2416 AC&W Unit (Reserve) Ottawa, Ontario

National Archives of Canada


Historical Narrative
2416 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Reserve) Ottawa, Ont.
1 June 1953 to 30 November 1953.

1 Jun 53

Last practice for Coronation Parade. Practice held on the parade square at Uplands. The CO received confirmation of Command of the Sqn, and promotion to rank of Acting Squadron Leader eff 26 Feb 53.

2 Jun 53

42 airmen, 18 airwomen, and 7 officers participated in the Coronation ceremony on Parliament Hill, afterwards marching via Wellington, Kent, Nepean, Elgin & Laurier Avenues to point of dismissal East of Laurier Avenue Bridge.

4 Jun 53

Cp Cdr's Inspection was held, due to inclement weather, in the Drill Hall, with Rockcliffe Pipe Band in attendance. Members of the Band later entertained at the Mess at 7 Delaware.

9 Jun 53

Routine training evening. Stress being placed on security clearance action for summer camp.

11 Jun 53

Routine training evening.

13 Jun 53

Week-end exercise to 2401 AC&W Sqn (Aux) Montreal.

14 Jun 53

Training exercise at 2401 AC&W Sqn (Aux) Montreal.

16 Jun 53

Routine training evening. Accts preparing pay rolls.

18 Jun 53

Arrangements completed for trade exams on June 21st.

21 Jun 53

Trade exams for Airmen and Airwomen and Phase 1 Exams for u/t Controllers.

22 Jun 53

News received from 1 Gp of promotion of LAW Thompson to commissioned rank eff 1 Jun 53.

23 Jun 53

Routine training evening.

25 Jun 53

Pay parade for the period 1 Apr to 11 Jun 53.

30 Jun 53

Cessation of training - sports evening for trainee personnel.

2 Jul 53

Briefing for summer camp, at 7 Delaware.

4 Jul 53

Commencement of summer camp. Sqn personnel departed for Foymount and Uplands. Those personnel proceeding to Foymount taking part in exercise Tailwind (ADC Operations Order 24/53).

6 Jul 53

Admin staff began work on backlog of releases and other administrative work. 5 airmen and 3 officers on duty at Uplands for this purpose. Work commenced on post-enrolment documentation of RTTP (B) personnel recruited by this Sqn. One officer (female) and five airwomen quartered in PMQ's on the station. Rations also supplied.

7 Jul 53

Arrangements made for SSO to be present to receive kits of personnel on release, later this week. New Orderly Officer and Reporting-in Forms drawn up.

8 Jul 53

Orderly Room staff helped OC and Adjt of RTTP (B) course by typing up nominal rolls, lists of addresses and time schedules, etc. LAW Belec i/c CR.

9 Jul 53

Work on releases continued; also some work on Sqn Standing Orders and new organization chart being drawn up. F/L Hanlon reported for A42; he & one or two others going by PMC to Foymount for weekend exercise.

10 Jul 53

Letters written to various people who have not attended parades for some time. Quite a number of Documents on released personnel sent to AFHQ/RO.

11 Jul 53

CO was in from Foymount; apparently everything going pretty well there. F/L Bernier presented new organization chart and memo suggesting re-allocation of staff positions. SSO reported in at Upland for remaining week of Summer Camp.

13 Jul 53

Work on releases continued by SSO and admin staff. Quite a number of clearances signed and mid-month DRO in preparation. Two airwomen were given a familiarization flight by 401 Sqn, also at Uplands for summer camp.

14 Jul 53

Index and kardex card systems brought up to date. Reclassification and Re-engagement diaries set up. Two officers transferred to this Sqn - F/O Meggs from Toronto, and F/O Jessome from Sherbrooke, PQ.

15 Jul 53

Three other airwomen were given familiarization flight by 401 Sqn. DRO published, containing a great number of SOS's on release. A great deal of release documentation being completed and documents sent to AFHQ/RO.

16 Jul 53

Authority received for LAC Melanson to be employed at Foymount from 20 Jul to end of August on Special Duty. F/L Gauthier completed D26 roster. During this second week of summer camp some time was found for admin lectures to OR staff.

17 Jul 53

Pay parade for admin staff at Uplands; except for those on civil pay. LAW Belec cleared for transfer to Sup Res, after putting CR in good shape. Extremely warm day and admin staff ceased work early in favour of swimming pool.

18 Jul 53

Last day of summer camp. Vacated quarters and returned to town. Personnel from Foymount returned also.

22 Jul 53

Admin staff worked at Uplands this evening; current admin work and follow-up of summer camp work. DRO action prepared on all personnel who attended summer camp at Foymount. Circular letter prepared re pay parade for Foymount summer camp personnel.

