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On 4th August 1944 Squadron Leader Bazalgette was "Master bomber" of a Pathfinder Squadron detailed to mark an important target for the main bomber force. When nearing the target his Lancaster came under heavy anti-aircraft fire. Both starboard engines were put out action and serious fire broke out in the fuselage and the starboard main-plane.

The bomb aimer was badly wounded. As the deputy "master bomber" had already been shot down, the success of the attack depended on Squadron Leader Bazalgette and this he knew. Despite appalling conditions in his burning aircraft, he pressed on gallantly, marking and bombing it accurately. That the attack was successful was due to his magnificent effort.

After the bombs had been dropped, the Lancaster dived, practically out of control. By expert airmanship and great exertion Squardon Bazalgette regained control. But the port inner engine then failed and the whole the starboard main-plane became a mass of flames. Squadron Leader Bazalgatte fought bravely to bring his aircraft and crew to safety.

The mid-upper gunner was overcome by fumes. Squadron-Leader Bazalgatte then ordered those of his crew who were able to leave by parachute to do so. He remain at the controls and attempted the almost hopeless task of landing the crippled and blazing aircraft in a last effort to save the wounded bomb aimer and helpless air gunner.

With superb skill and taking great care to avoid a French village, he brought the aircraft safely down. Unfortunately, it then exploded and this gallant officer and his two comrades perished. His heroic sacrifice marked the climax of a long career of operations against the enemy. He always chose the more dangerous and exacting roles. His courage and devotion to duty were beyond praise.

This plaque is one of 16 that were installed on Victoria Cross Boulevard in honour of Canadian Second World War Victoria Cross Recipients.

John Weir Foote was born in Madoc, Ontario on 5 May 1904. A Presbyterian minister, he joined the Canadian Chaplain Service at the beginning of the Second World War.

On 19 August 1942 Honorary Captain Foote was attached to the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (RHLI), one of the battalions from the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division that participated in the raid on the French port of Dieppe on that day. After landing, Padre Foote assisted the RHLI’s medical officer in caring for the wounded at the regimental aid post. However, he frequently left the relative safety of that location for the open beach where he rendered first aid, and gave injections of morphine to alleviate the suffering of the many wounded who were there. Later, he carried wounded men from the regimental aid post to landing craft waiting to evacuate the survivors of the raiding force. Padre Foote declined the opportunity to embark, preferring to continue to minister to those left behind, and to share their fate as prisoners of war.

At the end of the war, Padre Foote received the Victoria Cross for his conduct at Dieppe, the first ever awarded to a Canadian chaplain. He died in Hamilton, Ontario on 2 May 1988.

This plaque is one of 16 that were installed on Victoria Cross Boulevard in honour of Canadian Second World War Victoria Cross Recipients.

The Captain Nichola Goddard Plaque is part of the Letters Home installation on Trasimene Heritage Walk. It was created in 2020 by Canada Lands Company who uniquely redeveloped Calgary’s former Canadian Forces Base. Captain Goddard's story is told through the letters she wrote home during her service in Afghanistan. Serving as a forward artillery observer, she was killed by enemy fire on May 17, 2006. She was the first Canadian female combat soldier to lead troops into combat, the first artillery officer to call in support fire on an enemy since the Korean War, and the first female combat soldier lost to enemy fire – all in the same battle.

The Captain Vernon Cole plaque is part of the Letters Home installation on Trasimene Heritage Walk. It was created in 2020 by Canada Lands Company who uniquely redeveloped Calgary’s former Canadian Forces Base. Captain Cole's story is told through the letters he wrote home during his service in the Korean War. He earned the Military Medal for courage, leadership and personal bravery during his service in Korea.

The Lieutenant Norma Stowe Plaque is part of the Letters Home installation on Trasimene Heritage Walk. It was created in 2020 by Canada Lands Company who uniquely redeveloped Calgary’s former Canadian Forces Base. Lieutenant Stowe's story is told through the letters she wrote home during her service in the Second World War. Norma Stowe served as a nurse with the Canadian military and was stationed in South Africa.

The Private Alexander Decoteau Plaque is part of the Letters Home installation on Trasimene Heritage Walk. It was created in 2020 by Canada Lands Company who uniquely redeveloped Calgary’s former Canadian Forces Base. Private Decoteau's story is told through the letters he wrote home during his service in the First World War.

Alexander Decoteau, a Cree from Saskatchewan born in 1887, became Canada’s first Indigenous police officer and competed as a runner in the 5-km race in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1916, Decoteau joined the Canadian army as a battalion messenger, running messages across battlefields in the face of enemy fire. Tragically, Private Decoteau was killed in October 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele, just before his 30th birthday.

In his memory, Alex Decoteau remembrance runs are held every year in Canada and Belgium.

The Trasimene Heritage Walk is a tribute to the Canadians who bravely served our country in military conflicts, and honours Currie’s rich military history. The walk was originally named after a Second World War battle near Lake Trasimene. Located in Tuscany, the Trasimene Line was a German defensive position that the Allies were able to penetrate, ultimately forcing the Germans out of Italy. This became a significant victory for the Allies. Three divisions of Canada’s First Armoured Brigade, including the Calgary, Ontario and Three Rivers regiments, received the Trasimene Line battle honour.

The Trasimene Heritage Walk pathways are part of the original wooded areas of the Currie Barracks where numerous initiatives celebrate the barracks' history. Located on the heritage walk is the Letters Home installation — stories told through the letters that four Canadians wrote home during their service in military conflicts.

For three days in August 1918, Canadian soldiers fought southward from the Scarpe River in France against desperate German defenders. During that period the 3rd Canadian Division engaged, and almost annihilated, two complete German divisions and part of a third. After bitter fighting, the Canadians had succeeded in driving back the enemy eight kilometers, capturing 3,300 prisoners and large stocks of weapons. The Battle of Scarpe cost 5,801 Canadian casualties, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry losing almost 200 of that number.

Currie, a residential area in South West Calgary bounded by the Lincoln Park community to the southwest, Sarcee Road SW to the west, 33 Avenue SW to the north, and Crowchild Trail to the east, is the unique result of the redevelopment of Calgary’s former Canadian Forces Base by Canada Lands Company. The land of Currie was previously used for training and operational administration.

The theme of Currie was developed to honour the deep military roots of the land on which it's built and recognizes the Second World War. This theme is reflected in a variety of ways, including Parade Square, Valour Park, Victoria Cross Boulevard and Trasimene Heritage Walk.

A boulevard in the Currie Neighbourhood is named in hour of Victoria Cross recipients and the boulevard's park space is lined with brass plaques commemorating 16 Canadians who served in the Second World War and received the Victoria Cross. Each plaque is engraved with a picture and biography of the war hero.

Honourary Captain Reverend John Weir Foote
Squadron Leader Ian Willoughby Bazalgette