1954 - The Kennedy Report

In 1953, a committee chaired by Major General H. Kennedy, was formed to review all aspects of the Reserve Force and to recommend a future role.⁹⁸ The next year, the committee tabled its report, which stated that, while there was no requirement for a mobilization structure in peacetime, mobilization "...was to be the primary reason for training and equipping the new 'Militia'."⁹⁹ The result was to be a "...partially trained and equipped force as the nucleus of units to be mobilized and brought up to strength in case of an emergency."¹⁰⁰

The six divisions in the Reserve Force were disbanded and 'militia group headquarters' replaced the existing 35 formation headquarters. Originally, command of the interior units was placed under 24 Militia Group Headquarters in Vancouver, but by the fall of 1961 it was decided to organize a "sub headquarters" to better facilitate control.¹⁰¹ A year and a half later, the formation of "No 27 Militia Group Headquarters" in Vernon was authorized, effective February 8, 1963,¹⁰² to command all units within its area of responsibility.

At the same time, the Militia's organization was "...re-balanced to reflect a more appropriate mix of arms and services."¹⁰³ After a national review of anti-aircraft artillery requirements was completed the following changes in the British Columbia interior took place:

* Effective August 18, 1955, the Cranbrook-based 107th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA was converted and redesignated "107th Field Battery (Self Propelled)" and allocated to the Lethbridge-based 18th Field Regiment (Self Propelled), RCA.¹⁰⁴ This battery was made dormant September 30, 1958.¹⁰⁵

* Effective August 22, 1955, the 24th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA was converted and redesignated "24th Medium Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA;" it consisted of the 109th and 111th Medium Anti-Aircraft Batteries, RCA.¹⁰⁶

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