Historical Narrative
2453 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Reserve)
Three Rivers, PQ.
1 January 1954 to 31 December 1954
Jan 54
As per DRO Serial 1, dated 15 Jan, F/O JF Lacroix, CAdO, was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant, and AW1 EC Jenssen, Clk/Admin, was promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer, both effective 1 Jan. Announcements of these promotions were carried in the local newspapers, in the St Maurice Chronicle on 14 Jan, and in Le Novellieste on 18 Jan.
On 1 Jan, the Bishop of Trois-Rivieres, Monsegnieur Georges-Leon Pelletier, received officers of 2453 AC&WS and of the local army regiment at his Palace. Photograph and news account of this affair appeared in Le Nouvelliste on 4 Jan.
Elections to determine the new Officers' Mess Committee were held early in the month. The following officers were appointed: F/O JA Trudel - President; F/O WSE Woods (GObC) - Vice President; P/O R Teasdale - Secretary; F/L Jff Labbe (GObC) - Bar Officer. F/L JPR Bellemare was appointed President of the Combined Mess for three months effective Jan 21.
A clothing parade was held on 14 Jan for all ranks.
As per DRO Serial 1, AC2 C Lafontaine, Clk Typ, was struck off strength; AW2 M Vincent, Clk/typ and AW2 L Pinsonneault, Ftr/Cont, were TOS effective 22 Oct 53.
From 8 Jan to 18 Jan, S/L AO Dumas was on Temporary Duty to 1 Gp HQ, Montreal, for the purpose of liaison with Group Officers. From 18 Jan to 25 Jan, S/L Dumas was on Special Duty at 1 Gp HQ.
As per DRO Serial 2, dated 29 Jan, F/O JEJ Page was SOS effective 11 Nov 52, being released from the Auxiliary due to pressure of civilian work; Sgt JAG Laurendeau was SOS on request eff 18 Jan, having been enrolled as a Comm PC; F/S JDF Hardy, PRTI 2, was SOS effective 1 Feb, having been irregularly enrolled; Sgt JHGM Braun, Ftr/Cont, was similarly SOS effective the same date.
From 1 Feb, LAC W Loranger was granted an extension of Special Duty employment with the Auxiliary for the purpose of aiding moving and gaining supply knowledge.
Effective 21 Jan, F/O PA Richer and AC2 M Poisson were granted leave without pay for an indefinite period of time. Effective 11 Jan, AW1 Guillemette was granted leave without pay until 11 March, and AC2 JG Jacob until 1 July 54.
During this month there was considerable sports activities at 2453 AC&WS. The girls basketball team, under the coaching of Aircraftsman Real Delafontaine and the managership of F/S Fernard Babin, played two games, one with the team "Ancienne" of Quebec City, on Jan 16 at the Three Rivers Exhibition Grounds, and one with the "Sparkettes" of Shawinigan Falls on 23 Jan, also in Three Rivers. On 23 Jan also, the Officers' Mess members played a hockey game with the local Kiwanis, the latter being invited to the Officers' Mess afterwards.
There was also during this month more than the usual amount of publicity for the squadron. On three separate occasions, the girls' basketball games were announced over the local radio station, and on 16 Jan, the local radio station CHLN gave a tape recorded radio interview prior to one of the games; during this interview S/L Dumas, F/O Solly, and AC1 Delafontaine were all heard over the air at 6 PM on Saturday. The Squadron promotions were also announced over the air. Basketball games were given publicity both before and after the games by both of the local newspapers. In addition, recruiting ads for RTTP, airwomen, and fighter controllers appeared in the newspapers a total of four times.
Feb 54
The following personnel travelled to RCAF Station Mont Apica by private motor car over the weekend of 5 - 7 Feb for the purpose of GCI exercises:
F/L GA Lavigne | AC2 A Dupont |
F/O RG Hagan | AC2 C Dobson |
F/O RJH Lafreniere | AW1 L Duval |
F/O JPR Bellemare | AW2 MEH Paulin |
LAC JHGM Champagne | AW2 L Ponsoneault |
AC2 R Roberge | AW2 D Floreault |
AC2 JR Longval |   |
During the same weekend, F/Os GJ Kerr, GW Evans, and LG Solly travelled to Ancienne Lorette to fly in RCAF aircraft being controlled by the Squadron personnel at Mont Apica.
DROs issued during the month included Serial 3, dated 15 Feb, and Serial 4, dated 26 Feb.
The following promotions were announced during the month: P/O MTHL Bouille, Med/Nur, to F/O effective 2 Oct 53, DRO Serial 3; P/O RG Hagan, Ftr/Cont, to F/O effective 6 Nov 53, DRO Serial 3; P/O RSC Genest, Admin List/Admin Branch, to F/O effective 31 Jul 53, DRO Serial 4.
