No. 424 “City of Hamilton” Squadron (Auxiliary)

Badge: A heraldic tiger’s head erased

Motto: Castigandos castigamus (We chastise those who deserve to be chastised)

Authority: King George VI, June 1945

The squadron was adopted by the City of Hamilton and adopted the tiger’s head in reference to the Hamilton rugby team.

Formed at Hamilton, Ontario on 15 April 1946, the squadron flew Mustang aircraft in a fighter role until 1 September 1957 when it was then reassigned to a light transport and emergency rescue role and re-equipped with Expeditor and Otter aircraft. On 21 October 1961 the unit received its Squadron Standard for 25 years service as No. 119 and 424 Squadron. A reduction of the Auxiliary Force resulted in the squadron being disbanded on 1 April 1964.

Brief Chronology: Formed as No. 424 (LB) Sqn (Aux), Hamilton, Ont. 15 Apr 46 (1). Redesignated No. 424 (F) Sqn (Aux) 1 Apr 47. Titled No. 424 “City of Hamilton” (F) Sqn (Aux) 19 Sep 52. Redesignated No. 424 “City of Hamilton” (T) Sqn (Aux) 1 Sep 57. Redesignated No. 424 “City of Hamilton” Sqn (Aux) 1 Apr 58. Disbanded 1 Apr 64.

Title: “City of Hamilton”

Nickname: “Hamilton Tigers”

Commanders

• W/C D.H. Wigle 1 May 46 – 31 Aug 48 ret.
• W/C D.B. Annan, DFC, AFC, CD 1 Sep 48 – 30 Sep 50.
• W/C G.C. Frostad, CD 1 Oct 50 – 30 Nov 53.
• W/C M.G. Marshall, DFC, CD 1 Dec 53 – 14 Nov 57.
• W/C R.C. Small 15 Nov 57 – 28 Feb 59 ret.
• W/C C.H. Forsyth, CD 1 Mar 59 – 28 Feb 62.
• W/C G.W. Johnson, DFC, CD 1 Mar 62 – 1 Apr 64.

Higher Formations and Squadron Location

Training Command,

Air Defence Command (1 Aug 51),

Training Command (1 Sep 57),

Air Transport Command (1 Apr 60):

No. 16 Wing (Auxiliary) (1 Oct 50),

• Mount Hope airport (Hamilton), Ont. 15 Apr 46 – 1 Apr 64.

Representative Aircraft (Unit Code BA)

North American Harvard Mk.II (Nov 47 – Dec 58)

• 3047   3140   3278   3766 BA-P

North American Mustang Mk.IV (Nov 50 – Sep 56)

• 9255 BA-U   9275   9577   9590

Canadair Silver Star Mk.3 (Oct 54 – Oct 56)

• 21469

Beechcraft Expeditor Mk. 3 (May 56 – Mar 64)

• FR944   1444   2290   2292

de Havilland Otter (Oct 61 – Mar 64)

• 9422

Honours and Awards: Squadron Standard (21 October 1961).

(1) Was to have been formed as a bomber unit on 1 May 1946, but the order was amended.