CANADIAN FORCES STATION LOWTHER
ANNUAL HISTORICAL REPORT 1968
The following is a brief record of the activities at CFS Lowther in chronological order (1 Jan to 31 Dec 68)
20 Jan 68
A new water filtration plant was completed and put into operation on this date. The purpose of the plant is to improve the quality of the drinking water on the station.
13 Apr 68
Command of the station changed from LCol CL Read to Major GH Sage on this date.
30 Apr 68
A unit Junior NCO Course commenced on this date and lasted until 13 May. Its purpose was to prepare 17 Corporals for the Corporals Qualifying Exams. The course covered instruction on CFAOs, QR&O, General Service Knowledge and Drill.
20 May 68
Construction on the new two lane station bowling alley commenced this date.
8 Jun 68
This was Armed Forces Day at CFS Lowther. Approximately 250 civilians took guided tours of the radar complex.
17 Jun 68
A two day Projectionists Course started on this date. Nine people took the course.
29 Jun 68
Command of the station changed from Major GH Sage to LCol RB Button on this date.
31 Aug 68
The station’s establishment for fire fighters was reduced from 1 Sgt and 4 civilians to 1 Sgt and 1 civilian on this date.
3 Sep 68
Brigadier-General CH Mussels, Director General of Personnel Support Programmes, paid a short visit to the station on this date to inspect the station NPF facilities.
15 Sep 68
CFS Lowther personnel and the cadets of 647 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron took part in a Battle of Britain Parade in Kapuskasing, Ontario. The parade was followed by church services at St Mark’s (Anglican ) Church and St Patrick’s (Catholic) Church in Kapuskasing.
23 Sep – 30 Sep 68
Two one week Volunteer Fire Fighter Courses commenced on the dates shown. A sixteen man Volunteer Fire Brigade was trained on these courses by the two station fire fighters to help strengthen the fire department which was reduced in strength on 31 Aug 68.
1 Oct 68
The Airmen’s club became the Junior Ranks Club, and became self-supporting on the date. The unit NPF facilities became part of the new Canex organization under the charge of the Station Exchange Officer. The dry canteen was enlarged and moved from the Junior Ranks Club to Barrack Block #6.
7 Oct 68
A First Aid Course was run for one week by the NCO i/c MIR. Ten people attended the course.
23 – 24 Oct 68
Brigadier-General WM Garton, Chief of Staff, made a Staff visit to Lowther. His visit included a briefing by LCol Button, a mess dinner with the Officers and Senior NCOs, a technical briefing and tour of the Ground Environment complex, and a tour of the domestic sites.
8 Nov 68
CFS Lowther cutover to the Canadian Switching Network on this date. This new system did away with point-to-point telephone circuits and made it possible to direct dial every Air Defense establishment in North America.
11 Nov 68
CFS Lowther personnel took part in the Remembrance Day Parade held in Kapuskasing, Ontario along with the military and civic groups of Kapuskasing.
13 Nov 68
Major-General HL Meuser, Assistant Defense Minister Logistics, and Mr. JH de Puyjalon, Director of Programme Division (Defense) Treasury Board, visited CFS Lowther on this date. Their visit included a dinner with officers and a tour of all station facilities.
Late Nov 68
The new station bowling alley was completed and opened.
18 Dec 68
A one day Projectionists Course was conducted on this date. Eight people took the course.
R. B. Button
Lieutenant – Colonel
Commanding Officer, CFS Lowther.