Historical Narrative
2420 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (Auxiliary) RCAF, London, Ont
Period from 1 December 1960 to 31 May 1961.
18 Dec 60
Santa Claus and children of Squadron members attended a Christmas party in the Drill Hall.
22 Dec 60
An all ranks dining-in night was held in the Sergeant's and Officers' Messes. Dinner was preceded by cocktails and fruit punch served in the Officers Mess. S/L JK Geary, CD and S/L WI Williams, CD, both former commanding officers of the squadron, were special guests.
F/L WR Ring, former Roman Catholic Chaplain of the Squadron, was guest speaker. F/L Ring recalled various activities of the Squadron's past, with special emphasis on summer camp training periods. He remarked on the continuing keenness and enthusiasm evinced by Squadron personnel of all ranks.
Dancing and a sing-song in the Officers Mess ended a most enjoyable occasion.
28 Dec 60
Teen-age children of Squadron members attended a dance in the Drill Hall.
31 Dec 60
Squadron members and their guests welcomed the New Year at formal dances held in the Airmen's, Sergeant's and Officers' Messes.
S/L TB Nelligan, CD, Commanding Officer of the Squadron, and Mrs Nelligan; and F/L CW Fox, DFC & Bar, PMC of the Officers' Mess and Mrs Fox, received guests in the Officers' Mess. Cocktails were served from 2100 to 2130 hrs, and dancing followed. A buffet supper was served at midnight.
In attendance were W/C J Watts, OBE; W/C A Tilley and W/C E Goddard. Former Commanding Officers of the RCAF Auxiliary in London were present; G/C AD Haylett, AFC, CD, S/L JK Geary, CD, and S/L WI Williams, CD.
1 Jan 61
The Commanding Officer was pleased to announce the promotion to Flight Lieutenant of the following officers: F/O G Walmsley and F/O C Thornton.
2 Jan 61
Members of the Army, Navy and Air Force and Veterans of the Royal Canadian Legion branches entertained in their messes at the annual New Year's Levees. The visitors began their day at 9:30 am at HMCS Prevost, and from there progressed to Wolseley Barracks, the Royal Canadian Regiment home station Officers' Mess, the Headquarters Staff and Services Officers' Mess where a smorgasbord luncheon was served, London Garrison composite Officers' Mess, and the 2420 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron Officers' Mess, RCAF Station, London.
The non-commissioned officers of the various services also entertained with "At Home" parties in their messes.
In addition, the Royal Canadian Legion branches received visitors during the afternoon.
5 Jan 61
Regular parades resumed following the stand-down over the holiday period.
8 Jan 61
237345 F/O OB Watts SOS on transfer to Sup Reserve eff 31 Dec 60.
14 Jan 61
S/L TB Nelligan, CD, Commanding Officer of the unit, represented the Squadron in Windsor when the Air Officer Commanding, Air Defence Command, A/V/M WR MacBrien, OBE, CD, presented the new Squadron Crest to 2451 AC&W Sqn (Aux) Windsor.
15 Jan 61
S/L TB Nelligan, CD, Commanding Officer, was injured in an automobile accident on his return from a visit to 2451 AC&W Sqn (Aux) Windsor.
22 Jan 61
Personnel of 2420 AC&W Sqn (Aux) staged an Open House to which civic officials, senior officers of the Navy and Army, and the general public were invited. Approximately 506 London citizens took advantage of this occasion to become acquainted with the Squadon's role and activities.
At 1400 hrs Squadron personnel formed up in the drill hall for inspection and march-past. F/L MH Dawson, CD, Acting Commanding Officer, led the Squadron in a march-past, with G/C AD Haylett, AFC, CD, former Commanding Officer of 22 WGHQ (Aux), taking the salute. Following the parade, one flight of airmen gave a drill display. During the foregoing, F/L CW Fox, DFC & Bar, commented on the proceedings for the enlightment of the spectators.
Guests were divided into groups and guides assigned to conduct them on a tour of the squadron operational, technical and administrative sections.
Guests assembled in the Squadron theatre to witness two films: "CANADIAN AIR DEFENCE" and "SAGE".
