Historical Narrative
1 Radar and Communications Unit (Auxiliary) RCAF, Montreal, PQ
1 June 1950 to 30 November 1950
1 Jun 50
Ste Anne de Bellevue detachment report considerable difficulty in carrying out training and administration due to inadequate accommodation. No further progress can be made at the moment with the Red Cross building as DVA insists that they must retain same until October 50.
Word has been received at this unit HQ on the promotion of one Flying Officer to substantive Flight Lieutenant, seven Flying Officers to the rank of acting Flight Lieutenant, and two Pilot Officers to the rank of Flying Officer.
2 Jun 50
Normal Routine.
3 Jun 50
W/C FW Ball DFC (AFHQ) visited Sherbrooke AC&WU. He inspected the Unit and also visited the Bryant Building, prospective headquarters for that Unit, and made many helpful suggestions, both concerning the organization of the Unit and the new HQ.
4 Jun 50
The OC 1 R&C (Res) Unit addressed a meeting of the American Association of Aviation Writers at RCAF Stn St Hubert. The address was preceded by a flying display in which Vampires of 410 Sqn and the Avro Jet Liner and the Flying Ice Wagon participated.
5 Jun 50
20304 F/O DE McCuaig Supply Tech reported today from 426 Sqn as Regular Force Support Section Supply Officer. His arrival is extremely welcome owing to the enormous pressure of work in this section which has, from the date of the Unit formation, rested entirely on one man, 6583 Sgt M Hector, whose services to this Unit have been beyond all value.
6 Jun 50
121417 S/L JMG Plamondon DFC and Bar, ADG, has today been appointed OC City of Quebec Radar Sqn operating under his HQ.
7 - 9 Jun 50
Normal Routine.
10 Jun 50
Air Force Day. Sherbrooke AC&WU today took part in local celebrations and their AMES-II Convoy was driven on exhibition some 100 miles through the Eastern Townships.
11 - 15 Jun 50
Normal Routine.
16 Jun 50
The question of ME for 1 R&C (Res) Unit and its subsidiary AC&WU's is a most pressing one, as was pointed out in this unit's letter 52-1 (OC) d16 Jun 50 to Stn St Hubert. It is not known how this HQ and its detachments can continue to operate under such adverse conditions.
17 - 19 Jun 50
Normal Routine.
20 Jun 50
A proposal was today made to the authorities of Sir George Williams College for the establishment of a flight there, similar to that operating at L'Ecole Polytechnique. It is understood, purely from conversations, that this proposal will be acceptable to the authorities but that the actual organization will have to wait until the beginning of the scholastic year in September.
21 - 22 Jun 50
Normal Routine.
23 Jun 50
A visit was made to Quebec AC&WU and conference held with the CO and other officers appointed to that unit. As a result, it has been possible to plan the lay-out of the allotted buildings at Ancienne Lorette and to lay the basis of the administration and training set-ups.
24 - 27 Jun 50
Normal Routine
28 Jun 50
Plans for Quebec AC&WU Buildings discussed with SOCE, ADG HQ, and drawings will be prepared accordingly.
Convoy #65 allocated today to Quebec AC&WU.
F/L J Robinson, of TCHQ, visited this unit in connection with training organization.
29 Jun 50
A Board of Officers appointed by ADG HQ today flew to Ancienne Lorette and took over the buildings allocated to the Quebec AC&WU.
On this date, the special training scheme for High School students commenced at Carlyle Road School under the command of F/L LD Smith.
30 Jun 50
Annual training suspended as of this date for a period of 6 weeks. 1st detachment left for summer camp. A parade was held on the concourse of Central Station and personnel were inspected and subsequently addressed by the Officer Commanding.
The unit will be in camp by detachments at RCAF Stn Chatham during the whole month of July.
Total strength as at 2359 hours 30 June 50:
Officers (Staff) - 71
Officers (Trainee) - 47
Sr NCOs (Staff) - 40
Sr NCOs (Trainee) - 0
Cpls & ACs (Staff) - 32
Cpls & ACs (Trainee) - 295
Attachments -1
Total - 486
1 Jul 50
Summer Camp training commenced at RCAF Stn Chatham for 49 personel of 1 R&C Unit.
2 Jul 50
Normal Routine.
3 Jul 50
Keys of D'Allaird Building, this unit's proposed new HQ accommodation, were handed to 1 R&C Unit today.
4 Jul 50
Normal Routine
5 Jul 50
Further plans embodying latest proposal for the layout of the D'Allaird Bldg were completed and sent to ADG HQ.
6 - 7 Jul 50
Normal Routine.
8 Jul 50
Summer Camp training continuing at RCAF Stn Chatham for 41 personnel of this unit.
9 Jul 50
Normal routine.
10 Jul 50
Plans for Buildings for Quebec AC&WU again amended and passed to ADG HQ for action.
