2455 AC&W Sqn (Auxiliary)
VICTORIA, BC

National Archives of Canada


Historical Narrative
2455 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Aux) Victoria, BC.
1 December 1956 to 31 May 1957

Dec 56

For the first time in the Squadron's history, a Christmas Dinner was provided, on 20 Dec for Junior NCOs and below. Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers, and Senior NCOs acted as Stewards. The full-course turkey dinner was prepared by members of the Ladies Auxiliary. A Squadron Dance followed the completion of the dinner.

This event received considerable attention from the local press and radio and was also carried by the local Television station.

The Squadron attended Pay Parade on Dec ?.

On Sunday afternoon, 23 Dec, the Annual Christmas Party for the children of Squadron members was held under the direction of F/L (the F/O) J Jupp. Sgt J Sotkowy performed miracles as Santa Claus while Cpl Gibson was a most hard-working and successful clown. This event was also carried on local Television.

The Annual New Years Eve Ball was held by the Officers Mess on 31 Dec. It was well attended and deemed a great success.

Jan 57

On 1 Jan "Open House" was held in the Officers and Sgts Messes for the other Armed Service Units in the area and Reciprocal visits were made by members of the Squadron. In addition, Officers visited Government House and Victoria City Hall.

The New Years Day Promotion List included four Flying Officers (AS/FTRC) promoted to Flight Lieutenant, namely CP Axhorn, WH Davis, J Jupp, and HJ Price.

On 6 Jan F/O LEH McLachlan, OC Support Staff, proceeded to Station Edmonton to attend the Winter Bush and Arctic Survival Course of approximately 3 weeks duration. During F/L McLachlan's absence, F/L CP Axhorn (AS/FTRC) this Squadron was appointed to Special Duty as Acting/CO Support.

17 Jan saw Cpl CWF Welsman, Support Staff, proceed to Trenton, Ontario for a 2 weeks course at the School of Instructional Techniques.

For the second time in as many years, the Officers Mess (F/L Warburton PMC) held a Ladies Mess Dinner on Saturday 26 Jan. The ladies attending were the wives and friends of the members of the Mess and the event again proved to be a great success. A dance followed the formalities of the Dinner.

During Jan 4 Officers and 5 other ranks visited Station Comox for training purposes.

Officers Qualifying Examinations were held for F/O's and F/L's on 27 Jan, F/L Ascott, Presiding Officer.

Feb 56

The Commanding Officer addressed the noon luncheon meeting of the Victoria Lions Club on 8 Feb. His topic was the value of the RCAF Reserve. This talk received considerable notice in the Press.

On 18 Feb the Squadron was favoured with a visit from W/C FS Sproule (Pers Admin) and F/L GRJ Skatfield (Pers Admin) both of 19 Wing (Aux) HQ, Vancouver, and from F/L KE McKenzie (Tech CE) 5 Air Div HQ; the latter officer for purpose of making an appreciation survey of accommodation utilization.

Effective 27 Feb F/O SG Eales was taken on strength of this Squadron as Adjutant, from 19 Wing (Aux) HQ in Vancouver.

During Feb 6 officers and 8 other ranks visited Station Comox for training purposes.

Officers Qualifying Examinations for F/Os and F/Ls were held on 10 Feb F/L Ascott, Presiding Officer.

Mar 56

On 2 March F/O LEH McLachlan, OC Support Staff proceeded to Streaton, Illinois, USA for the purpose of attending a 3 week course at the Federal Electric Corporation in that City.

During F/O McLachlan's absence, he was replaced by the following officers as Acting/CO Support for the periods shown:

F/O GG Lommel (AS/FTRC) 2442 AC&W Squadron, period 4 to 8 March; and F/O E Tippett (AS/FTRC) Station Tofino, period 8 to 22 March.

On 2 Mar 24 officers of the unit proceeded to Vancouver via Service Aircraft supplied by the Search and Rescue Squadron, Station Sea Island, for the purpose of attending the Annual 19 Wing Mess Dinner held in the Hotel Vancouver. A most enjoyable time was had by all.

