No. 438 “City of Montreal” Squadron (Auxiliary)

Badge: The head of a wild cat affronte

Motto: Going down

Authority: King George VI, October 1945

The wild cat represents the squadron’s nickname. The motto is taken from the last instructions of the formation leader when Typhoon fighter bombers of this unit were about to attack.

Formed at Montreal, Quebec on 15 April 1946, the squadron flew Vampire and Sabre aircraft in a fighter role until November 1958 when it was then reassigned to a light transport and emergency rescue role and re-equipped with Expediter and Otter aircraft. On 5 May 1961 the unit received a Squadron Standard for 25 years service as No. 115, 118 and 438 Squadron. On 1 February 1968 the squadron was integrated into the Canadian Armed Forces as No. 438 “City of Montreal” Air Reserve Squadron.

Brief Chronology: Formed as No. 438 (FB) Sqn (Aux), Mon­treal, Que. 15 Apr 46. Redesignated No. 438 (F) Sqn (Aux) 1 Apr 47. Titled No. 438 “City of Montreal” (F) Sqn (Aux) 1 May 50. Redesignated No. 438 “City of Montreal” Sqn (Aux) 1 Nov 58. Integrated into CAF as No. 438 “City of Montreal” Air Res Sqn 1 Feb 68.

Title: “City of Montreal”

Nickname: “Wild Cat”

Commanders

• W/C R.J.C. Hebert, DFC 1 May 46 – 14 May 50 ret.
• W/C A.R. Morrissette, AFC 15 May 50 – 14 Feb 52 ret.
• W/C J.A.G.P.F. Valois 15 Feb 52 – 14 Feb 55 ret.
• W/C J.E.M.M. Gauthier, CD 15 Feb 55 – 14 Nov 60.
• W/C J.L.Y. Gagne, CD 15 Nov 60 – 31 Oct 63 ret.
• W/C J.D. Fisher, CD 1 Nov 63 – 30 Aug 67.
• W/C A.E. Gamble, CD 31 Aug 67 – 31 Jan 68.

Higher Formations and Squadron Location

Training Command,

Air Defence Command (15 Nov 49),

No. 1 Group (Auxiliary) (15 Jan 51 – 15 Apr 57),

Air Transport Command (1 Apr 61):

No. 11 Wing (Auxiliary) (1 Oct 50 – 30 Apr 59 and 1 Sep 61 – 1 Feb 68),

• St Hubert, Que. 15 Apr 46 – 31 Jan 68.

Representative Aircraft (Unit Code 1947-58 BQ)

North American Harvard Mk.II (Nov 46 – Mar 47)

• 2760   3213   3300   3343

de Havilland Vampire Mk.III (Apr 48 – Sep 53)

• 17014   17022   17033   17078

Canadair Silver Star Mk.3 (Nov 54 – Sep 58)

• 21469

Canadair Sabre Mk.5 (Oct 56 – Nov 58)

• 23052   23110   23313   23356

Beechcraft Expediter Mk.3 (Nov 58 – Mar 64)

• 1534   1570   2352   2356

de Havilland Otter (Sep 60 – Jan 68)

• 9406   9409   9423   9427

Honours and Awards: Squadron Standard (5 May 1961).