Historical Narrative
2453 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (Auxiliary)
Three Rivers, PQ.
1 January 1953 to 31 December 1953
Jan 53
On New Year's afternoon the officers of 2453 AC&WU extended an invitation to the officers of the 24th Armoured Regiment of Trois-Rivieres to visit their Mess for a social hour. This invitation was accepted by many of the Army Officers, who appeared in full dress uniform for the occasion. Revered Canon Legge, representing the local clergy, was also in attendance.
The strength of the Unit at this time was as follows: seven officers (staff), twelve officers (trainee), two Senior NCOs (staff), five Senior NCOs (trainee), and sixty-two other ranks (trainee).
Effective January 1st, F/L Dumas was promoted to the rank of Acting Squadron Leader, and F/O's Giguere and St Arnault were promoted to Flight Lieutenant.
On January 1st also, the first issue of the Unit paper, entitled SCOPE N' BLIP, was published.
On the week-end of January 16th to 18th, 12 officers, 3 Sergeants and 6 airmen travelled to RCAF station at Bagotville, Que via service vehicle and rail to bring back the AMES-II Convoy assigned to the Unit by Air Force Headquarters. These personnel were as follows:
| S/L AO Dumas | P/O RG Hagan |
| F/L PE St Arnault | Sgt JHGM Braun |
| F/O WT Reid | Sgt JHM Bellerive |
| F/O JAJP Trudel | Sgt JAG Laurendeau |
| F/O AJ Escaravage | AC2 A Blais |
| F/O RJH Lafreniere, DFC | AC2 JS Parenteau |
| F/O DF Cloutier | AC2 JL Thibodeau |
| F/O JAP Picher | AC2 E St Cyr |
| F/O AM Johnson | AC2 FA Aubin |
| F/O JFN Parent | AC2 R Peters |
| F/O FJ Clair |
In spite of the bitterly cold weather and the fact that the vehicles had not been run for more than a year, the trip was accomplished in two days without accident or undue delay due to breakdown.
On DROs dated January 15th, the following personnel were taken on strength effective the dates shown:
| F/O DF Cloutier | eff Dec 1st | Special List/Cont Branch |
| F/O GA Lavigne | eff Sept 1st | Special Controller |
| AC2 F Panneton | eff Jan 15th | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 JNM Bouille | eff Jan 15th | Radio Operator |
| AW2 C Arsenault | eff Jan 15th | Clerk Typist |
On DROs dated January 15th also, F/O Trudel was transferred from Admin Branch to Supply Branch, effective January 8th, and retaining his rank; and F/L Giguere was appointed Chief Controller effective Jan 15th.
From January 19th to January 28th, F/L Giguere assumed command of the Unit in the absence of the Commanding Officer, who on January 22nd to 24th visited Air Defence Command at St Hubert, PQ, and the remainder of the period was occupied on personal business.
On January 20th and 21st, F/O Picher visited No 1 R&C ASU, Montreal, and on January 30th, F/O Trudel visited No 1 Group Headquarters in Montreal.
A hockey game was played between the officers of the Unit and the local branch of the Kiwanis during the second week of the month, and afterwards the Kiwanis members were entertained at the Officers' Mess. A return match was played a week later.
Three airwomen were promoted this month from AW2 to AW1, this marking the first promotions among enlisted personnel on the Unit. The effective dates were Jan 19th, 23rd, and 29th, subsequently appeared on DROs dated May 13th.
F/O Johnson was reappointed President Station Fund Committee for a second three-month term by the Commanding Officer. F/S Babin and Sgt McLellan were re-elected President and Vice-President respectively of the Combined Mess. AW2 Staynes was elected Secretary.
From January 22nd to 24th, S/L Dumas was on Temporary Duty at Air Defence Command, St Hubert, PQ.
Feb 53
On Feb 5th, the RCAF Training Command Band under the direction of F/O Hunt gave a concert at the Seminaire St Joseph des Trois-Rivieres, sponsored by the Unit and with the kind permission of Air Vice Marshal JG Kerr, CBE, AFC, CD, Air Officer Commanding RCAF Training Command. After the concert members of the band were invited to the Unit for entertainment.
On Feb 19th, a second issue of the Unit newspaper, SCOPE N' BLIP, was published.
Personnel Movements during the month were as follows: P/O Genest was posted to Air Defence Command, St Hubert, for a period of continuous Air Force Duty effective Feb 15th and terminating March 1st. AW2 Boisclair was posted to RCAF Station Aylmer, Ont, for a period of continuous duty effective Feb 12th. F/L Giguere was posted to 2453 AC&WU ASU for a period of continuous duty effective Feb 16th and terminating March 3rd. On the weekend of Feb 13th to 15th, S/L Dumas, F/L Giguere, F/Os Johnson and Alexander, and Sgt McLellan visited the RCAF Station Mont Apica (12 AC&WS) for purposes of local training. On the weekend of Feb 20th to 23rd, F/O Lavigne made the same trip for the same purpose.
