Category Archives: Vimy 100

Vimy 100 Trip: Day Three

We began the day by catching the Thameslink train from Blackfriars to St. Pancras station. After making a quick stop at the Platform 9 3/4 Shop at King’s Cross, we rode the high speed rail most of the way to Dover. There was some track work, so we had to get a bus for the last leg of the journey.

The afternoon was spent at Dover Castle where we immersed ourselves in the WWII history of the Secret Wartime Tunnels before looking further back to the reign of the Plantagenet Kings of England. The mediaeval history •may• not have exceeded the simple fun of fun of castle exploration for the cadets, but I’m happy with the result either way.

To close the day, we crossed the English Channel to Calais, France. Tomorrow, we’re heading to La Coupole, and the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, with a •possible• stop at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial. More pictures and updates to come.

Funny Moments:

Between CV Lett accidentally stepping on OCdt Couroux’s toe and CV Ross-Gowans inadvertently tripping him, he was certain that the ladies were trying to kill him at one point. CV Lett’s final comment of “We’ll finish you off!” may not have helped.

Despite my driving the van that carried all of the cadets’ luggage, the fact that I did not join them in their arduous hike up the hill to the castle earned me some flak. This evapourated when I offered to let them haul their luggage down to the ferry themselves.

Vimy 100 Trip: Day Two

It was a long day of walking for the cadets and staff today. We began with a visit to the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, followed by the Canada Memorial, Buckingham Palace, Canada House, Trafalgar Square, the Imperial War Museum, the Tower of London, and, after dinner, a quick walk around St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Tomorrow, we spend the day at Dover Castle before crossing the English Channel to Calais and beginning the French portion of the trip.

Vimy 100 Trip: Day One

Despite aircraft maintenance issues delaying our arrival by two hours, we had a productive day in London. We visited Westminster Abbey, saw the Battle of Britain Monument, the Royal Air Force Memorial and had a memorable and fun training night with 291 Westminster & Chelsea Cadets for the evening.

Tomorrow, we’re off to another full day in London. More pictures and updates will ensue.

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Training Night Tonight

Duty Officer
OCdt Couroux

C2B: Sgt, FSgt, WO2, WO1
C4A: AC, LAC, Cpl, FCpl

Year 2 Level 5 Cadets: File Review for the Merit Review Board process this evening. You will need to ask for your file from CI Nicolescu during a period of the evening that you are not instructing. Anticipate that this should take approx 15 mins. Any/all errors are to be reported to CI Nicolescu with post-it notes (provided) attached to document in question with note for change required. Merit Review Board (MRB) for WOII and WOI promotions is scheduled for Wed 18 Oct 17 jointly with 87 Sqn from Welland at our LHQ.

VIMY TRIP departs tomorrow! Best wishes and safe travels to all our Cadets, Staff and Sponsoring Committee members who are travelling to honour the 100th Anniversary of Vimy Ridge.

Monday Night Training is CANCELLED due to Thanksgiving Holiday – have fun and try not to eat too much turkey. We’ll see you back next Wed.

A reminder to cadets and parents: please ensure there is an Officer on-site before leaving your cadet at the Squadron. Our cadets need to be supervised while at cadet trg and inside the school. The Duty Officer is at the squadron by 615pm – but must open all rooms/lights etc and cadets should not arrive prior to 620pm.

Vimy Trip

For cadets participating in this month’s trip to the UK and France, a few announcements:

  1. Monday night at 8pm: Uniform Rolling/Packing Session. I’ll be teaching everyone how to roll their uniforms in order to minimize wrinkles while travelling. It’s recommended that you bring your uniforms and your luggage so that you can have your uniform correctly packed tonight for the trip.
  2. Wednesday night: Presuming that you’ll have your uniform already packed, dress for cadets on the Vimy Trip will be black pants, white shirt, and black tie. Remember those first few weeks when you joined and you’ll do just fine.
  3. Passports: Just to make sure that I have the final list for check-in, bring your passports with you either on Monday or Wednesday so that I can verify them against the information I have.

It’s going to be a great trip!

Training This Week: Mon 25 & Wed 27 Sep

MONDAY: Drill Team 7-8pm Range 8-9 pm ALL CADETS WELCOME FOR BOTH ACTIVITIES

Flight Club will commence next Mon 2 Oct 17.

NOTE: please be aware that 2 independent inspections and a staff mtg will be taking place this evening. Capt Lemoine and Capt Palumbo will not be available to meet with parents. Please email/txt and they will make themselves available on Wednesday night if you need them.

WEDNESDAY:

PARENT BRIEFING: This is for all parents – especially new cadets – and will take approx. 45 mins. It is a good intro to all things that are happening this year at the sqn as well as an intro to our incoming Commanding Officer with timings etc.

Where: Gymnasium

Time: 645-730pm

VIMY MEETING: This meeting is MANDATORY for all VIMY participants & their parents/guardians.

WHERE: Gymnasium

TIME: 730pm-2015pm (immediately following the parent briefing)

Cadets and Parents/Guardians are requested to bring a pen/notebook.

MERIT REVIEW BOARD FILE REVIEW: All second year level 5 cadets (FSgt) and WOII Cadets will be required to do a file review in preparation for their interview on Wed 18 Oct 2017. Please meet with Capt Palumbo & Capt Lemoine at break to discuss the requirements.

Duty Officer
CI Thiffault

Duty NCM

FCpl Mannella

Dress
C2B: Sgt, FSgt, WO2, WO1
C4A: AC, LAC, Cpl, FCpl

BIRTHDAY CUPCAKE WEDNESDAY! Happy Birthday to all Cadets with a July, August & September Birthday. Thank you to CI Thiffault for baking the cupcakes!

 

TRAVEL ORDERS EXHAUST & SEPTEMBER DATES TO RESERVE

For those cadets returning from summer training this Friday, Aug 18th, please see below the TRAVEL ORDERS EXHAUST. Go through the pages (21 total) find your cadet’s name, locate the page with the word EXHAUST highlighted in yellow in the top right corner.

Timings of arrival at the Pen Centre (same as drop-off) are listed beside which bus is expected from where.

Capt Palumbo is the site supervisor for all returning buses on Fri to the Pen Centre. She will have your cadet call you upon arrival if they have not already been in contact with you. Alternatively, text her at 289-783-1942 for a more accurate estimated time of arrival (ETA).

If you need to arrange carpooling please contact listed parents accordingly.

You must be signed in to view the travel orders EXHAUST.

Looking forward to hearing all the great times had this summer – stay tuned, lots of fun coming up in Sept.

  • DATES TO RESERVE NOW:

  • Wed, 6 Sep 2017 Welcome Back BBQ

  • Wed, 13 Sep 2017 NOTL Supper Market & Drill Team Display

  • Sat, 16 Sep 2017 Bottle Drive 0900-1600hrs

  • Sun, 17 Sep 2017 – Cenotaph Rededication Ceremony NOTL 0915-1130am

  • Wed, 20 Sep 2017 Snowbirds at NOTL Airport

Wed Night Training & Vimy Remembered

Duty Officer
Lt Russell

Dress
C2: Sgt, FSgt, WO2, WO1
C3: AC, LAC, Cpl, FCpl

Tonight, as part of our closing parade, we will honour the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. As it is 12th of April, the final day of the Battle, it is appropriate for the Squadron to commemorate an important point in Canadian History. 
There will be a brief presentation, including the singing of O Canada, a minute of silence and the playing of Last Post.
Parents are encouraged to attend – seating will be available on the parade square. We will begin promptly at 9pm.