On 2 Feb and 3 Feb, F/O's WT Reid and JP Trudel were on TD to 1 Gp HQ obtaining qualifying exam instructions and information.
LAC JLPW Loranger, Ftr/COp, was remustered to Sup/Tech effective 1 Feb, and at the same time was given an extension of Special Duty with the Auxiliary from 1 Feb to 26 Feb. LAC MT MacPherson, D Mech, was remustered to Group 1 (O), having passed his Trade examinations 20 Dec 53.
As per DRO Serial 3, AC2 C Brousseau, Ftr/COp, was TOS for a period of three years effective 14 Dec 53, and AC2 C Dobson, also Ftr/COp was TOS for a period of three years effective 22 Oct 53.
As per DRO Serial 4, AC2 B Poliquin, Rdr PC, was SOS effective 27 Apr 53; AC1 F Aubin was granted LWOP for an indefinite period of time effective 22 Feb 54; and AW1 L Duval was granted LWOP for one month effective 25 Feb 54.
Newspaper recruiting ads appeared in the local French paper, Le Nouvelliste, on 4 Feb, for airwomen, and on 8 Feb, for RTTP personnel.
Again during this month the girls' basketball team, known officially as the "Radarettes", were active. Weekly practice sessions were held each wednesday evening in the Three River High School auditorium, and on three separate occasions, 14 Feb, 20 Feb, and 27 Feb, the team met in competition the Shawinigan Falls "Sparkettes". Although all of the meets resulted in losses for the squadron team, nevertheless the scores indicated that the Radarettes put up an extremely able showing against the more professional Sparkettes.
Considerable publicity was accorded the squadron during the month both in the local press and on the radio. All basketball bames were given space in both the French and English newspapers, and twice on radio station CKTR.
In addition to the above, P/O EC Jenssen, on account of her recent promotion, was guest of honor at the Busines and Professional Women's Club during a banquet held at the St Maurice Hotel. S/L Dumas was invited to speak at the dinner, and photographs and news accounts were carried in Le Nouvelliste. The dinner was held on 10 Feb.
In February also, S/L Dumas' picture appeared in the papers, with the announcement that he had been awarded the Coronation Medal by order of her Majesty the Queen.
On 29 Feb, the Officers' Mess played a badminton game with the Army officers, afterwards being invited to the Officers Mess at the Armouries for entertainment. On 27 Feb, the squadron officers again played a hockey game with the Kiwanis.
A combined Mess dance was held on 13 Feb, after a basketball game with the Shawinigan Sparkettes, who were guests of honor. An orchestra was provided and a large crowd was present.
During this month the contract was awarded for the revamping of the Squadron's quarters, work to commence early in May and to extend through September. It would be necessary to find temporary quarters while this work was in progress, and S/L Dumas began to spend considerable time and effort to locate suitable quarters. It was thought for a time that one of the city's buildings in the Exhibition Grounds, the Palestre Trifluvienne, might be available, but a single member of the city council, one Jos Guay, was opposed to the idea and the scheme fell through. Mr Guay chose to adopt a rather narrow view, and was accordingly granted not too favourable publicity in the local press as a result. The damage was done, however, and the search for quarters began anew.
Mar 54
DROs issued this month included Serial 5, dated 15 Mar, Serial 6, dated 22 Mar, and Serial 7, dated 31 Mar.
Dates were set for qualifying examinations for officers' promotion, and for trade examinations for officers and airmen. On 21 Mar with F/O RW Healy-Ogden presiding, Phase 1 exam for Fighter Controllers was to be held, also trade exams for the following airmen: Sgt FX Lapointe, Comm Tech (G), LAC JLPW Loranger, Sup Tech, and AC1 JS Parenteau, Sup Tech. On 28 Mar, with F/L JF Lacroix presiding, General Service Knowledge exams for Flying Officer, and Trade Exams for Flight Lieutenants were to be held. On 4 April, with F/L PE St Arnault presiding, Trade exams for Flying Officers and General Service Knowledge Exams for Flight Lieutenants were to be written.
F/O JM Pinder was granted LWOP for an indefinite period of time effective 1 Mar, and AW1 J Laflamme, Ftr/COp, was granted LWOP for fifteen days commencing 8 Mar.
Effective 1 Feb, AW1 L Duval, Ftr/COp, was remustered to Sup Tech, and effective 8 Mar, AC1 P Germain, Rdr PC, was remustered to Clk Acc.
