Historical Narrative
2455 AC&W Sqn (Aux) Victoria, BC.
1 June 1956 to 30 November 1956
Jun 56
The opening of the Recruiting Unit at 865 Yates St on 4 Jun was attended by F/L Wark representing 5 Air Div HQ. Mutual housing has since resulted in a closer liaison and cooperation between RU and this Squadron.
At COs parade on the 10th, proficiency awards were presented to the Squadron's outstanding airman and airwoman.
On the 20th we were favoured with a visit by W/C Hurry Tech CE of 5 Air Div following his visit to Pat Bay.
Pay Parade was held on the 21st, prior to stand-down on the 25th. On the latter date S/L Poirer, RC Chaplain 5 Air Div visited the unit on chaplain duties.
Jul 56
On the 3rd of July Phase 2 RTTP training commenced. Of the 79 enrolled, 20 were women.
Two month's summer training was undertaken by Auxiliary personnel assigned as follows: 3 to 2455 AC&W Sqn (Support); 6 to RCAF Stn Tofino; 3 to 5 Air Div HQ; 5 to RCAF Stn Comox. Summer camp at Stn Comox commenced 29 Jul to 12 Aug, a total of 45 personnel atttending during that period.
Aug 56
On the 22nd S/L Sarty StaffO GrdTrg ADCHQ visited to discuss RTTP training. On the 30th RTTP Graduation Ceremonies were attended by G/C EA Alexander and W/C WJ Mooney of 19 WgHQ. Of the group of 79 all but 3 passed, not one ceased training, and 35 have enlisted in the Auxiliary.
Throughout August this RTTP group participated in four Sunset Ceremony Parades in front of the Legislative Buildings. For the first time this local feature was put on a competitive basis. The Victoria Chamber of Commerce having offered a "Victoria Sunset Ceremony Tri-Service Challenge Shield" to the unit most highly rated in performance by judges from the three services (an orderly officer assignment at this unit). The 19 Wg Band contributed to our success in capturing the coveted shield.
Sep 56
This Unit commenced normal training on 6 Sep. The Battle of Britain parade was held on 16 Sep. The Squadron paraded from the Urban Centre to Protestant and Roman Catholic Church services.
On the 25th we were favoured with a visit from A/C AD Ross and F/O RH Goddard of 5 Air Div HQ.
Oct 56
On the 18th the squadron marched to the Armouries to participate in a tri-service militia parade for presentation of the Challenge Shield awarded for best performance in the Summer Sunset Ceremonies. The trophy was presented by Brig JS Adam and received by F/L RV Ostler, Acting CO of this Unit in the absence of S/L Higgins. There was a good coverage of this event in the local press.
On the evening of the 22nd members of this Unit paraded to a special showing of "Reach for the Sky", as guests of the Odeon Theatre. Throughout the week's run of this movie about W/C Douglas Bader, a display in the foyer of the theatre depicting the workings of an Operations board was manned each evening by two members of this Unit.
22 personnel wrote Trade Tests on the 21st Oct.
On the 28th an identification card processing parade was held. 60 members were fingerprinted and photographed by F/O Jack and his party.
Nov 56
Three controllers spent 8 days of special duty at Comox for training in lieu of summer camp, commencing 10 Nov. On Remembrance Day a parade was held at this unit; two flights marched from the Urban Cente to the Cenotaph representing the RCAf in Victoria.
On 12 November we were honoured by a visiting party of staff officers from AFHQ and 5 Air Div HQ to discuss Officer and airman career policy and administration, ground training and related problems.
There was an enthusiastic turnout for our first Sports Parade of this season at HMCS Naden on 15 Nov.
On the 24 Nov the Officers' Mess entertained at a cocktail party to which officers representing local militia groups, and their ladies were invited.
In the period covered by this diary, 4 trips have been made to Comox for contact training, with an average of eight personnel proceeding on each trip.
F/O Jacobs, Welfare Officer from Vancouver, has paid regular monthly visits to this Unit.
The following Officers were filling the positions as shown:
| CO | S/L RD Higgins |
| COpsO | F/L RV Ostler (Acting CO from 9 Oct to 2 Nov) |
(RD Higgins) S/L,
CO 2455 AC&W Sqn (Aux),
Victoria BC