HMCS QU'APPELLE Badge

HMCS QU'APPELLE Badge

Blazon

Azure, a bend wavy argent charged with a like bendlet gules, and over all a fox's mask argent.
(Glossary of Heraldic Terms)

Significance

The Qu 'Appelle River in Saskatchewan, for which this destroyer escort is named, derives its appellation from an Indigenous legend. It relates how a brave was paddling in his canoe when he heard a voice calling. Going ashore to investigate, there was not a trace of anyone. Because of the mystery surrounding the incident, the Indigenous people referred to this river as "Who Calls?" or "What Calls?" which French explorers translated into Qu'Appelle. To suggest an attitude of intent listening and watching, the face or mask of a white fox is shown for the badge, the large erect ears and keen eyes being indicative of this and also of the functions of the Destroyer Escort QU' APPELLE with its sonar (for listen­ing) and radar (for watching).

Remarks

Qu'Appelle (I) was originally HMS Foxhound. She was a River class destroyer, commissioned into the RCN in February 1944. She wore pennant H69 until she was decommissioned in May 1946. Qu'Appelle (II) is a member of the Mackenzie class of destroyer escorts. She was commissioned in February 1963 and wore pennant 264 until being paid off in 1992.

Colours

White and blue

Battle Honours

Atlantic 1944, Normandy 1944, Biscay 1944.

References

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

CFP 267 - Badges of the Canadian Forces, Minister of Supply and Services Canada, 1977.