St. Sylvestre, QC

1957 – Narrative Report – National Archives of Canada


Narrative Report
RCAF Station St. Sylvestre
1 Jun 57 to 30 Nov 57

5 Jun 57

S/L FJ Rapp incoming CTSO, arrived on TD from AMHQ for a familiarization visit.

7 Jun57

W/C JHL Lecomte incoming CO, arrived for a station briefing and to attend the official opening of the renovated Airmen’s Mess. The Airmen’s Mess and canteen were officially opened by W/C Dupuis at a "New Look" party commencing at 1900 hours.

8 Jun 57

To celebrate Air Force Day the Officers held a formal ball and the Sergeants a supper dance. At 2100 hours there was a fireworks display.

12 Jun 57

F/O EL Piitz arrived to assume the duties of CEO.

17 Jun 57

The Headquarters Staff moved into the beautiful new Administration Building. LAC Godin de Varennes died of a heart attack in his PMQ. He was buried in Montreal and St. Hubert provided burial honours.

18 Jun 57

Committee of Adjustment headed by F/L DF Bate was appointed to deal with the estate of Godin de Varennes.

20 Jun 57

S/L JR Austin, F/L M Young, WO2 DB Truscott and WO2 VHW Laister from 1 R&CS, Clinton arrived on TD to discuss the trade training of Telecom personnel. A group of 30 people from the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Ste. Marie de Beauce visited the unit. After a tour they were entertained in the Officer’s Mess.

21 Jun 57

Three members of 2453 AC&W Squadron (Auxiliary) Three Rivers arrived for weekend training.

23 Jun 57

S/L AE Kelly, CTSO assumed the duties of CO when the CO left on annual leave.

26 Jun 57

SAC overfly.

28 Jun 57

Officers promotions were released. F/O’s Wright and Smith were promoted to F/L.

1 Jul 57

SAC overfly.

2 Jul 57

F/L DS Berube new SAO reported in. Primary Reserve Officers P/O D Fearon, F/O N Knox and F/C C Swan also reported in.

3 Jul 57

F/L RM Wright was appointed Chairman of the Station Recreation Council with P/O VJ Kipp as Chairman of the Entertainment Committee. SAC overfly.

4 Jul 57

S/L RE Churchill returned from TD at Cold Lake and assumed duties of Acting CO.

6 Jul 57

Seven Officers and four Airmen of Sherbrooke Reserve Squadron arrived for one weeks summer training.

8 Jul 57

A security alert was sounded to prevent an infiltration team under S/L Brooks, ADCHQ gaining entrance to the Operations Building, no entrance was gained.

11 Jul 57

A fighter declared an air emergency. It was led back to base under control on this unit and landed safely.

13 Jul 57

The second detachment of Sherbrooke Reserves arrived for a weeks training.

15 Jul 57

The CO returned from annual leave. S/L FJ Rapp from AMCHQ assumed the duties of CTSO.

16 Jul 57

Sector exercise.

18 Jul 57

SAC overfly.

20 Jul 57

Six officers from 413 Squadron Bagotville arrived for cross training.

22 Jul 57

SAC overfly.

24 Jul 57

S/L L McKergow, SOFVS and S/L Davis Command Matron, paid a staff visit to this unit. SAC overfly.

25 Jul 57

F/O T Tracey ADC Welfare Officer paid a routine visit.

30 Jul 57

The "handing-over" ceremonies took place at 1415 hours this date. W/C Dupuis commanded the Squadron carrying out his final inspection prior to the signing ceremony. After the certificates were signed the outgoing CO gave his farewell speech. This station provided burial honours for AC2 Larue, killed at St. Johns and buried at Levis. F/O Porelle was funeral officer.

31 Jul 57

W/C Lecomte left for CMR St Johns on TD. S/L Churchill became acting CO. SAC overfly.

6 Aug 57

The CO returned from TD.

11 Aug 57

CF-MCF AC4 aircraft missing with 79 people on board. Aircraft guided by this unit, located the wreckage. No survivors.

15 Aug 57

Sector exercise.

19 Aug 57

W/C Lecomte, F/L PS Graham and F/L JT Gibson left for St. Huberts on TD. Three Flight Cadets, Bilodeau, Lanthier and Dixon reported in for contact training.

22 Aug 57

SAC overfly.