On DROs dated Feb 15th, F/O JFLP Lacroix was taken on strength effective July 28th, 1952, in the Administrative Branch.
On DROs dated Feb 26th, the following personnel were taken on strength effective the dates shown:
| F/O JACA Trottier, DFC | eff Oct 2/52 | Special List/Cont Branch |
| AW2 L Duval | eff Feb 9/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 C St Arnault | eff Feb 19/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 R Lauzier | eff Feb 9/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 Y Gagnon | eff Feb 9/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 JG Hebert | eff Feb 9/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 R Roberge | eff Jan 22/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
Also on DRO's dated Feb 26th, the following personnel were stuck off strength for the reason of pressure of civilian business, effective the dates shown:
| AC2 J Robichaud | eff Nov 24/52 | Fire Fighter |
| AC2 J Peake | eff Dec 1/52 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 M Guilbert | eff Dec 11/52 | ME Driver |
| AW2 R Lanneville | eff Nov 27/52 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 F Dugre | eff Nov 27/52 | Fighter Control Operator |
Mar 53
During the month of March eight airmen and ten airwomen were promoted to AC1 and AW1 respectively. These promotions subsequently appeared on DRO's dated May 13th and May 28th, and the dates they were effective ranged from March 1st to March 30th.
Sgt Braun was granted leave without pay from March 2nd to March 16th, due to pressure of civilian business.
F/O Lacroix assumed command of the station from March 12th until March 21st, during the absence of the Commanding Office which was occasioned by the pressure of civilian business.
On the week end of March 6th to 8th, F/Os Escaravage and Cloutier, and AW2s Johnston, Staynes, Jenssen, and Thibault visited 12 AC&WS at Mont Apica for purposes of local training.
On March 24th and 25th, AW2 Villeneuve was on Temporary Duty at No 1 Group Headquarters in Montreal.
On DRO's dated March 16th, F/Os GW Evans, and JN Crossley were taken on strength in the Special List/Controller Branch, effective Feb 5th and Nov 3rd respectively. On DROs dated March 30th, LAC JJRG Begin was taken on strength effective Sept 2nd/52, in the Supply Technician Branch.
Apr 53
On DRO's dated April 2nd, the following personnel were taken on strength effective the dates shown:
| P/O JL Daoust | eff Feb 5/53 | Spec/Cont |
| F/O GJ Kerr | eff Feb 19/53 | Spec/Cont |
On DROs dated April 20th, the following personnel were taken on strength effective the dates shown:
| AC2 A Dupont | eff April 2/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 PE Dufresne | eff April 2/53 | Radio Operator |
| AC2 R Lacombe | eff April 2/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 A Bussieres | eff April 13/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 PM Julien | eff April 9/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
On DROs dated April 30th, the following personnel were taken on strength effective the dates shown:
| F/O LP Heroux | eff Feb 19/53 | Spec/Cont |
| FO JC Panneton | eff Feb 19/53 | Spec/Cont |
| P/O JM Pinder | eff Dec 18/52 | Spec/Cont |
It was announced that Summer Camp would be held during the two weeks between July 4th and July 18th.
On April 2nd, AW2 Arsenault visited No 1 Group Headquarters in Montreal on Temporary Duty. Effective April 2nd, AW2 Villeneuve was posted to No 1 R&CS at RCAF Station, Clinton, and effective April 8th, terminating May 13th, AW2 Arsenault was posted to No 2 KTS at RCAF Station Aylmer, Ont, both for a period of Continuous Air Force Duty.
On the weekend of April 17th to 19th, the following personnel visited No 12 AC&WS at Mont Apica for the purpose of local training: F/Os Johnson, Cloutier, Picher, F/L St Arnault, P/O Daoust, F/S Babin, Sgts McLellan and Braun, and AW2s Thibault, Duval, Veillette, Staynes, McDonald, LaFlamme, Robichaud, Cadotte, and St Louis.
During the week of April 23rd to 27th, S/L Dumas was at Mont Apica for training and for liaison with the officers of that station. F/O Lavigne assumed command of the station during the Commanding Officer's absence.
Effective April 15th, the name of the station was changed from 2453 AC&WU (Aux) to 2453 AC&WS (Aux). This subsequently appeared on Squadron DROs dated May 13th.
During this month, F/O Evans was appointed President of the Station Fund Committee for a three month period, while AW2 Jenssen was elected President of the Combined Mess.
