RCAF Higher Formations and Reserve Units
Headquarters
18 February 1920. Formed as Canadian Air Force Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario.
1 April 1924. Re-designated Royal Canadian Air Force Headquarters.
31 August 1939. Re-designated Air Force Headquarters.
1 August 1964. Cease to exist on the formation of Canadian Forces Headquarters.
December 1941. Formed as RCAF Overseas Headquarters, London, England.
22 July 1946. Disbanded.
Commands
Air Defence Command
1 December 1948. Formed as No. 1 Air Force Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario.
1 November 1949. Moved to St-Hubert, Quebec.
1 June 1951. Elevated to Air Defence Command.
12 September 1957. Integrated into North American Air Defence (NORAD).
1 August 1966. Moved to North Bay, Ontario.
1 February 1968. Integrated into the Canadian Armed Forces.
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Air Material Command
1 October 1945. Formed as Maintenance Command, Uplands, Ontario.
15 March 1947. Moved to No. 8 Temporary Building, Ottawa, Ontario.
1 April 1949. Moved to Rockcliffe, Ontario and renamed Air Material Command.
1 August 1965. Disbanded on the formation of the Canadian Forces Material Command.
Air Training Command
1 April 1935. Formed as Training Group, Camp Borden, Ontario.
1 September 1937. Moved to Trenton, Ontario.
15 September 1938. Elevated to Air Training Command.
1 October 1938. Moved to Toronto, Ontario.
1 January 1940. Disbanded on the formation on No. 1 Training Command of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP).
Air Transport Command
5 August 1943. Formed within Air Force Headquarters as the Directorate of Air Transport Command, Ottawa, Ontario.
5 February 1945. Re-designated No. 9 (Transport) Group and moved to Rockcliffe, Ontario.
1 April 1948. Elevated to Air Transport Command.
9 August 1951. Moved to Lachine, Quebec.
1 September 1959. Moved to Trenton, Ontario.
1 February 1968. Integrated into the Canadian Armed Forces.
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Central Air Command
1 March 1947. Formed in Trenton, Ontario on the disbandment of No. 1 Air Command.
1 April 1949. Disbanded on the formation of the Training Command.
Eastern Air Command
15 November 1938. Formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
1 March 1947. Disbanded on the formation of No. 10 Group of Central Air Command.
Maritime Air Command
1 march 1947. Formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia as No. 10 Group of Central Air Command on the disbandment of Eastern Air Command
1 April 1949. Re-designated Maritime Group.
1 June 1953. Elevated to Maritime Air Command.
16 January 1966. Disbanded on the formation of Canadian Forces Maritime Command.
North West Air Command
15 October 1942. Formed as the North West Staging Route, Edmonton, Alberta.
1 June 1944. Elevated to Command status and renamed North West Air Command.
1 August 1951. Disbanded when absorbed by Tactical Group to form Tactical Air Group (later Tactical Air Command).
Tactical Air Command
1 March 1947. Formed as No. 11 Group of North West air Command, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
1 April 1949. Redesigned Tactical Group.
1 August 1951. Moved to Edmonton, Alberta and merge with North West Air Command to form Tactical Air Group.
1 June 1953. Elevated to Tactical Air Command.
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1 January 1959. Disbanded.
