Pinetree Line Miscellaneous

Back row (L-R) - JW Robson, Jack D Ashcroft, SF Malec, JC Veniot, WM Bellis, AC Ross.

Front row (L-R) - RE Forges, JGR "Bob" Grenier, Dick I Reed, KA "Chick" Robinson, J Guy Beaupre, Hal Supeene.

It has been determined that the original course for Clerk Operations Fighter trainees was presented in Montreal between December 1949 and March 1950. We understand that training for the trade was then shifted to Clinton with the first COF course in Clinton starting in early January 1951 and ending in early March 1951. The training courses were staggered with a new course starting every two weeks - and having a duration of eight weeks.

Beaupre, Guy - I joined the RCAF in August 1950. I completed my basic training as an airman in Aylmer Ontario during September and October 1950. I then proceeded to Clinton where I was on Contact Training for two months - "O Joy". COF course #1 at Clinton started in early January 1951 and ended in March 1951. Some of the instructors were Al Supine, Ron Clay, and Mac MacElroy. Some of the attendees were Guy Beaupre, Jack Ashcroft, Bob Grenier, Dick Reed, and Chick Robinson. Reed and Robinson eventually went Aircrew. I regret to say that I do not recall the names of any of the others who were on the course with me. I learned to start diesel for power at 40 degrees below zero plus many other wonderful things.

On graduation - all of COF course #1 went to St. Hubert COC which was co-located with 1 AC&W Squadron in April 1951. F/L Ockenden was the COpsO, and George Seeley was the Crew Chief. The term COF was eventually replaced by FCO and the first Airwomen FCO personnel arrived in St. Huberts during the summer of 1951.

I was transferred from St. Huberts to Bagotville in December 1951 where we set up the AMES-11 radar with diesel power during the winter. It is intersting to note that the GCA radar at Bagotville had better coverage than the AMES-11 even though we moved the antenna a few times.

Updated: February 25, 2004