Comments on: The Diefenbunker

By: Bruce Vallance

Bruce Vallance — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:56:20 +0000

I was one of the original inhabitants of the bunker. I was posted to Carp on return from a tour in the Then; Belgian Congo. I was a member of the Corps of Signals, a radio operator. Our job was to operate the facility control center. We had no control over the building or it’s facilities. We saw to it that the communications into and out of the building were operational 24/7. The bunker was our home. Our housed nine men in three, three tiered bunks. We had a dining hall and there was even a rec. room where we could work out if we so desired. It wasn’t the place for anyone with claustrophobia, believe me. I have many good memories of friendships formed and good times had. I met and married my wife of thirty five years while serving there. It’s good to see that it’s become a museum. As far as a secret escape route is concerned, it was on a need to know basis, and people at our “level” didn’t need to know.

By: Roger Hache

Roger Hache — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:56:02 +0000

I worked in the Bunken 71 to 73 as a Jr STRAD Maintainer.
Was sindle then but lived in Rockcliffe. Only slept there a few nights during exercises.

By: Matthew K. Kelly

Matthew K. Kelly — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:09:54 +0000

I want to add one more thing. On the tour
in 1997 I saw for the first time the secret
escape route out of the building, hard to believe
I know, they never told us even though we lived there.
So much for fire escape routes. Guys would whisper
playing cards “there is a secret escape route out
of here” and I would say “comon deal the cards,
who cares” ha ha True story.

By: Matthew K. Kelly

Matthew K. Kelly — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:43:49 +0000

Well folks you struck it rich with me finding you.
I am one of the originals that went into the bunker
Jan 2 1962 we came down from Petawawa. I have quite
a few funny things to tell about the bunker back in
those days, if your interested I will be more than happy
to share some stories by email. Most of us original guys
now (there was no women in those days) will be leaving
soon :( I am 67. I went through that building on a tour
in 1997 and before we entered I told my wife there was
a crack down the tunnel floor, and it was still there in
1997. Funny how you can remember something that minor.
I was single and slept, ate, and worked in the bunker.
I worked in the torn tape relay center. I left the bunker
for Borden in April 63. Finished my army life at Ortona
Barracks (downtown Oakville, it was Central Command) where
I worked in the cipher office, that ended in 1969.
Drop me an email if you wish at’
mkelly1741@hotmail.com
bye
Matt