Training Command
1 April 1949. Formed at Trenton, Ontario on the disbandment of Central Air Command.
11 September 1958. Moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba and absorbed No. 14 Group.
16 January 1966. Disbanded on the formation of the Canadian Forces Training Command.
Western Air Command
1 March 1938. Formed at Vancouver, British Columbia.
26 November 1939. Moved to Victoria, British Columbia.
1 January 1943. Returned to Vancouver, British Columbia.
1 March 1947. Disbanded on the formation of No. 12 Group of North West Air Command.
No. 1 Air Command
15 January 1945. Formed at Trenton, Ontario by the merger of No. 1 and No. 3 Training Command of the BCATP.
1 March 1947. Disbanded on the formation of Central Air Command.
No. 2 Air Command
1 December 1944. Formed at Winnipeg, Manitoba by the merger of No. 2 and No. 4 Training Command of the BCATP.
1 March 1947. Disbanded on the formation of No. 11 Group of North West Air Command.
Air Divisions
No. 1 Air Division Europe
1 October 1952. Formally Constituted at Paris, France.
13 April 1953. Moved to Mertz, France.
1 April 1967. Moved to Lahr, Germany.
1 February 1968. Integrated into Canadian Armed Forces.
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No. 5 Air Division
1 March 1947. Formed as No. 12 Group of North West Air Command at Comox, British Columbia.
1 July 1951. Re-designated No. 12 Air Defence Group and reassigned to Air Defence Command.
1 September 1955. Re-designated No. 5 Air Division.
15 October 1962. Transferred to Maritime Air Command (Pacific).
31 December 1963. Disbanded.
Groups
No. 1 Group
10 July 1941. Formed at St. John's, Newfoundland.
30 June 1945. Disbanded.
No. 1 Air Defence Group
see Air Defence Command
No. 1 Group (Reserve)
15 January 1951. Formed as RCAF (Reserve) Group Montreal, Quebec.
1 June 1951. Re-designated No. 1 Group (Reserve).
1 September 1951. Re-designated No. 1 Group (Reserve).
15 April 1957. Disbanded.
No. 2 Group
1 January 1943. Formed at Victoria, British Columbia.
15 March 1943. Disbanded .
No. 2 Group (Reserve)
15 January 1951. Formed as RCAF (Reserve) Group Toronto, Ontario.
1 August 1951. Re-designated No. 2 Group (Reserve).
1 September 1951. Re-designated No. 2 Group (Reserve).
1 March 1957. Disbanded.
No. 4 Group
16 June 1942. Formed at Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
1 April 1944. Disbanded .
No. 5 (Gulf) Group
1 May 1943. Formed at Gaspe, Quebec.
15 November 1944. Disbanded .
No. 6 (RCAF) Group
25 October 1942. Formed at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, England.
6 December 1942. Moved to Allerton Park, east of Knaresborough.
14 July 1945. Transferred to RCAF's Eastern Air Command.
1 September 1945. Disbanded .
No. 9 (Transport) Group
see Air Transport Group
No. 10 Group
see Maritime Air Command
No. 11 Group
see Tactical Air Command
No. 12 Group
see No. 5 Air Division
No. 12 (Operational Training) Group
22 July 1942. Formed at Halifax, Nova Scotia.
14 January 1945. Disbanded .
No. 14 (Training) Group
1 August 1951. Formed at Winnipeg, Manitoba.
11 September 1959. Absorbed into Training Command Headquarters when the latter moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Sectors
