No. 411 “County of York” Squadron (Auxiliary)

Badge: A bear rampant
Motto: Inimicus inimico (Hostile to an enemy)
Authority: King George VI, October 1942

The bear is a fierce fighter and is found in Canada.

Formed at Toronto, Ontario on 1 October 1950, the squadron flew Vampire and Sabre aircraft in a fighter role until October 1958 when it was reassigned to a light transport and emergency rescue role and re-equipped with Expeditor and Otter aircraft. On 1 February 1968 the squadron was integrated into the Canadian Armed Forces as No. 411 “County of York” Air Reserve Squadron.

Brief Chronology: Formed as No. 411 (F) Sqn (Aux), Toronto, Ont. 1 Oct 50 (1). Titled No. 411 “County of York” (F) Sqn (Aux) 2 Jun 52. Rdesignated No. 411 “County of York” Sqn (Aux) I Oct 58. Integrated into CAF as No. 411 “County of York” Air Res Sqn 1 Feb 68.

Title: “County of York”

Nickname: “Grizzly Bear”

Commanders

• W/C R.I.A. Smith, DFC and Bar 1 Oct 50 – 10 Jul 52.
• W/C R.H. Rohmer, DFC 2 Sep 52 – 10 Mar 53.
• W/C C. Darrow, DFC 11 Mar 53 – 3 Sep 54.
• S/L M.F. Cliff 8 Oct 54 – 15 Aug 55.
• W/C J.W.P. Draper, DFC 7 Nov 55 – 6 Nov 58.
• W/C F.J. Mills 7 Nov 58 – 13 Sep 61.
• W/C E.M. Lane, CD 14 Sep 61 – 30 Nov 64.
• W/C J.R.R. Neroutsos, CD 1 Dec 64 – 17 Mar 66.
• W/C T.H. Ussher, CD 18 Mar 66 – 31 Jan 68.

Higher Formations and Squadron Location

Training Command,

Air Defence Command (1 Aug 51),

No. 2 Group (Auxiliary) (15 Jan 51 – 1 Mar 57),

Air Transport Command (1 Oct 58):

No. 14 Wing (Auxiliary) (1 Oct 50),

• Downsview, Ont. 1 Oct 50 – 31 Jan 68.

Representative Aircraft (Unit Code 1950-51 AN, 1951-58 KH)

North American Harvard Mk.II (Feb 51 – Sep 58)

• 2903   2918   3784

de Havilland Vampire Mk.III (Jul 51 – Nov 55)

• 17017   17035   17045   17067

Canadair Silver Star Mk.3 (Oct 55 – Oct 58)

• 21463

Canadair Sabre Mk.5 (Oct 56 – Sep 58)

• 23104   23208   23306   23308

Beechcraft Expeditor Mk.3 (Sep 58 – Oct 66)

• 1442   1472   1559   1561

de Havilland Otter (Feb 62 – Jan 68)

• 9411   9413   9420   9422

(1) Formation date was to have been 1 February 1947, but only the Radar Convoy Section was formed on 18 April 1948.