Old Plaque Recalls RCAF 429 Squadron aka Bison Squadron
Collecting militaria isn’t just a hobby for many but a personal crusade to keep Canada’s military heritage, particularly that of the First and Second World Wars, alive.
In short, the collectors I’ve met over the years are very, very serious about their ‘hobby’ which has made some of them recognized authorities in specific areas such as regimental histories (to name but one).
For some reason that I’ve never quite understood, there appear to be more collectors of army and air force memorabilia than navy. When one considers how our Royal Canadian Navy grew from a handful of small ships at the otubreak of the Second World War to the third largest navy in the world, this seems surprising.
I started collecting early.
I base this observation after growing up in a naval city, Victoria, home to CFB Esqimalt. Thanks to my father, who retired as a CPO1 (Chief Petty Officer 1st Class) I began collecting ‘RCN’ when I was about eight years old; I still collect it although I’m much more discriminating now because I have so many ships’ badges and other treasures that remain in boxes and cupboards because I’ve nowhere to display them.
Much of what I’ve gathered over the years came from ex-seamen and officers who didn’t seem to have much sentimental attachment to their old uniforms and official government photos of the ships on which they’d served. And if no one in their family showed an interest in keeping Dad’s medals, etc., why not part with them to someone who really did care?
Such seems seems to have been the rationale and I was the benefficiary. At flea markets, garage sales and in antique stores, I usually had little competition for anything naval that caught my eye.
Which certainly wasn’t the case for army and navy artifacts. But it worked well for me.
It’s only in later years that I’ve expanded my collecting horizons.
I began with my maternal grandfather’s medals, badges and the beautiful hand-made ‘silkies,’ silk postcards that he sent home to my grandmother during the First World War.
I was motivated by my brother’s interest in Canadian army badges and it finally occurred to me that British Columbia units of both world wars were a worthy collection unto themselves. This is, after all, British Columbia history.
Framed, they also make for attractive wall hangers.
Which, in turn, opened the door to collecting RCAF memorabilia, the inspiration for today’s blog that I originally wrote some years ago as a Chronicles column in the Cowichan Valley Citizen:
I know a keeper when I see one.
In this case it was hanging on a wall and all but unnoticeable among the flotsam and jetsom of a Whippletree Junction secondhand store.
Looking very much like a small lifering, it’s about six inches across, of brass surrounded by dark brown plastic, and it bears the name, Bison Squadron.
I knew that it had to be Royal Canadian Air Force, Second World War vintage. As it quickly proved to be, thanks to Google.
Bison Squadron’s true RCAF designation was as 429 Squadron. This was Canada’s 10th bomber squadron formed overseas, in November 1942. Its service as a Bomber Command strike force didn’t end with V-E Day, however, but continued after war’s end with the airlifting of Allied prisoners-of-war and British troops from Italy to England. Not until June 1, 1946 was 429 Squadron disbanded at Leemings, Yorkshire. It and 427 Squadron “were the last RCAF bomber squadrons to be disbanded in England”.
The Bison Squadron plaque, found in a Duncan second hand store 20 years ago.
Bison Squadron continued flying for a year after war’s end.
I also learned that 429 Squadron, which flew Wellingtons, Halifaxes and Lancasters, was declared operational on Jan. 24, 1943; its first operational mission (code name ‘Gardening’) was on Jan. 21-22, 1943; its first bombing mission was to Lorient, France, Jan. 26-27, 1943; its last operational mission was on April 25, 1945 to Wangerooge, in the Frisian Islands off the Netherlands coast.
My plaque, as it turns out, isn’t the only reminder of 429 Squadron, there being a memorial in Trenton, ON. Dedicated in April 2000 as part of a reunion of former squadron veterans, it honours “…All the men and women of 429 Bison Squadron for service to their Country past and present. In solemn remembrance of those who failed to return.”
Because the squadron was formed at Eastmoor, Eng., it’s included on a memorial in the form of “a sundial of black slate set in a plenth of green Westmorland slate standing on a slab of Yorkshire stone. The plinth has the crest of the RCAF on one side” as well as the crests of the 429, 432 and 415 squadrons which also flew out of this aerodome, and bears this inscription:
“This memorial is dedicated to all who served at Eastmoor in World War II, many of whom gave their lives, and in gratitude to the people of Yorkshire who welcomed them. Erected by their families and former colleagues. Dedicated this 2nd day of June 1990.
But we’re not done.
An RCAF memorial was unveiled in Leeming, Yorkshhire, in June 1993, the work of veterans of three of the Canadian squadrons based there during the war.
It’s dedicated to “those men and women who served at RAF Leeming during World War II, including those from Royal Candian Air Force Squadrons, whose members came from all parts of the Commonwealth from 1942 to 1945: 405 Vancouver, 408 Goose, 419 Moose, 417 Lion, 429 Bison.
“Also to the many civilians who supported them during their term of duty in North Yorkshire…”
429 Squadron is also included on a commemorative plaque in front of the Station HQ at Leeming that honours all personnel who served there during the Second World War.