28 Jul 53

Pay parade for those who attended summer camp at Foymount. Staff meeting - discussions re F/L Bernier's suggestion for re-allocation of staff positions. Also discussion re rotation of personnel in staff positions. F/L Gauthier signified his desire to return to training. CO reserved decision on allocation of staff positions.

5 Aug 53

Admin staff on duty during the evening. Routine work - releases, transcription of DRO entries to records, current correspondence, etc. F/O Salsky transferred from 5000 Intelligence Unit to this Sqn, to be employed as Intelligence Officer. AW2 Sabourin applied for release as she plans on being married soon.

12 Aug 53

Admin staff on duty this evening. Preparation of DRO's, release documentation and other admin work re transfers, etc carried out.

19 Aug 53

Regular Wednesday evening duty for admin staff. AW2 West, DMech from Aux Unit at Edmonton transferred to this Sqn. F/O Spencer, PRO, also on duty.

26 Aug 53

Admin staff on duty. R50's prepared for RTTP(B) personnel to be re-transferred to Aux on cessation of summer school this week. These 10 airmen former members of the Sqn transferred to Prim Res for summer school.

27 Aug 53

Trade Exams for RTTP(B) personnel. Stn Uplands SOS'd RTTP(B) students in today's DRO, eff 28 aug 53. Regular Force OR clk apparently on leave. Two members of admin staff on duty preparing DRO's. Circular letter drafted re commencement of training.

28 Aug 53

Pay parade and cessation of training for RTTP(B) personnel.

29 Aug 53

Work done on Sqn Standing Orders by F/L Bernier and P/O Thompson. Also correspond re recruiting, commencement of training, staff, meeting, etc.

31 Aug 53

Circular letter re commencement of training sent out. Regular Force clk back and DRO stencils run off, and distributed.

3 Sep 53

Admin staff worked this evening instead of last evening, on account of the extreme heat. Rules governing Officers' Mess prepared for publication.

10 Sep 53

CO has approved appointment of F/L McCallum to be recruiting officer. F/L Bernier briefed him this evening on recruiting duties and had a meeting with W/C Prouse, CO of 4007, AMU. Remainder of Admin Staff worked at Uplands. Arrangements being made for recruiting advertising. Drive to commence Sept 29.

15 Sep 53

Commencement of training. Reporting-in forms completed by all personnel present. Talk by CO. Officers' and Airmen's manuals, which have been prepared by Regular Force during summer, distributed. Large number of E326's received from Supply Section for transmission to AFHQ.

17 Sep 53

F/L MacDonald, CTechO, to be Chief Controller, also: F/L Walker to be senior Controller and F/L Collinge Security Officer for this season. F/L Martin from Sherbrooke, reported in - to be attached for a few months. One airwoman cleared on release. Transfer to Aux of 10 airmen from RTTP(B) completed.

19 Sep 53

Air Force Day. Sqn not participating due to proximity of commencement of training. More work done on Sqn Standing Orders.

22 Sep 53

LAW Downey applied for release - arrangements being made for her work to be carried on. Reporting-in data being classified. F/L Salsky, new Intelligence Officer, present. F/O Plummer new PMC, Airmen's Mess, supplied with lists showing airmen and airwomen over 21. F/O Webster cleared on transfer to Sup Res.

24 Sep 53

Long-awaited staff meeting for purpose of allocating staff positions. After discussion, following appointments confirmed by CO: CAdO - F/L Bernier, Asst CAdO - F/L McCallum, Adjt - P/O Thompson, Chief Controller - F/L MacDonald, Sr Controller - F/L Walker, Security Officer - F/L Collinge, Intelligence Officer - F/O Salsky. Two airwomen applied for remuster.

25 Sep 53

Work done on trade exam results of RTTP(B) students for publication in DROs - release action on some, also.

29 Sep 53

First recruiting night. Officers' Mess meeting. Board of Officers convened re promotion of officers. F/O Martin returned from two weeks in UK.

1 Oct 53

F/O King in charge of Savings Bond Campaign for Regular Force Support of this Sqn. Airwomen held a shower for one of their number who is being married shortly. Reg Force clk being employed as instructor for Aux clks, under Adjt's supervision. F/O Kenning transferred to this Sqn from Montreal. AW1 Walshe transferred to Vancouver.

3 Oct 53

Admin staff on duty this afternoon. Work on nominal rolls, etc. Party in the Officers' Mess in the evening. Guests included S/L Buxton, from Gp, W/C MacNamara from 1 R&C, and S/L Kearns from Stn Uplands.

6 Oct 53

Several airmen and airwomen being cleared for release. Some outstanding releases being cleared up. Recruiting Officer has some clk admin contacts. Trainee attendance falling off. Prospective Rdr recruit interviewed by CTechO.