11 Jul 50
A Board of Officers appointed by ADG HQ today officially took over the D'Allaird Building.
12 - 13 Jul 50
Normal Routine.
14 Jul 50
In accordance with AFROs #342/50, all officers of Tech/Sigs Branch transferred to new Tech/Tel Branch.
15 Jul 50
2416 AC&WU (Reserve) officially formed at Ottawa under authority of AFHQ Org Order Numer 21/50 d/6 Jul 50.
Summer Camp training continuing at Stn Chatham for 32 personnel of this unit.
16 - 21 Jul 50
Normal Routine.
22 Jul 50
Summer camp training continuing at Stn Chatham for 32 personnel of this unit.
23 Jul 50
A further visit to Quebec AC&WU was necessary in company with AFHQ draftsman to check on buildings which did not quite conform to standard plans.
24 Jul 50
Normal Routine.
25 Jul 50
As a result of the visit referred to on Jul 23, it is now being possible to prepare final drawings which have been examined and approved by OC Quebec AC&WU.
Signal received from AFHQ ordering organization of an AC&WU at Ottawa to come under control of this unit.
Advance reports from summer camp at Stn Chatham indicate that everything is going remarkably well. All personnel returning speaking in the highest terms of the welcome accorded to them and the cooperation offered to them by all members of Stn Chatham. It is already very evident that the morale of the unit has received great stimulous from the excellent treatment they have been accorded at Chatham.
26 - 27 Jul 50
Normal Routine.
28 Jul 50
W/C DG Malloy DFC, Acting CO Stn St Hubert today inspected the High School flight and expressed himself extremely impressed with all that he saw.
Summer camp training at RCAF Stn Chatham for 1 R&C Unit personnel ceased. This training was most successful and beneficial to all attending. All of the facilities of the Station were made available to the Reserve and as a result of the excellent reception Reserve personnel received, plus excellent harmony and co-operation, many of 1 R&C Unit's airmen have applied for the Regular Force.
29 Jul 50
ME Section of this HQ today drove Convoy #65 to Quebec City to hand over to Quebec AC&WU. The operation was carried out without a hitch and personnel of the ME section acquited themselves in a most satisfactory manner. The driving standard reflects credit on their training.
30 - 31 Jul 50
Normal Routine.
Total strength as at 2359 hours 31 Jul 50:
Officers (Staff) - 72
Officers (Trainee) - 47
Sr NCOs (Staff) - 40
Sr NCOs (Trainee) - 0
Cpls & ACs (Staff) - 31
Cpls & ACs (Trainee) - 299
Attachments -1
Total - 490
1 - 2 Aug 50
Normal Routine.
3 Aug 50
Telephone report from Quebec from F/O GM Hill in charge of summer employment technical party setting up convoy #65 indicates that this convoy has never been used before and is therefore in excellent condition.
4 - 6 Aug 50
Normal Routine.
7 Aug 50
S/L JA Pilon (Chief Ops Officer) and F/L RJ Rocheleau DFC (OC Reserve Support Section), today visited Ottawa to investigate organizational problems in connection with the formation of 2416 AC&WU. While in Ottawa, these officers visited the Rector of Ottawa University to discuss formation of a flight at that institution to be affiliated with 2416 AC&WU.
8 - 9 Aug 50
Normal Routine.
10 Aug 50
Advice today received from Stn St Hubert that the aerodrome at that station will be u/s from mid-Sep to mid-Nov due to major repairs and expansion of runways. All flying will cease for safety reasons.
11 - 16 Aug 50
Normal Routine.
17 Aug 50
The possibility of obtaining Gudewill Farm Baie d'Urfe, in lieu of Red Cross Bldg at St Anne was explored as the Red Cross Bldg is still unavailable.
18 Aug 50
Normal Routine.
19 Aug 50
Conference held at HQ with detachment COs.
20 - 22 Aug 50
Normal Routine.
23 Aug 50
4077 F/L BHC Spicer (Tech/Tel) today arrived on posting from AFHQ as senior Tech Officer Regular Force Support Section. His arrival is all the more timely in view of the number of Reserve Support NCOs and airmen technical personnel who have arrived in the last few weeks and for whom his direction has been urgently required.
24 Aug 50
Normal Routine
25 Aug 50
G/C JG Archambault, DFC, CO RCAF Stn St Hubert, inspected High School Flight at termination of their training and said that he was very pleased with the progress which had been made. All students have indicated that they intend to carry on their activities with this unit in a Reserve capacity.
In the afternoon, a ceremonial hand-over parade was held, at the Carlyle Road High School, at which F/L LD Smith, OC High School Flight, handed over his command to F/L LR Gingras, the OC R&C School.
26 - 30 Aug 50
Normal Routine.
