Historical Record
2450 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Reserve)
Sherbrooke, PQ.
September 1949 to September 1951
1 Spring 1949 - The Idea is Born
During the early part of 1949, W/C KR Patrick OBE was very successful in his efforts to form Reserve Units of the RCAF, with specific task of creating a Radar network, orginating at strategic Quebec points. At this time, in his anxiety to have a Unit in Sherbrooke, Quebec, he contacted one of Sherbrooke's life-time citizens who had an Air Force career spanning the two World Wars; Mr FW McCrea had served in World War I as a Navigator and in World War II as CO of Recruiting for Province of Quebec for the RCAF and was aide de Camp to Lt Gov of Quebec Province.
2 Sep 49 - Formation Commenced
Mr FW McCrea enlisted the services of Mr GW O'Boyle of Sherbrooke whose life-business has been the radio service and repair game, that he knows so well. Together with S/L McCrea, some twenty local ex-service men, met with representatives of the radio enterprises in Sherbrooke, and Mr O'Boyle met with W/C Patrick at the Legion home, in September, 1949, to "Discuss the question thoroughly". As later events have proven, W/C Patrick ruled well and wisely when it was decided that there appeared to be sufficient initial interest to warrant the establishment of a Reserve Radar Unit in Sherbrooke. Considerable interest was directed toward the Unit, especially by those who realized that the "Junior Service" was "invading" territory that was traditionally Army. There were then, and had been for years, two important Reserve Army Units in the City.
Negotiations were started in the early fall of 1949 to find a suitable location for the Unit HQ. Finally, after considerable planning, space was obtained on the third floor of the Northern Electric Building. Although the Unit's strength was comparatively small in number, the quarters were considerably cramped from the outset. As well as classrooms, it was necessary to provide offices and storerooms, all in a space seventy feet by twenty-two feet. Final arrangements for rental were executed by the Department of National Defence, with the intervention of W/C Patrick.
3 Dec 49 - Receipt of Convoy
The next big event was delivery of the AMES-11, Convoy 59, which was taken over without the least possibility of a proper check. Fortunately, no serious difficulties arose, and all members had the feeling of "Really Belonging" - no more "fishermen without gear!"
4 Feb 1950 - Visit from the Minister DND
In February 1950, the Unit was notified that the Minister of National Defence, Mr Brooke Claxton, was to speak to No 1 R and C at their quarters in Montreal. Regardless of a heavy blizzard and hazardous roads, twenty-eight members of the Unit filed into PMC's and drove to Montreal - where they and their efforts were congratulated personally by Mr Claxton. They arrived home at 0300 hrs the following morning.
5 Spring 1950 - Growing Pains and visit of CAS
The Unit's growing pains were evident almost immediately. Recruiting was by word of mouth as no appropriation was available for this work. However, by the early spring of 1950, tremendous strides had been taken and a strong nucleus was evident. There was a strength of over fifty in all and interest was rampant. The members of the Unit, as they paraded the streets of Sherbrooke on their way to and from the Unit, in their "Air Force Blues", caused many heads to turn and many eyes to stare, for it had been some five years since the Boys in Blue had been seen in our City. Public interest had been captured at the very start. This gave a degree of confidence to those who had invested so heavily in their time, energy and ingenuity readily extended. Their efforts were further recognized at this early stage, when the Chief of the Air Staff, accompanied by G/C McBrien visited the Unit early in 1950. They appeared to be impressed, although the lack of complete facilities necessitated their visit being confined to the classrooms.
6 Summer 1950 - First Camp
During the summer of 1950, facilities of Summer Camp were made available to the Unit at Chatham, NB, and the twenty-two personnel who attended reaped much benefit from the camp. It appears most probable, that the idea of Camp, with "real live" equipment and association with aircraft and personnel of the Regular Force, were major factors in creating the surge to enlist that followed the first camp. The results were so noticeable that instructions were received to look for larger quarters, here in Sherbrooke.
7 Sep 1950 - Need for Larger Accommodation
It was learned that the Bryant Building, on Depot Street, was for sale. This information was passed on through the lines of organization, for their perusal and eventual agreement that the building was necessary. The space that would be available was twelve times that at the first location. "Eager Beavers" began pressing the matter. It was the talk of the City. Public interest was high. Then in the early days of September, 1950, word was received by the CO S/L McCrea, that the Bryant Building would be available. The real planning began then. The wild dreams of the early days were beginning to prove to be not quite so wild. The Unit was going "big time" with their own building and equipment, after only a little more than one year in existence. Further interest was created through the training program that was undertaken during the fall, and winter of 1950. A controller's course was deligently directed, through the means of precis, by F/L O'Boyle.
8 Spring 1951 - New Accommodation
After considerable re-arranging, repairing and redecorating of the Bryant Building, the Unit took over their new HQ, moving in on April 3rd, 1951. Then, more than ever before, the members had the feeling that they belonged to, and had "A Unit". They immediately formed an Officers' Mess, Airmen's Mess, Station Fund Committee, and began to team together as a Unit.
9 July 1951 - Summer Camp
During the two mid-weeks of July, 1951, Summer Camp was set up on a site at Ste Foy, near Quebec City. The Unit took their own convoy, consisting of eleven heavy trucks and a panel wagon, and set up their own camp. The twenty-two members attending were billeted in private residences in Quebec and an admirable arrangement as to meals was affected with Laval University. The one incident at camp that the Unit is most proud of is the result of the early morning warning that was called at six am. Remarkable as it is, this green Unit was "on the air", OR, operational, at exactly six-thirty am. Complimentary messages poured in from all points of Command, in that 2450 AC&WU was the first of the stations called, to become operational. From the CO to the Airmen, everyone hitched up his belt a knotch, and threw out his chest!
Excitement was high at camp, as the episode of the Bunker Hill Canon happeded during the Units stay near Quebec City, and as it was generally stated that the Air Force was involved, 2450 AC&WU was the brunt of several ribs and questions.
9 Summer 1951 - Training High School Students
At the Unit HQ, during the summer months of July and August 51, fifty local High School students were taken on for a Summer Training period, availing themselves of the Quebec City Unit's Convoy facilities at Lyon's Farm site. Of the fifty trade tests authorized and given, there was one failure, which proved this type of undertaking to be definitely worthwhile. Twenty-eight of the fifty students stayed on as members of the Unit, adding considerably to the total strength, the compliment of which had recently been increased.
10 Fall 1951 - Installation & RF Support
After resumption of classes and activities at the beginning of September, 1951, there was a Regular Force staff of eight to mould the Unit into a working force. The training equipment started to arrive and installation was completed by the Bell Telephone Co, and Canadian Aviation Electronics.
WD
One of the biggest moments in the Units short history proved to be the day WD enlistment materialized in the "swearing in" of twelve local girls. Their uniforms were obtained at St Johns, Que, and their various training schedules commenced. On Armistice Day, there were twenty-four WD's in uniform, on Parade, and to say the least, their presence lent a more "all-inclusive" and modern air to the proceedings.
Sports Committees and a Ladies Auxiliary were formed and their activities have been both worthwhile and noteable. A WD Basketball team has proven to be a very able representative of the Unit.
(FW McCrea) S/L
Commanding Officer, 2450 AC&WU Sherbrooke, Que