Featured Squadron of the Month

Squadron History:

While the application to start 583 Coronation Air Cadet Squadron in Maple Ridge BC was signed and submitted in 1953, the official Charter for 583 Coronation Air Cadet Squadron was approved and signed on January 6, 1954. The Squadron’s first official parade was held in 1954.

1953 was the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation. 583 Coronation Air Cadet Squadron was named to commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

The first Commanding Officer of the Squadron was Frank Wright. Approximately 30 boys attended the first parade. The first boy signed up was Bob Edmundsen of Maple Ridge. Within a very short time the strength of the Squadron rose to well over 100.

Starting with the Maple Ridge Youth Centre in 1953, the Squadron was fortunate enough to have several Corporate Sponsors. In 1980, the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Branch #88 took over the sponsorship of the Squadron. The RCL Branch 88 Ladies Auxiliary, Army Navy & Air Force Veterans (ANAVETS) #379 and the Maple Ridge Kiwanis Club also contributed to the sponsorship of the Squadron over its existence.

Before moving to their current accommodation at the Albion Fair Grounds Commercial building in Maple Ridge, 583 Coronation Air Cadet Squadron paraded at several locations. These included the old Hammond Hall in Maple Ridge, the Maple Ridge High School, the old Fire Hall, the Community Services Building, the Centennial Centre and the McLean Centre.

Former Commanding Officers of the Squadron include Frank Wright, Charlie Baltzer, Laurie Meggait, Steve Hamilton, Jack Craig, Austin Pelton, Dale Peterson, Dan Teal, Lloyd Unaru, Capt. Bob Lewis, Roger Sutcliffe, Floyd Monaghan, Amelia Lee, Bryan Holgate, Maj Sven Raun, Maj Joanne MacDonald, Capt. Rob Schnider, Capt. John Harrop, Capt. Mike Palmer, Capt. Ken Wilcox, Maj Lee Taylor. The current Commanding Officer is Capt. T. F.Middleveen, CD.

Over the years, 583 Coronation Squadron has sent several Air Cadets on International Air Cadet Exchange visits. These include: Doug Tingey in 1974 visiting France, Germany and England; Nelson May in 1976 visiting Austria; Roger Sutcliffe in 1983 visiting Turkey; Dustin Bittroff in 2001 visiting Japan; Jennifer Mitchell in 2004 visiting Australia and Duane Kirkpatrick in 2006 who visited Turkey.

In 2024, 583 Coronation Air Cadet Squadron celebrated its 70th Anniversary of parading in the communities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Medows. During their Annual Ceremonial Review approximately 120 Air Cadets gathered together in the presence of family and friends to demonstrate various aspects of the training they received. Several Cadets were recognized for their hard work with several prestigious medals and awards being presented.

Commanding officer Capt. Tom Middleveen was quoted as saying “As a Commonwealth nation, there is a lot of significance surrounding the Squadron’s 70th ACR. The Squadron’s first ACR occurred during the year after Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation. The Squadron’s 70th ACR is being held immediately following King Charles’ coronation.”