Historical Narrative
2420 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (Auxiliary) RCAF, London, Ont
Period from 1 June 1960 to 30 November 1960.
17 Jun 60
Officers of 2420 AC&WS (Aux) were invited to be present at the Annual Garden Party of the Regular Officers of the Canadian Army, Western Ontario Area, held at Wolseley Barracks. Among those in attendance were the Commaning Officer of the Squadron, S/L WI Williams, CD; F/L TB Nelligan, CD; F/L ML Shipley.
26 Jun 60
A ceremonial parade marking the change of command was held on the parade ground at RCAF Station Crumlin. S/L WI Williams, CD, led the Squadron in a march-past with S/L TB Nelligan, CD, the in-coming Commanding Officer, taking the salute. Following a brief handing-over ceremony, S/L Nelligan led the Squadron in a march-past honouring S/L Williams, the retiring Commanding Officer. Representing the Air Officer Commanding, Air Defence Command, was W/C McArthur CD.
Former commanding officers of the RCAF Auxiliary in London were in attendance: G/C AD Haylett, AFC, CD; W/C GM Burns, DFC; S/L JK Geary, CD. The Commanding Officer of RCAF Station Centralia, G/C AG Kenyon, CD, was present.
Following the parade, a reception was held in the Officers Mess.
1 Jul 60
The Commanding Officer announced the promotion from Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant of the following officers: DT Brown, P Kaukonen, AS Munro.
4 Jul 60
RTTP Phase II training commenced with a complement of 42 trainees.
22 Jul 60
The Commanding Officer announced P/O CC Smith's promotion to Flying Officer.
29 Aug 60
Fifty airmen and airwomen who graduated from this year's Reserve Tradesman Training Plan received their diplomas from G/C AG Kenyon, CD, Commanding Officer of RCAF Station Centralia, and from S/L WI Williams, CD, and S/L JK Geary, CD, both former commanding officers of the Squadron. G/C AD Haylett, AFC, CD, former commanding officer of 22 WgHQ (Aux), presented trophies for general proficiency to AW2 CE Baker and AC2 WR Whitfield. Awards for highest marks in each class were presented by S/L TB Nelligan, CD, the Commanding Officer of 2420 AC&WS (Aux), and by F/L AD Speare, CD to AC2 JH Wainwright, AC2 GR Norris, AC2 MW Edmonds and AC2 JA Davidson.
W/C FR Sarty, CD, Staff Officer, Ground Training, Air Defence Command, extended congratulations to the graduates on behalf of the Air Officer Commanding.
8 Sep 60
An all-ranks party was held after working hours in the Officers Mess to officially open the fall program.
17 Sep 60
Air Commodore FS Carpenter, AFC, CD, Air Officer Commanding, Air Transport Command, took the salute at the Warriors' Day parade at Western Fair. Taking part in the parade were a guard of honour from RCAF Stn Aylmer, a four-platoon detachment from HMCS Prevost, 2420 AC&WS (Aux), and, in addition, many groups of army, navy and air force veterans.
The airwomen of 2420 AC&WS (Aux) again won the Duchess of Kent trophy for the best Reserve Force Women's Unit on parade. They were led by F/L ML Shipley.
S/L TB Nelligan, CD, attended a conference of commanding officers of AC&WS (Aux) at Air Defence Headquarters. A/V/M WR MacBrien, AOC ADC advised the commanding officers that their units would be disbanded during the period 1 Feb 61 to 1 Jan 62. Disbandment of 2420 AC&WS (Aux) will be effective 1 Jun 61.
A/V/M MacBrien stated that in view of the tremendous technological advance within the RCAF, the advent of SAGE, and the 7-day concept, requirements had changed considerably and there was now no need for augmentation of Regular Force Aircraft Control & Warning Squadrons by Auxiliary personnel. Every effort had been made to find a new role for the Auxiliary AC&W Sqns without success.
18 Sep 60
Members of 2420 AC&WS (Aux) took part in the Annual Battle of Britain parade, led by the Commanding Officer, S/L TB Nelligan, CD. F/L Robert Smith, a veteran of the Second World War, placed a wreath on the cenotaph in Victoria Park in memory of his fallen comrades. G/C AD Haylett, AFC, CD, addressed the Squadron and later took the salute.
The Commanding Officer, S/L TB Nelligan, CD, announced to members of 2420 AC&WS (Aux) the disbandment of the Squadron scheduled for 1 Jun 61. This will occur as a result of a decision to disband all RCAF Auxiliary aircraft control and warning squadrons during the year 1961.
8 Oct 60
A reunion was held in the Officers Mess for serving and former members of 420 Fighter Squadron (Aux), 3049 TTU (Aux), 22 WgHQ (Aux) and 2420 AC&WS (Aux). Among the former commanding officers present were G/C AD Haylett, AFC, CD; W/C GM Burns, DFC; S/L GW Thompson, and S/L JK Geary, CD, and S/L WI Williams, CD.
27 Oct 60
W/C GH Avent and F/L JA McNeill arrived in London to inspect the NPF facilities.
9 Nov 60
Officers of 4004 MU (Aux) and 2420 AC&WS (Aux) attended a mess dinner. W/C DB Meltzer and S/L TB Nelligan, CD, commanding officers of the two units respectively, were present. Special guests included Lt/Col D Bird, Commanding Officer of the 11th Field Regiment (Engineers) (M); F/L D Shea, Commanding Officer of the RCAF Recruiting Unit in London.
Guest speaker was G/C WH Schroeder, Chief Staff Officer of Air Transport Command. G/C Schroeder outlined some of the present-day extra activities carried on in the RCAF for the benefit of its servicemen. "We are providing," he said, "a service in the air force that looks after the spiritual, emotional and mental welfare of our personnel."
12 Nov 60
A cocktail party was given by the London United Services Institute in the Officers Mess at the Dundas Street Armory.
19 Nov 60
The Annual Fall Formal was held in the Officers Mess.
27 Nov 60
A cocktail party was held after working hours in the Officers Mess.