Historical Narrative
2453 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Auxiliary)
Three Rivers, PQ.
1 May 1952 to 31 December 1952
May 52
During the early part of this month, authority for the forming of an RCAF Auxiliary Unit in Trois-Rivieres was received from Air Force Headquarters. At the same time Flight Lieutenant AO Dumas, Commanding Officer of ACO 226 Squadron (Primary Reserve) was appointed Commanding Officer of the new Unit, which was designated 2453 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit. This appointment became effective as of May 5th, and subsequently appeared on Unit DRO's dated August 7th, under Air Force Authority AFRO 503.
F/L Dumas immediately called all known ex-RCAF officers to a meeting to discuss confronting problems and to lay plans for the future. This first meeting, as well as three others held during the month, took place in the Armouries with the kind permission of the Commanding Officer of the 24th Armoured Regiment of Trois-Rivieres. Twenty-eight ex-RCAF officers were recorded as being in attendance at these meetings.
Jun 52
Little visible progress was achieved in June towards the setting-up of the new Unit, due primarily to lack of suitable quarters for holding meetings. However, four meetings did take place during this time, again in the Regiment's quarters in the Armouries, and presided over by the new Commanding Officer, F/L Dumas. It was in this month that the all-important selections were made of those officers who would take charge of various sections of the Unit and who would be directly responsible to the Commanding Officer for the smooth and efficient running of the station.
The following appointments were made:
| F/O JFLP Lacroix | Senior Administrative Officer |
| F/O PE Giguere | Senior Operations Officer |
| F/O PE St Arnault | Senior Accounting Officer |
| F/O JAP Picher | Senior Telecommunications Officers |
| F/O FJ Clair | Recruiting Officer |
| F/O JAP Trudel | Equipment Officer |
| F/O RJH Lafreniere, DFC | Engineering Officer |
| F/O WT Reid | Mobile Equipment Officer |
Of the above, none has as yet been taken on strength at the Unit.
On June 9th, F/L Dumas, accompanied by several of these officers, made a familiarization trip to 2450 AC&WU at Sherbrooke, Que.
On June 11th, the local press carried articles to the effect that the property of the Reverend Sisters of Marie-Reparatrice, at the corner of Laviolette and Hart Streets, had been purchased by the Air Force as quarters for the new Unit. It was noted that the Reverend Sisters would vacate the premisies not later than July 6th.
Jul 52
The property purchased by the Air Force for the purpose of providing quarters for the new Unit was comprised of a three-story, L-shaped building, a spacious courtyard, and a relatively small structure called Carignan House. This latter is one of the oldest buildings in Trois-Rivieres, dating back to 1797. The address of the new Unit was listed as 865 Hart Street.
For the first two weeks of July, meetings were held in Carignan House, then, as the main building was vacated, the Unit moved in and bi-weekly meetings became the immediate practice.
The first Daily Routine Order was issued on July 28th, and a second of July 31st. At this time, as per DRO's, no personnel had been taken on strength and no civilians were yet employed.
ON July 4th, F/L Dumas, accompanied by approximately eight of his officers, made a familiarization visit to 2401 AC&WS in Montreal, and a week later, again accompanied by several officers, he visited 2450 AC&WS at Sherbrooke, Que.
Aug 52
During this month considerable publicity was accorded the new Unit in the local newspapers, and at the same time recruiting began in earnest. The honour of becoming the Unit's first Orderly Officer fell, on August 7th, to F/O C Trottier, DFC.
At this time almost nothing in the way of furniture was on hand, and it is to the credit of all ranks that a spirit of enthusiasm prevailed which overcame the bleakness of the environment. The first bar, naturally a make-shift affair, was set up in the Officers' Mess, and F/O's C Trottier and J Locke assumed the responsibility of running and maintaining it. The same situation existed in the Combined Mess, where F/S F Babin, and Sgt W McLellan, among others, were already displaying qualities of leadership and incentive which soon was to render them invaluable members of the Unit. In each case, materiels and tools to work with were non-existent; even such items as chairs were zealously hoarded.
