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Air Cadets

The existence of RCAF Station Summerside was the determinant factor in the creation of a unit of the Canadian Air Cadet League in the town.

The League became a charitable, non-profit corporation in Canada on April 9, 1941. The civilian controlled organization offered a three-year training program similar to the elementary flying course of the RCAF. It was found to work very successfully as a supplement to a high school curriculum.

In September of 1941, a group of citizens met in the Town Hall to discuss the formation of a local squadron. A.R. (Arthur) Brennan, as president of the Board of Trade, had attended a meeting in Halifax where details of the air cadet program were explained. It was moved by J.E. Dalton, seconded by Lloyd Gorrill, and carried unanimously that a local unit be established. At a meeting a week later, a Citizen's Committee of fifteen men was given the power to carry out the inaugural work.

A public meeting was held on October 11, 1941 with Flying Officer J. A. Guymer, the Air Cadet Liaison Officer for Eastern Air Command, in attendance. He explained that the League's purpose was to create "a great body of uniformed, disciplined and instructed young men better equipped to become good and useful citizens in times of peace as well as in war." Mayor Campbell fully supported the idea and Wing Commander Fullerton of the No. 9 School offered complete cooperation on the part of the RCAF.

As a result of this meeting, the No. 53 Air Cadet Squadron was formed on December 3, 1941. It was reported at the annual Board of Trade meeting in January 1942 that two "public spirited" citizens had each donated $500 towards uniforms and equipment. A. R. Brennan became the first commanding officer and by March 1942, 36 senior and 21 junior cadets had been enrolled and courses were underway. A lecture period was held every Monday evening and a drill and instruction period was held at the school after hours on Tuesday and Friday. With the cooperation of Flying Officer Williamson of No. 9 SFTS who became their Liaison Officer, the boys visited the airport on Saturday afternoons where they had lectures and practical instruction in aircraft construction. (It wasn't until July 1944 that cadets were allowed to take flights.) W. E. Smallman provided free bus transportation and Lt.-Col. E. H. Strong provided the use of a room in the Armoury.



In May 1942 the unit was presented with a trumpet that was engraved "Presented to the 53rd (Summerside) Air Cadet Squadron from the commanding officer of and all ranks of No. 9 S.F.T.S." At a special ceremony on the airport parade ground on June 13 the squadron received its ensign from Lieutenant-Governor B. W. LePage. An inspection and parade was carried out and then Group Captain Fullerton and staff proceeded to the Summerside High School to judge the model planes built by the cadets.



The cooperation of the No. 9 School was very evident throughout the war years. Numerous newspaper articles praised the staff at the Station for being such an integral part of the cadet program.

The local squadron solicited donations from civilians as well as airport personnel by holding its first tag day in June 1942. This fundraising effort was kicked off with a concert in aid of the cadets sponsored by Group Captain Fullerton. The boys accompanied by the RCAF Band paraded from the railway station to the high school auditorium where several dignitaries spoke prior to the evening event. Mr. W. E. Darby, chairman of the local Cadet Squadron Committee expressed the Air Cadets' appreciation for the assistance and good will demonstrated by the No. 9 School. G/C Fullerton in his remarks said that, "the Air Cadets of today were destined to be the Air Force of tomorrow." The capacity audience enjoyed some local talent along with entertainment from No. 9 SFTS, which featured the RCAF Orchestra.

In the summer of 1943, a number of the cadets attended a camp at the Charlottetown airport. In August 1945, No. 1 R & NS held a two-week course for cadets around the Maritimes. The local unit held annual inspections, attended church parades as well as Remembrance Day parades and ceremonies, and continued to thrive. In September 1944 about 75 boys signed up for the program through the Summerside High School.

By war's end, No. 53 Air Cadet Squadron was well established and in 2004 looks back on a history of 63 years.

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