2401 AC&W Sqn (Auxiliary)
Montreal, PQ

National Archives of Canada


Historical Narrative
2401 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit (Aux) Montreal, PQ.
1 May 1952 to 31 December 1952

May 52

Convoy No 71 moved from St Anne de Bellevue and sited at Cartierville Airport and used on operational exercises on weekends. Controllers of Course No 2 took ME Course for practical training purposes.

June 52

Intensive preparation for summer camp. Official opening of Airmen's Mess June 5th. Convoy No 71 was loaned to Permanent Force for Air Force Day Display and show at Dorval Airport in which a few members of this unit participated. Group Captain Archambault present at Group Commander's parade and inspection, which was held June 26th.

July 52

Advance party to Lac St Denis July 11th in preparation for summer camp. Honourable Brooke Claxton, Minister of National Defence, A/V/M James and Sir Watson Watt paid official visit to Summer Camp. Members of this unit attended summer camp for the period July 18th to August 4th, and during which time many took part in exercise "Signpost".

August 52

Summer Camp ended August 4th and training closed till September 11th. Staff Officers prepared 1952-53 winter training program.

September 52

Unit officially opened Sep 11th for fall training. Trade test for the Airmen of this unit. Officers and Airmen took part in Battle of Britain parade on 21st of September. F/L EJ Gosselin, one of our oldest members transferred to Regular Force.

October 52

Intensive training commenced - final exam for the Controllers of Course No 2. Personnel of 2401 attended the Change of Command parade of 1 R&C taken over by Wing Commander MacNamara at 438 Squadron Drill Hall.

November 52

Training four nights a week. November 11th, Remembrance Day Parade attended by members of 2401 Unit. Commanding Officer absent for a period of two weeks. Command of the Unit was taken over by F/L Skely.

December 52

First week exercise at Lac St Denis, the date was December 7th. Training program in force for AC&WU's from Sherbrooke Quebec and Ottawa to do some weekend training at our unit. The unit's first Christmas party was held Saturday December 20th, 1952 and an excellent time was had by all. Training ceased from December 18th to January 5th.

Instructors

F/L W Harvey
F/L SA Merrit
F/LJSR Leclerc

(JL Bourke) S/L
CO, 2401 AC&WU, Montreal, PQ.