May 53
On DROs dated May 28th, the following airmen were promoted from AC2 to AC1, effective the dates shown:
| AC1 JL Parenteau | eff March 1 |
| AC1 C Lafontaine | eff March 1 |
| AC1 JM Rivard | eff March 1 |
| AC1 F Aubin | eff March 1 |
| AC1 M Simard | eff March 7 |
| AC1 JR Pellerin | eff March 10 |
| AC1 JJMR Desrosiers | eff March 19 |
| AC1 JHR De Lafontaine | eff March 30 |
On the same DRO's, the following airwomen were promoted from AW2 to AW1, effective the dates shown:
| AW1 DG Perley | eff Mar 1 |
| AW1 P St Louis | eff Mar 1 |
| AW1 L Robichaud | eff Mar 1 |
| AW1 L Guillemette | eff Mar 1 |
| AW1 J Laflamme | eff Mar 1 |
| AW1 S Johnstone | eff Mar 1 |
| AW1 M MacDonald | eff Mar 1 |
| AW1 C Veillette | eff April 23 |
| AW1 R Giroux | eff Mar 30 |
DROs dated May 28th, AW2 MSL Boisclair was promoted to AW1 effective April 23rd.
On the weekend of May 8th to 10th, the following personnel visited No 12 AC&WS at Mont Apica for the purpose of local training: F/Os Evans, Johnson, Daoust, Panneton, F/S Babin, Sgts Bellerive and Lapointe, LAC Gagne, AW1s Johnstone, Veillette and Guillemette, AW2s Jenssen, Thibault, Laflamme, Staynes and Duval, and AC2s Rousseau, Caron, Hebert, and Garrett.
As per DRO dated May 13th, F/O JFN Parent was struck off strength on account of his transferring to the RCAF Regular Force. On the same DRO, AC2 R Villeneuve was taken on strength effective May 15/53, as a Fighter Control Operator. F/O Parent was subsequently, after GObC training, posted to No 62 GObC at Three Rivers, and was therefore almost immediately back in his old quarters.
This month again Group Captain JC Archambeault, AFC, Commanding Officer of No L GHQ (Aux), visited the station. An outdoor inspection and march-past was held on the Exhibition Grounds and was well attended. After the march-past, the squadron returned to the station where lectures were held as normally.
A bi-service parade was held Sunday, May 31st, in celebration of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Squadron attended chruch parade at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Church of England afterwards and then retired to the Three Rivers Armouries to a reception given by the 24th Armoured Regiment.
Jun 53
Effective June 1st, summer dress became compulsory.
The Squadron's first Station Dinner was held Monday, June 1st, at the Chateau Normandie, Trois-Rivieres. Certain local dignitaries were invited and attended. A full turn-out was achieved and the dinner judged a success from all standards. Afterwards the Squadron was invited full strength to a dance held at the Armouries and sponsored by the 24th Armoured Regiment.
On June 2nd, the Commanding Officer and the Senior Admin Officer were invited to an afternoon cocktail party by the 24th Armoured Regiment. This again was in honour of the Coronation.
As per DROs dated June 4th, F/O Clair was granted leave without pay from June 1st until August 31st, due to pressure of civilian business. On the same DRO's, the following personnel were taken on strength effective the dates shown:
| LAC W Loranger | eff Jan 1/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| LAC JP Bergeron | eff Feb 23/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| LAC GWF Langlois | eff May 18/53 | Radio Operator |
| LAC JLH Morand | eff May 21/53 | Radio Operator |
Also on DROs dated June 4th, AC2's RL Lacombe and R Villeneuve remustered from Fighter Control Operators to Radio Operators, effective June 1st.
On DROs dated June 15th, LAC JHGM Champagne was taken on strength at the Squadron effective May 30/53 as a Fighter Control Operator.
On the weekend of June 12th to 14th, F/Os Lavigne and Crossley visited No 12 AC&WS at Mont Apica for purposes of local training.
F/O Lacrois assumed command of the Squadron for a period of one week commencing June 8th, during the absence of the Commanding Officer on civilian business.
On June 15th, F/O Lafreniere, DFC, was posted to 2453 AC&WS ASU for a period of special duty which was to last until Sept 1st. During this time F/O Lafreniere acted as instructor to the students of the Reserve Tradesman Training Plan; the Squadron's quarters were to be used during the months of July and August for this purpose, and students between sixteen and eighteen years of age were already being enrolled for the course.
From June 16th until June 23rd, AW2 Boisclair was on a period of Special Duty with the RCAF Auxiliary. From June 25th until July 6th, AW2 Villeneuve was on course at No 2 KTS, RCAF Station Aylmer, Ont, where she was on continuous duty and attained first position on the course.
On June 24th, a bi-service outdoor parade was held in honor of St John the Baptist. It was a clear, warm day, and personnel of 2453 AC&WS appeared in good numbers.