According to DROs issued during the month, the following personnel were SOS:
AC2 JJ Fournier | eff 30 Apr 54 | irregularly enrolled |
Sgt JWW McLellan, Ftr/COp | eff 15 Mar 54 | irregularly enrolled |
Sgt JHM Bellerive, Clk Acc | eff 15 Mar 54 | not advantageously employed in present rank |
AC2 JDY Duval, Rdr PC | eff 16 Dec 53 | transfer to Regular Force |
LAC JLH Morand, R OP | eff 22 Mar 54 | not advantageously employed in present rank |
F/S JAF Babin, Ftr/COp | eff 22 Mar 54 | irregularly enrolled |
Sgt FX Lapointe, Comm Tech | eff 31 Mar 54 | irregularly enrolled. |
In addition to the above, the following Rdr PC (G) personnel were declared supernumerary effective 22 Mar 54, pending release:
LAC JMRM Gagne | AC2 JC Allard |
AC1 E St Cyr | AC2 BA Patterson |
AC1 A Blais | AC2 JL Thibodeau |
AC1 P Cantin |   |
The following personnel were TOS for a period of three years with the Auxiliary:
AC2 P Lemay | Ftr COp | eff 15 Feb 54 |
AC2 C Deziel | Ftr COp | eff 18 Feb 54 |
LAC R Brousseau | Ftr COp | eff 19 Feb 54 |
AW2 C Lemay | Ftr COp | eff 25 Feb 54 |
AW2 FA Ritchie | Ftr COp | eff 25 Feb 54 |
Air Force Day was announced as June 12/54. Plans were made for a parade.
On 6 Mar a dart tournament was held with the Army Officers, afterwards both teams retiring to the Officers' Mess for entertainment.
From 1 Mar to 31 Mar, LAC W Loranger was on Special Duty with the Auxiliary for the purpose of aiding moving and gaining supply knowledge.
The following reclassifications were announced and appeared in DRO Serial 7:
AC1 GA Garrett | to LAC | eff 16 Nov 53 |
AC2 Y Gagnon | to AC1 | eff 14 Dec 53 |
AC2 R Roberge | to AC1 | eff 15 Oct 53 |
AC2 A Dupont | to AC1 | eff 2 Oct 53 |
AW2 C Beaudoin | to AW1 | eff 18 Jul 53 |
AC2 R Lacombe | to AC1 | eff 12 Nov 53 |
AW2 MEH Paulin | to AW1 | eff 2 Jan 54 |
The total strength of the squadron was now as follows:
Officers Staff | 10 |
Officers Trainee | 21 |
Sr NCOs Staff | 0 |
Sr NCO Trainee | 0 |
Cpls, ACs and AWs Staff | 7 |
Cpls, ACs and AWs Trainee | 64 |
Total | 102 |
A single basketball game was played during the month, at the close of the season, between the Radarettes and the Sparkettes of Shawinigan Falls.
Apr 54
DRO's issued during this month included Serial 8, dated 8 Apr, Serial 9, dated 15 Apr, Serial 10, dated 22 Apr, and Serial 11, dated 30 Apr.
The following Primary Reserve RTTP personnel were officially SOS effective 31 Dec 53, being detached from 2453 AC&WS for training, and from 1 Gp HQ for pay accounting:
AC2 R Carignan | AC2 D Deziel |
AC2 JM Houle | AC2 A Lesage |
AC2 F Bourassa | AC2 JY Rouest |
AC2 P Nobert | AC2 C Mettier |
All of the above airmen were enlisted as Rdr PC. In addition to the above, AC2 JJ Martin, also of the Primary Reserve RTTP, Rdr PC, was SOS effective 31 Dec 53 on transfer to the Regular Force.
The following Auxiliary personnel were also SOS from 2453 AC&WS:
AW1 R Cadotte | Clk/Admin | eff 1 Sep 53 |
AW1 G Thibeau | Ftr/COp | eff 13 Oct 53 |
AC2 A Buissieres | Ftr/COp | eff 25 May 53 |
LAC JP Bergeron | Ftr/COp | eff 4 Jul 53 |
AC1 JJMR Desrosiers | Ftr/COp | eff 8 Oct 53 |
AW2 MP Julien | Ftr/COp | eff 7 Aug 53 |
AC1 JM Faucher | Comm PC | eff 7 Aug 53 |
LAC JOH Poirier | Ftr/COp | eff 19 Jan 54 |
AC2 Y Farrier | Ftr/COp | eff 30 Nov 53 |
AC2 LR Villeneuve | R Op | eff 30 Nov 53 |
AW1 MD Nassif | Ftr/COp | eff 14 Jul 53 |
AC2 JC Allard | Rdr/Tech | eff 11 Sep 53 |
AC2 M Therien | Ftr/COp | eff 22 Sep 53 |
AC2 F Panneton | Ftr/COp | eff 12 Feb 54 |
AC1 JM Rivard | Sep/Tech | eff 9 Feb 54 |
AC1 P Cantin | Rdr Tech | eff 16 Sep 53 |
AW2 M Martin was TOS for a period of three years with the Aux effective 22 Mar 54 as a Ftr/COp.
