429 Squadron Monument

Middleton, Nova Scotia
Type
Other

429 Squadron Monument was unveiled on April 1, 2011, in honour of the Second World War Bomber Command Squadron. It was designed and erected by Second World War Veteran and former member of 429 Squadron, Mark Smith, who passed away before the unveiling. Mark wanted to honour his comrades and keep the memories alive of the ultimate sacrifices these men gave for freedom. 

Mounted on the monument are flags of the United States of America, Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Red Ensign, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Mark had previously erected the first 429 Squadron Monument, but wanted something grander so had the second memorial built.

Inscription

Lists the name, age, rank, trade, aircraft, target, and date killed in action. 

[front center panel/panneau central avant]

ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE

429 SQUADRON 429
ROYAL CANADIAN
AIR FORCE
FORTUNAE NIHIL

429 SQUADRON, BISON, WAS FOUNDED AT EAST MOOR,
YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND ON 7 NOVEMBER 1942 AS THE
RCAF'S 27TH TENTH BOMBER SQUADRON FORMED
OVERSEAS, THE UNIT FLEW WELLINGTON, HALIFAX
AND LANDCASTER AIRCRAFT ON STRATEGIC AND
TACTICAL BOMBING OPERATIONS.

AFTER HOSTILITIES IN EUROPE, IT REMAINED IN
ENGLAND AS PART OF BOMBER COMMAND'S STRIKE
FORC, UNDER WHICH IT AIRLIFTED ALLIED PRISONERS
OF WAR, AND BRITISH TROOPS FROM ITALY, BACK TO
ENGLAND. THE SQUADRON WAS DISBANDED AT
LEEMING, YORKSHIRE ON 1 JUNE 1946.

THE SQUADRON BADGE WAS AUTHORIZED BY KING
GEORGE VI, JUNE 1944, IT HAS A BISON, THE HEAD
LOWERED AND THE MOTTO FORTUNAE NIHIL (NOTHING
TO CHANCE).

ON DECEMBER 17, 1939 THE AGREEMENT CREATING
THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AIR TRANING PLAN
(BCATP) WAS SIGNED.

THE CANADIAN BOMBER GROUP FLEW MORE THAN
40,000 OPERATIONAL SORTIES AND DROPPED 126,122
TONS OF BOMBS AND MINES. NO FEWER THAN 814 AIR
CRAFT FROM 6 GROUP, WELLINGTONS, HALIFAX AND
LANCASTER HAD NOT COME BACK FROM OPERATIONS.

THE MISSION OF THE ALLIED FORCE WAS FULFILLED
AT 3 AM, LOCAL TIME, MAY 7, 1945. ALL HOSTILITIES
CEASE AT 2301 HOURS ON MAY 8, 1945, AND A FEW
HOURS LATER THE SURRENDER TERMS ARE FORMALLY
RATIFIED IN BERLIN.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED, THAT A BBC ANNOUNCER STATED
AT THE TIME, "HOSTILIITIES WILL END OFFICIALLY AT
ONE MINUTE AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT, TUESDAY
THE 8TH OF MAY." CHURCHILL TELLS THE PEOPLE,
"BUT IN THE INTEREST OF SAVING LIVES THE FIRST
CEASE-FIRE BEGAN YESTERDAY AND WAS SOUNDED
ALONG ALL FRONTS."

AS WINSTON CHRUCHILL ONCE SAID AFTER THE WAR,
"THAT THE WORDS, 'FREEDOM', 'DEMOCRACY', AND
'LIBERATION' ARE NOT DISTORTED FROM THEIR
TRUE MEANING AS WE UNDERSTAND THEM."

Location
429 Squadron Monument

49 Main Street
Middleton
Nova Scotia
GPS Coordinates
Lat. 44.933692
Long. -65.0866307

panel 3 front inscription

Todd Smith
1 of 6 images

panel 1 front inscription

Todd Smith
1 of 6 images

panel 2 front inscription

Todd Smith
1 of 6 images

429 Squadron Monument

Debbie Gillis
1 of 6 images

front center panel inscription

Todd Smith
1 of 6 images

back center panel inscription

Todd Smith
1 of 6 images
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