31 Aug 50
50 airmen who were enlisted for the High School Students Summer Employment scheme ceased full-time duties and were transferred to non-continuous service with this Reserve Unit.
Total strength as at 2359 hours 31 Aug 50:
Officers (Staff) - 72
Officers (Trainee) - 46
Sr NCOs (Staff) - 41
Sr NCOs (Trainee) - 0
Cpls & ACs (Staff) - 31
Cpls & ACs (Trainee) - 297
Attachments -1
Total - 488
1 Sep 50
Advice having been received from Chester Herald that he had received payment of the necessary 15 Guineas and the selected crest and motto for this unit was forwarded to the College of Arms London England to be checked for heraldic accuracy and for Royal approval.
2 - 4 Sep 50
Normal Routine.
5 Sep 50
20096 F/O LJ Lomas Air/P, today reported to the Reserve Support Section from Stn Trenton to take over the training of this Unit's controllers. It is felt that this officer will soon bring about a high standard of efficiency in this section where up to now a certain amount of difficulty has been experienced in training.
6 Sep 50
A muster parade of this Unit was held at 2000 hrs at this HQ in order that personnel might hear an account of the Unit achievements over the last year and an outline of its proposed activities in the ensuing training year. The account was given in a speech by the OC which was recorded on the spot by Station CKVL, Montreal's Bilingual Station, and which was subsequently broadcast in several successive news-casts that night. The Press was strongly represented and excellent coverage obtained in both English and French paper.
7 - 8 Sep 50
Normal Routine.
9 Sep 50
On this date, AMES-II Convoy #71 was taken from Stn St Hubert to Ste Anne de Bellevue AC&WU to which Unit it is now being transferred. The convoy has been installed on a small plateau above St Anne which appears to offer excellent facilities for operations.
10 - 13 Sep 50
Normal Routine
14 Sep 50
Steps are under way to arrange with ADG to have all telecommunications installations in the D'Allaird Building done by civilian contractors. This will be a tremendous job, far above the physical capabilities of 1 R&C (Res) Support Staff.
15 Sep 50
Normal Routine.
16 Sep 50
This unit participated in a "Battle of Britain" ceremonial parade held in the City of Montreal. Personnel of both RC and Protestant faiths were marched to their respective churches and, on termination of church services, were then marched to the cenotaph on Dominion Square where a brief ceremony was held. On completion of this ceremony, the Navy, Army and RCAF units carried out a march past at which a salute was taken by high ranking officers of the three services.
17 Sep 50
Normal Routine.
18 Sep 50
Personnel of 1 R&C (Res) Support Section assisted in the construction of and setting up of signals telecommunication equipment in the Morgan Store building, where the RCAF was putting on a display, as a recruiting drive.
19 Sep 50
F/L BH Spicer Tech/Tel, of 1 R&C Support Section, attended a special conference at ADG on Telecommunications matters.
20 Sep 50
Recruiting started for 2416 AC&WU Ottawa. For the moment, all recruiting is to be carried out at the aforementioned unit. When Regular Force Staff can be supplied to that AC&WU, it is anticipated that R/U will not be asked to bear the major responsibility for enlistment or appointment of applicants.
21 - 28 Sep 50
Normal Routine.
29 Sep 50
Promotions received for 1 R&C (Res) Support personnel as shown: 1 Flight Sergeant to WO2, 3 Cpls to Sgts, 7 ACs to Cpl. These promotions, which included AC&WU personnel as well as 1 R&C Unit personnel, are all which were recommended by this unit HQ, with the exception of the one which is being taken up as a special case.
30 Sep 50
All summer employment personnel ceased duty with this unit, with the exception of one F/O, one Sgt and one Cpl who have been granted an extension until 31 Dec 50.
Total strength as at 2359 hours 30 Sep 50:
Officers (Staff) - 69
Officers (Trainee) - 53
Sr NCOs (Staff) - 39
Sr NCOs (Trainee) - 0
Cpls & ACs (Staff) - 31
Cpls & ACs (Trainee) - 337
Attachments -1
Total - 530
1 Oct 50
A very lengthy letter was written by this unit to ADG HQ (1 R&C file C2-1 d/1 Oct 50), on the factors affecting the future development of this unit and its AC&WUs. This letter outlined to ADG the general policy of this unit to date and lists its many outstanding problems with require decision by higher authority.
2 Oct 50
Indication received that Treasury Board has approved the allotment of Sixty-Five thousand dollars to the D'Allaird Building, which will eventually be the HQs and training center for this unit.
3 Oct 50
Indication received that Treasury Board has approved the allotment of Thirty-Five thousand dollars to be used in carrying out alterations to GIS buildings #45 and 46 at Ancienne Lorette for use by the Quebec AC&WU, subsidiary detachment of 1 R&C Unit.