It was decided, in view of the small numbers of personnel as yet attending, to have a Combined Mess for NCO's, airmen and airwomen, and later, when the existing building was revamped to suit requirements, to have three distinct Messes.
On DRO's dated August 7th, F/L AO Dumas was taken on strength effective May 5th, with the trade of Air Pilot, under Air Force Authority AFRO 503.
On August 7th, F/L Dumas was on Temporary Duty with the Auxiliary Support Unit of 2453 AC&WU; on August 14th he visited No 1 Group Headquarters in Montreal on Temporary Duty; and on August 23rd he was on Special duty with 2453 AC&WU ASU.
Sep 52
Effective September 1st, and appearing on DRO's dated September 4th, a total of fifteen airmen and fourteen airwomen were taken on strength at the Unit in various capacities. These were as follows:
| AW2 J Guillemette | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 S Staynes | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 S Johnstone | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 M MacDonald | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 J Laflamme | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 MTD Giroux | ME Driver |
| AW2 C Douville | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 F Dugre | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 R Lanneville | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 G Douville | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 L Robichaud | Clerk Accountant |
| AW2 Y Beliveau | Support Technician |
| AW2 P St Louis | Clerk Typist |
| AW2 DS Perley | Clerk Typist |
| AC2 JJMR Desrosiers | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 J Peake | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 J Ferland | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 J Rousseau | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 C Godin | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 JS Parenteau | Support Technician |
| AC2 JM Rivard | Support Technician |
| AC2 M Simard | Radar Performance Checker |
| AC2 F Aubin | Radar Performance Checker |
| AC2 C Lafontaine | Clerk Typist |
| AC2 M Pronovost | Communications Performance Checker |
| AC2 JM Faucher | Communications Performance Checker |
| AC2 JR Pellerin | Communications Performance Checker |
| AC2 P Germain | Communications Performance Checker |
| AC2 JHR De Lafontaine | Communications Performance Checker |
Also appearing on DRO's of September 4th, F/O FJ Clair was taken on strength effective July 23rd, as Special List/Controller Branch; F/O PE St Arnault was taken on strength effective August 13th, as Acct List/Acct Branch; and F/O PE Giguere was taken on strength effective May 31st, as Air Pilot. It was noted that F/O Giguere had transferred from 2450 AC&WU at Sherbrooke, Que.
On DRO's of September 30th, P/O RSD Genest was taken on strength effective July 31st, as Admin List/Admin Branch. P/O Genest thus became the Unit's first female officer.
Toward the latter part of the month F/O K Alexander, accompanied by three airmen, arrived at the Unit. This group, all Permanent Force personnel, was to comprised the Auxiliary Support Unit, and plans got under way to commence lectures at an early date for Fighter Controllers, Fighter Control Operators, and Performance Checkers.
During this month also, No 6 GObC arrived to share the Unit's quarters. No 6 Detachment was designed to be a Ground Observer Corps Filter Center, and from the first the closest co-operation and liaison existed between the Radar Unit and GObC.
On September 15th the Unit was honoured by the visit of several Officers from No 1 Group Headquarters. These officers were S/L Dean-Freeman, F/L Hall, F/L Tracy, F/L Coffin, and F/L Bullock.
A clothing parade was held during the third week of the month, and all enlisted personnel taken on strength were completely outfitted, including battle dress, trench coats, and greatcoats. The airwomen, in addition, were issued with skirts and tunic. The policy at the time was for officers to pay for uniforms out of their own pockets. Battle dress was available for $25, but this price was raised during the month to $37.50. A month later, battle dress became a free issue for officers.
Movements during the month were as follows:
On September 9th, F/O St Arnault was posted on Temporary Duty to No 1 Group Headquarters, Montreal, returning on September 18th. From September 2nd until September 15th, F/O Giguere was on a period of continuous Duty with 2453 AC&WU; during this time he spent two days at No 1 ADCC, Lac St Denis, Que. From September 19th to 22nd, F/L Dumas was on Special Duty with 2453 AC&WU ASU; during this time he visited No 201 Radio Station at Mont Apica, Que.
