Historical Narrative
2451 AC&W Sqn (Aux)
As previously reported Unit training had been initiated during October, 1955 in the former Peerless Dairy building, 437 Erie Street West, even though it had not officially been allotted as 2451 AC&W Headquarters. However, on the 2nd of December Mr Luther C Clarke acting on behalf of the Crown, finalized the purchase in the presence of Mr Don Brown, MP, S/L J Mencel and Support Officer F/O Don Washington.
The acquisition of this fine stone and brick structure brought to an end a two year search for suitable quarters capable of being renovated to fit AC&W requirements. Squadron morale also reached new heights as assurances were given an early start would be made on the renovations. Plans called for all security and training equipment to be housed on the main floor, while enlargement of the existing second story would provide messing facilities and an Auditorium.
Squadron interest progressed with the Supply Section under F/L R Levigne holding their first clothing parade on December 2nd, 1955. Many of the newly recruited members were amazed to find how they had matured physically since last having donned uniforms. Hence, many and humorous were the remarks befitting the occasion. Issuing of Kit raised Squadron Prestige immeasurably and Windsor's long awaited Auxiliary Squadron became a reality in the eyes of the supporting public and other Military Units based in the area.
The problem of messing was readily solved with acceptance of Commander Curry's kind offer of the Ward Room facilities of HMCS Hunter and soon a new and friendly bond was established between Navy and Air Force personnel. Needless to say, the injection of Air Force anecdotes and customs soon added a new and interesting tone to the prevailing Ward Room decorum.
Official Squadron parades ended on Dec 15/55 with a stand down until Jan 9/56. However the newly formed Mess Committee consisting of F/L R Levigne as PMC, F/O HO Brumpton Vice President, F/O Shaw, A Secretary, F/O J McWade Treasurer and F/O K Dohery as entertainment officer, sponsored a cocktail party to be held during the early evening hours of December 31/55. A number of the Officers' wives rose to the occasion with constructive help and the Erie Street Classroom was converted into a temporary, but charming and inviting lounge. The pre-midnight gathering served the dual purpose of acquainting C/O Mencel and Mrs Mencel with his Officers' Wives, while at the same time satisfying the curiousity of the wives as to where their husbands were spending their training time.
A great deal of credit for the success of this precedent setting occasion must be given to F/O Don Washington and his staff, for it was they who had the task of scrounging and assembling drapes, lamps, rugs, furniture and pictures. The transformation became complete with the addition of Palms and Ferns borrowed from the City Greenhouses, and an otherwise barren room took on a warm and welcome look.
At 21:30 hours the assembled guests adjourned to their respective New Years Parties with the great majority again meeting at the Hunter to participate in the New Years Festivities.
January 1956 engendered a renewed interest in Squadron affairs. Lectures following a syllabus drawn up by F/O Washington was implemented with the aid of F/O C Raven, F/O R Bass, F/O VanDell, and P/O Cowan as instructors. Also assisting very ably in this work were Corporal Belleveau and LAC C Grant. Mention must also be made at this time of the work produced by LAC Dagle who laboured at his typewriter preparing supplements to CAP 480 in an attempt to overcome the total lack of Training Manuals and instructing equipment.
Improvisation was the keyword during this period with Squadron Personnel making up for what they lacked in teaching aids with a keeness and loyalty destined to carry them through many future frustrating weeks. This spirit was exemplified by the patience of many Officers whose daily civilian occupations revolved around the efficient supplying and scheduling of the automotive industry.
Early January brought the reassuring news that AC&W Squadrons were to be unaffected in the proposed RCAF Auxiliary reallocation program. S/L Mencel reported back to the Squadron after the CAS conference at AFHQ with the encouraging news AC&W Squadrons would be expected to play an increasingly progressive role in the future scheme of RCAF organization.
Further to these assurances, on Jan 15 S/L Mencel visited the 781st AC&W site at USAF Base Camp Custer, Michigan. His prime purpose was to establish Liaison relative to instituting Cross Training with the 781st. Excellent training facilities were reported available with several Jet Squadrons in the area willing to co-operate. S/L Mencel reported his visit was well received and the Personnel of the 781st seemed very amenable to the idea of making their facilities available to the Windsor Squadron for training purposes.
Squadron Morale was given an enthusiastic boost when plans for an orientation trip to USAF Camp Custer were announced as "laid on". The prospect of augmenting limited home training facilities with an introduction to the latest operational equipment buoyed the interest of the members and everyone looked eagerly forward to the inauguration of the cross training program.
On January 23/56 the RTTP recruiting campaign was launched with a quota of 20 as the objective. Response was immediate with the net result 19 recruits for summer training at Hamilton and four Clerk Stenographers for Aylmer.
The month of January ended in deep abyss for Squadron Morale when the real meaning of the word "Security" was made apparent; for while all members of the Squadron had been cleared in Canada it was found American Security Clearances had not materialized. Therefore the anticipated trip to the 781st ended in cancellation.
