Lieutenant-Governor Participates in Traditional Ceremony
(Republished from the 1 December 1961 issue of The Voxair)
In a colourful ceremony held at No. 10 Hangar on Saturday, 25th of November, a Squadron Standard was presented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba, Hon. Errick F. Willis, to 402 Squadron (Aux.) to commemorate their 25 years of service in the RCAF.
In the presence of such dignitaries as Air Vice-Marshal W. A. Orr representing the Chief of Air Staff; Air Vice-Marshal H. M. Carscallen, AOC Training Command; Air Commodore R. J. Lane,. AOC Air Transport Command: G/C E. S. Light, Director of Religious Administration (Protestant) AFHQ; G/C J.P. Davignon, Director of Religious Administration (Roman Catholic) AFHQ; G/C J. F. Mitchell, CO, RCAF Station Winnipeg; and G/C G. S. Varnam, CO 17 Wing (Auxiliary), the Standard was presented on behalf and with approval of Her Majesty the Queen. to W/C J. T. Patterson, CO, 402 Squadron.
Proceedings were started at 2 p.m. sharp with a 100-man Guard of Honour, the Queen’s Colour and the Colour of the RCAF, mounted to receive the Lieut.-Governor. This was followed by a Wing Advance again with the Queen’s Colour and the Colour of the RCAF on parade, each escorted by two escort flights.
The Squadron Standard was paraded and uncased followed by the consecration ceremony under the direction of G/C Light. Following presentation to the Commanding Officer, 402 Squadron, prayers were offered by G/C Davignon in memory of the officers, airmen and air-women whose sacrifice was recalled by the battle honours inscribed on the Standard.
After the sounding of the “Last Post” by the Training Command Band, the 17 Wing (Aux.) Pipe
Band played “Lament” and this was followed by “Reveille.” At this time the Standard was paraded through the ranks and past the Colours and the dais. An Advance in Review Order marked the conclusion of a very colourful and traditional ceremony.
To many people goes the thanks of a job well done. However, to three disciplinarians goes a great deal of the credit for their tremendous task of preparing over 200 personnel for this parade. FS E. H. Stoddard from Stn. Camp Borden, Sgt. R. Cassis from Centralia and Cpl. J. Pritchard from Saskatoon were instructors who won the respect of their troops, both permanent force and auxiliary, through their efficiency, their demands and their sense of humour.