RCAF Patch Sqn Royal Canadian Air Force 423 Squadron Escadrille

RCAF Patch 423 Anti Submarine Warfare Squadron Escadrille Royal Canadian Air Force Crest Patch Queens Crown Early 1980s CH 124 Sea King CFB Shearwater Embroidered on twill merrowed edge 111mm by 76mm four and three eighth inches by three inches.

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Squadron History

423 Squadron was activated on 18 March 1942 at Oban Scotland equipped with Short Sunderland Mk IIs and Mk IIIs for anti submarine patrol relocated to Pembroke Dock flying patrols to over the Bay of Biscay to Gibraltar and back. By the end of the War the squadron had sunk five U boats. The Squadron relocated to RAF Bassingbourn and reequipped with Liberators in the transport role until disbanding on 3 September 1945.

The Squadron reactivated as 423 All Weather Fighter Squadron at RCAF St Hubert Montreal Quebec on 1 June 1953 equipped with CF 100 Canuck aircraft on North American air defence duties. In February 1957 the Squadron relocated to Europe joining 1 Air Division to replace 416 Fighter Squadron in 2 Fighter Wing at Grostenquin France. The squadron disbanded on 31 December 1962 when the CF 100 was withdrawn from operational service.

The Squadron reactivated on 3 September 1974 as 423 Anti Submarine Warfare Helicopter Squadron at CFB Shearwater equipped with CH 124 Sea King to provide ship borne and shore based anti submarine warfare assets. The Squadrons helicopters were provided to Canadian Navy Destroyers and Frigates as well CFB Shearwater providing ASW Search & Rescue and light transport. On 31 January 1995 the Squadron was redesignated 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron.

This patch dates from the early 1980s.