7 Oct 53

F/O King went to Montreal re Savings Bond drive.

8 Oct 53

Application made to Gp for authority to enroll much needed Clk Adm Sgt Supernumerary to Establishment. Prospective FtrCOps recruits interviewed by CI. Discussion re changes in office accommodation occasioned by recent appointments.

10 Oct 53

F/L Walker married today. Reception at 7 Delaware.

13 Oct 53

Another OR clk requesting release. LAC Leclerc, first airman eligible for re-engagement transferred to Sup Res. F/O Partridge transferred to Sup Res. Quite a number of releases being processed. F/L Hanlon replacing F/L Walker as Sr Controller during latter's absence.

15 Oct 53

Routine training evening. Mrs Collinge, President of Ladies' Auxiliary, asked for a list of the children of married personnel, for the Christmas party. Arrangements made for meeting of Flt Cdrs 7 other staff officers with CO, next Tuesday.

20 Oct 53

AW1 Dexter, DMech, being employed in OR when not required on driving duties. Meeting of Flt Cdrs and staff officers. W/C Prous present - discussion with CO re medical services. Some RTTP(B) students applying for transfer to Aux.

22 Oct 53

F/O Meggs reported in from Toronto - may be PRO or Asst PRO. AW1 Gillissie hospitalized - appendectomy. Flt Cdrs assigned to flights. Sqn crest prepared for submission to Gp, and authorization as official crest. Sqn Standing Orders approved by CO.

27 Oct 53

Recruiting, particularly medical reports, slow. Some ex-aux personnel interested, and some RTTP(B) personnel coming in, on transfer. Routine evening.

29 Oct 53

CO and Flt Cdrs held a meeting re attendance. Some slight changes in schedules planned, in order to enable trainees to get back to town just a little earlier, without taking any time from training. Proposal to have Reg Force support on our duty rosters instead of Stn Uplands'.

30 Oct 53

Airmen's Halloween party at the Mess.

31 Oct 53

Officers' Party at the Mess.

3 Nov 53

Cpl Lake, Reg Force Support, has been transferred to this Sqn from Mont Apica, replacing Cpl Leadbeater, transferred to Holberg. Cpl Brunet also on transfer.

5 Nov 53

Sqn Standing Orders published, and already amendments needed! Starting this evening roll calls being taken in class rooms to save time. CO's parade to be held once a month for the whole Sqn. F/L Gauthier applied for transfer to Spec/FtrC. Made arrangements for admin staff to work Saturday afternoon.

6 Nov 53

Authority requested for week-end trip to Foymount.

7 Nov 53

Admin staff worked on releases - documentation of both Prim Res and Aux personnel.

10 Nov 53

Fatal crash at Portage du Fort, PQ, involving F/L Eyolfson, former member of this Sqn.

12 Nov 53

It was decided that henceforth a Flt Cdr would be in charge of the first bus on training evenings and the Orderly Officer in charge of the second bus. Sqn Standing Orders to be amended.

14 Nov 53

Funeral service for F/L Eyolfson was attended by the CO and several others of this Sqn.

15 Nov 53

Party of twelve officers and airmen went to Foymount for week-end exercise. P/O Smith working with AFHQ/AIB at crash scene 13th, 14th, and 15th.

17 Nov 53

First four of this Sqn's airmen agreed to re-engage for further three years, and a fifth will decide this week. Former Regular Force Clk Adm contacted Sqn with a view to becoming Aux airman.

19 Nov 53

OC (ASU) went to Montreal for Support Officers' conference re RTTP(B). Documents of released Prim Res personnel forwarded to AFHQ this week.

21 Nov 53

PRO with another officer and an airwoman distributed enlistment posters.

22 Nov 53

2416 Sqn Airwomen taking part in Sports program with Reserve WRENs at HMCS Carleton.

24 Nov 53

ADC turned down application for Sup'y NCO Clk Admin. Arrangements made for Gp Cdr's parade on Thursday evening. Arrangements also made for photograph of staff personnel not in Summer Camp pictures.

26 Nov 53

Gp Cdr presented Coronation Medals to the CO, S/L Kenniger; also to P/O Thompson, Sgt Proudfoot and Sgt Leeson, bringing to five the number of medals received by this Sqn. (LAC MacIntosh received his medal in England before returning with the Coronation Contingent). CKOY made a recording of part of the presentation ceremony. Staff photo taken.

27 Nov 53

Pictures and write-up in the papers re presentation of Coronation Medals. Recording broadcast at 1230 hrs over CKOY.

29 Nov 53

Eight officers and three airmen went to Foymount for GCI exercise.

(AA Kenniger) S/L,
CO, 2416 AC&W Sqn (Aux) Uplands, Ont.