As per DROs dated June 29th, F/L PE Giguere was struck off strength effective April 30th, upon transfer to No 1 R&CS (Aux), in Montreal. Effective March 31/53, F/L Giguere was transferred from Special List/Air Pilot to Special List/Public Relations.
Also as per DROs dated June 29th, the following personnel were taken on strength effective the dates shown:
| F/O JLGM Sevigny | eff April 1/53 | Special Controller |
| F/O LG Solly | eff May 25/53 | Special Controller |
| F/O JPR Bellemare | eff May 28/53 | Special Controller |
| LAC JOH Poirier | eff May 28/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| LAC TM MacPherson | eff June 8/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 MEH Paulin | eff June 8/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 M Therien | effHune 8/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 JC Allard | eff June 8/53 | Radar Performance Checker |
In addition, DROs of June 29th stated that the personnel listed belows were taken on strength in the Primary Reserve - Reserve Tradesmen Training Plan (B). They were to be attached to 2453 AC&WS for training, and to No 1 GHQ for pay. Effective dates are as listed; all trades were those of Radar Performance Checker:
| AC2 LJ Baribeau | eff April 9/53 |
| AC2 Y Duval | eff April 15/53 |
| AC2 JM Longval | eff June 4/53 |
| AC2 JC Jacob | eff June 8/53 |
| AC2 C Matteau | eff June 8/53 |
| AC2 M Poisson | eff June 8/53 |
| AC2 M Caron | eff June 8/53 |
| AC2 D Dexiel | eff June 11/53 |
| AC2 R Despres | eff June 11/53 |
| AC2 Y Duguay | eff June 11/53 |
| AC2 Y Sauvageau | June 11/53 |
| AC2 JLR Leblanc | eff June 15/53 |
| AC2 R Carignan | eff June 15/53 |
| AC2 F Bourassa | eff June 15/53 |
| AC2 G Bourassa | eff June 18/53 |
| AC2 M Rousseau | eff June 18/53 |
| AC2 JG Pronovost | eff June 18/53 |
| AC2 R Pronovost | eff June 18/53 |
| AC2 CE Dumays | eff June 25/53 |
| AC2 A Lesage | eff June 25/53 |
July 53
Effective July 1st, F/O Lavigne was promoted to F/L. This promotion appeared on DROs dated July 3rd.
On DROs dated July 3rd, the personnel listed below were taken on strength in the Primary Reserve - RTTP(B). They were to be attached to 2453 AC&WS for training, and to No 1 GHQ for pay. Effective dates of enlistment are as listed; all trades to be those of Radar Performance Checker:
| AC2 JY Reust | eff June 11/53 |
| AC2 M Powers | eff June 22/53 |
| AC2 H Bartlett | eff June 29/53 |
| AC2 JJ Martin | eff July 2/53 |
| AC2 JM Houle | eff July 2/53 |
| AC2 P Nobert | eff July 2/53 |
Summer Camp was held at No 12 AC&WS, Mont Apica, Que, from July 4th to July 18th inclusive. The Squadron was well representated, including the Roman Catholic Padre F/L JDA Lamy, and the Protestant Officiating Clergyman Reverend Canon EE Legge. DRO announcement of these Personnel Movements appeared over a variety of dates during the months of July and August. The following is a list of personnel who attended summer camp, together with inclusive attendance dates:
| S/L AO Dumas | July 4-18 | AW1 MSL Boisclair | July 11-18 |
| Rev Canon EE Legge | July 6-12 | AW1 S Johnstone | July 11-18 |
| F/L JDA Lamy (Padre) | July 4-11 | AW1 C Veillette | July 4-17 |
| F/L Ga Lavigne | July 4-18 | AW1 JJ Thibault | July 4-17 |
| F/L PE St Arnault | July 4-10 | AW1 J Guillemette | July 4-18 |
| F/O JP Trudel | July 3-12 | AW2 KM MacDonald | July 4-12 |
| F/O WT Reid | July 12-18 | AW2 ED Jenssen | July 4-17 |
| F/O DF Cloutier | July 4-11 | AW2 L Duval | July 4-17 |
| F/O JL Sevigny | July 4-18 | AW2 PM Julien | July 4-17 |
| F/O GW Evans | July 4-18 | AW2 C Beaudoin | July 4-18 |
| F/O Daoust | July 10-18 | AW2 ME Paulin | July 4-18 |
| F/O JA Picher | July 6-12 | AW2 J Laflamme | July 4-18 |
| P/O JM Pinder | July 4-18 | AC2 R Lacombe | July 6-12 |
| P/O RSC Genest | July 4-18 | AC2 R Lauzier | July 4-12 |
| F/S JDF Hardy | July 12-18 | AC2 PE Dufresne | July 4-12 |
| Sgt JH Bellerive | July 4-18 | AC2 JH De Lafontaine | July 4-12 |
| Sgt JH Braun | July 4-18 | AC2 R Roberge | July 4-18 |
| LAC W Loranger | July 4-18 | AC2 Dupont | July 4-18 |
| AW1 L Robichaud | July 4-18 | AC2 Y Gagnon | July 4-18 |
| AW1 T Villeneuve | July 4-18 | AC2 M Therien | July 4-18 |
| AW1 MMC Arsenault | July 11-18 |
On July 4th and 5th, F/O Lacroix visited 12 AC&WS at Mont Apica for purposes of Local Training.
