Grostenquin, France
Official Hand Over of Grostenquin

Brooke Claxton (1898-1960)
Mr Claxton was appointed as Minister of National Defence
on 12 December 1946 and he continued in this position throughout the Korean War.


RCAF personnel started to arrive at 2 Wing in early September 1952. The construction of the station facilities was far from finished and we have heard many stories which explain the "sea of mud" (which resulted in the issuance of rubber boots for all personnel), the lack of heat (which resulted in the use of Herman Nelson heaters in the barracks), and even the use of what would eventually become the Airmen's Mess as a common eating area for all personnel on the station.

We do know one thing for certain - and that is the fact that the F-86 Sabre aircraft arrived at 2 Wing on 11 October 1952.

Initial reports indicate that there was limited flying activity during the months of October and November 1952 - and one must assume that the main objective or goal would have been the ongoing construction and completion of the roads and buildings which would form the station.

The official hand-over of the station took place on 13 December 1952. Dignitaries included Rene Pleven, Minister of National Defence for France and Brooke Claxton, Minister of National Defence for Canada. In true Grostenquin fashion - the skies were filled with rain clouds.


Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. Ode to Grostenquin - January 1953.
    Courtesy Gerry Cann.

  2. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    The 2 Wing Honour Guard marches into position.
    Courtesy Ted Frost.

  3. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    French military band marches into position.
    Courtesy Ted Frost.

  4. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    Brooke Claxton, MND, speaking on the dias. F/L Lloyd Skaalen, Flag Party Commander stands in front of the flag pole. F/L George Whitacker was "Guard Commander".
    Courtesy Lloyd Skaalen.

  5. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    Slightly different view of the previous photo.
    Courtesy Brian Milne.

  6. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    Courtesy Jacques Nadeau.

  7. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    Courtesy Brian Milne.

  8. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    Courtesy Jacques Nadeau.

  9. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    Courtesy Bob Cooper.

  10. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    The rain was hissing down and the wind was howling across the tundra that was supposed to be our airfield. The hands of the Honour Guard were so cold in white nylon gloves that we could barely hold our rifles. Our aircraft are away out there mired down. Engines will not start again for months because of a lack of ground equipment. Turbines are turned over daily by long poles pushed up intakes. Canada's first lesson in political correctness. We arrived on time. The French simply forgot to have the airfield ready.
    Courtesy Bob Cooper.

  11. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    Personnel in position for handover and acceptance of the airfield.
    Courtesy Ray Johnston.

  12. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    Pipe band from 1 Wing, North Luffenham, marches towards the reviewing stand.
    Courtesy Ted Frost.

  13. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    Pipe band from 1 Wing, North Luffenham, marches towards the reviewing stand.
    Courtesy Ted Frost.

  14. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    The 2 Wing Honour Guard marches towards the reviewing stand.
    Courtesy Ted Frost.

  15. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    The 2 Wing Honour Guard marches towards the reviewing stand.
    Courtesy Ted Frost.

  16. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    Assorted 2 Wing support personnel marching towards the reviewing stand.
    Courtesy Ted Frost.

  17. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    The 2 Wing Honour Guard marches past the reviewing stand.
    Courtesy Brian Milne.

  18. Official hand-over of the station to the RCAF - 13 December 1952.
    The crowd breaks up after the "official ceremony" is completed.
    Courtesy Ted Frost.


Photographic Credits

All photos are used with permission.

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Updated: October 20, 2004