Historical Narrative
2451 AC&W Sqn (Aux)
1 Dec 59
The followoing is a list of historical events dating from 1 Dec 59 to 31 may 60 for 2451 AC&W Squadron (AUX).
17 Dec 59
A Commanding Officers parade was held and the unit stood down for the Christmas Holidays. The inspection was followed by a pay parade for all ranks, with a turkey roll held in the Mess later in the evening.
20 Dec 59
Children's Christmas parties were held by the NCO's and the Officers. Gifts were presented to every child up to 13 years of age, with movies, a magician, soft drinks, candies and ice cream for the kiddies.
26 Dec 59
An Airmen's Mess Dinner was held on the evening of Boxing Day. On this occasion the dinner was served to the airmen by the Officers. The NCO's were entertained in the Officers Mess, and vice versa, and the evening was completed with a dance for all ranks.
1 Jan 60
The year began with a New Years Levee held in the Officers Mess at 1330 hours. About two hundred guests participated. The Toast to Her Majesty the Queen was given by S/L Robert Norwood, Commanding Officer of this Unit. A Toast to the President of the United States was given by Major John Roman of the USMC, Grosse Ile Naval Air Station, and a Toast to the Windsor Garrison proposed by Captain Donald Sharron of the Windsor Regiment.
4 Jan 60
The first squadron parade for 1960 and the CO announced the new President of the Officers Mess, F/L RJ Lavigne CD. Vice PMC is F/L WC Fenn.
7 Jan 60
Four promotions to the rank of Flying Officer was announced. Promoted to F/O were Pilot Officers Mills, Mellanby, Partington and Schaljo.
11 Jan 60
The civil service employees in the Windsor area wrote their examinations at this headquarters during a 3 day period, Jan 11th to Jan 13th.
21 Jan 60
A Commanding Officers inspection was held, followed by the first Officers Mess meeting of the year.
11 Feb 60
The International Air Forces Night Committee was formed to discuss the feasability of conducting a get-together of American and Canadian Officers. The purpose of the committee was to form a nucleus of Officers who will represent the various military formations in the Detroit-Windsor area. The aim of the committee was to lay a solid foundation for the first gathering and annual affairs in the future to be held alternately in the United States and Canada. Named Hon Chairman was S/L Robert Norwood, Chairman, F/L RJ Lavigne CD and Secretary, F/O CC Southward.
13 Feb 60
A Valentines Dance for Officers and their wives was held in the Mess. Sponsored by Ladies Auxiliary to 2451 Squadron RCAF (AUX).
15 Feb 60
This date marked the half-way mark for enlisting of 70 candidates for the RTTP. 125 applications have been received and our quota this year is 60 FtrCOps and 10 ClkAdm. For personnel selected to this date, Medicals and documentation is in progress.
19 Mar 60
A St Patricks Dance, sponsored by the Officers Mess was held.
28 Mar 60
Classes and drill began for 70 RTTP personnel, and will be held Monday and Thursday evenings for two hours. Recruiting was completed for 60 FtrCOps and 9 ClkAdm, with an additional ClkAdm transferred from the Auxiliary.
29 Mar 60
S/L Norwood was requested to accept a position on the civic International Freedom Festival Committee by the Mayor of the City of Windsor, Michael J Patrick. This is to co-ordinate the RCAF participation in this area for the Festival which is held annually between Detroit and Windsor with meetings every Tuesday evening in the City Council chambers at the City Hall.
18 Apr 60
This squadron was the host unit this year for the annual Garrison Officers Ball held at HMCS Hunter. The guest of honour was Air Commodore DAR Bradshaw and Mrs Bradshaw. A cocktail party was held in the Mess prior to the Ball when the Officers met the guests of honour. Other distinguished guests of the squadron were Air Commodore Sir James Easton; and Group Captain and Mrs RL Denison of RCAF Station Edgar, Ontario.
28 Apr 60
F/L MG Anthony, RSO, and F/L JW McIntyre made a liaison visit to RCAF Station Falconbridge by airlift. This meeting was to arrange week-end training airlifts, and a summer camp conference was also held.
1 May 60
Effective May 1st this squadron was changed from RCAF Station Hamilton to RCAF Station Centralia for pay and accounting purposes.
An inspection of the quarters now under the jurisdiction of Centralia was carried out by Centralia Officers, W/C Sorenson CTSO, S/L Tinline SSupO, and S/L McDonald CEO, and accepted from Hamilton.6 May 60
A Military Funeral with full Military Honours was held for Air Commodore JG Stephenson of Windsor after he and five others were killed in a crash of a B-25 Mitchell outside of Milwaukee. A 100 man guard of honour attended from RCAF Station Centralia, and the parade commander was Group Captain AG Kenyon, Commanding Officer, Centralia. Transportation for VIPs was arranged by 2451 Squadron. Limousines were obtained on loan from Ford of Canada and Chrysler Corporation. 30 Officers from this unit attended the funeral. The Air Transport Command Band led the funeral procession, and the body was transported on a gun carriage obtained through Canadian Army at London Ontario.
Airlifts from ATC to Falconbridge commenced this weekend, but had to be cancelled because of weather.
12 May 60
RTTP indoctrination concluded with an examination for all personnel and a Commanding Officers Parade. The instructors for phase I have been drawn from Officer and airmen ranks of the Auxiliary. 156065 F/L FM Hogan is in charge of training, and 156082 F/L AS Scott is Chief Instructor. Phase 2 of the training begins on July 4th. A flight of 24 men will attend the Independence Day parade in the morning, and lectures will begin here in the afternoon. At the Independence Day parade in Detroit, the new 50 Star Flag of the United States will be unfurled.
15 May 60
Sgt KG Bain, FtrCOp, of the RSOs staff was transferred to Great Falls Montana, USA for service with the USAF.
Notice of transfer was received by F/L MG Anthony RSO to RCAF Station Parent eff July 5th. The new RSO, F/L Jack Vincer to report to 2451 Squadron from Parent eff June 26.
28 May 60
A dining-in night was held for the Officers and their wives in the Officers Mess and honoured F/L and Mrs MG Anthony. Appropriate presentations were made to both in appreciation of both friendship and duty during three years at this unit. A silver engraved Mess Card was presented to Wing Commander JS Mencel, former Commanding Officer of 2451 Squadron honouring him with a lifetime membership in the Officers Mess. This was the first occasion when the wives of the officers attended a dining-in night at this unit, and was a tremendous success.
Respectfully submitted,
R Norwood (Squadron Leader),
Commanding Officer
2451 AC&W Squadron (Aux).