Training continued through the month of February with make-shift facilities. The loan of some intercom equipment helped increase interest in the learning of intercept procedure and the mastering of the Brevity Code.
Feb 1/56 brought the appointment of P/O AS Stecher as Squadron Sports Officer and F/O HO Brumpton as Unit Historian. Also during February our popular Support Officer F/O Don Washington received the good news of a two week course on multiple control lead collision intercepts. As this course took place at USAF Selfridge Field his experience with 661st AC&W Unit presented a wonderful opportunity to gain a firm knowledge of the comparative differences in the operational functioning of Canadian and American Radar Sites. He returned happy in the thought he had logged 54 live intercepts towards his current Controller Year.
Further postings in February brought LAC Fleming, a Radar Tech from Mount Apica to Windsor. LAC Fleming's technical knowledge of radar added greatly to lecture interest and aided materially in nullifying the fact Training Manuals and Dalton Computers still had not been made available for distribution.
February 18/56 marked the advent of the Mess Committees' first informal dance. Entertainment Officer Ken Doherty arranged a successful affair in the Ward Room of HMCS Hunter. Following a full evening of dancing a catering service provided luncheon. S/L Mencel rose admirably to the occasion when the Navy Ward Room Sword was presented to him for the cutting of the cake, by dexterously withdrawing it from the scabbard held on the crooked arm of F/O Ken Doherty and burying it with great Finnesse.
Visitors during March included F/L Malone of ADC SORP. He clarified and explained problems generally affecting members of the RCAF Reserve. Also during March the Squadron was favoured with a visit by S/L Sorty ADC SOGT. F/O Bain at this period relieved F/O Don Washington as Support Officer for seven days while he took annual leave.
An event of interest took place on Thursday March 8/56. Following lectures the Gift Keg which had been especially constructed to mark the occasion of 2451 Squadron's aborted trip to 781st AC&W was brought out for sampling. The spiggot was found to work well with all members present entering into the spirit of the occasion by liberally sampling the contents of the Keg.
April arrived with no news on the starting of building renovations. It might be noted at this time that the heating plant of the recently acquired building had not been functioning all winter. Heat had been supplied by temporary electric heating elements. These left much to be desired, and invariably, the conclusion of lecture periods brought a respite from the cold draughts coursing across the floor. However, despite these handicaps attendance remained at the steady high of ninety percent.
Administration proceeded on schedule with P/O W Inch being appointed as Attendance Officer. Interviews of prospective AS/Ftr/C officers were progressing nicely and the Squadron as a whole enjoyed a welcome pay parade on April 5/56.
The Garrison Ball on April 7/56 represented the Social Event of the year and it gave the RCAF its first opportunity to participate in this colourful gathering. The dance was held on the Ships Deck of HMCS Hunter under the auspices of the local Naval and Army establishments. With the inclusion of 2451 AC&W Squadron all services of Canada's Armed Forces were now represented. Prior to the Ball Squadron Officers and their wives were entertained by members of the RCEME Mess.
April 28 & 29 found S/L Mencel, F/O Bass, F/L Levigne and F/O Washington attending a Hamilton Conference relative to the summer training of RTTP personnel. Also at this time unsatisfactory supply problems were presented for the consideration of Station Hamilton. April also brought a visitor from AFHQ in the person of F/L Lapierre who clarified many Records problems.
Squadron Postings for May consisted of the transfer of LAC JCM Fleming to Sydney, Nova Scotia and his replacement by Cpl CO Parker.
Selction of Windsor by the RCAFA for their 6th Annual Convention May 19/56 gave the members of 2451 AC&W Squadron their first opportunity to appear before the public as a marching unit. Under S/L Mencel the Unit aided in the ceremonies by accompanying the delegates and RCAF representatives to the Cenotaph for memorial services. Later in the march past Squadron members presented a smart picture in both step and attire, meriting warm praise from the visiting dignitaries. Present for the occasion were Hon Paul Martin, Air Vice Marshall Kennedy, A/V/M Wait, A/V/M McEwen and A/C Greenway.
The passing of May brought an increased interest of Squadron Personnel in Summer Camp training. It was first thought the trainees would be sent to Falconbridge but on May 6/56 S/L Mencel and F/O Washington left for Station Foymount where they finalized summer training plans.
At this time it must have been very heartening for S/L Mencel to reflect on an attendance record of close to ninety percent, despite the fact the training program had been frustratingly handicapped by the scarcity of manuals, equipment, and uncompleted quarters. It was readily apparent that what the Squadron lacked in material things they made up for with an abundance of enthusiasm, and their ability to improvise proved a saving grace. Many members had further demonstrated their loyalty by sacrificing vacation periods in order to support the Squadron at Camp. Looking back over the short period of operation it may be truly said that in the eyes of the Press, Public and many loyal supporters, 2451 AC&W Squadron was well on the way to becoming a composite Unit of efficient, well trained men and women.
Signed by HO Brumpton F/O for