F/L CW Fox, DFC & Bar, conducted a general discussion on the role of the RCAF Auxiliary in London, past, present and future. Considerable public interest was shown in the announcement that this unit will be disbanded in June 1961.
F/O UC Carpenter, Regular Support Officer, gave a general briefing on SAGE - Semi-Automatic Ground Environment.
A social period was held in the canteen, with Squadron members serving coffee and biscuits. Questions on all non-classified aspects of Squadron life were answered informally by Squadron personnel.
240297 F/O GCA Boehnert SOS on transfer to Sup Reserve eff 10 Nov 60. 81069 F/O K Carr SOS on transfer to Sup Reserve eff 6 Nov 60.
1 Feb 61
Sgt MF Scott was presented with her Canadian Forces Decoration medal for 12 years of service in the armed forces, by F/L MH Dawson, CD of 2420 Aircraft Control & Warning Sqn.
16 Feb 61
The new Crest of 2420 Aircraft Control & Warning Sqn was presented to the squadron by Air Commodore JB Harvey, Chief Staff Officer, Air Defence Command, St Hubert, Quebec, at a dinner held in the squadron mess. The crest was designed by F/O GV Lenaerts and P/O CA Mills and incorporated the snowy owl which was presented to the 420 Bomber Sqn by the City of London in 1942 and which as remained a symbol of the Squadron ever since. F/L FP Kehoe, acting Commanding Officer of the squadron accepted the crest on behalf of the squadron.
19 Feb 61
F/O Craig Carpenter, officer commanding of the regular force support unit of 2420 AC&W Sqn left today for Ottawa where he has been posted to the Directorate of Public Relations at Air Force Headquarters. He was posted to London in March 1958 as support officers. He will be replaced by F/L JE Beland of ADCC at Edgar.
26 Feb 61
222946 F/O GV Lenaerts SOS on transfer to Sup Reserve eff 19 Jan 61.
1 Mar 61
The Commanding Officer announced the promotion to Flying Officer of the following pilot officers: BW Cripps, JP Johnston, CA Mills, ME White.
5 Mar 61
A cocktail party was held after working hours in the officers' mess.
15 Apr 61
The disbandment of the squadron was marked by an official parade in the drill hall. Taking part in the ceremony were S/L TB Nelligan, CD, Commanding Officer of 2420 AC&W Sqn (Aux); G/C AD Haylett, AFC, CD, the first Commanding Officer of 420 Fighter Squadron, and FS KR McIntosh, Squadron Warrant Officer. In charge of the parade was F/L CW Fox, DFC & Bar.
The Unit was reviewed by A/C DAR Bradshaw, Air Defence Command Headquarters, St Hubert, PQ.
The Snowy Owl, the unit's mascot, was officially presented to His Worship, Mayor Gordon Stronach.
Following the parade a cocktail party was held in the Officers' Mess.
28 Apr 61
The Commanding Officer and Officers of the unit flew to Falconbridge to attend a farewell mess dinner. S/L P Brodeur, acting Commanding Officer of RCAF Stn Falconbridge welcomed the auxiliary officers and presided at the mess dinner.
29 Apr 61
Members of the Sgt's Mess attended a pre-season Xmas party to terminate officially mess activities. Santa Claus was on hand for the evening, a decorated Christmas tree was set up and squadron members and their guests exchanged gifts.
6 May 61
With disbandment date less than a month away, members of all ranks attended a farewell party in the Combined Mess. S/L TB Nelligan, CD and Mrs Nelligan, and F/L KA Hart, DFM and Mrs Hart received former and serving members of the auxiliary and their guests.
13 May 61
Officers of the squadron and their guests attended a dining-in night. Former Commanding Officers of 2420 AC&W Sqn (Aux), S/L JK Geary, CD and S/L WI Williams, CD and their wives were present at this annual affair. Guest speaker was Rev Father WJ Ring, former padre of 420 (F) Squadron.
14 May 61
A cocktail party was held in the Officers' Mess.
26 May 61
S/L TB Nelligan, CD and ten other officers attended the International Air Force Night celebrations in Dearborn, Michigan.
31 May 61
Key personnel still on staff attended the final work parade of 2420 AC&W Sqn (Auxiliary).
(TB Nelligan) S/L
CO 2420 AC&W Sqn (Aux).