Historical Narrative
2455 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Aux) Victoria, BC.
1 June 1957 to 30 November 1957
Jun 57
A special Commanding Officers parade was held on Sunday afternoon 9 Jun for the purpose of presenting proficiency awards to members of the Squadron. Presentation of the Trophies donated by the Ladies Auxiliary was made by Mrs AC Erickson, President of the Auxiliary, to LAC WMJ Findlay and LAW PB Gammond as the outstanding Airman and Airwoman of the year. After the parade, the Squadron was joined by families and friends for a social afternoon in the Airmen's Canteen.
F/O E Goudy (Pers/Adm) was taken on strength effective 18 Jun from 442 (F) Sqn for period of Special Duty relative to Phase II RTTP Training.
Pay Parade was held on 24 Jun after which a meeting of all Summer Camp Personnel was addressed by the Commanding Officer.
An informal Tri-Services Night was initiated in the Officers Mess on 27 Jun to which were invited officers from all reserve units in the area.
Four Officers, AS/FtrCs, visited Station Comox during June for training purposes.
The Squadron stood down after the parade 27 Jun.
Jul 57
Phase II of the RTTP programme commenced on 2 Jul, F/L J Jupp AS/FtrC as Chief Instructor, and F/O E Goudy Pers/Adm, F/O KV Cutler AS/FtrC, and F/O MB McLean AS/FtrC assisting with 81 basic trainees of which 28 were women.
Effective 1 Jul F/O LEH McLachlan AS/FtrC Support Officer and F/O SG Eales Pers/Adm Chief Administration Officer were promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
During the period 7 Jul to 21 Jul inclusive a total of 20 officers and 20 NCOS and other ranks received Summer Camp Training for either a 1 or 2 week period at Station Comox.
In addition the PIO, P/O DR Monk (Pers/PI) was posted to special duty with 5 Air Div HQ for period 6 Jul to 13 Jul and thence for training to Station Comox for period 14 Jul to 21 Jul inclusive.
The matter of the Squadron's Summer Training received considerable attention in the local press.
During Jul, the following officers successfully completed their Fighter Controller examinations, PHASE II - F/O AS Lukinuk, F/O MB McLean, F/O W McCulloch, F/O FR Morris, F/O F Rowe, F/O FTH White.
Aug 57
During the month, the RTTP personnel under command of F/L J Jupp, F/O MB McLeod as Adjutant, participated in four Sunset Ceremony Parades on the lawns of the Legislative Buildings. For the second year in a row, this group won the Victoria Chamber of Commerce Tri-Service Challenge Shield as the smartest reserve unit participating. The Station Sea Island and Station Comox Bands participated in these parades. On one occasion the Band of the "HMCS Naden" assisted when the RCAF Bands were unable to be present.
This group was later chosen to represent the RCAF in the Pacific National Exhibition Parade in Vancouver on 21 Aug.
Effective 7 Aug P/O JH Olver AS/FtrC was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer.
The Squadron was honoured at the RTTP Graduation Ceremonies, 29 Aug to have G/C EA Alexander AFC, Commanding Officer, 19 Wing (Aux) HQ to take the salute and present awards to the graduating airmen and airwomen.
Sep 57
Effective 1 Sep 44 FtrCOp I from RTTP personnel were TOS off the Squadron.
The Squadron paraded to Bay Street Armouries on 12 Sept where S/L RD Higgins accepted from Brigadier John S Adam, Officer Commanding 25 Militia Group, the Tri-Service Challenge Shield won by the RTTP personnel for the second year in a row.
As result of examination held 13 Sep F/O AF Smythe AS/FtrC qualified as Phase II Fighter Controller and the following officers qualified as Phase III - S/L RD Higgins, F/L DB Ascott, F/L CP Axhorn, F/L ND Daggett, F/L WH Davis, F/O KV Cutler, F/O BP Harford, F/O MB McLean, F/O W McCulloch, and F/O FR Morris.
Battle of Britain Church Parade, commanded by S/L Higgins, was held 15 Sep after which the Squadron Paraded to the Cenotaph where a wreath was laid. Elements of the new Squadron Band participated in this parade for their first public appearance.
Effective 15 Sep F/O DF Palmer AS/FtrC Sqn Stn Comox, was TOS as Acting OC Support for a 30 day period, replacing F/L LEH McLachlan, who proceeded to Station Comox for a like period of time for contact training and refresher course.
On 23 Sep F/L BM Shragge Pers/Adm was taken on strength of the Squadron from Supplementary Reserve to be Recruiting and Release Officer.
During Sept four officers proceeded to Station Comox for a 3 day training period.
Effective 17 Sep P/O GT Gibson AS/FtrC was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer.
Oct 57
On 15 Oct the Squadron was honoured by a visit from S/L Hermanson, SORM, AFHQ, S/L Moir, SORM, ADCHQ, and F/L McNichol SORM, 5 Air Div during which appropriate matters were discussed with all Squadron Section Heads in attendance.
Effective 3 Oct, the 20 minute Coffee Break was re-instated on parade nights between 2035 and 2055 hours. The lecture periods were extended for 20 minutes to compensate.
Effective 7 Oct, P/O MB Anderson Pers/Adm was appointed Personnel Administration Officer.
Effective 16 Oct, F/O W McCulloch AS/FtrC was transferred to 2400 AC&W Sqn, Toronto.
On 17 Oct the Squadron had its first monthly Sports Parade at HMCS Naden, scheduled to continue through the training period on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
On 26 Oct a Cocktail Party was held in the Officers Mess to which were invited senior Service Officers in the Victoria and Vancouver area. This affair was well attended and deemed a success.
During Oct 3 Officers and 4 NCOs proceeded to Station Comox for a 3-day training period.
During Oct a new "Activities Programme" was introduced designed to increase the interest of all FtrCop Personnel. The programme will continue throughout the training period with F/L J Jupp in charge, assisted by F/O KV Cutler and F/O Dr Monk.
Nov 57
The Squadron was honoured on 7 Nov by an inspection by A/C AD Ross GC, CBE, CD, Commander, 5 Air Division. The new Squadron Band, directed by F/O CH Denike was on parade for the first time on this occasion.
Subsequent to the inspection of the Squadron personnel and the building and training facilities A/C Ross met with Section Heads in the Officers' Mess Ante Room for discussion of Squadron problems.
The Squadron paraded, complete with Band, on 11 Nov Remembrance Day Parade to the Cenotaph.
On Sunday 17 Nov 26 FtrCop personnel sat for a trade examination with F/L CP Axhorn, Presiding Officer.
During Nov 3 Officers proceeded to Station Comox for a 3 day training period. In addition F/O As Lukinuk and F/O GR Gibson both AS/FtrC proceeded on TD to Stn Comox for a 9 day period of training in lieu of summer camp.
A Squadron Dance was held on Saturday, 30 Nov, and was considered quite a success.