S/L Dumas departed from summer camp from July 13th to 16th inclusive for the purpose of visiting Air Defence Command Headquarters at St Hubert. He travelled via PMC and Service Aircraft.
Operation Tailwind took place on July 10th, 11th, and 12th. This was an operation designed to test Canada's defences against aerial invasion, and included USAF personnel as well as Canadians. Squadron personnel who were unable to attend Summer Camp aided the local detachment of the Ground Observer Corps during this operation.
Sgt JH Braun was admitted to St Mary's Hospital, Three Rivers, for a period extending from July 18th to July 25th, as a result of injuries suffered while engaged in sports at summer camp. Authority for this appeared in DROs dated Sept 30th.
In July Group Captain JC Archambeault, AFC, was posted from No 1 Group Headquarters, Montreal, to Ottawa, and his place at No 1 GHQ was taken by Group Captain FC Carling-Kelly, AFC.
During the whole of this month F/O Lafreniere, Officer Commanding RTTP Training, was engaged in instruction duties at the summer courses given at the station quarters.
A pay parade, to cover the period from April 1st to May 15th, was scheduled to be held on July 27th, but had to be postponed to the first week of August because failure of the pay to arrive in time.
August 53
The station was closed for the whole of this month, except for pay parade held during the first week. Permanent Force personnel took advantage of this situation to take their annual leave. During the latter part of the month, F/O K Alexander, Regular Force Support Officer, received notification of his posting to Winnipeg, and during the first week of September he took his leave of Trois-Rivieres and 2453 AC&WS.
RTTP training for the summer of 1953 was concluded at the end of August with an examination for Group 1 qualification for Radar Performance Checker (G) trainees. Eighteen out of twenty-six students passed the examination with qualifying marks.
As per DROs dated August 3rd, AW1 Boisclair was employed for a period of special continuous Air Force duty with the Auxiliary commencing August 3rd and terminating August 28th.
As per DROs dated August 4th, Cpl JJ Laperriere was taken on strength at the Squadron effective August 2nd, as a Communications Performance Checker. He was employed on special duty with the Auxiliary from August 1st until September 1st.
As per DROs dated August 10th, AW2 C Arsenault was promoted to AW1 effective July 15th.
Sep 53
Regular parades commenced again after the summer shut-down on Sept 10th. At this time the strength was one hundred and twenty-eight personnel.
On September 4th, S/L Dumas was posted to 2453 AC&WS ASU for a period of continuous Air Force duty, terminating September 21st.
On September 7th and 8th, F/O Trudel was at Shawinigan Falls on Special Duty.
During the first week of the month, F/O RW Healy-Ogden arrived at the station to act as Auxiliary Support Officer. he was posted to the Squadron from RCAF Station, Chatham, NB.
During the third week of the month, several personnel from the Squadron took part in a funeral parade under the command of F/O Trudel of 2453 AC&WS. The occasion was the funeral of a British RCAF airman killed in an automobile accident a few days previously near the city.
Over the week of September 18th to 20th, twenty Squadron personnel, including officers, NCOs, and airmen, drove the Squadron's AMES-II convoy to Bagotville and set it up there for an operational static ground display on Air Force Day. The convoy left Trois-Rivieres at 1800 hours on Sept 18th and arrived at Bagotville at 0600 hours on Sept 19th, leaving Bagotville at 1000 hours on Sept 20th, and arriving home at 2100 hours on the same day. It was an achievement of which all partaking members were justifiably proud. Several hundreds of civilians visited the convoy at Bagotville and saw for the first time radar in action.
F/L PE St Arnault was admitted to hospital in Three Rivers from September 21st until October 2nd as a result of a knee injury suffered during sports at summer camp, Mont Apica. Authority for this appeared in DROs dated September 30th.
The Officers' Mess held their first Mess Dinner parade at the station on September 29th. Group Captain Carling-Kelly, AFC, Commanding Officer of No 1 Group Headquarters (Aux), was guest of honor. This was his first visit to the Squadron and after the dinner he was shown about the quarters by S/L Dumas.
