2450 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Reserve) Sherbrooke, PQ

National Archives of Canada


Historical Record
1 January 52 to 31 May 1952
2450 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Reserve)
Sherbrooke, PQ.

Officers on Staff remain as previously and are as follows:

COS/L FW MCCrea
CTOF/L GW O'Boyle
SADOF/L JAH Cameron
SupplyF/L MCBowen
SAOF/O HC Leech
OCRSUF/O KN Smith

Location of Unit remains as previously and the unit expects to remain indefinitely at this present location 65 Depot St which seems most suitable in all respects with the establishment as at present.

Establishment has remained unchanged since last historical record was submitted.

Operations - No operations or important training were undertaken during this period.

Visit of Inspecting Officer - No such visit took place during the period being covered. The Annual visit by Group Commander G/C Archambault is looked forward to and being planned for 4 Jun 52.

OTHER IMPORTANT MATTER CONSIDERED LIKELY TO BE OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE.

1 Jan 52

A New Year's reception was held at Unit HQ, to which the officers of all other local military units, representatives of the City, Provincial and Federal Government was well as St John Ambulance and prominent citizens, were invited.

F/O HJE Martin promoted to the rank of F/L.

28 Jan 52

Ex WD JMG Pearton was appointed to the rank of F/O and TOS this Unit.

5 Feb 52

This unit entered into a period of mourning for His Late Majesty King George the 6th, and the officers of this Unit instructed to wear arm bands until further notice.

7 Feb 52

Memorial Services were held at St Peter's Anglican Church and a High Mass at St Patick's Cathedral Sherbrooke which were attended by Detachments of this Unit, paraded in 2 groups.

All Unit activities were discontinued until the termination of period of mourning insofar as the public was concerned.

Sport and Entertainment

WD Basketball team was formed in the early part of the year and finished in second place in the local girl's league.This Unit WD Basketball team played airwomen of RCAF Station St John during the month of March and although defeated put up a very good show which was felt to be of considerable benefit to morale.

An effort was made to form an airman's hockey team but the project had to be dropped due to many members of the team working as well as attending parade nights at this Unit.

A dart team was formed and was very successful playing other teams in the locality throughout the spring months.

Trade Test - Trade tests were given to trainee controllers and results were satisfactory.

Airmen's Trade Tests were held on 6 and 8 May 52, 10 passed, 6 failed.

During the spring months the operations truck of Convoy 59 was used most of the time in training FtrCOp particularly airwomen in this trade. This on the spot training was a benefit and made a great change from dry lectures in classrooms. Early in the winter the operation truck was moved from the Convoy site to Unit HQ to do away with cold and lengthy journey to and from site on parade nights.

14/5/52 Mrs Nixon, an ex-Army WD Sergeant, was TOS in the rank of F/O Admin.

Public Relations

During this period F/O KN Smith RF Officer addressed the Kiwanis Club and Optimist Club of Sherbrooke. F/O Bowker addressed the Lyon Club. F/L Martin addressed the local Rotary Club of Sherbrooke.

Unti Newspapers

The Airwomen and Airmen organized a Unit newspaper, or monthly magazine, on their own initiative and under the editorship of AW2 BM Winslow which was considered successful.

Honorary Wing Commander

The Unit was highly honoured in having news of the appointment of Mr Eric Webster as Honorary Wing Commander of this Unit.

A parade is being planned for 2 Jun at which time he will be introduced to the Unit.

(FW McCrea) S/L,
CO 2450 AC&WU Sherbrooke.