This is the story of how 767 Dearman RCACS came to be….
The early years: A squadron is born
Indirectly, our roots reach back to April 9, 1941, when the Air Cadet League of Canada received a Dominion Charter that officially established the League.
1967: Captain Ed Graham gathers 24 cadets to form 767 Whalley RCACS. During the first few years, the squadron moved from school to school, looking for a permanent home. In these days, Wednesday was the parade night.
1972: Captain W. Wasserslaben becomes Commanding Officer. The Squadron applies for a $29,000 LIP Grant that is used to repair a very old and run down building across the street from #229 Whalley Legion Branch. That building becomes the home for 767 for the next 45 years.
1975: The first four female cadets join 767. The female uniform then was the same blue bomber jacket that males wore, with a blue plaid kilt.
1978: Captain M. McKinnon takes command and indirectly changes the course of the Squadron when he takes Officer Cadet Jacqueline Dearman on strength. Not only is OCdt Dearman the first female officer in the squadron, she is also the first female cadet in Canada to earn her Power Wings (Power Pilot Scholarship Course).
A New Identity: Name, Crest, Motto
1981: On December 08th, Lt. Jaqueline Dearman was sworn in as Commanding Officer. Unfortunately, she never has a chance to parade as CO, as she was involved in a fatal traffic accident just a few weeks later, during the Winter Stand Down.
1982: Officer Cadet L. Keogh is appointed as CO. The officers and cadets take it upon themselves to build a squadron that honours Lt. Jaqueline Dearman, to always have high standards, and to always work as a team.
Later that year, the Lt. Jacqueline Dearman Scholarship Fund is founded. This was a scholarship that was awarded to past cadets to help with the cost of post-secondary education.
Today, we continue to present the Lt. Jaqueline Dearman Award to the Best Overall Cadet in the squadron each year.
1984: In the spring of 1984, 767 Whalley RCACS officially becomes 767 Dearman RCACS, complete with a new crest and motto: “Nos Crescamus” - meaning “We Shall Grow”.
On June 15th, Lt. Fred Sjoquist takes command.
This is the first year the squadron has a band, under the direction of Lt. Jean Norris, and is called Iroquois Flight. Lt. Norris becomes both loved and feared by the cadets as the “Dragon Lady”, for her fiery personality, inspiring a generation of great cadet musicians and a dedication to performance perfection that we still strive for today. The band will later be renamed to Dragon Flight in her memory, and has remained unchanged since. The squadron also annually presents the Captain Jean Norris Award to the Top Band Member, in honour of her contributions to the squadron.
The first NCO Mess Dinner is also held this year.
Dearman Squadron: We Shall Grow
1985: The squadron visits 880 RCACS in St. John’s Newfoundland in an Open House Canada Exchange.
1987: The squadron experiences the tragic death of Warrant Officer First Class (WOI) Steven Colledge, former Cadet Squadron Commander, SLC (Senior Leadership Course) wing commander, Staff Cadet, and recipient of Top Cadet in Canada.
He is remembered through the top SLC graduate being presented the Steven Colledge Memorial Sword. In our squadron, we have the Steven Colledge Memorial Award, presented annually to the cadet with the most dedication and commitment to the squadron.
1988: Major Brian Norris takes over as CO for the first time. Major Norris’s continued support for 767 over the years is memorialized with the Major Brian Norris Award. This award is presented annually to the cadet who demonstrates the most initiative in the squadron.
Cadet Phillip Colter achieves Top Marksman in BC, and Cadet Ed Perigo takes Top SLC Cadet in Canada. It is very appropriate that the first recipient of the Steven Colledge Memorial Sword was from 767.
1989: This is the first year that the “Warrant Officer’s Special” is served at NCO Mess Dinner.
1990: Cadet Laura Colter achieves the Top Shot in Canada, with a score of 98.