On September 27th a tri-service parade was held at Cap de la Madeleine on the occasion of the unveiling of a monument in commemoration of the war dead of that city. A static ground display was exhibited to the public at the city aerodrome afterwards, and once again the AMES-II convoy was set up and demonstrated. The RCAF Training Command Band was in attendance both on the parade and later in the evening, when a concert was given by them in the airport hangar. 2453 AC&WS personnel were as usual well represented on parade.
On September 20th, F/O W Eddy arrived from 12 AC&WS, Mont Apica, on a one month's exchange posting with a member of No 62 GObC.
A Station Sports Committee was appointed during the month, composed of P/O JM Pinder, F/O WS Woods (GObC), and F/S F Babin.
As per DROs dated September 30th, AW2 MMC Arsenault was promoted to AW1 effective July 3rd/53.
Also as per DROs dated September 30th, the following personnel were taken on strength effective the dates shown:
| LAC JOH Poirier | eff May 28/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| LAC TN MacPherson | eff June 8/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 MEH Paulin | eff June 8/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 M Therien | eff June 8/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 JC Allard | eff June 8/53 | Radar Performance Checker |
F/O J Locke was appointed President of the Station Fund Committee for a three month period by the Commanding Officer. F/S JF Babin and Sgt W McLellan were elected President and Vice-President of the Combined Mess respectively. Corporal G Grice was named Bartender for the Officers' Mess.
As per DRO's dated Sept 30th, the following personnel were taken on strength in the Primary Reserve RTTP (B) for a period of one year, attached to 2453 AC&WS for training and to No 1 GHQ for pay accounting; all trades were that of Radar Performance Checker.
| AC2 JY Ruest | eff June 11/53 | AC2 D Daziel | eff June 11/53 |
| AC2 M Powers | eff June 12/53 | AC2 R Despres | eff June 11/53 |
| AC2 H Bartlett | eff June 29/53 | AC2 Y Duguay | eff June 11/53 |
| AC2 JJ Martin | eff July 3/53 | AC2 Y Sauvageau | eff June 11/53 |
| AC2 JM Houle | eff July 3/53 | AC2 JLR Leblanc | eff June 15/53 |
| AC2 P Nobert | eff July 3/53 | AC2 F Bourassa | eff June 15/53 |
| AC2 LJ Baribeau | eff April 9/53 | AC2 R Carignan | eff June 15/53 |
| AC2 Y Duval | eff April 15/53 | AC2 G Bourassa | eff June 18/53 |
| AC2 JM Longval | eff March 4/53 | AC2 M Rousseau | eff June 18/53 |
| AC2 JG Jacob | eff June 2/53 | AC2 JG Pronovost | eff June 18/53 |
| AC2 C Matteau | eff June 2/53 | AC2 R Pronovost | eff June 18/53 |
| AC2 M Poisson | eff June 2/53 | AC2 Ce Dumays | eff June 25/53 |
| AC2 M Caron | eff June 2/53 | AC2 A Lesage | eff June 25/53 |
Oct 53
Under F/O Healy-Ogden and with the assistance of the Senior Operations Office, F/L Lavigne, a new training programme was set up. For the first time Fighter Controllers and Fighter Control Operators were separated in the lecture room and each were given lectures pertaining only to their trade. Performance Checker personnel continued to be given separate lectures. F/O Healy-Ogden had brought with him a complete set of Fighter Controller letures as given by the USAAF, and he himself set up a strict schedule with examinations to be given at regular intervals. This appeared from the first to be the ideal method of approach to training.
On October 3rd, the first station dance of the season was held in the Combined Mess. A local orchestra supplied the music and a large crowd attended.
Plans were made by the airwomen personnel to form an all-girl basketball team, and weekly practices began during the third week of the month. These practices were held on Wednesday nights in the gymnasium of the Three River High School with the kind permission of the school authorities. AC1 Real De Lafontaine was coach of the new team, and F/S Fernand Babin manager.
During the weekend of October 16th to 18th, S/L Dumas, F/L Lavigne, and F/O Healy-Ogden visited No 12 AC&WS at Mont Apica for purposes of liaison and local training.
On October 8th, F/O Lafreniere, DFC, travelled on Temporary Duty to No 1 GHQ (Aux).
F/O Lacroix assumed command of the station from October 27th to 30th during the absence of the Commanding Officer.