No. 17 Sector
RAF Second Tactical Air Force
4 July 1943. Formed as No. 17 (Fighter) Wing at Headcorn, Kent, England.
15 May 1944. Re-designated No. 17 Sector at Kenley, Surrey.
13 July 1944. Disbanded at Crepon, France.
No. 22 Sector
RAF Second Tactical Air Force
9 January 1944. Formed as No. 22 (Fighter) Wing at Wyr, Scotland.
16 April 1944. Reorganized as Fighter Bomber formation.
15 May 1944. Re-designated No. 22 Sector at Hurn, Hampshire, England.
13 July 1944. Disbanded at Camilly, France on the reorganization of Second Tactical Air Force.
Bases
No. 61 (Training) Base
1 March 1943. Formed at Topcliffe Operational Base with headquarters at Topcliffe, Yorkshire, England.
31 April 1943. Re-designated No. 6 (RCAF) Group Training Base.
16 September 1943. Then No. 61 (Training) Base when it added RCAF Station Wombleton.
9 November 1944. Transferred to no. 7 (Training) Group and renumbered No. 76 (RCAF) Training Base.
1 September 1945. Disbanded .
No. 62 "Beaver" (Operational) Base
No. 6 (RCAF) Group
1 June 1943. Formed at Linton-on-Ouse Operational Base, Yorkshire, England.
6 October 1943. Re-designated No. 62 "Beaver" Operational Base.
15 July 1945. Disbanded when transferred to RCAF Eastern Air Command.
No. 63 (Operational) Base
No. 6 (RCAF) Group
1 May 1944. Formed with headquarters at Leeming, Yorkshire, England.
31 August 1945. Disbanded .
No. 64 (Operational) Base
No. 6 (RCAF) Group
1 May 1944. Formed with headquarters at Middelton St. George, Durham, England.
15 June 1945. Disbanded when transferred to RCAF Eastern Air Command.
Wings
Canadian Digby Wing
RAF Fighter Command
14 April 1941. Formed at Digby, Lincolnshire, England.
31 April 1944. Disbanded when its Squadrons were transferred to Second Tactical Air Force.
Canadian Kenley Wing
25 November 1942. Formed at Kenley, Surrey, England.
4 July 1943. Disbanded when its Squadrons were transferred to Second Tactical Air Force.
No. 1 Wing
No. 1 Air Division Europe
1 November 1951. Formed as No. 1 (Fighter) Wing at North Luffenham, Rutland, England.
1 March 1955. Moved to Marville, France.
1 March 1963. Relinquished its specialized fighter designation.
1 April 1967. Moved to Lahr, Germany.
1 February 1968. Integrated in the Canadian Armed Forces.
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No. 2 Wing
Western Air Command
see North West Air Command
No. 2 Wing
No. 1 Air Division Europe
1 October 1952. Formed as No. 2 (Fighter) Wing at Grostenquin, France.
1 March 1963. Relinquished its specialized fighter designation.
1 August 1964. Disbanded.
No. 3 Wing
No. 3 Air Division Europe
2 February 1953. Formed as No. 3 (Fighter) Wing at Zweibrucken, Germany.
1 March 1963. Relinquished its specialized fighter designation.
1 February 1968. Integrated in the Canadian Armed Forces.
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No. 4 Wing
No. 1 Air Division Europe
1 July 1953. Formed as No. 4 (Fighter) Wing at Baden-Soellingen, Germany.
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1 March 1963. Relinquished its specialized fighter designation.
1 February 1968. Integrated in the Canadian Armed Forces.
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No. 7 (Photographic) Wing
Air Transport Command
20 May 1944. Formed at Rockcliffe, Ontario.
1 April 1947. Renumbered No. 22 (Photographic) Wing.
30 November 1949. Disbanded .
No. 11 Wing (Reserve)
1 October 1950. Authorized as RCAF (Reserve) Wing Montreal, Quebec.
1 February 1968. Integrated in the Canadian Armed Forces as No. 11 Air Reserve Wing.
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No. 12 (Technical Training) Wing (Reserve)
15 March 1951. Authorized as RCAF (Reserve) Technical Training Wing Montreal.
1 January 1955. Re-designated No. 12 (Technical Training) Wing (Reserve).
No. 14 Wing (Reserve)
1 October 1950. Formed as RCAF (Reserve) Wing Toronto.
15 January 1951. Re-designated RCAF (Reserve) Operational Wing (Toronto).
23 August 1951. Re-designated No. 14 (Reserve) Operational Wing.
1 September 1951. Re-designated No. 14 Wing (Reserve).
8 November 1957. Re-designated No. 14 Wing (Reserve).
1 February 1968. Integrated in the Canadian Armed Forces as No. 14 Air Reserve Wing.
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No. 15 (Technical Training) Wing (Reserve)
1 April 1951. Formed as RCAF (Reserve) Technical Training Wing Toronto.
1 August 1951. Re-designated No. 15 (Reserve) Technical Training Wing.
1 September 1951. Re-designated No. 15 (Technical Training) Wing (Reserve).
10 January 1958. Disbanded.
No. 16 Wing (Reserve)
1 October 1950. Formed as RCAF (Reserve) Operational Wing Hamilton.
1 August 1951. Re-designated No. 16 (Reserve) Wing.
1 September 1951. Re-designated No. 16 Wing (Reserve).
1 April 1964. Disbanded.
No. 17 (Fighter) Wing
Second Tactical Air Force
see No. 17 Sector
No. 17 Wing (Reserve)
1 October 1950. Formed as RCAF (Reserve) Wing Winnipeg.
1 August 1951. Re-designated No. 17 (Reserve) Wing.
1 February 1968. Integrated in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves as No. 17 Air Reserve Wing.
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No. 18 Wing
1 October 1950. Formed as RCAF (Reserve) Wing Edmonton.
1 August 1951. Re-designated No. 18 (Reserve) Wing.
1 September 1951. Re-designated No. 18 Wing (Reserve).
1 February 1968. Integrated in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves as No. 18 Air Reserve Wing.
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No. 19 Wing (Reserve)
1 October 1950. Formed as RCAF (Reserve) Wing Vancouver.
1 August 1951. Re-designated No. 19 (Reserve) Wing.
1 September 1951. Re-designated No. 19 Wing (Reserve).
1 April 1954. Disbanded.
No. 22 (Fighter) Wing
Second Tactical Air Force
see No. 22 Sector
No. 22 (Photographic) Wing
see No. 7 (Photographic) Wing
No. 22 Wing (Reserve)
15 December 1963. Formed in London, Ontario.
1 April 1967. Disbanded.
No. 23 Wing (Reserve)
1 January 1955. Formed in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
1 April 1964. Disbanded.
No. 30 Wing (Reserve)
1 August 1954. Formed in Calgary, Alberta.
1 April 1954. Disbanded.
No. 39 (Reconnaissance) Wing
RAF Second Tactical Air Force
12 September 1942. Formed as No. 39 (Army Co-operation) Wing at Leatherhead, Surrey, England.
1 Jun 1943. Transferred to Fighter Command and relinquished its specialized "AC" designation.
12 Jun 1943. Transferred to Second Tactical Air Force and Reorganized as No. 39 (Reconnaissance) Wing at Dunsfold, Surrey.