Effective 22 Dec 53, AC1 J Ferland, Ftr/COp, was remustered to Com PC (G), and effective 5 Apr 54, AW1 C Beaudoin, Ftr/COp, was remustered to Clk/Typ.
The following reclassifications were announced:
AW1 L Robichaud | Clk/Admin | to LAW | eff 1 Mar 54 |
AW1 KM McDonald | Ftr/COp | to LAW | eff 1 Mar 54 |
AW1 S Johnstone | Ftr/COp | to LAW | eff 1 Mar 54 |
AW1 J Laflamme | Ftr/COp | to LAW | eff 1 Mar 54 |
AW1 J Guillemette | Ftr/COp | to LAW | eff 1 Mar 54 |
In addition to the above, P/O JL Daoust, Ftr/Cont, was promoted to F/O effective 5 Feb 54.
LAC W Loranger, Sup Tech, was employed for an extension of Special Duty with the Aux from 1 Apr to 30 Apr, for the purpose of aiding moving.
Indefinite LWOP was granted to AC2 F Rivard, Ftr/COp, eff 21 Apr.
May 54
DEOs issued during this month included Serial 12, dated 10 May, Serial 13, dated 13 May, Serial 14, dated 17 May, and Serial 15, dated 31 May.
Suitable temporary quarters had been found for the squadron during renovation of existing quarters; the new quarters were at 9 Fusey St, Cap de la Madeleine, and on 4 May the squadron moved, aided by officer and airmen of the Auxiliary. Photographs of the moving appeared in Le Nouvelliste. The new quarters were on the second floor, above an auto dealer, and while not as spacious as would have been liked, were adequate to the needs.
A clothing parade was held on 13 May for all Auxiliary personnel, and for the issuance of summer uniforms to RTTP personnel.
The following personnel were SOS officially:
AC2 g Brousseau | Ftr/COp | eff 1 Apr 54 | released |
AC2 JL Thibodeau | Rdr Tech | eff 26 May 53 | released |
LAC JMRM Gagne | Rdr Tech | eff 5 Jan 53 | released |
F/O FR Thibodeau | Pers/Admin | eff 31 Mar 54 | transfer to Supp Reserve |
AC2 CE Dumays | Rdr PC | eff 3 May 54 | released |
In addition to the above, F/O MTHL Bouille, Med/Nur, was SOS on posting to 1 Air Division, Metz, France, for period of Special Duty effective 30 May, returning 28 Jun. Authority for this subsequently appeared in DRO Serial 19, dated 30 July.
The following personnel were TOS for a period of three years:
AC2 R Bergeron, Clk Acc
AC2 JP Robindaine, Ftr COp
P/O JM Pinder was promoted to F/O in the trade of Ftr/Cont eff 18 Dec 53.
An AOCs parade was held at Fletcher's Field in Montreal on 16 May, and the following Squadron personnel attended:
S/L AO Dumas | LAC GWF Langlois |
F/L Ga Lavigne | LAC TM McPherson |
F/L JF Lacroix | LAW S Johnstone |
F/L PE St Arnault | LAW J Laflamme |
F/O JAJP Trudel | LAW KM McDonald |
F/O RSC Genest | LAW L Robichaud |
F/O WT Reid | AC1 PP Caron |
F/O JPR Bellemare | AC1 JHR Delafontaine |
F/O AJ Escaravage | AC1 PE Dufresne |
F/O RG Hagan | AC1 A Dupont |
F/O AM Johnson | AC1 J Ferland |
F/O RJH Lafreniere | AC1 Y Gagnon |
F/O M Sevigny | AC1 R Lacombe |
P/O JMR Briere | AW1 C Arsenault |
P/O EC Jenssen | AW1 C Beaudoin |
LAC W Loranger | AW1 P St Louis |
LAC R Brousseau | AW1 MEH Paulin |
LAC G Garrett | AW1 SMA Staynes |
AW1 C Veillette | AX2 JJC Laperriere |
AW1 B Murray | AC2 JM Longval |
AC2 LJ Baribeau | AC2 Y Sauvageau |
AC2 H Bartlett | AW2 C Lemay |
AC2 G Bourassa | AW2 L Pinsonneault |
AC2 R Dupres | AW2 M Martin |
AC2 Y Dugay |   |
Authority for the trip, which was made by bus, was given subsequently in DRO Serial 16, dated 10 Jun. Photographs showing the Air Officer Commanding, Air Vice Marshall James, interviewing members of the local squadron on parade appeared in Le Nouvelliste, together with a news account.
