Historical Narrative
2416 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Reserve) Ottawa, Ont.
1 January 1956 to 31 May 1956.
3 Jan 56
Second phase of winter training began at #2 Bldg, Uplands.
5 Jan 56
The CO re-iterated 1 Gp policy matters and confirmed that 25 Controllers are to pass phase III training by Jun 56.
7 Jan 56
The CO entertained COs of Auxiliary Squadrons across Canada prior to CAS conference on Sundy on Sunday 8 Jan 56 held at AFHQ to discuss future Auxiliary policy matters.
12 Jan 56
A recruiting advertising campaign has resulted in an extra staff to assist in the interviewing and processing of applicants for entry in this Sqn.
17 Jan 56
F/L W Deslauriers, navigator, gave a vivid account of how he and his pilot ditched their CF-100 on a routine formation flight over Carleton Place recently.
10 Feb 56
Mess meeting took place at 7 Delaware and was conducted by the new PMC F/L Martin.
13 Feb 56
The first meeting of the year for the Ladies Auxiliary was held followed by a bingo to raise funds for the next Children's Xmas party.
President - Mrs H Martin
Secretary - Mrs V Williams
Treasurer - Mrs L Hayward
16 Feb 56
F/L J Foote from AFHQ gave an interesting talk to the airwomen, and showed slides depicting life in the regular force. A meeting was held to discuss RTTP recruiting.
23 Feb 56
The CAdO called a meeting of personnel who will be members of the selection board for RTTP recruits.
25 Feb 56
Recruiting for 1956 RTTP began today. Approximately 20 candidates were interviewed. The officers' mess staged a very successful millionaires' night.
28 Feb 56
The evening was devoted entirely to sports. The airmen challenged the officers to a broomball game, and won by a narrow margin 2 - 1.
1 Mar 56
A CO's parade was held at Uplands, during the course of which the CO presented F/L VC MacDonald, the CTechSO, with the Canadian Forces' Decoration.
13 Mar 56
A section head meeting was called; items on the agenda included establishments, summer employment and training of Fighter Controllers.
20 Mar 56
Five members of 418 (LB) Sqn Edmonton made their way into the mess this afternoon, and after securely tying up the caretaker, made off with the esteemed Twillick. F/O's RA Spenceer and AJ Watson attempted to rescue the venerable bird from the Sqn's Mitchell a/c at Rockcliffe, but succeeded only in obtaining two pieces of luggage.
22 Mar 56
The mess was once again visited by members of 418 Sqn in a vain attempt to retrieve their luggage. Unfortunately in the course of the raid, some public property was damaged.
27 Mar 56
The CO contacted W/C Campbell of 418 Sqn, and a friendly agreement was reached regarding the Twillick crisis.
29 & 31 Mar 56
The Sqn Urban HQs at 7 Delaware were broken into on both these dates, and the thief made off with a good amount of liquor and cash on the first night, and nothing at all the second time.
1 Apr 56
Two squadron promotions are effective this date: we now have a new auxiliary Sgt RF Williams and a new regular force Cpl KD Yuck.
8 Apr 56
The first paper for officers' qualifying examinations was written today - two F/L's wrote trade, and one F/O wrote GSK. S/L Sarty of ADC was on hand to assist.
12 Apr 56
Pay parade covering period 2 Dec 55 to 31 Mar 56 held in #2 Bldg Uplands.
15 Apr 56
Last paper of QE's for officers written today - six candidates attempted.
20 Apr 56
Mess dinner was held at 7 Delaware. Guests were ten members of 3rd Army Signal Corps. F/O AE Spencer spoke on his experiences with the French Underground.
22 Apr 56
Twenty-six airmen and airwomen reported to Uplands to write their trade examinations.
23 Apr 56
The first airwomen's mess dinner was held at 7 Delaware. Thirty one members attended. At the head table were S/L SI Evans and F/L FD Blackburn, guests of honour from AFHQ, S/L WB Walker, CO and F/O GOC Paynter, F/O AE Spencer and P/O RE Thomas of the Station Fund Committee, as well as the PMC LAW JG Atkinson and Vice PMC AW1 ME Allen. S/L Evans spoke of her trip to the UK for the Coronation.
24 Apr 56
A meeting was held to iron out administrative problems regarding RTTP. Representing Stn Uplands were the CAdO, Adjt as well as two admin NCOs and one Discip. 2416 sent the CO, SAO, CAdO, CTrainO, and Adjt, as well as a Supply NCO representing the SSO. The results were quite satisfactory.
28 Apr 56
The following members of 2416 Sqn proceeded on TD to 1 Gp to attend the annual Auxiliary Conference.
S/L WB Walker - CO
F/L EW Larocque - SAO
F/L MR Dobson - CTrainO
F/O CW Pearson - RSO
F/O AJ Thompson - Adjt
30 Apr 56
First annual airmen's mess dinner held at 7 Delaware. Guest speaker was W/C RFE Kempster of AMCHQ, who spoke on his early days in the Air Force.
3 May 56
Dr Westwater formerly of the UN Committee for Relief and Education of Palestine refugees spoke to sqn members on the troubled situation in the Middle East.
5 May 56
2416 Sqn represented the RCAF at a parade held by the Canadian Legion at Gatineau Mills, PQ.
28 May 56
Group Commander's inspection held at 1030 hrs, officer inspection from 1400 to 1600 hrs. A dinner dance was held at the Officers' Mess of Stn Uplands and was very well attended.
(WB Walker) S/L
CO, 2416 AC&W Sqn (Aux)