Oct 52
Effective October 23rd, and appearing on DRO's dated October 31st, the following airmen and airwomen were taken on strength.
| AW2 R Cadotte | Clerk Typist |
| AW2 E Jenssen | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 G Thibeau | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 C Veillette | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 B Murray | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 D Nassif | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 C Beaudoin | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 T Villeneuve | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 L Boisclair | Clerk Typist |
| AC2 R Charland | Communications Performance Checker |
| AC2 R Peters | Communications Performance Checker |
| AC2 E St Cyr | Radar Performance Checker |
| AC2 D Caron | Radar Performance Checker |
| AC2 T Robichaud | Fire Fighter |
| AC2 A Blais | Radar Performance Checker |
| AC2 B Poliquin | Radar Performance Checker |
| AC2 L Thibodeau | Radar Performance Checker |
| AC2 G Thibeau | Radar Performance Checker |
| AC2 B Patterson | Radar Performance Checker |
| AC2 G Garrett | Radar Performance Checker |
| AC2 P Cantin | Radar Performance Checker |
| AC2 M Guilbert | ME Driver |
| AC2 L McCarthy | Carpenter |
| AC2 W Lesautier | ME Driver |
| AC2 R Leduc | Electrician |
| AC2 JJ Fournier | Construction Hand |
| AC2 A Cousineau | Fire Fighter |
| AC2 R Heroux | Fire Fighter |
On DRO's dated October 20th, the following officers were taken on strength effective the dates shown:
| F/O JAJP Trudel, | eff July 24th | Admin List/Admin Branch |
| F/O JC Locke | eff July 31st | Special List/Cont Branch |
| F/O JAP Picher | eff June 16th | Special List/Cont Branch |
| F/O JFN Parent | eff June 16th | Special List/Cont Branch |
On DRO's dated October 31st, the following personnel were taken on strength effective the dates shown:
| F/O AM Johnson | eff Sept 11th | Special List/Cont Branch |
| F/O RJH Lafreniere, DFC | eff July 23rd | Special List/Cont Branch |
| F/S JDF Hardy | eff Sept 12th | PRTI 2 (P) |
| F/S JAF Babin | eff Sept 12th | Fighter Control Operator |
| Sgt FX Lapointe | eff Sept 12th | Communications Technician |
| Sgt JAG Laurendeau | eff Sept 12th | Communications Operator |
| Sgt JWW McLellan | eff Sept 12th | Fighter Control Operator |
| Sgt JHGM Braun | eff Sept 12th | Fighter Control Operator |
During this month a regular schedule of lectures was set up by F/O K Alexander and the Auxiliary Support personnel. Since at this time official RCAF lectures were unavailable, Fighter Controllers and Fighter Control Operators were obliged to take lectures together. As was later appreciated, however, this system afforded an excellent common background for all ranks.
On October 9th, G/C JC Archambeault, Group Commander of No 1 Group Headquarters (Aux), paid his first visit to the new Unit. In his honor a cocktail party and buffet supper was served at the St Maurice Hotel between the hours of six-thirty and eight PM. The local clergy and representatives of the press were invited, and excellent relations resulted therefrom. After the party, a formal parade was held at the Trois-Rivieres Exhibition Grounds, in the Industrial Building. Lectures then took place normally while the guests were shown the new quarters by F/L Dumas.
As per DRO's dated October 31st, a Combined Mess Committee, elected by Combined Mess personnel, was set up composed of F/S Babin as President, Sgt McLellan as Vice-President, AC2 Pronovost as Treasurer, and AW2 Robichaud as Secretary. The first President of the Station Fund Committee, an office to be filled quarterly by Commanding Officer's appointment, was F/O Johnson. The first President of the Officers' Mess Committee, F/L G Lavigne, had already been elected by members of the Mess.
