, also a F/S, was a loose pistol and went stark raving mad when leading a team in a fire suppression exercise. He was ok in class but didn't know what he was doing under fire. Of course, we counseled him to quit while he was ahead and before he had an opportunity to kill himself or anyone else. He couldn't see the problem so he was forcibly removed from the class and eventually released on medical grounds (within a few weeks and after a psychiatric assessment) Guess what.? Later that year I answered the phone in AFHQ and I was asked if I knew so-and-so by a Personnel Branch Officer. Replying in the affirmative, I was told that he was being re-enlisted at his former rank - where did we want him posted? I said "no way" and explained why. The caller said he or someone would get back to me. A few minutes later, answering the phone, (I was by myself in the office) a rather soft spoken voice repeated the info and said simply -" now don't argue with me - what station do we send him to?" At that point and being young and brash I asked who the hell was calling and was told quietly but firmly "W/C so-and -so, the aide to the CAS - "NOW (in a rising voice) FIND A STATION - IN QUEBEC - TO SEND HIM and TELL so-and-so AT PERSONNEL WITHOUT ANY FURTHER DELAY." Crash went the phone on the other end! (This is as true as I am saying it, I swear to you). I arranged with personnel for an hour's grace to make some phone calls and got the demand met. Turned out that the chap in question had a brother in the Quebec legislature, who was used to getting what he wanted!!. This guy had also threatened Art and I, saying that he would have us both demoted to LACs. Didn't happen of course. Such were some of the growing pains in the FF trade in 1950s. I don't know how or if you want to use that story Paul. I suppose the principals are long since gone to their rewards.!! Regards Phil

Submitted By Flight Lieutenant Phil Barrett (Retired)                Back