1 AIR DIVISION HEADQUARTERS
ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT
Period From 1 December 1954 TO 31 May 1955
NARRATIVE REPORT
1 Dec 54
Canada Savings Bonds subscriptions by Air Division Administrative Unit personnel and RCAF personnel of the Integrated staff on the Continent totalled $113, 450.00 – an excellent effort.
9 Dec 54
The Hobby Shop now in operation for all interested in leathercraft, small craft, and model building.
13 Dec 54
Traffic Safety Week commenced 13 Dec 55. Films were shown on accident prevention and safe driving.
15 Dec 54
W/C ET Atherton CD assumed command No. 1 Air Division HQ Administrative Unit vice S/L DO Pettit.
25 Dec 54
This Unit provided Christmas dinners with all the trimmings, and entertainment, for three orphanages and an Old Folks Home in the Metz area.
1 Jan 55
205310 F/L WJ Andrew was promoted to Flight Lieutenant.
120522 F/L MF Doyle was promoted to Squadron Leader
226550 F/L W Greensword was promoted to Squadron Leader
195583 F/L TW Spencer was promoted to Squadron Leader
4078 F/L BA Wood was promoted to Flight Lieutenant.
14 Jan 55
The spring flooding of the Moselle river created an emergency. Many sections were alerted and placed on 24 hours call, from 14 Jan 55 until the end of the month. Six families of dependents were evacuated.
16 Jan 55
Commenced a week of prayer with services every day conducted by the Chaplain (P).
22 Jan 55
Mr. Ross Winter, Canadian Immigration Service, and Mr. A Archbold, Chief Education Officer, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, arrived to carry out a Current Affairs lecture tour.
2 Feb 55
The AOC attended a CO’s Conference held at 2 (F) Wing.
11 Feb 55
The advance party, DOE Team, carried out a survey at the Admin Unit. Mr. RC Hammond, Inspector of Narcotic Drugs Dept. of Health and Welfare, Ottawa, arrived to meet the SMO and carry out an audit at 1 Air Div HQ. A Guard of Honour was held for the Prefect of the Department of the Moselle on his visit to the AOC.
13 Feb 55
The Senior DOE Team arrived at 1 Air Division HQ. Conferences were held with the AUC, W/C ET Atherton.
28 Feb 55
Construction was commenced on the new supply building. The building is expected to be completed by 31 Aug 55.
1 Mar 55
12917 F/L US Harvey was promoted to Acting Squadron Leader.
6 Mar 55
Twenty-five officers and other ranks were taken to LA SCHLUCHT, a ski resort in the Vosges mountains.
7 Mar 55
Mr. A Archbold, Bureau of Current Affairs Advisor, gave a lecture on Current Affairs in the Station Theatre. The Contract for the new Supply Building was awarded and work commenced almost immediately.
20 Mar 55
Construction of the third wing to Building 2A was commenced. Completion was expected by 31 Aug 55.
21 Mar 55
W/C FH Hitchins CD, Air Historian, delivered a lecture to the Officers of 1 Air Division HQ.
1 Apr 55
Major General Henry Viccelio, USAF, and Air marshal FR Miller, RCAF, visited 1 Air Division HQ. The first phase of PMQs was opened for forty-seven families; Warrant Officers and below were the first occupants.
6 Apr 55
Construction was commenced on the new ME Building.
17 Apr 55
G/C RS Turnbull assumed the position of SASA vice G/C ME Pollard.
19 Apr 55
W/C JD Lindsay was awarded the American DFC for outstanding action in Korea.
20 – 22 Apr 55
Exercise "Vagabond Two" was held. This exercise simulated the movement of Air Div HQ NEO column to BASEC Billeting area.
21 Apr 55
S/L JFAD Halls arrived to assume the position of Chaplain (RC).
22 Apr 55
A Guard of Honour was held for General Orval R Cook, Deputy Commander-in-Chief HQs US European Command.
1 May 55
The Combined Mess celebrated its first anniversary. A/V/M Hugh Campbell cut the birthday cake following a party, with chicken and wine.
5 May 55
A/M CR Slemon, CB, CBE, CD, Chief of Air Staff, and W/C WL Gillespie, CD, visited 1 Air Division HQ. A Guard of Honour was inspected by the CAS. Later he briefed Staff Heads, carried out an inspection of Archer Cup site and PMQs and visited the Military Governor of Metz.
8 May 55
An exhibition Fastball game was held with 2 (F) Wing.
9 May 55
Brigadier EM Wansbrough, OBE, MM, ED, CD, Director General of Dental Services carried out an inspection of 35 Field Dental Unit and toured 1 Air Division HQ.
13 May 55
A Guard of Honour was held for Hon. Lester B Pearson, OBE MA LLD, Minister for External Affairs. Mr. Pearson was met by the AOC and toured 1 Air Division HQ. Mr. JO Hodgkin, Assistant Comptroller of the Treasury, Ottawa, and Mr. JO Hussey, Chief Treasury Officer, London, England, visited 1 Air Division HQ to discuss finances. Mr. Hodgkin and Mr. Hussey attended a reception in the Officer's Mess.
16 May 55
Mr. Andrew Cowan, CBC Supervisor of Troop Broadcast, visited 1 Air Division HQ to discuss the operation of a Broadcasting Station at 1 Air Div.
24 May 55
S/L DK Deyell and Mr. G Selsky from AFHQ/Directorate of Air Intelligence visited Air Div HQ for the annual briefing. Officers of Air Division HQ attended lectures in the station theatre.
25 May 55
A Guard of Honour was held for His Excellency Charles Pierre Hebert, Canadian Ambassador to Belgium.
26 May 55
Colonel Paul Mathieu, Associate Deputy Minister of Defence, and Mr. H Lord, Director of Department of National Defence Schools, arrived to carry out an inspection. They attended a Mess Dinner at the Officer's Mess.
31 May 55
Mr. George Blain, News Correspondent of the Toronto Globe and Mail, toured 1 Air Div HQ. By the end of May 55 many sections had begun preparations for the forthcoming Exercise "Carte Blanche". AU/Tel, due to an extreme shortage of tradesmen, began the installation of telephone lines. AU/CE had a special labour force in the field to clear fortifications, bushes and prepare camp sites. This section expended approximately $8,000.00 in labour and material on this work.
(ET Atherton) W/C
Administrative Unit Commandant,
1 Air Division HQ.