The only movements by Unit personnel during the month was that of F/O Trudel, who proceeded on TD to No 1 Group Headquarters (Aux) on October 28th and 29th.
Nov 52
At this time the total strength of the Unit was as follows: seven officers (staff), nine officers (trainee), two Senior NCO's (staff), five Senior NCO's (trainee), and fifty-nine enlisted personnel (trainee).
Personnel movement during the month included a visit by F/O Picher on November 11th and 12th to No 1 R&C ASU, Montreal, and a week-end visit by F/L Dumas on November 14th to 16th to No 201 Radio Station at Mont Apica, Que.
On November 7th, the officers of the 24th Armoured Regiment of Trois-Rivieres held their annual ball, to which they cordially invited the officers of 2453 AC&WU. A goodly percentage of these latter took advantage of the offer, which was to be attended in semi-formal attire, which meant white shirts and black bowties for RCAF Officers.
The Unit's first outdoor parade was held on November 9th, the Sunday preceeding Armistice Day, and in commemoration of that occasion. The Canadian Legion, Air Cadets, Army Cadets, and Army personnel also took part in the parade. In spite of inclement weather an excellent turn-out was achieved by all services. After the parade an invitation to attend open house was extended to all services by both the Canadian Legion and by the 24th Armoured Regiment.
On DRO's dated November 20th, the following personnel were taken on strength effective the dates shown:
| F/O FR Thibodeau | eff July 31st | Admin List/Admin Branch |
| F/O WT Reid | eff July 31st | Tech List/Tel Branch |
| P/O MTHL Bouille | eff Oct 2nd | Medical Nurse |
| F/O AJ Escaravage | eff Oct 20th | Special List/Cont Branch |
| F/O JEJ Page | eff Oct 27th | Special List/Cont Branch |
| Sgt JHM Bellerive | eff Aug 25th | Clerk Accountant |
| AW2 MM Rowsome | eff Nov 3rd | Clerk Typist |
| LAC JMRM Gagne | eff Sept 15th | Radar Technician |
It was noted that LAC Gagne had transferred from 2452 AC&WU, Quebec City.
Dec 52
On December 11th the Unit held its first Pay Parade, a Paymaster from No 1 GHQ visiting the Unit for this purpose. It had previously been decided that all ranks would give one day's pay as Mess Dues on each pay parade, which was to occur four times per annum. These dues were collected from all ranks immediately after the parade.
On December 13th the Unit held its first station dance, to which all ranks were invited, as well as a considerable number of guests. The dance was held in the Combined Mess, which was the common Mess for Senior NCO's, airmen and airwomen. The space used for this Combined Mess and first station dance was the ex-chapel of the Reverend Sisters of Marie-Reparatrice, and was designed to be taken over eventually by the Ground Observer Corps as an Operations Room. A great deal of effort was made by all ranks to ensure the success of the party, and as it was turned out, it met all expectations. Music was provided by a local orchestra, and several professional performers of a high caliber performed free of charge late in the evening. Refreshments were served. An outstanding crowd attended.
On DRO's dated December 18th, P/O RG Hagan was taken on strength effective November 6th, in Special List/Controller Branch.
During this month, after RCAF written and oral driver's tests, CAP 374's were issued to the following Officers and airmen:
F/L AO Dumas
F/O JAJP Trudel
F/O WT Reid
F/O AM Johnson
F/O RJH Lafreniere, DFC
F/O JFN Parent
F/O JAP Picher
F/O FJ Clair
F/O AJ Escaravage
Sgt JHGM Braun
AC2 JS Parenteau
AC2 JHR De Lafontaine
AC2 W Lesauteur
AC2 GA Garrett
AC2 FA Aubin
A Christmas Party for the children of Regular and Auxiliary RCAF personnel was held on the afternoon of December 28th.
On New Year's Eve the officers held a ball which, due to local civic restrictions, was closed to the public. It was well attended.