4 Oct 50
The Plans and Requirements Committee, formed at this unit, held its first official meeting. The immediate points requiring decision were the installation of telecommunications equipment in the D'Allaird Bldg, the establishment of the proposed Reserve Radar Wing (both Res Est and Res Support Est), formation of 2416 AC&WU, Ottawa and the general training program.
5 - 10 Oct 50
Normal Routine.
11 Oct 50
Proposed organization and establishment for Reserve Radar Wing to be formed in the Montreal Area was submitte to ADG HQ for consideration.
12 - 15 Oct 50
Normal Routine.
16 Oct 50
Three Regular Air Force Clk Adm today sent to 2450 AC&WU, Sherbrooke, Quebec City AC&WU, and Ottawa AC&WU respectively.
17 - 24 Oct 50
Normal Routine.
25 Oct 50
Signal received this date from ADG (their P124) on the promotion of W/C KR Patrick, OC 1 R&C (Res) Unit. Promotion is to be effective 1 Sep 50.
26 - 31 Oct 50
Normal Routine.
Total strength as at 2359 hours 31 Oct 50:
Officers (Staff) - 72
Officers (Trainee) - 59
Sr NCOs (Staff) - 43
Sr NCOs (Trainee) - 0
Cpls & ACs (Staff) - 36
Cpls & ACs (Trainee) - 462
Attachments -1
Total - 673
1 - 6 Nov 50
Normal Routine.
7 Nov 50
2416 AC&WU Ottawa was officially opened at a ceremony held in Beaver Barracks, Ottawa, commencing at 1900 hours. The guest speaker at this occasion was the Honourable Brook Claxton, The Minister of National Defence, who outlined to its personnel the importance placed on the development of an early warning Radar Wing. This gathering was also addressed by other very important officials of the Government and the City of Ottawa. The Officer Commanding 1 R&C (Res) Unit announced the appointment of 121907 S/L FJ MacNamara as OC 2416 AC&WU.
8 - 10 Nov 50
Normal Routine.
11 Nov 50
This unit, along with other units in the Montreal area, took part in the parade in commemoration of Remembrance Day. After forming up, the personnel were marched to their respective churches where a short service was held. On completion of the church services, personnel were re-formed and marched to the cenotaph on Dominion Square where an impressive ceremony was carried out. On completion of this ceremony, the Navy, Army and RCAF units participated in a march-past at which the salute was taken by high ranking officers of the three services.
12 - 15 Nov 50
Normal Routine.
16 Nov 50
Authority delegated to the OC of this unit, by the CO RCAF Stn St Hubert, to authorize duty journeys by PMC, where the public interest is served at the rate of .09¢ per mile for personnel of 1 R&C (Res) Unit and its AC&WUs. This delegation of authority will assist, somewhat, in relieving what has been an almost insoluble ME problem at this Unit HQ and at its AC&WUs in the field. However, until adequate ME facilities are available in actual fact, this problem will still remain a most pressing one.
17 Nov 50
1 R&C (Res) Unit Officers Mess held its first Mess Dinner. Due to the non-availability of dining room space in the Unit HQ, RCAF Stn Lachine generously offered the services of its staff and its mess and dining room facilities for the use of 1 R&C Officers Mess. A very successful evening was had by all. The gathering was address by Brigadier C Drury CBE DSO, Dep Minister of National Defence. He gave a very interesting address on "CANADA'S DEFENCE AGAINST AIRCRAFT."
18 Nov 50
A conference was held at this Unit HQs with all the OCs of all AC&WUs which come under the control of 1 R&C Unit. Problems of a major and minor nature were discussed and the majority of the problems presented by the OCs of the AC&WUs were solved on the spot.
19 - 27 Nov 50
Normal Routine.
28 Nov 50
Word received from AFHQ that one Flight Sergeant, ME Tech 3 (P), (that was referred to in entry for 29 Sep 50) had been promoted to WO2.
The OC of this unit and the OC 2416 AC&WU looked over a building in the City of Ottawa which has been recommended as suitable for occupancy by 2416 AC&WU as an urban HQs. This building was the former Czechoslovakian embassy.
29 Nov 50
Normal Routine.
30 Nov 50
At the close of this month, the most outstanding and pressing problems relate to accommodation for this unit and its AC&WUs located outside the Montreal area. Steps are and have been underway for some time to clear up this most unsatisfactory situation which has been a constant thorn in the side of those directly concerned with the training and administrative functions of the R&C Unit and its subsidiary units.
Total strength as at 2359 hours 30 Nov 50:
Officers (Staff) - 75
Officers (Trainee) - 58
Sr NCOs (Staff) - 48
Sr NCOs (Trainee) - 0
Cpls & ACs (Staff) - 39
Cpls & ACs (Trainee) - 487
Attachments -1
Total - 708
(KR Patrick) G/C
Officer Commanding
1 Radar & Communications (Reserve) Unit
Montreal, Que.