2420 AC&W Squadron (Auxiliary) London, Ont

National Archives of Canada


Historical Narrative
2420 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (Auxiliary) RCAF, London, Ont

Period from 1 June 1959 to 30 November 1959.

5 Jun 59

Nursing Sister Dorothy McClure received a promotion to the rank of Flying Officer.

28 Jun 59

Following the regular Sunday parade a Cocktail Party was held in the Officers Mess.

29 Jun 59

Phase Two of the Reserve Tradesmen Training Plan began. As members of the Primary Reserve, the sixty London area high school students are taking an eight-week course as fighter control operators and clerk typists. Chief Instructor is F/L AD Speare, and F/L MW Pearce is Administrative Officer.

1 Jul 59

F/O KA Hart, the unit Supply Officer, was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

2 Jul 59

Members of the Reserve Tradesman Training Plan took part in the activities connected with the visit to London of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Trainees lined the edge of the parade area where the Prince disembarked from his aircraft. Following a brief ceremony at the airport, Prince Philip left by automobile for Wolsley Barracks to present new colours to the Royal Canadian Regiment of which the Prince is Colonel-in-Chief.

3 Jul 59

Officers and men of 2420 AC&W Sqn (Aux) participated in the welcoming activities connected with the visit of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The Squadron formed up in three flights at 0800 hours at the corner of Princess Avenue and Maitland Street. The function of the Squadron was to line the street on either side from Queen's Avenue to Dufferin Street. The time set for the arrival of the royal party was 1040.

8 Jul 59

Sgt J Winter was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration. The award was presented by the Commanding Officer, S/L WI Williams.

22 Jul 59

P/O CC Smith was enrolled as a Supply Officer.

27 Aug 59

Fifty-five members of the Reserve Tradesman Training Plan graduated from the eight-week cours held during July and August. The ceremony consisted of inspection, march past and presentation of diplomas and awards. The Commanding Officer, S/L WI Williams, presented proficiency awards to the two top students AC2 RE Alward and AW2 LJ Manuel.

In a brief address to the graduates, W/C TG Anderson of Air Defence Command described the seven-year history of the RTTP, saying that since its inception of the course 15,000 persons have qualified.

17 Sep 59

F/O WB Webb was struck off strength of the unit on transfer to the Supplementary Reserve.

19 Sep 59

Members of the Squadron took part in Warriors' Day celebrations at Western Fair in London. Airwomen of the unit, under the direction of F/O ML Shipley won the Duchess of Kent Branch Trophy for the best woman's force unit on parade.

20 Sep 59

Officers and airmen of the unit marched through downtown London streets to the Cenotaph to mark the twentieth anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Wreaths were laid by the Commanding Officer, S/L WI Williams CD, and by AW2 Denise Childs.

28 Sep 59

F/O MA MacDonald was struck off strength of the unit on transfer to the Supplementary Reserve.

20 Oct 59

F/O RC Gibson was struck off strength of the unit on transfer to 403 Fighter Squadron (Aux), Calgary.

31 Oct 59

F/L MW Pearce was struck off strength of the unit on transfer to the Supplementary Reserve.

8 Nov 59

F/O J Hamilton and FS KR KcIntosh were awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration. The awards were presented by the Commanding Officer, S/l WI Williams during weekend training parades.

19 Nov 59

Air Officer Commanding, Air Defence Command, Air Vice Marshal WR McBrien, OBE, CD, inspected administration and training facilities of the unit.

Accompanied by his aide, S/L FR Hamill, the Air Officer Commanding arrived at the airport at 1500 hours. During the afternoon he toured the city of London. In the evening he was conducted on a tour of administration and other facilities by the Commanding Officer, S/L WI Williams, CD. They were accompanied by Chief Operations Officers, F/L CW Fox and Reserve Support Officer, F/O UC Carpenter. Following the inspection the Air Officer Commanding attended a reception in the Officers Mess where he was introduced to former commanding officers. Included in the group was G/C AD Haylett, W/C GM Burns, and S/L JK Geary.

22 Nov 59

Following the regular Sunday parade a cocktail party was held in the Officers Mess.