204 BLACK MARIA RCACS
(Kamloops)
SPONSORING COMMITTEE:
The Air Cadet League of Canada #204 Black Maria Squadron Kamloops Sponsoring Committee
COMMITTEE CHAIR:
Kristy de Jong
COMMITTEE EMAIL ADDRESS:
ssc.204blackmaria@gmail.com
COMMITTEE MAILING ADDRESS:
PO Box 124 Stn Main, Kamloops, BC, V2C 5K3
COMMANDING OFFICER:
Capt Annette Jervis
PARADE LOCATION:
169 Briar Avenue, Kamloops
PARADE NIGHT:
Thursday
PARADE TIME:
1800 – 2100 hrs
SQUADRON TELEPHONE:
250-574-3284
SQUADRON EMAIL:
info@204blackmaria.ca
WEBSITE:
http://www.204blackmaria.ca/
SQUADRON HISTORY:
204 Black Maria RCACS in Kamloops was formed on November 12, 1942.
Except for one year at the conclusion of WWII, the Squadron has been in continuous operation since 1942. Although the cadet movement started out as males only, in July 1975, Parliament allowed females to become members of cadet corps and squadrons.
The squadron adopted the name “Black Maria” in 1976. The Black Maria was the name of the aircraft flown by Air Vice Marshall Raymond Collishaw, a WWI flying Ace from Nanaimo BC. Prior to adopting the name “Black Maria”, the squadron was known as “Moose Fulton” Squadron representative of our close connection to both the City of Kamloops, Fulton Field and 419 Moose Squadron.
There have been a total of 22 Commanding Officers in 204’s Squadron history, serving terms from two to eight years. Although the number of cadets varies from year to year, it is estimated that more than three thousand young people have been members of our Squadron. Mr. Claude Richmond, former Speaker of the House and former Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kamloops, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance was a 204 Squadron cadet.
The squadron has paraded in various locations throughout the City of Kamloops and has been in their present location since the mid 1970’s .
The Squadron has also had several sponsors over the years including the Gyros, Rotary, Lions and the current sponsor, 886 (Overlander) Wing Air Force Association of Canada.