A Group Commander's parade was held on 27 May at the airport at Cap de la Madeleine. Summer dress was in order and the parade was widely attended. Again photographs and news accounts appeared in the Le Nouvelliste.
Jun 54
DROs issued during the month included Serial 16, dated 16 Jun, Serial 17, dated 17 Jun, and Serial 18, dated 30 Jun.
From 1 Jun to 3 Jun, S/L AO Dumas and F/L GA Lavigne were on Special Duty with the Auxiliary; during this time they travelled to Air Defence Sector HQ at Lac St Denis to attend a conference.
The following personnel were officially SOS:
AC1 JR Pellerin | eff 21 Nov | released |
AC2 JG Hebert | eff 31 May 53 | released |
AC2 R Charland COM PC | eff 30 Apr 53 | released |
AW2 C Douville Ftr COp | eff 3 Nov 53 | released |
AC2 F Rivard Ftr COp | eff 1 Jul 54 | transfer to Primary Reserve RTTP, attached to 2453 C&WS for training, to 1 Gp HQ for pay accounting. |
In addition to the above, F/O RJH Lafreniere was SOS eff 15 Jun on posting to 2453 AC&WS for a period of Special Duty. F/O Lafreniere acted in the capacity of Commanding Officer for RTTP personnel who were in summer training for two months.
The following personnel were reclassified LAC:
AC1 JHR Delafontaine | Com PC (G) | eff 16 Apr 54 |
AC1 PE Dufresne | R Op | eff 9 Apr 54 |
AC2 JC Lebrun and AW2 VM Baker were TOS for a period of three years effective 3 May 54 and 24 May 54 respectively.
AC2 JR Longval, Ftr/COp, and AC2 JC Beaudoin, CH, were granted LWOP for an indefinite period of time effective 3 Jun 54 and 17 May 54 respectively.
At 1000 hours on 20 Jun, trade exams were written by the following personnel, F/L PE St Arnault presiding.
F/O LP Heroux | LAW J Laflamme |
LAC JHR Delafontaine | LAW S Staynes |
LAC J Ferland | AC1 PP Caron |
LAW C Veillette | AC1 A Dupont |
LAW KM McDonald | AC1 R Roberge |
LAW S Johnstone |   |
F/L GA Lavigne was officially appointed OC Summer Camp, which was to be held at 12 AC&WS, Mont Apica from 3 Jul to 18 Jul.
As per DRO Serial 18, the following personnel were TOS on enrollment in the Primary Reserve RTTP with the rank of AC2, to be attached to 2453 AC&WS for training, to 1 Gp HQ for pay accounting, in the trade of Ftr/COp, effective 1 Jul 54:
R Richard | L Bourassa |
J Larochelle | C Cossette |
M Douville | Y Plourde |
JM Lafreniere | J Biron |
A Lize | N Lavesque |
A Mercier | R Vigneault |
G Leblanc | G Drouin |
J Cantin | R Bisson |
C Beauchamps | JP Fortier |
D Nadeau | F Ferland |
J Dumont | J Leclerc |
PE Massicotte | J Biron |
M Dugre | L Roberge |
C Lyonnais | J Duval |
A Pronovost | J Allard |
A Verrette | A Baribeau |
R Ferschke | A Ouellet |
G Gauthier |   |
The following personnel were similarly enrolled but with the trade of Com PC:
JG Raymond | JC Dugre |
A Beauchesne | JC Martin |
A Fortin | A Bourbeau |
A Leroche | JC Farrier |
J Giguere | G Hamelin |
R Pidgeon | G Lambert |
JS Landry | Y Racette |
L Lemay |   |
The following personnel were also similarly enrolled but with the trade of Rdr PC:
lD Caron | C De Lagrave |
L Leborgne | G Soulard |
J Patrice | P Bourdreau |
M Bellefeuille | L Arcand |
JL Malton | F Rivard |
JC Lanteigne | JL Houle |
Work progressed during this month on the new quarters, and photographs and news accounts were carried in the local press.