As per DROs dated October 30th, the following personnel were taken on strength on transfer from the Primary Reserve, effective Sept 10/53:
| AC2 JM Longval | AC2 M Powers |
| AC2 JLR Leblanc | AC2 H Bartlett |
| AC2 FG Baribeau | AC2 M Poisson |
| AC2 Y Sauvageau | AC2 JC Jacob |
| AC2 JG Pronovost | AC2 Y Duval |
| AC2 G Bourassa | AC2 m Rousseau |
| AC2 R Despres | AC2 R Pronovost |
| AC2 Y Duguay | AC2 M Caron |
| AC2 Dumays |
During this month a bowling league was set up within the Squadron, with F/L PE St Arnault drawing up the schedules and arranging for the use of bowling alleys at one of the city's establishments for every Saturday night at eight o'clock. Considerable interest was shown by all personnel in this sport, particularly since wives and friends were eligible to play.
As per DRO's dated October 30th, the following personnel were promoted from AC2 to AC1 and from AW2 to AW1 respectively, effective the dates shown:
| AC1 GA Garrett | eff Oct 23/53 |
| AC1 JM Faucher | eff Apr 20/53 |
| AC1 P Germaine | eff Apr 23/53 |
| AC1 P Caron | eff Apr 23/53 |
| AC1 A Blais | eff Apr 23/53 |
| AC1 P Cantin | eff Apr 30/53 |
| AC1 M Pronovost | eff May 31/53 |
| AC1 E St Cyr | eff Jun 8/53 |
| AC1 J Ferland | eff Sept 28/53 |
| AW1 T Villeneuve | eff Apr 23/53 |
| AW1 S Staynes | eff March 1/53 |
| AW1 EC Jenssen | eff Apr 23/53 |
| AW1 R Cadotte | eff Apr 23/53 |
| Aw1 G Thibault | eff Apr 30/53 |
| AW1 MD Nassif | eff May 4/53 |
| AW1 B Murray | eff May 31/53 |
| AW1 L Duval | eff Aug 4/53 |
Nov 53
On November 8th, the Sunday preceding Armistice Day, a tri-service outdoor parade was held in commemoration of that occasion. Afterwards all services were invited to a reception at the Canadian Legion Hall. Personnel of 2453 AC&WS were exceedingly well represented on parade, and on November 11th, several were able to attend the commemoration service at the Cenotaph at 11 o'clock in the morning.
During the first week of the month, the officers' moved into new Mess Quarters, which were exceedingly well decorated under the supervision of the new PMC, F/O JH Crossley. Many officers helped with the painting and the hanging of drapes, and a new bar was built with the aid of airmen carpenters. On November 7th, the new Mess was opened officially with a reception at which some sixty persons attended. All ladies were presented with a corsage at the door. On the same evening the Combined Mess held a dance with orchestra in attendance.
On November 12th and 13th, F/O's JM Pinder and WT Reid visited No 1 R&CU, Montreal, for purposes of local training.
On the weekend of November 13th to 15th, the following personnel visited No 12 AC&WS at Mont Apica for purposes of local training:
| S/L AO Dumas | AW1 S Staynes |
| F/L GA Lavigne | AW1 S Johnstone |
| F/O AM Johnson | AW1 L Duval |
| F/S JDF Hardy | AW2 ME Paulin |
| Sgt JW McLellan | AC2 JR Longval |
| LAC JH Champagne | AC2 A Dupont |
| AW1 J Guillemette |
In addition to the above, F/O RW Healey-Ogden and LAC R Latullippe of the Auxiliary Support Unit also made the trip.
During the same weekend, the following officers travelled by PMC to Quebec City where they flew from the airport at Ancienne Lorette in C-45s which were being controlled by the Auxiliary personnel at Mont Apica:
| F/O C Panneton | F/O G Kerr |
| F/O AJ Escaravage | P/O RG Hagan |
| F/O RJH Lafreniere | P/O JL Daoust |
On November 19th and 20th, F/O FJ Clair visited No 438 Squadron in Montreal for purposes of liaison with the Public Relations Officer.
As per DROs dated November 19th, P/O R Teasdale was taken on strength at the Squadron effective September 28th as Spec/Ftr Controller; AC2 Y Farrier was taken on strength effective November 30th as a Fighter Control Operator; AC2 PE Dufresne was promoted to AC1 effective April 2/53; and Sgt FX Lapointe was granted leave without pay for an indefinite period of time.
As per DROs dated November 30th, all personnel were granted pay increases effective December 1st.
Bowling continued to claim an active interest during this month, with games being played on all Saturday evenings when Squadron personnel were not otherwise occupied with Air Force duty.
On November 21st, the Officers' Mess held a combined oyster party and dance in the Mess, which was widely attended and very well received.
Preparation was made for a third issue of the Squadron paper, SCOPE 'N BLIP, which was scheduled for publication in December.
Work progressed steadily on the Station History, which had been begun belatedly in October. This volume was scheduled to be brought up to date by the end of the year.
Dec 53
Effective June 2/53, S/L AO Dumas was awarded the Coronation Medal. Authority for this appeared on DROs dated December 13th.
