Metz, France
Support Unit (SU) Metz


1963 – Narrative Report– National Archives of Canada


Historical Record
RCAF Support Unit, Metz, France
Period From 1 Jun 63 to 30 Nov 63

The following officers held key positions during the period 1 Jun 63 to 30 Nov 63:

CO

W/C EG St. Jean

Air/P

CAdO

S/L JS Cooper

Pers/Adm

CTSO

S/L W Smalluk

Tech/Tel

SAO

S/L JW Coutts

Acc

SMO

S/L BW Grace

Med/MO

 

Narrative Report
Support Unit – Metz France
1 Jun 63 to 30 Nov 63

12 Jun 63

The unit took part in the AOC’s Handing Over Parade. A/V/M LW Wray handed over 1 Air Division to A/V/M DAR Bradshaw.

15 Jun 63

W/C CS Yarnell, CO SU Metz, handed over the SU Metz to Acting CO, S/L W Smalluk. W/C CS Yarnell was transferred to Ottawa Sector, North Bay, Ontario.

6 Aug 63

S/L W Smalluk, Acting CO, handed over the unit to W/C ED St. Jean, reporting in from AFHQ.

19 Aug 63

S/L BW Grace reported in as SMO of the unit.

7 Sep 63

SU Metz defeated 2 Wing in a football tournament. SU Metz won all but the ladies singled at a Tennis Tourney held at 3 Wing.

9 Sep 63

French language enrolment on 9 Sep was 81 students with a daily attendance of 54 students. Six classes per day are held.

15 Sep 63

The Battle of Britain Parade was held. A/C RC Stovel, CofS, 1 Air Division HQ reviewed the parade.

30 Sep 63

Installation was completed of the UHF transmit and receive with control at the operations centre at Fort d’Ars. Equipment for one mains and one standby located at Fort Jury.

12 Oct 63

Fire Prevention Week, 5 to 12 Oct inclusive, was considered to be especially significant this year since in addition to the usual campaign, a special visit was made to the Support Unit by the City of Metz Fire Department. Commencing at 1400 hours, 11 Oct, the itinerary included inspection by the Metz Fire Department of the fire hall and equipment, a special fire fighting display at the fire fighters training area and a volleyball game. The liaison thus established was considered to be most useful and beneficial to both the SU Fire Section and the Metz Fire Department.

11 Nov 63

The Armistice Day Parade and services were held on the Unit. A/C RC Stovel, CofS, 1 Air Division HQ was the reviewing officer.

30 Nov 63

The Air Division Football Championship Game was held. SU Metz defeated 4 Wing to retain the European Grey Cup.

13 Dec 63

Civilians of SU Metz were presented with ten year awards by A/C RC Stovel. This award represents 10 years service with 1 Air Div.

22 Dec 63

The Chapels continued the annual custom of distributing Christmas hampers to needy families and organizations in the Metz area through the local churches. The hampers of food and turkeys were purchased with funds received from individual members of our congregation and from NPF organizations on the unit.

25 Dec 63

The AOC, A/V/M DAR Bradshaw and the CO/SU, W/C EG St. Jean, led the officers and Senior NCO contingent serving the airmen and airwomen. A good time was had by all.

1 Jun 63 - 31 Dec 63

Over the seven month period the following observations were made by individual sections:

(a)

Approximately 500 – 700 service personnel and dependents were seen by the medical staff each month.

(b)

The MSE personnel were required to drive 345,955 miles and were involved in six minor accidents. There were no injuries.

(c)

There were 186 PMC accidents of which there were 33 injuries and 44 of the stated number of accidents were estimated at damage exceeding $100.00.

(d)

An added Supply function has been allocated to the SU which is now designated for the role of Supply support for all Attaches and Embassies. This function was previously handled by AFHQ/AU.

(e)

Forty apartments in PMQs were painted from 7 Oct to 13 Dec 63.

 

(EG St. Jean) W/C
CO, RCAF Support Unit