Jul 54
The last parade before summer camp was held on July 1st. Summer Camp was held at Mont Apica 3 July to 18 July, and the following personnel attended on the dates shown:
S/L AO Dumas | 8 to 16 July | Air P |
F/L PE St Arnault | 3 to 11 July | Acc |
F/O WT Reid | 14 to 16 July | Tech/Tel |
F/O RSC Genest | 3 to 11 July | Pers/Admin |
F/L GA Lavigne | 3 to 19 July | AS/Ftr Cont (Officer Commanding) |
F/O GW Evans | 3 to 19 July | AS/Ftr Cont |
F/O RG Hagan | 3 to 12 July | AS/Ftr Cont |
P/O JMR Briere | 10 to 19 July | AS/Ftr Cont |
LAC MT MacPherson | 3 to 11 July | D Mech |
AW1 C Arseneault | 3 to 11 July | ClkTyp/Admin |
AC1 A Dupont | 3 to 18 July | Ftr/COp |
AC1 Y Gagnon | 3 to 18 July | Ftr/COp |
LAC JHR Delafontaine | 3 to 11 July | Com PC |
AW2 C Lemay | 3 to 11 July | Ftr/COp |
AW2 L Pinsonneault | 3 to 18 July | Ftr/COp |
LAW J Laflamme | 3 to 18 July | Ftr/COp |
LAW KM McDonald | 3 to 11 July | Ftr/COp |
AW1 B Murray | 3 to 9 July | Ftr/COp |
In addition to the above, P/O EC Jenssen, Pers/Admin, spent summer camp from 3 July to 17 July at RCAF Station St Hubert; F/O JAJP Trudel spent summer camp from 2 July to 12 July in the Supply Branch at 1 Gp HQ; and LAC JLPW Loranger spent summer camp as a Sup Tech from 18 July to 24 July at 1 Gp HQ.
Personnel from Quebec City and Three Rivers had complete control of air operations during summer camp, and particularly during the large scale air operations conducted over the second weekend. During these exercises, personnel who were unable to attend summer camp aided the local branch of GObC in plotting and relaying information to Air Defence Control Center at Lac St Denis.
From July 19 to Sept 1, the unit was shut down, the first parade of the new season being scheduled for 1 Sept. An officers' mess meeting was called in July, however, and again in August, to discuss decorations for the mess in the new quarters.
A single DRO was issued during the month, Serial 19, dated 30 July.
Effective 15 Dec 53, F/O CA Trottier was SOS on transfer to the Supplementary Reserve. He had been enrolled as AS/Ftr Cont.
Effective 1 July, the following personnel were promoted to the rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant:
F/O JPA Picher | AS/Ftr Cont |
F/O JR Lafreniere | AS/Ftr Cont |
F/O AJ Escaravage | AS/Ftr Cont |
Effective 25 May 54, P/O LG Solly, AS/Ftr Cont, was promoted to the rank of F/O.
The following officers were TOS on appointment to the Auxiliary for an indefinite period of time with rank of P/O with simultaneous promotion of F/O:
F/O JAC Laurendeau | AS/Ftr Cont | eff 26 July 54 |
F/O JAF Babin | AS/Ftr Cont | eff 23 Mar 54 |
Effective 18 Mar 54, P/O ATJ Bolduc, Tech/Tel, was TOS in the Auxiliary for an indefinite period of time.
Effective 22 Jun 54, LAC PE Dufresne, R Op, remustered to Ftr/COp, and AC1 R Lacombe remustered from Ftr/COp to Com PC (G).
S/L AO Dumas was on TD to ADCHQ on 28 Jul and 29 Jul attending a debriefing conference.
Aug 54
The unit being shut down during the whole of this month, there was little activity. The Auxiliary Support personnel, however, were on duty at the quarters.
A single DRO, Serial 20, dated 31 Aug, was issued during the month.
S/L AO Dumas was employed for a period of Special Duty with the Auxiliary from 25 July to 7 Aug, to work T1 DCL & AFHQ Field service during renovation of the new quarters. On 16 Aug and 17 Aug, S/L Dumas was on TD to ADCHQ attending aTelecom Conference, and again on 26 to 29 aug, S/L Dumas was on TD to ADCHQ.
On August 19th and 20th, F/L GA Lavigne was on TD to 1 Gp HQ to discuss Auxiliary training for the 1954-1955 season. Effective 1 July, F/L Lavigne was promote to substantive rank.
The following personnel were TOS with the rank of P/O and simultaneous promotion to F/O:
F/O JDF Hardy | AS/Ftr C | eff 26 Aug 54 |
F/O JHGM Braun | AS/Ftr C | eff 4 Aug 54 |
Effective 21 Jun 54, AC1 JNM Bouille, R Op, was SOS on transfer to 2452 AC&WS at Quebec City.
LAW SM Johnstone, Ftr/COp, was remustered Group 1 (O), having successfully passed her trade exams held 20 Jun 54.
An Officers' Mess meeting was called on 30 Aug to discuss new color schemes and decorations for the new Mess.