Finally,
There’s a plaque at the base of a Canadian maple tree planted at Leeming in 1987. It’s dedicated to “those air and ground crew who never faltered in their duty in defending the free world against a monstrous enemy.”
As I said, we collectors of militaries do as much to keep alive the memories of Canada’s illustrious military heritage as many Canadian museums.
Do you have a picture of the plaque? Is it made of wood?
I have compiled a WWII history of 429 sqn at http://www.429sqn.ca
I’d have to shoot the plaque again as the photo I originally used with my newspaper column would take too long to dig out.
Right now, I’m facing a deadline to get my new book to the printer so nothing else matters………
That said, if you remind me of this later next week I’ll send you a photo.
No, the circular frame isn’t wood but a dark brown bakelite type of plastic. The plaque itself is of good quality brass and quite heavy.
Good on you for compiling a history of 429 Squadron. It’s reassuring to know I’m not the only one trying to preserve our heritage! –TW
my Dad,midupper gunner…..Lanks,Halifax…..Still got his Log book…
Hang onto that log book for your grandchildren. I’ve done a lot of reading, research and interviews of RCAF crewmen over the years and have been inside some WW2 bombers. Not a career choice for me, I can tell you!
I have the same plaque. My father was in 429 squadron, as well as 419, and flew pows from Italy after the war. Hew was posted to Tiger Squadron but, fotunately, the war ended before he reached the Pacific.
Hi, Richard. I wonder how many of these plaques are still around? I normally don’t collect RCAF memorabilia, preferring RCN because of my dad, and B.C. army regiments, but this was an exception I couldn’t pass up. I hope your ad left you some photos, etc., as well as the plaque. Cheers, TW
my Dad was David H Jukes in this squadron
We have this plaque
And a fine memento it is, Sandra!
Coincidentally, I’m reading the history of the Messerschmidt Me163, Germany’s rocket propelled fighter plane. Your dad was lucky it came too late in the war! –TW
I am currently writing a book on the WWII history of 429 sqn. Could you contact me at gregcanada@ymail.com. I would like more info about your father.
Ditto this email. –TWP
I have the plaque but it is cracked (while moving)
Interesting read. I just found my Pepere’s plaque this evening.
Honour its provenance by hanging it up! No good in a drawer… TW
Dad (David Jukes) was a Bison Sq 429 navigator. Post war he played tennis with friends. German immigrants who had been anti aircraft gunners..both were happy to have ‘missed’.
Neat! Many ex-German servicemen came to Canada in the 1950s.
Yes..these particular German friends (Ruth and Harry Kittlaus) had been POWs, detained by Canadians and so well treated they said that’s why they immigrated to Canada after the war.
Canada has been the beneficiary of millions of immigrants; even former enemies. How cool is that.
My grandfather also served with this squadron. LAC Stewart Steele Kenyon. We have his log book and plaque as well.
If anyone had family members who served with him I would love to hear any stories that you have !
Hi, and thanks for dropping in. Readers, please note the invitation to correspond.
This past Remembrance Day, dozens of Cowichan Valley citizens made the long drive (some of it by quad) to attend a service at the Mount Bolduc air crash site. When I did it years ago, as I explain in my post, it was a really moving experience.
We owe it to our veterans, past and present, to honour them! –TW
I am currently writing a book on the WWII history of 429 sqn. Could you contact me at gregcanada@ymail.com. I would like more info about your grandfather.
Wow, seeing this plaque brought a tear to my eye!
Growing up we had this proudly displayed on our living room wall.
My grandfather was in the Bison squadron. Donald Gudgeon, he was born in Canada but raised in Dundee Scotland.
Unfortunately a few years ago the plaque was stolen from my parents home in Queensland, Australia.
I’m sorry to hear that your family’s plaque was stolen; at least the thief had good taste. –TWP
I am currently writing a book on the WWII history of 429 sqn. Could you contact me at gregcanada@ymail.com. I would like more info about your grandfather.
Hi, Greg:
I’ve been overwhelmed with work so am running behind in answering my mail. I’m posting this so Mr. Gudgeon can respond to you. –TWP
My father, Robert’Bert’Yeaman serviced with 429 Bison Squadron as an air frame mechanic. The stories of mutilated ships returning was unbelievable. I have the Bison Squadron hanging on the wall in my basement shop. I look at it every day. Glad to know others have these.
Thank you for sharing this, Craig. And bless you for honouring your father’s memory. –TW
I have been trying to do research about my grandfather Elwood Morden as he was a member of this squadron. I can not find any information with his name. I have metals, pictures and other information with No 429 bison.
If anyone has any information I would love to know.
Have you ried the Virtual War Museum website? It seems to be pretty thorough.
I also have this Bison Squadron plaque. My father, William Joseph Manion, F/O, DFC was bomb aimer with Robert Mitchell’s crew, all from Ontario, except Douglas Petty, the flight engineer, who still lives near Yorkshire.
Thank you for writing, Emmie. Treasure it!