89 Pacific RCACS

SQUADRON HISTORY:

89 Pacific RCACS in Victoria was formed on February 4, 1942.

On October 10, 1941, an application was received by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to form an Air Cadet squadron at Victoria High School and although unofficial training started at this time, approval for the formation was not granted until January 24, 1942. At that time, 89 Victoria High School Squadron was officially formed with Mr P.C. Routley as its first Commanding Officer (CO). Mr. Routley was one of the 22 teachers trained by the RCAF to be leaders of the newly formed Air Cadet Squadrons. 89 Squadron was one of seven squadrons that formed the Victoria Wing. On February 4, 1942, the Squadron received its Charter which is made out to 89 “Kinsmen” Squadron. This is the first reference that the Victoria Kinsmen Club was a sponsor for the Squadron and to date we have not been able to determine when this sponsorship started as there is no reference in the Victoria High School’s archives and the Kinsmen Club historical documents have been destroyed. On May 12, 1943, at the Annual Inspection of the Victoria Wing, six of the Squadrons within the Wing received their colours. At the ceremony at Royal Athletic Park, Cpl Wallis received the Squadron Colours from Mr F.G. Mulliner, Victoria School Board Chair. The Reviewing Officer (RO) for the event was Air Vice-Marshall L.F. Stevenson, Air Officer Commanding, Western Air Command. Upon completion of the formal ceremonies, Air Vice-Marshall Stevenson addressed the 250 plus cadets that were on parade and the assembled guests. During his comments he stated, “I would like to compliment the girl Air Cadets, they were very smart and I think would almost show up the other cadets”.

Training at this time included each Squadron within the Wing training and parading at their High School for three hours per week. The cadets were guided through basic RCAF military procedures and special courses in aeronautics including aviation, aircraft recognition, radio, Morse Code and military discipline on the parade square plus attending classes and carrying out Wing Parades at Central Junior High School on Friday evenings. Additional training took place at Patricia Bay Air Station (now Victoria International Airport) on many Saturdays.

Numerous senior officers inspected the Air Cadet squadrons during the period of WW II. One of the most thrilling for the Cadets of the Victoria Wing occurred in late 1943, when Group Captain Guy Gibson, VC, DSO and Bar, DFC and Bar of the RAF and Dambuster fame inspected and spoke to the cadets.

With the cessation of hostilities in 1945, most of the squadrons in Canada were disbanded as it was felt that they would not be needed for training future Air Force personnel. It is apparent that about 150 squadrons remained active during the period from late fall of 1945 until September 1946. It is also apparent that 89 was one of these squadrons and although disbanded as Victoria High School Squadron, the program remained active for any Cadets in Victoria area (all the other high school squadrons shut down) who wished to continue their training. During the period from the fall of 1945 until September 1946, the Squadron was commended by F/Lt A. Smith as mentioned in the Annaul Ceremonial Review (ACR) program of June 12, 1983. A good reason why there was no ACR in 1945, was that this was a Wing event with upwards of 250 – 300 cadets on parade and as 89 was the only remaining Squadron the parade, with less than 50 cadets, would have been cancelled as were the ACRs across most of the country.

Cadets from various Victoria Wing Squadrons, the BCPC, RCAF and many parents pushed to have the Air Cadet program continue in an official capacity and the local cadets approached Mr Routley to see if he could help to have the program continue in Victoria. During the spring and early summer of 1946, Mr Routley, who was the RCAF Air Cadet Liaison Officer at the time, wrote many letters to RCAF and army officials trying to find new accommodations for the Victoria Squadron.

New quarters were found for 89 Squadron at Macauley Point using some old army barracks and the parade square at Work Point for parade purposes. The newly rejuvenated 89 Squadron, no longer Victoria High School Squadron, was an independent Squadron designated 89 Victoria Squadron. The majority of the financial support for this unit came from Mr. R.H.B Ker, a Dominion Director of the Air Cadet League of Canada. Mr. Ker purchased drums and trumpets for a band and a call went out for young men aged 14 – 18 who could play, or were willing to learn to play, to come and join the Squadron, and soon they had a drum and trumpet band. Mr. Ker also purchased many other items necessary for the Cadets to continue their training. The Squadron also received surplus materials from the dissolved Victoria Wing including, but not limited to, radio equipment and two link trainers. Former wartime RCAF personnel joined in the action and peacetime Air Cadet Training took off in Victoria.

Cadets who had belonged to the other Squadrons in the Victoria Wing were asked if they would like to continue their training with 89 Victoria Squadron as their original Squadrons had disbanded. 89 Squadron’s numbers grew with the addition of Cadets from the former 83 Squadron – Oak Bay High School; 90 Squadron – Esquimalt High School; 91 Squadron – Mt View High School; 183 Squadron – Mt Douglas High School; 210 Squadron – Victoria College and an Independent Squadron sponsored by the Victoria Rotary Club (but whose number has not yet been determined).

With the shutting down of the high school squadrons during the latter half of 1945, the financial support of the remaining squadrons became an issue and 89 was fortunate enough to have Mr. R.H. B. Ker step up and look after the Squadron financially. The financial burden on Mr. Ker was becoming onerous and it was during the tenure of Commanding Officer, F/Lt Ted Boulden (1947 – 1950) that the Kinsmen Club of Victoria took on the responsibility as the sponsor to look after the financial and other civilian interests of the Squadron and 89 officially became 89 Kinsmen Squadron.

Life at Macaulay Point was good for the Squadron and proved to be a great training area until the Squadron was forced to move out at the end of the training year in 1955, as the camp was being shut down. During its time at Macaulay point the parade square at Work Point was used for drill and for many Annual Reviews. The Squadron also held some Annual Reviews at Royal Roads Military College on the lower parade square.

New quarters were found in the Begg Building (also known as the Air Force Building) at the corner of View and Quadra Streets where the Squadron stayed for six years. This building, a converted garage, was home to RCAF Auxiliary Squadron 2455 (an Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron), a recruiting centre and eventually 800 (Pacific) Wing of the RCAF Association. Shortly after the move into the Begg Building, a Mothers Auxiliary was formed to be the ‘hands on’ sponsor for the Squadron assisting the Kinsmen Club and helping the Squadron staff. A number of the officers from 2455 Squadron also helped with the cadets until 2455 was disbanded and the building sold (1961) which meant that again the Cadets had to find a new home.

In 1953, Group Captain A.E. McGowan became the CO and remained in this position until 1969. During his period of command, the Squadron became one of the best in Canada, and in the training years 1955-56, 1956-57 and 1957-58, it was awarded the D.R. McLaren Trophy as the Best Urban Squadron in BC. Also in 1957-78, the Squadron was awarded the Guthrie Air Cadet Trophy as the top squadron in the North West Air Command and the RCAF Association Award as the top squadron in Canada. The following year the Squadron won the Sword of Honour as runner up to the top squadron in Canada.

At the end of the 1961 training year, the Squadron moved to the Bay Street Armoury. At the time of the move the name ‘Mothers Auxiliary’ was changed to ‘Parents Auxiliary’ and this group continued to function as the Mothers Auxiliary had in the past.