Sep 54
The first parade of the new season was held on the Thursday following Labour Day at the temporary quarters in Cap de la Madeleine. As per DRO Serial 21, dated 9 Sep, winter dress was optional for wear effective 13 Sep, and compulsory eff 27 Sep.
The following RTTP Primary Reserve personnel, having completed summer training, were struck off strength effective 1 Sep, having been attached to 2453 AC&WS for training and to 1 Gp HQ for pay:
AC2 A Bourbeau | CommPC | AC2 M Douville | FtrCop |
AC2 G Lambert | CommPC | AC2 G Drouin | FtrCOp |
AC2 JS Landry | CommPC | AC2 R Fersche | FtrCOp |
AC2 M Bellefeuille | RdrPC | AC2 JP Fortier | FtrCOp |
AC2 JC Lanteigne | RdrPC | AC2 J Lafreniere | FtrCOp |
AC2 JL Matton | RdrPC | AC2 J Larochelle | FtrCOp |
AC2 P Julien | RdrPC | AC2 A Lize | FtrCOp |
AC2 F Rivard | RdrPC | AC2 Lyonnais | FtrCOp |
AC2 J Allard | FtrCOp | AC2 A Mercier | FtrCOp |
AC2 J Biron | FtrCOp | AC2 D Nadeau | FtrCOp |
AC2 Bisson | FtrCOp | AC2 P Boudreau | RdrPC |
The following RTTP Primary Reserve Personnel, were SOS on request, effective 1 Sep:
AC2 A Laroche | CommPC | AC2 J Duval | FtrCOp |
AC2 JC Raymond | CommPC | AC2 M Levesque | FtrCOp |
AC2 L Arcand | RdrPC | AC2 Pronovost | FtrCOp |
AC2 L Leborgne | RdrPC | AC2 L Roberge | FtrCOp |
AC2 J Biron | FtrCOp |   |   |
Trade examinations were held 19 Sep for AW1 C Arsenault, Clk Typ, and AW1 P St Louis, Clk Typ, with F/O RSC Genest presiding.
AW1 MEH Paulin was SOS effective 12 Jun on transfer to the Regular Force. AW1 Paulin had been enrolled as FtrCOp.
AW1 L Duval, Sup Tech, was SOS effective 1 July, retention of this airwoman not being practical nor desirable.
Cpl JJ Laperriere, Comm Tech, was SOS effective 1 Sep, on request.
The following reclassifications became effective on dates shown:
AW1 P St Louis | Clk Typ | to LAW | eff 3 Jun |
AC1 JS Parenteau | Sup Tech | to LAC | eff 7 Jun |
AC1 PP Caron | RdrPC | to LAC | eff 2 Sep |
AW1 EM Murray | FtrCOp | to LAW | eff 1 Sep |
AW1 C Veillette | FtrCOp | to LAW | eff 31 May |
AW2 L Pinsonneault | FtrCOp | to AW1 | eff 22 Apr |
AW2 D Floreault | FtrCOp | to AW1 | eff 1 Jun |
Effective 23 Oct 52, LAC M Pronovost was TOS for a period of three years in the trade of CommPC, and effective 25 Jul, P/O EJ Smith was TOS on transfer from 2452 AC&WS in the trade of Tech Tel.
Effective 30 Sep 54, AW2 M Vincent, Clk Typ, was SOS on request.
LAC JHGM Champagne was granted LWOP for an indefinite period effective 3 Jun 54.
A clothing parade was held for all ranks on 30 Sep.
As per QR (Air) Art 210.82, notification of which was promulgated in AFRO 433/54, all auxiliary personnel were eligible for a bonus who attended six days camp training, or other authorized training, and who had attended seventy-five percent of parades in the prior six months. The bonus was set at $25 for single personnel, and $40 for married personnel.
DRO's issued during the month included Serial 21, dated 9 Sep, Serial 22, dated 16 Sep, Serial 23, dated 23 Sep, and Serial 24, dated 30 Sep.
Oct 54
Effective 4 Oct 54, the following personnel were TOS in the Auxiliary for a period of three years:
AW2 H Cossette | FtrCOp |
AW2 B Vaillancourt | FtrCOp |
AW2 M Beaumier | FtrCOp |
The following RTTP Primary Reserve personnel were SOS effective 29 Sep 54, having been attached to 2453 AC&WS for training, and to 1 Gp HQ for pay:
AC2 C Cossette | FtrCOp |
AC2 C Beauchamps | FtrCOp |
AC2 L Bourassa | FtrCOp |
AC2 R Vigneault | FtrCOp |
AC2 J Leclerc | FtrCOp |
AC2 M Dugre | FtrCOp |
AC2 G Gauthier | FtrCOp |
AC2 PE Massicote | FtrCOp |
Effective 7 Oct 54, AC2's P Lemay and C Deziel, both Fighter Control Opertors, were SOS 2453 AC&WS.
