This memorial was erected on July 18, 1998, in memory of Second World War personnel who served in the 431 Iroquois and 434 Bluenose Squadrons at Burn, Tholthorpe, Croft and Yorkshire, England.
431 Iroquois Squadron veteran, Bill Baluk, was the project coordinator who worked two years on fulfilling his dream of a memorial. Through fundraising, the former crew members, families and supporters covered the cost of the new memorial, complete with squadron crests and mottoes.
The 431 Squadron was formed at Burn, Yorkshire, England on November 11, 1942, as the RCAF's 28th - 11th Bomber - squadron formed overseas. The 434 Squadron was formed at Tholthorpe, Yorkshire, England on June 13, 1943, as the RCAF's 31st - 13th Bomber - squadron formed oversea. Both units flew Wellington, Halifax and Canadian-built Lancaster aircraft on strategic and tactical bombing operations.
After hostilities in Europe, they were selected as part of the Tiger Force for duty in the Pacific, and returned to Canada for reorganization and training. The sudden end of the war in the Far East resulted in the squadrons being disbanded at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on September 5, 1945. The 431 squadron's nickname was Iroquois and was later adopted by the Town of Simcoe, Ontario. The 434 squadron's nickname was Bluenose and was later adopted by the Rotary Club of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
When the RCAF's Bomber group's Iroquois Squadron began flying Canadian-built Lancasters, the unit's mascot, Minnie Simcoe, flew with a different crew member on every attack. Minnie's surname is the name of the town that sponsors the squadron.
Photo 35069-020c.jpg: Minnie is handed into the safekeeping of the pilot of the "Simcoe Warrior", Canadian Lanc version. F/L Melvin Chisholm of Lafleche, Saskatchewan, wearing Mae West at right. Left is his navigator, F/O Hugh McNenly, Massey, Ontario, also wearing Mae West; centre, Nursing Sister Louise Dawson, of West Summerland, BC hands Minnie over.
