Historical Narrative
2401 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Aux) Montreal, PQ.
1 December 1957 to 31 May 1958
5 Dec 57
W/C JL Bourke, CO of 2401 AC&W Sqn for the past 7 years, hands over the command of the Squadron to S/L WFC Barrie. A handing over parade is held at the Squadron followed by a presentation and an informal party in the Officers' Mess.
22 Dec 57
Children's Christmas Party, organized by members of the sqn is held in the Combined Mess. 125 children attend. Refreshments are served; each child receives a gift and entertainment is provided by some members of the unit.
The Officers' Mess organize a collection of canned food. Enough is collected to make 30 food baskets which are distributed to needy families of Montreal area.
Results of November Trade board are promulgated: 10 officers Ftr C and 5 ACs and AWs have passed.
1 Jan 58
The Officers' Mess is open from 1400 to 1600 hrs for the Queens' Levee. Teams of officers have been appointed to visit various military establishments in Montreal area.
F/Os Roberts and Clitheroe, FtrCs and F/O DeCorwin, Pers/Adm, are promoted to the substantive rank of F/L.
26 Jan 58
Sixteen officers are writing QE. F/Os are writing trade examinations and F/Ls are writing GSK.
During the month of January, 19 synthetic interceptions were completed at unit HQ. 11 live and nil synthetic were carried out at Lac St Denis. No synthetic training was available at Lac St Denis during that month as the latter unit had to train its own Regular Force controllers on the use of new equipment. Also, GCI controllers were unable to attend Lac St Denis as Regular Force instructors were not available to supervise live GCI training.
9 Feb 58
The second part of QE is being held. F/Os write GSK and F/L's write trade.
Recruiting starts for 1958 RTTP training. This unit is allotted a quota of 80 recruits broken down as follows: 73 new RTTP recruits and 7 Air Cadets to be recommended by their respective CO by 31 May.
During the month of February instruction composed of lectures and demonstration of synthetic intercepts, was given at the Sqn HQ to pilots of 401 (F) Sqn. Lectures were also given to members of 4008 MU (Aux) to acquaint them with AC&W Sqns.
in February, 51 synthetic intercepts have been carried out at unit HQ. At Lac St Denis 30 live and 6 synthetic have been completed.
13 Mar 58
F/L Roberts completes local FtrC course.
29 Mar 58
Phase I RTTP training starts with 72 recruits selected from 105 applicants. Training will be carried out at the Sqn every Sat until the end of May. Six Auxiliary Ftr Cs are used as instructors.
During March a total of 29 synthetic intercepts have been completed at unit. 157 live, 39 synthetic at Lac St Denis.
1 Apr 58
LAC Troalen, Ftr COp 3 (O) is promoted to Cpl. Cpl Plante, Ftr COp 3 (O) is promoted to Sgt.
Cpl Gillingham of the Regular Force Support Staff is also promoted to Sgt and becomes the NCO i/c.
6 Apr 58
Trade Board is held. Three FtrC rewrite Phase 1 examinations. 4 Ftr COp and 1 AFP write trade examinations.
25 Apr 58
A Mess Dinner is held in the Officers' Mess. The guest of honour, G/C W Weiser, Senior Plans Staff Officer from ADC, delivers a very interesting speech on the role of Air Defence and the part played by controllers. The speech is followed by a session of questions.
96 synthetic intercepts were carried out at the units, 141 live and nil synthetic at Lac St Denis, during the month of April.
May 58
Results of QE are received:
2 F/L and 5 F/O have passed their Trade.
1 F/L and 7 F/O have passed their GSK.
The FtrC and Ftr COp effectiveness for the unit is now as follows:
14 active phase III Ftr C
20 active phase II Ftr C
7 active phase I Ftr C
3 active group 3 FtrCOp
2 active group 2 Ftr COp
24 active group 1 Ftr COp.
During the month of May, 93 synthetic intercepts were completed at the unit, 76 live and 90 synthetic at Lac St Denis.
(WF Barrie) S/L
CO, 2401 AC&W Sqn (Aux)