15 May 1944. Re-designated No. 39 Sector at Odiham, Hampshire.
2 July 1944. Reorganized as No. 39 (Reconnaissance) Wing at Sommervieu, France.
2 August 1945. Disbanded at Luneberg, Germany.
No. 100 Wing (Reserve)
1 December 1938 . Authorized to direct the organization and training of Reserve units in the Vancouver area.
1 December 1939. Disbanded.
No. 101 Wing (Reserve)
1 December 1938. Authorized to direct the organization and training of Reserve units in the Toronto area .
1 December 1939. Disbanded.
No. 102 Wing (Reserve)
1 December 1938. Authorized to direct the organization and training of Reserve units in the Montreal area.
1 December 1939. Disbanded.
No. 120 (Transport) Wing
RAF Transport Command
17 September 1945. Formed as RCAF Overseas Headquarters, London, England.
7 October 1945. Moved to Odiham, Hamsphire.
30 June 1946. Disbanded.
No. 126 (Fighter) Wing
RAF Second Tactical Air Force
4 July 1943. Formed as No. 126 Airfield at Redhill, Surrey, England.
15 May 1944. Re-designated No. 126 (Fighter) Wing at Tangmere, Sussex.
6 July 1945. Transferred to the British Air Forces of Occupation (Germany).
1 April 1946. Disbanded at Utersen, Germany.
No. 127 (Fighter) Wing
RAF Second Tactical Air Force
4 July 1943. Formed as No. 127 Airfield at Kenley, Surrey, England.
15 May 1944. Re-designated No. 127 (Fighter) Wing at Tangmere, Sussex.
7 July 1945. Disbanded at Soltau, Germany.
No. 128 (Reconnaissance) Wing
RAF Second Tactical Air Force
4 July 1943. Formed as No. 128 Airfield at Dunsfold, Surrey, England.
15 May 1944. Re-designated No. 128 (Reconnaissance) Wing at Odiham, Hampshire.
2 July 1944. Disbanded at Sommervieu, France and absorbed into No. 39 Sector, which then became No. 39 (Reconnaissance) Wing.
No. 139 (Fighter Bomber)
RAF Second Tactical Air Force)
4 July 1943. Formed as No. 129 Airfield at Gatwick, Surrey, England.
22 April 1944. Assigned to fighter bomber at Westhampnett, Sussex.
15 May 1944. Re-designated No. 129 (Fighter Bomber) Wing.
13 July 1944. Disbanded at Plumetot, France on the reorganization of Second Tactical Air Force.
No. 143 (Fighter Bomber)
RAF Second Tactical Air Force)
10 January 1944. Formed as No. 143 Airfield at Ayr, Scotland.
15 May 1944. Re-designated No. 143 (Fighter Bomber) Wing at Hurn, Hampshire, England.
7 September 1944. Disbanded at Flensburg, Germany.
No. 144 (Fighter) Wing
RAF Second Tactical Air Force
1 February 1944. Formed as No. 144 Airfield at Digby, Lincolnshire, England.
15 May 1944. Re-designated No. 144 (Fighter) Wing at Ford, Sussex.
13 July 1944. Disbanded at Ste Croix-sur-Mer, France on the reorganization of the Second Tactical Air Force.
No. 331 (Medium Bomber)
North Africa
7 May 1943. Formed as West Kirby, Cheshire, England.
18 December 1943. Disbanded at Dishforth, Yorkshire, England.
No. 661 (Heavy Bomber)
RAF "Tiger Force"
15 July 1945. Formed at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
5 September 1945. Disbanded.
No. 663 (Heavy Bomber) Wing
RAF "Tiger Force"
1 August 1945. Formed at Debert, Nova Scotia.
5 September 1945. Disbanded.
No. 664 (Heavy Bomber) Wing
RAF "Tiger Force"
