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At the begining of the year in September, 1956-57, the cadets had an idea that they had done well the previous year. What they didn't know was "how well" they had done. That was soon to be revealed.2
589 Squadron, 1956-57.26 October 1956
Academy Auditorium, Carbonear, NL
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During the 1956-57, year the squadron numbers rose to approximately 75 cadets. Several years later the enrolment reached its record high of 120 boys. Since then it has steadily declined but, for the most part , has remained between 30 and 50 cadets.Audio Transcript:
My name is Johnny Clarke, Founding Supply Officer for 589 Air Cadet Squadron in Carbonear. After 30 years with 589 Air Cadet Squadron as Founding Supply Officer, Commanding Officer, Chair, and, currently, member of the Sponsoring Committee and Chair of the 50th Anniversary Committee; the 50th reunion was the highlight of my cadet career. In 1954, I was 23 years old, and some of the cadets joining that year were 15 and 16 years old. So, at our 50th reunion, I was 73 and these ex-air cadets were in their mid-60s; so we had a lot of memories to share of that era.
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New Recruits, 1956.28 September 1956
Penney Memorial gymnasium, Carbonear, NL
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New recruits were soon sworn in and given instruction in marching and formations by Training Officer Roy Noel, and Corporal Leo Mackey. All drill took place in the Penney Memorial gymnasium but was sometimes held outdoors if the weather permitted. However, it sometimes took 2-3 weeks to get everybody in uniform.6
Broom and Bulb Sale, 1956.10 November 1956
U.C. Academy, Carbonear, NL
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The Air Cadets of Carbonear held a broom and bulb sale in the 1956-57 year. Mr. William Saunders, chairman of the Sponsoring Committee, presented cadet Larry Jerrett with his very first broom.8
Most Proficient Squadron In Newfoundland, 1955-1956.20 September 1956
Torbay, NL
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On September 20, 1956, the Squadron received notification that they had been chosen as the top Squadron in Newfoundland for the 1955-56 year and were awarded the "MacGillivary Shield".10
Grand Slam, 1956.6 November 1956
U.C. Academy, Carbonear, NL
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The MacGillivary Shield , named after Darrock MacGillivary, is awarded every year to the most proficient squadron in the province. It is based on results in annual inspection and achievement during the year. Carbonear was also runner up in 1955 and 1957. The 589 Squadron has won this shield several times over the past 50 years.The squadron also won the first shooting of the Gordon Morris Memorial Shield held in April, 1956. They also placed second (Division 2) in the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association (D.C.R.A.) shoot in the same year. This shoot is a national competition. The Squadron also placed first in the Provincial Rifle shoot in 1957. Carbonear 589 never entered competition in 1954-55 because a suitable range wasn't available until one was accomodated in the basement of the old 'United Church College".
Carbonear 589 tied 508 Squadron , St. John's, for first place for the sports trophy in the 1956 summer camp. In 1955-56 the hockey team also won 9 out of 10 games against teams all over the Avalon Peninsula.
Audio Transcript:
My name is Fred Saunders. I was a member of the 589 Carbonear Air Cadet Squadron, and 1956 was a momentous year for us. The squadron was awarded the three top provincial awards -- the MacGillivary Shield for being the top squadron in the province, the Gordon Morris Memorial Trophy for achieving the top score in the provincial rifle shooting competition, and the Lion's Trophy for being the top squadron in summer camp. We were also advised by the Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada that we came very close to being the top squadron in all of Canada -- quite an achievement and a salute to the officers and cadets who made it all happen.
It was also a momentous year for me and two other cadets, in that I was chosen to attend an eight-week long Drill Instructor's course at Camp Borden, Ontario, where I was fortunate in being selected from among 100 cadets on the course to be a member of the 40-man Canadian Drill Team that was invited to Minneapolis, Minnesota to compete against cadets from the United States and from England. We won in a competition held at the Minneapolis State Fair before 35,000 spectators. We performed six minutes of drill under command and six minutes of precision drill without command, all done by silent count after much practice. The only other cadet from Newfoundland was Harry Govert from St. John's. We wore Air Force dress uniforms with all the regalia, including white spats, white belts, white lanyards, and white gloves. I can still feel the chill up that went my spine when we were announced, before 35,000 spectators, as the winners. That same summer, Dunc Jarrett was picked to attend the eight-week long Senior Leaders course at Camp Borden, and Edgar Duff was selected to receive a flying scholarship which resulted in his receiving his private pilot's licence.
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Awards Night, 1956.6 November 1956
U.C. Academy, Carbonear, NL
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Johnny George (fourth from left) is holding the "Gordon Morris Memorial Shield", Hudson Davis (centre) has the "MacGillivary Shield", and Ern Cole is holding the "Lions' Trophy".Audio Transcript:
This is Hudson Davis, First Commanding Officer of 589 Squadron. For the 1955-56 cadet year, the best was yet to come. In September 1956, we were notified that 589 had won the MacGillivary Shield for the most proficient squadron in the province. In addition, we won the Gordon Morris Memorial Shield as the provincial cadet rifle shooting champions and placed second in the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association competition for cadets in all Canada. 589 also won the Lion's Trophy as the best Newfoundland squadron in summer camp 1956. The headline in the Evening Telegram stated, "Squadron makes a clean sweep of all Newfoundland trophies."
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Lions Trophy, Awards Night, 1956.6 November 1956
U.C. Academy, Carbonear, NL
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