443 Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Badge

443 Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Badge

Blazon

A hornet affrontee.
(Glossary of Heraldic Terms)

Significance

This squadron was known as the Hornet Squadron during World War II, and hence the squadron badge. As anyone who has been stung by one of these insects knows it is a painful and savage attack.

Remarks

The squadron was formed as 127 (Fighter) Squadron in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, then renumbered 443 (Fighter) Squadron in Digby, Lincolnshire, England on February 8, 1944. It was disbanded in Utersen, Germany on March 21, 1946 and not reformed until September 15, 1951 in Vancouver, British Columbia. It became the "City of New Westminster" (Fighter) Squadron (AUX) in September, 1952 and disbanded as a fighter squadron on April 1, 1964. Now operational again, HS-443 flies the CH-124 Sea King helicopter from CFB Shearwater in support of maritime operations.

Motto

Our sting is death

Battle Honours

Fortress Europe, 1944; France and Germany, 1944-1945.

References

Badges Of The Canadian Navy by Arbuckle, J. Graeme. Halifax: Nimbus Publishing, 1987.