On the weekend of December 11th to 13th, the following personnel travelled by PMC to No 12 AC&WS at Mont Apica for purposes of GCI exercises:
| F/L GA Lavigne | LAC JHGM Champagne |
| F/O AM Johnson | AC2 JM Longval |
| F/O JAP Picher | AC2 A Dupont |
| F/O GJ Kerr | AW1 KM McDonald |
| F/O RJH Lafreniere, DFC | AW1 J Laflamme |
| P/O JL Daoust | AW1 J Guillemette |
| P/O RG Hagan | AW1 L Duval |
| P/O LG Solly | AW2 MEH Paulin |
| F/S JDF Hardy |
On the same week end F/Os JPR Bellemare, LP Heroux, DF Cloutier, and AW1s S Staynes and S Johnstone travelled by PMC to Quebec City, flying from the aerodrome at Ancienne Lorette in RCAF C-45s which were to be controlled by Squadron personnel at Mont Apica by GCI. Due to extremely bad weather conditions, no GCI exercises were possible, but an extended weather check was made during which Airwomen Staynes and Johnstone were given the opportunity of handling the aircraft controls over the the city of Trois-Rivieres. S/L AO Dumas was in charge of the personnel who travelled to Ancienne Lorette.
As per DROs dated December 15th, the following personnel were taken on strength effective the dates shown:
| AC2 F Rivard | eff Nov 23/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 M Levasseur | eff Nov 16/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 JC Beaudoin | eff Dec 10/53 | CH |
| AC2 JJC Laperriere | eff Dec 3/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 C Laperriere | eff Dec 7/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 JR Longval | eff Dec 7/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 D Floreault | eff Dec 3/53 | Fighter Control Operator |
P/O JMR Briere was also taken on strength during this month as a Fighter Controller.
Also as per DROs dated December 15th, the following personnel were struck off strength on cessation of duty effective December 10/53:
| AC2 G St Arnault | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 L McCarthy | Carpenter |
| AC2 R Peters | Communications PC |
| AC2 JG Thibeault | Radar PC |
| AC2 W Lesauteur | ME Driver |
| AC2 R Leduc | Electrician |
| AC2 J Peake | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 G Godin | Fighter Control Operator |
| AC2 Y Beliveau | Supply Technician |
Effective December 11/53, AC2 M Powers, Radar Performance Checker, was granted leave without pay until July 1/54.
A third issue of the station newspaper, SCOPE 'N BLIP, was published on December 8th.
As per DROs dated December 30th, the following personnel were struck off strength from 2453 AC&WS on release under QR(air), being considered unsuitable for reasons other than misconduct, inefficiency, or medical unfitness:
| AW2 T Giroux | ME Driver |
| LAC G Begin | Supply Technician |
| AC2 R Lauzier | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW2 M Rowsome | Clerk Typist |
| AC2 J Rousseau | Fighter Control Operator |
| AW1 L Boisclair | Clerk Typist |
| AW1 DG Perley | Clerk Typist |
| AC2 L Heroux | Fire Fighter |
| AC2 A Cousineau | Fire Fighter |
AW1 T Villeneuve, Fighter Control Operator, was also struck off strength effective November 12th on transfer to an AC&WS in Montreal.
Effective December 22nd, AC2 J Ferland remustered from Fighter Control Operator to Communications Performance Checker, and LAC MT McPherson remustered from Fighter Control Operator to ME Driver; effective November 24th, LAC G Langlois remustered from Radio Operator to Fighter Control Operator.
LAC W Loranger, Fighter Control Operator, was employed on Special Continuous Air Force Duty with the Auxiliary from Jan 4th to Jan 29th.
The total strength of the Squadron at this time was 141, composed of the following: 9 officers (staff), 22 officers (trainees), 2 Senior NCOs (staff), 5 Senior NCOs (trainee), 2 Cpls, ACs, or AWs (staff), and 101 Cpls, ACs or AWs (trainee).
On December 5th, the officers of the 24th Armoured Regiment of Trois-Rivieres held their annual ball, to which the officers of the Squadron were invited. Formal dress was required. S/L AO Dumas, as well as several officers from the Squadron and from the Ground Observer Corps, took advantage of the invitation.
On December 19th, the Officers' Mess held their first Mess dinner with their ladies in attendance.
On December 24th, the Combined Mess held a Christmas Eve dance, and on New Year's Eve, both the Officer's Mess and the Combined Mess held a dance which due to local civic restrictions was closed to the public.
A Squadron Pay Parade was held on December 7th.
From December 21st until January 4th, all parades were cancelled for the holiday season.
Weekly basketball practices were held throughout the month, and letters were sent out to all adjoining RCAF Squadrons to the effect that competitive meets would be welcomed.