26 Aug 57

F/O CE Cruickshank took over duties of PAdO. F/O TJ Delaney Med/Nurs was transferred in from 1 OS London. GPA 30 Video mapper installed to increase operational facilities.

30 Aug 57

A new PMQ Council was elected with FS JM MacDonald as Mayor.

2 Sep 57

Labour Day. Cpl. Maxwell, LAC Morrison AFP sent to Cochrane, Ontario to escort airman AWA back to unit.

3 Sep 57

F/L WR Merchant, new SSO reported in.

8 Sep 57

Mr. L Merryfield replaced Mr. C Jenkins as Bell Telephone Wire Chief.

9 Sep 57

First Lieutenant Heim and three airmen from Caswell AFB, USAF did a weeks cross-training at this unit. S/L Beaupre, Legal Officer, ADC and Lt. Colonel Crowe, AJAC, Quebec Army Command, visited the unit. F/O RW Stewart was transferred to 2453 AC&W Squadron as Support Officer.

13 Sep 57

The Flight Cadets on contact training were SOS on return to university.

15 Sep 57

Battle of Britain Sunday. One flight of 45 men with F/L Bate as Flight Commander paraded with Reserve Squadrons and CARDE Detachment. An inspection was carried out by the Governor-General.

17 Sep 57

Extension to the ME building completed. Extensive landscaping program underway; grass plots laid around station.

19 Sep 57

F/O EP Downs, ADC Recreation Officer and F/O T Tracey Welfare Officers on staff visit.

20 Sep 57

Fourteen officers and eleven airmen from 2450 AC&W Squadron Sherbrooke on weekend training.

23 Sep 57

The new swimming pool was accepted by AFHQ consultant engineers.

24 Sep 57

SAC overfly.

25 Sep 57

F/L DF Bate left on posting to CJS Washington for five month course at Roesler, AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi.

26 Sep 57

The indoor swimming pool in the Rec. Hall was officially opened by W/C JHL Lecomte and F/L Gibson, CAdO. A swimming display was put on by the airmen.

28 Sep 57

A group from Canadair presented a variety show in the Station Theatre.

30 Sep 57

An Air Staff visiting team including S/L AW Bishop and S/L JA King and four other officers tested the Controllers on this unit.

1 Oct 57

G/C ME Pollard, Sector Commander and S/L Kennedy, Vice Sector Commander visited the unit.

2 Oct 57

S/L HR Milne, AFHQ paid a Supply Staff Visit, accompanied by F/L RP Marcotte, SO Sup from ADCHQ.

14 Oct 57

Captain EW French and Second Lieutenant ED de Negga, USAF Tech Officers visited the unit on cross training.

16 Oct 57

The CGE team under Mr. A Todd visited the station for the semi-annual overhaul.

25 Oct 57

Archbishop Roy from Quebec City visited the unit and met many of the RC personnel at a reception in the RC school.

30 Oct 57

All social functions were cancelled and the schools were closed because of an epidemic of Asiatic flu. Extra beds were set up in the fire hall for patients. Sixty airmen attempted the TE on this date.

1 Nov 57

Sector exercise.

2 Nov 57

2 VHF transmitters and receivers were installed at the remote sites to give a 20 channel capacity.

4 Nov 57

A/C Bradshaw Deputy AOC Operations visited the unit on this date.

6 Nov 57

SAC overfly.

7 Nov 57

Sector exercise. Mr. Faguy, Director of Civilian Personnel, AFHQ and Mr. Haugian Command CPO visited this unit to discuss policy matters concerning civilian employees. The CGE Microwave Technical Representative Mr. H Mann was replaced by Mr. Carlin.

10 Nov 57

Remembrance Day services. A flight of 45 men commanded by F/L JT Gibson paraded at Thetford Mines.

14 Nov 57

W/C Rodger and W/C Gallagher Command Protestant and RC Padres visited the unit on this date. W/C AH Hill Staff Officer radar visited the unit.

22 Nov 57

Increase in radar training facilities by the installation of the RAND training system AN/GPS-T2 trainer. Installed by Mr. Kelly of the Union Switch and Signal Company.

28 Nov 57

Benefit bingo held for LAC Brown whose belongings were destroyed by fire in St. Sylvestre.

30 Nov 57

Forty Officers and wives of 2453 AC&W (Aux) Three Rivers visited on this date. They were forced to remain overnight due to a blizzard.

Signed by:

(FJ Rapp) S/L
Acting CO RCAF Station St. Sylvestre