The Commanding Officer addressed the Oak Bay Kiwanis Club on 8 March, dealing with the training covered by the RTTP programme. This event was well reported by both press and radio.

On March 11, the Squadron was honoured by an inspection by AVM LE Wray, AOC Air Defence Command and A/C AE Ross, Commander, 5 Air Division.

A full parade inspection of the Squadron was carried out, after which AVM Wray and A/C Ross, accompanied by the Commanding Officer and his staff, toured the Squadron building.

In connection with this event, a full scale press conference was organized and produced extensive press, radio and local Television coverage, plus National CBC TV coverage.

During March 9 officers and 11 other ranks visited Station Comox for training purposes.

Effective 1 March the coffee break 2045-2100 hours was discontinued on Parade Nights and all lectures were to end at 2140 hours thereafter.

Apr 56

Effective 1 April, F/L DB Ascott (AS/FTRC) Assistant Chief Operations Officer was appointed Chief Operations Officer and Second-in-Command of the Squadron, replacing F/L RV Ostler DFC who transferred to Supplementary Reserve.

On 1 April, word was received from AFHQ that the Squadron could proceed to recruit and organize a 30-piece Brass Band.

On parade the evening of the same day, two members of the Squadron were commisioned from the ranks. These were WO2 Stanley Horner, Radar Maintenance Superintendent, and Sgt Blanche Crowther, Fighter Control Operator. Both were commissioned as Flying Officers. A successful "Parents Night" was held on 4 April for those whose sons and daughters had been accepted for RTTP training with the Squadron.

P/O DR Monk (Pers/PI) proceeded to AFHQ Ottawa on 4 April to attend the Public Relations Officers Conference held on 5 Apr.

On 12 April, the Squadron was favoured with a visit by G/C JADB Richer, DFC, SRCO, accompanied by S/L RG Moir, Senior Support Officer 19 Wing HQ, S/L KA Wark, SPSO 5 Air Div and S/L AA Kempster, Res Tech Services Co-ordinator.

The Squadron attended Pay Parade on Thursday, 18 Apr.

Cpl DC Campbell (Clk Typ/Adm) Support Staff, was transferred to Air Transport Command, Lachine, Que, effective 29 Apr. Cpl PW McKechnie, of this Squadron, was appointed NCO i/c Orderly Room on parade nights to replace Cpl Campbell.

Trade and qualifying examinations were written by 5 officers and 27 other ranks on Sunday, 14 Apr. F/L Ascott, Presiding Officer.

During Apr 3 Officers visited Station Comox for training purposes.

In the Sunday, 28 Apr issue of the Victoria Colonist, a feature story dealt with the activities and training of the Squadron.

May 56

The RTTP porogramme commenced on Sunday 5 May, under direction of F/L J Jupp, with 89 personnel on strength.

The fourth annual Mess Dinner was held in the Officers Mess on Saturday 11 May, F/L EAS Boulden, PMC and was attended by many guests from RCAF units both on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, as well as by Commanding Officers from various other Armed Service units in Victoria. The Guest Speaker was Maj General GR Pearkes, VC.

Sgt P Simpson (AFPMN) Station Sea Island and Cpl WT Billingham (AFPMN) 5 Air Div were attached to the Squadron for four days temporary duty on 30 May for the purpose of photographing all personnel for new identification cards.

On Monday, 20 May, the Squadron, wearing summer khaki for the first time this year, participated in the Victoria Day Parade, ably assisted by both the TAC and 19 Wing Bands. Selected RTTP personnel paraded with the Squadron.

On 30 May, S/L RD Higgins and F/L DB Ascott proceeded to 19 Wing (Aux) HQ Vancouver, for two days special duty.

During May 8 officers and 7 other ranks visited Station Comox for training purposes.

MISCELLANEOUS

Throughout the 6 month period, regular sports nights were held on the 3rd Thursdays of the month made possible through the kind co-operation of HMCS Naden.

On two occasions, special free skating parties from the Squadron were given the use of Victoria Arena, free of charge, through the co-operation of Mr J Dukowski, Manager.

(RD Higgins) S/L,
CO 2455 AC&W Sqn (Aux)
Victoria, BC.