LAC PP Caron, Rdr PC, was SOS effective 20 Oct on transfer to the Regular Force, and AW2 M Martin, FtrCOp, was SOS on request effective 23 Mar 54.
From 11 Oct to 30 Oct, F/O JDF Hardy, AS/FtrC was employed for a period of special duty with the Auxiliary.
The following reclassifications became effective on dates shown:
AC1 A Dupond | FtrCOp | to LAC | eff 4 Oct |
AW1 C Lemay | FtrCOp | to LAW | eff 2 Sep |
AW1 SMA Staynes | FtrCOp | to LAW | eff 3 Sep |
AC2 Y Sauvageau | RdrPC | to AC1 | eff 16 May |
AC2 Y Duguay, RdrPC, was granted leave without pay for an indefinite period of time, and effective 28 Oct 54, AW1 C Arsenault, Clk Typ, was granted LWOP for a period of three months.
No parade was held on Monday, 1 Nov, it being All Saint's Day, and a civic holiday.
DRO's issued during the month included Serial 25, dated 7 Oct, Serial 26, dated 18 Oct, Serial 27, dated 21 Oct, and Serial 28, dated 29 Oct.
Plans were made during this month for moving back into the renovated quarters on Hart Street, Trois-Rivieres. It was hoped that the move could be made on or about the middle of November.
Nov 54
The total strength of the Unit at the end of Oct 54 was:
Officers | Staff | 10 |
Officers | Trainee | 25 |
Sr NCO | Staff | 0 |
Sr NCO | Trainee | 0 |
Cpls, ACs and AWs | Staff | 10 |
Cpls, ACs and AWs | Trainee | 50 |
Total |   | 95 |
As per DRO dated 4th Nov 54, F/O Braun was employed on Special Duty eff 1 Nov 54 to 13 Nov 54.
On Nov 14, 54 a tri-service parade took place to commemorate the Armistice Day. The "fall-in" was at 1330 hrs and the parade left the Armoury at 1345 hrs and marched to the Cenotaph where the march pass took place.
As per DrO dated 18 Nov 54, the following personnel were taken on strength, as per the date shown:
F/L JDF Hardy 30 Oct 54
AC2 JM Gosselin 8 Oct 54
There was no training between 19 Nov 54 and 5 Dec 54 as per DRO dated 18 Nov 54. This was due to the transfer of the entire unit, back to Trois-Rivieres, to occupy our renovated building. All personnel helped for the moving of the equipment.
One last special meeting took place, for the officers, in the month of Nov, when all Fighter Controllers were requested to attend a special meeting with Officers from ADC. This occurred on 22 Nov 54.
A special farewell party was held on 29 Nov 54 for F/L Escaravage in the officers mess. F/L Escaravage was presented a Beer Mug to commemorate the occasion.
Dec 54
Due to the transfer of the complete unit to our repaired building at Hart Street, no DROs were published in December until the 16th of the month.
As per these DRO a trade examination board was set up, which comprised:
Presiding Officer | F/O RW Healey-Ogden |
Assistant Presiding Officer | F/L RJH Lafreniere |
Assistant Presiding Officer | P/O EC Jenssen |
The strength of the unit was increased as follow as per DRO 16 Dec 54:
Sgt JHM Bellerive eff 30 Sep 54
F/L GA Lavigne was named A/CO during S/L AO Dumas' absence, which extended through the holidays.
It has been established this month that the officers of the GObC are full members of the Officers" Mess and have the following privileges:
A new Mess Committee in the Airmen's Mess was elected on 13 Dec 54 and it consists of:
Cpl G Garrett | President |
AW2 F Ritchie | Secretary |
LAC MacPherson | On the Committee |
LAW MacDonald | On the Committee |
A Christmas Party was held on 26 Dec 54 at 2 PM. F/O Filion volunteered to act as Santa Claus. All the children had a very good time and an appropriate present was given to each and every one. After the presentation, a lunch was served and the youngsters did great honored.
A decoration and organization ccommittee for the New Year Eve Party was formed with the following volunteers:
F/O G Kerr
F/O L Solly
F/O J Crossley
F/O R Hagan
A Buffet Supper was held in the Officers' Mess on New Years Eve. This wa followed by a dance and the usual reveries in order to bid goodbye to the Old Year and Best Wishes to the New.
The Airmen's Mess also held a dance on this occasion but it took place on 30 Dec 54.