1 August 1945. Formed at Greenwood, Nova Scotia.
5 September 1945. Disbanded.
RCAF (X) Wing
Detached Operations, Anchorage, Alaska
Western Air Command
2 July 1942. Formed at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage, Alaska.
15 September 1943. Disbanded.
RCAF (Y) Wing
Detached Operations, Annette Island, Alaska
Western Air Command
14 June 1942. Formed at Annette, Island, Alaska.
18 November 1943. Disbanded.
Operational Training Units
Canada (British Commonwealth Air Training Plan)
No. 1 Operational Training Unit
6 June 1942. Formed at Bagotville, Quebec.
31 January 1945. Disbanded.
No. 2 Operational Training Unit
6 July 1942. Formed at Pennfield Ridge, New Brunswick.
20 July 1942. Disbanded.
No. 3 Operational Training Unit
3 August 1942. To have formed at Shelburne, Nova Scotia.
30 July 1942. Suspended.
9 November 1942. Formed at Patricia Bay, British Columbia.
3 August 1945. Disbanded.
No. 5 Operational Training Unit
1 April 1944. Formed at Boundary Bay, British Columbia.
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31 October 1945. Disbanded.
No. 6 Operational Training Unit
7 August 1941. Formed in West Kirby, Cheshire, England.
22 August 1941. Arrived at Patricia Bay, British Columbia.
25 May 1944. Moved to Comox, British Columbia.
1 June 1944. Re-designated No. 6 (RCAF) OTU.
15 January 1946. Moved to Greenwood, Nova Scotia.
31 March 1946. Disbanded.
No. 7 Operational Training Unit
25 April 1941. Formed in the United Kingdom.
22 May 1941. Arrived at Debert, Nova Scotia.
1 July 1944. Re-designated No. 7 (RCAF) OTU.
20 July 1945. Disbanded.
No. 8 Operational Training Unit
Formed as No. 36 OTU, RAF in the United Kingdom
9 March 1942. Arrived at Greenwood, Nova Scotia.
1 July 1944. Re-designated No. 8 (RCAF) OTU.
1 August 1945. Disbanded.
Post-War
No. 1 (Fighter) Operational Training Unit
1 September 1948. Formed at St-Hubert, Quebec.
1 October 1949. Moved to Chatham, New Brunswick.
April 1962. Redesigned Sabre Conversion Unit.
No. 2 (Maritime) Operational Training Unit
1 November 1949. Formed at Greenwood, Nova Scotia.
November 1953. Moved to Summerside, Prince Edward Island.
1 February 1968. Integrated in the Canadian Armed Forces.
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No. 3 All-Weather (Fighter) Operational Training Unit
3 November 1952. Formed at North Bay, Ontario.
22 May 1955. Moved to Cold Lake, Alberta.
25 September 1961. Moved to Bagotville, Quebec.
1 February 1968. Integrated in the Canadian Armed Forces.
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No. 4 (Transport) Training Unit
1 March 1952. Formed at Dorval. Quebec.
23 January 1954. Moved to Trenton, Ontario.
1 February 1968. Integrated in the Canadian Armed Forces.
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No. 5 (Helicopter) Operational Training Unit
1 June 1958. Formed at Rockcliffe, Ontario.
1 January 1959. Absorbed into No. 4 (T) OTU.
No. 6 (Strike and Reconnaissance) Operational Training Unit
1 September 1961. Formed at Cold Lake, Alberta.
1 February 1968. Integrated in the Canadian Armed Forces.
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Reserve/Auxiliary Aircraft Control and Warning Units
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Toronto, ON | 14 December 1949 | 31 January 1961 |
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Montreal, QC | 15 December 1948 | 31 August 1961 |
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Winnipeg, MB | 1 October 1950 | 31 March 1961 |
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Calgary, AB | 1 June 1952 | 1961 |
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Halifax, NS | 1 May 1950 | 31 August 1961 |
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Ottawa, ON | 15 July 1950 | 31 December 1961 |
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London, ON | 15 June 1951 | 31 May 1961 |
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Hamilton, ON | 1 October 1950 | 30 June 1961 |
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Vancouver, BC | 1 April 1950 | 31 March 1961 |
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Sherbrooke, QC | September 1949 | 31 December 1961 |
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Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC | 15 April 1951 | 1 August 1951 |
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Windsor, ON | 4 January 1954 | 31 May 1961 |
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Quebec City, QC | 15 April 1951 | 31 December 1961 |
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Trois Rivieres, QC | 1 September 1951 | 31 August 1961 |
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Victoria, BC | 15 January 1951 | 31 March 1961 |
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Winnipeg, MB | ||
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Calgary, AB | 11 September 1953 | December 1953 |