767 Dearman Squadron also receives the Battle of Britain Trophy.
1991: Major Fred Sjoquist returns as CO in June of this year. In honour of Maj. Sjoquist’s contributions to the squadron, the Major Fred Sjoquist award is presented annually to the Top Senior NCO of the squadron.
1994: Captain Cooper takes command as Commanding Officer; the first person to go from AC to CO in squadron history.
1995: In December, Captain J. Sjoquist takes command as CO.
1996: Piper Colin Newlands passes away. He is remembered with the Colin Newlands Memorial Award which is awarded annually to the most enthusiastic cadet - voted on by their peers. Also, with special permission our pipe band wore the Newlands Tartan.
1997: Major Brian Norris returns as Acting CO in September.
1998: Captain Rob Hubley takes command as CO.
1999: Spider Flight, the squadron pipe band, was formed.
A New Century: A New Generation
2001: Major Brian Norris Returns as Commanding Officer in April.
2003: Major B Norris retires in November, and Captain Al Blakely is appointed as CO.
2005: Warrant Officer Second Class (WOII) Todd Hanover receives the Top Musician in Canada Award.
2006: Captain Norm Demer takes over as CO in November. However, in December he suffers a heart attack and Major Steven Cooper is appointed as Acting CO until Captain Demer is fit for duty again.
2007: Captain N. Demer returns as Commanding Officer in May. Major Cooper returns to his role as the Fraser Valley ACICO.
2010: Major Joanne MacDonald takes over as CO.
2013: Captain John Glaisher takes over as CO in June, completing his term as a Major in 2017.
2017: Captain Kevin Antrobus takes over as CO in June. He is the second person to go from AC to CO in the squadron.
Warrant Officer Second Class (WOII) Andrew Crawford is named Air Cadet of the Year by the Royal Canadian Legion, selected out of all air cadets in British Columbia. He is invited to attend the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, to help with the laying of wreaths.
2018: 767 Dearman RCACS moves out of its home of 45 years, in anticipation of the Whalley Legion’s demolishment for the Veterans Village project. The squadron returns to several years of moving from school to school, searching for a new permanent home.
2019: The Whalley Legion holds it’s groundbreaking ceremony in May. Demolition and construction of the Veterans Village begins.
2022: Captain Tarra Heiland takes over as Commanding Officer in June.
Later in the year, past alumni and Dragon Flight bass drum player, Scott Vince, passes away due to cancer. The squadron changes the annual Most Improved Band Member award to the Scott Vince Award in his memory.
2023: The Veterans Village project is completed, with the grand opening of the new home of Whalley Legion #229 in February. Unfortunately, the squadron had long since outgrown the new Cadet Space available at the new legion, with over 250 cadets parading on Tuesday nights, and would not be returning its historical home for parade nights. Currently, that space is used for Administration, Supply, Ground School, Flight Nights, and other small-group activities.
2025: 767 Dearman Squadron moves into North Surrey Secondary School, hoping that it will become the squadron’s home in the community for years to come.
Present Day:
Currently our Squadron is one of the largest in B.C. with over 300 cadets. Our Dragon Flight (Band) has over 75 cadets participating weekly. In 2024, they won 3rd place in A division and held a gold standing. The Drum Major placed 2nd in B.C. in 2024.
Over the years 767 Squadron has received many awards such as: Top Squadron in B.C., Top Band in B.C., Top Drum Major in B.C., Top Sponsoring Committee on B.C., Top Shot in Canada, 2nd place Range team in Canada, Citizenship Trophy for B.C. and Most Outstanding Cadet in B.C. in 2017.
The Veterans Village is Canada’s first Centre of Excellence for Veterans and First Responders. Focusing on PTSD and Mental Health. It will also be an Innovation Centre for Rehabilitation.
This facility is used for our optional training, Admin Office and Supply Office. It is also the new home of Whalley Legion Branch #229 supporting 767 for over 57 years.
The current Cadets, Staff and Parents of 767 Dearman Squadron are proud to be creating the next chapter for this amazing Squadron at North Surrey Secondary.
