Daily Dairy
11 AC&W Squadron
Lac St. Denis, PQ,
1 June 1953 to 30 November 1953
1 Jun 53
A Station dance was held to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in the Station Recreation Hall.
2 Jun 53
RCAF personnel paraded in Morin Heights to commemorate the Coronation and the Officer’s Mess held their Coronation Dance that evening.
16 Jun 53
Station Lac St. Denis was visited by the Permanent Joint Board of Defence, and after visiting the Operations building, were entertained at a Cocktail Party in the Officer’s Mess. Among the many guests were General McNaughton, A/V/M Miller, Major General Sparling, Colonel Clarke, Lt. Colonel Coates, Major General Henry and Read Admiral Creary.
27 Jun 53
The formal opening of the Ground Observer Corps at St. Jerome, official ceremonies were conducted by A/V/M Smith.
Among our many visitors this month were: Col. Saxton, Maj. Roberts, Maj. Butler, Maj. Kneisler, all of USAF. Brig. Gilles and Brig. Peakes of 11 AA Reserve. W/C Moody, AFHQ.
2 Jul 53
W/C Lawler and twelve officers of 423 Squadron visited this unit. On the evening of 2 Jul 53, a Farewell Party was given for Maj. Williams of the USAF by the Operations personnel.
3 Jul 53
Gen. Worthington, Brig. Jefferson and Mr. Roberts visited this unit to discuss Civil Defence matters.
10 – 12 Jul 53
Exercise Tailwind – (detailed in Operations History).
17 Jul 53
Capt. Kitchings of the USAF arrived at this unit as the replacement for Maj. Williams.
21 Jul 53
Maj. Williams departed from this unit and F/L Oldfin, a well-known officer on this station, left 1 ADCC to recommence aircrew duties.
23 Jul 53
USAF Calibration team arrived to calibrate equipment on this unit.
12 Aug 53
A Stag night was held in the Officer’s Mess to bid farewell to W/C Marcou of 1 ADCC who left this unit to assume command of 12 AC&WS, Mont Apica, and also to bid farewell to N/S Marcroft who was leaving the service.
19 Aug 53
A/V/M James, AOC/ADC, made an official visit to this unit.
23 Aug 53
Lac St. Denis girl’s softball team won Tri-Service Championship by defeating Lachine in the finals, two games straight.
W/C Strange and W/C Martin were among the visitors to this unit during August.
3 Sep 53
Crews and Crew Officers commenced visits to GObC at St. Jerome, one crew per week for half a day during weekly maintenance.
11 Sep 53
S/L Tripe was posted and replaced on this unit with S/L Mahoney.
18 Sep 53
Lac St. Denis Girl’s Softball team departed on a trip to Lynn, Mass. To meet the Caggiano All-Stars, Eastern American Champions on Saturday 19 Sep. The game was tie 1 all, at the end of 7 innings, but the American team forged ahead to win 8-2.
19 Sep 53
Air Force Day was observed by holding an all ranks dance in the Station Recreation Hall.
20 Sep 53
Battle of Britain Sunday was observed by this unit parading in Morin Heights.
30 Sep 53
RAF Shackleton crews visited this station, W/C Gordon and 17 officers, 28 NCO’s and 29 airmen.
Other visitors this month included W/C LaBelle.
2 Oct 53
G/C Bateson, G/C Powell, W/C Tate and W/C Adderly of RAF Fighter Command visited this unit.
4 Oct 53
Official opening of the new school in Ste. Adolphe to serve children of this unit. Ceremonies conducted by Mr. Cunningham, MLA, and Mr. Valios, MP.
7 Oct 53
Officers Mess held a Mess Dinner in honour of S/L Tripe who was leaving on an Overseas posting.
18 Oct 53
Town Council for PMQ personnel elected.
22 Oct 53
S/L Rogers of the RAF arrived on this station for duties with 1 ADCC.
30 Oct 53
All ranks dance was held in the Recreation Hall. Halloween costumes were worn by all and the hall was suitably decorated for the occasion.
31 Oct 53
Officers Mess held a "Hard Times" Halloween dance.
Visitors for this month included: A/C Rutledge; Brig. Morrison, DRB CJS Overseas; Lt. Col. Fisher, AAHQ; G/C Scott; W/C Briese; W/C McNair; W/C Taylor; W/C Carter; Maj. Moore, USAF.
8 Nov 53
RCAF personnel from this unit took part in a successful search for lost hunters in the bush in this area. A search and rescue section has now been set up in order to deal with any incidents of this nature in the future.
9 Nov 53
N/S Power arrived on this unit to commence duties in the Station Sick Quarters.
11 Nov 53
Personnel from this unit paraded in Morin Heights for Remembrance Day Services in Morin Heights school auditorium and to place wreaths at Anglican Church.
16 Nov 53
An Investiture Parade was held on this station, W/C Jackson presented Coronation medals to those previously recommended to receive them.
Visitors during this month included: A/C Stephenson, RAF; W/C Hughes, RAF; W/C Wilson, RAF; W/C Smith, RAF; W/C Wright, RAF; S/L Walton, RAF; W/C Lawler.
Signed by:
DGJ Jackson, W/C
11 AC&W Squadron