Historical Narrative
2455 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Aux) Victoria, BC.
1 Dec 1958 to 31 May 1959
DECEMBER, 1958
18 Dec 58
Squadron Pay Parade 1930 hours.
20 Dec 58
The Sergeants Mess held their annual Bingo Game which was very well attended by Squadron members, their families and friends.
21 Dec 58
The Children's Christmas Party, held on the inside parade area was attended by 138 dependents of Squadron members and was its usual great success.
22 Dec 58
The third annual Airmen's Mess Dinner, when commissioned officers serve as waiters for airmen and airwomen was a fine success. The Ladies Auxiliary, as usual, provide and cooked a wonderful full course Xmas Dinner. This event received considerable attention in the press and on the radio and TV. The dinner was followed by a Squadron dance.
F/O DP Jefferson (Supply) was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration effective this date. The presentation was made on parade by S/L RD Higgins, Commanding Officer.
The Squadron "stood down" for the Christmas season 22 Dec - 5 Jan.
31 Dec 58
The annual Officers's Mess New Year's Eve Ball was attended by 101 couples, the largest attendance for this even recorded so far in the Mess. Complete re-painting of the 3 Squadron Messes was provided just prior to the Ball, thanks to 5 Air Division.
During Dec - Four Officers AS/FtrC spent two 3-day training periods of special duty at 757 Squadron, Blaine, Washington, AFB
JANUARY 1959
1 Jan 59
At 0001 hours S/L DB Ascott officially took over command of 2455 AC&W Squadron from retiring S/L RD Higgins CD, who had been Commanding Officer since 1 Jan 56.
The Officers' and Sergeant's Messes held their usual Open House for the citizens of Victoria and members of both Messes visited Military Messes and Civic receptions throughout the city.
The following appointments became effective this date - F/L J Jupp to COpsO vice S/L DB Ascott; F/L MB MacLean to Ass't COpsO vice F/L J Jupp; F/O FR Morris to Synthetic Training Officer vice F/L MB MacLean.
11 Jan 59
The Squadron paraded at full strength with band to the Bay Street Armouries, Victoria, for the formal "Handing Over" Ceremonies when S/L Ascott publicly took over command of the Squadron from retiring S/L RD Higgins CD. The parade was well reported in the press, on radio and television media.
13 Jan 59
F/O MB Hamersley (Supply) TOS 2455 Squadron from Supplementary Reserve.
15 Jan 59
F/L J Jupp AS/FtrC, COpsO, was appointed Second-in-Command of the Squadron.
22 Jan 59
The Squadron Band, lead by F/O Howard Denike, took part in the displaying of the Colours by the Station Comox Honour Guard, in the Opening Ceremonies of the BC 25 Legislature, at the Parliament Buildings.
25 Jan 59
Officers Trade Qualifying Examinations were held for F/L J Jupp, F/O S Horner, and F/O JH Olver.
30 Jan 59
The Annual Ladies' Mess Dinner was held in the Officers' Mess followed by a Cabaret Dance.
During January - Four officers, AS/FtrC and four FtrCOps were authorized two 3-day periods of Special Duty for training at 757 Squadron, Blaine, Washington, AFB.
FEBRUARY, 1959
1 Feb 59
F/O WK Hamilton, AS/FtrC TOS 2455 Squadron from 2442 AC&W (Aux) Squadron, Vancouver.
16 Feb 59
F/O GHP Lieutard, AS/FtrC TOS 2455 Squadron on enrolment.
27 Feb 59
Fifteen Officers of the Squadron attended 19 Wing Mess Dinner at Hotel Vancouver and Wing Mess, Vancouver.
During Feb - Four officers AS/FtrC and seven FtrCOps were authorized two 3-day periods of Special Duty for training at 757 Squadron, Blaine, Washington, AFB.
MARCH, 1959
5 Mar 59
F/O K Cutler appointed Squadron Entertainment officer vice F/O P Hunt, and F/O T Burdge appointed Assistant Entertainment Officer.
26 Mar 59
F/L J Jupp AS/FtrC, COpsO, Second-in-Command of Squadron appointed OC RTTP Training Programme.
APRIL, 1959
1 Apr 59
Prmoted to the rank of Sergeant:-
Cpl OH Collard 59694W FtrCOp 3
Cpl PG Little 59657W FtrCOp 3
Promoted to the rank of Corporal:-
LAC WJ Nesbitt FtrCOp 3
LAW ME O'Brien FtrCOp 3
LAW MG Mahon ClkTyp 3
Promoted to the rank of Acting Corporal:-
157150 LAC JM Hart Discip 1
TOS 2455 AC&W Sqn under provisions of Reserve Tradesmens Training Plan, 14 AW2 and 40 AC2 as FtrCOps S.
6 Apr 59
Squadron Pay Parade at 1930 hours.
16 Apr 59
Squadron telephone number changed to EV5-3441.
18 Apr 59
Annual Officers Mess Dinner. Lieutenant Colonel GS Andrews, MBE, Surveyor General of British Columbia was guest speaker.
19 Apr 59
Trade Examinations were held at 0845 hours for 39 eligible squadron personnel. F/L SG Eales was presiding officer.
28 Apr 59
AOC, Air Defence Command, A/V/M WR MacBrien, carried out general inspection of Squadron personnel and facilities. A/V/M MacBrien graciously agreed to present to the Squadron, the original and three true copies of its official crest recently approved by the Clarenceux King of Arms and signed by her Majesty The Queen.
During April - Six officers AS/FtrC and nine FtrCOps were authorized three 3-day periods of Special Duty for training at 757 Squadron, Blaine, Washington, USA.
MAY, 1959
10 & 14 May 59
Two special drill practices for Squadron were held at Gordon Head Army Camp in preparation for Victoria Day Parade, 18 May.
18 May 59
Squadron participated in City of Victoria's Victoria Day Parade.
21 May 59
Squadron went into summer dress No 6.
30 May 59
A large contingent from the Squadron attended a most successful Beach Party.
31 May 59
Special parade was held at 1430 hours to present Squadron's Outstanding Airman and Airwoman with the Ladies Auxiliary Proficiency Awards. Mrs Peter Hunt, President of the Ladies Auxiliary, made the presentations. Recipients were LAC WM Creed, Account Section and LAW M Milligan, Admin Section. S/L DB Ascott carried out an inspection of the squadron on parade. The parade commander was F/L J Jupp.
During May - Major structural changes were commenced in the Squadron Building towards the conversion of its foyer to a Tri-Service Recruiting Centre. A complete re-allocation of space for squadron use had to be effected. Alterations are expected to continue well into the month of June.
Two officers AS/FtrC and three FtrCOps were authorized one 3-day period Special Duty training at 757 Squadron, Blaine AFB, Washington, USA.
11 Jun 59
(DB Ascott) S/L
CO, 2455 AC&W Sqn (Aux),
Victoria, BC.