Alberta

William “Willie” McKnight was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1918 and soon moved with his family to Calgary. In 1938, he joined the Royal Air Force and headed to England. In mid-April of 1939, McKnight received a short service commission as an acting Pilot Officer and earned his Royal Air Force pilot’s brevet at No. 6 Service Flying Training School. While he appeared shy and reticent, he was a fierce warrior and a leader.

McKnight was posted to 242 Squadron in November 1939. The squadron was chosen to become the Canadian unit, manned entirely by Canadians. In May 1940, 242 Squadron sent a small detachment of pilots, including McKnight, to fly with other British Expeditionary Force squadrons. Within days of his arrival in France, young McKnight scored the first of his 17 confirmed victories over Luftwaffe pilots on May 19.

During the days of the Dunkirk withdrawal, McKnight claimed six more enemy aircraft and by June 7, had become a double ace with 10 victories. His prowess in the air and his courage in the face of the enemy had already brought him notice, and in early June he was awarded his first Distinguished Flying Cross.

The last of 242 Squadron’s pilots flew back to England on June 18. The never-ending sorties and the exhausting pace had taken its toll on the young Calgarian and he was hospitalized in early July for exhaustion, weight loss and stress-related illnesses. The new squadron commander, Douglas Bader, recognized talent and regularly flew with McKnight as his wingman. With McKnight protecting his flank, Bader’s score increased as well. Throughout the next three months McKnight rapidly accumulated victories, becoming a triple ace by the end of the Battle of Britain.

In October, McKnight was awarded his second Distinguished Flying Cross or “bar” and promoted to Flying Officer. On January 12, 1941, McKnight and M.K. Brown had just made attacks on a German “E” boat and troop concentrations just inland from Gravelines, Holland, when a Messerschmitt Bf-109 was spotted by Brown. After making a hard turn to the right, he looked again for the 109 and McKnight, but neither could be seen.

In October of 1969, a roadway leading to the Calgary Airport became McKnight Boulevard. The namesake of McKnight Boulevard, a young Calgarian by the name of William Lidstone McKnight, battled for the fate of Europe in the skies over England and France. He often flew with his squadron commander, a legendary fighter pilot by the name of Douglas Bader, a man who had no legs.

Each and every night, these two fighter pilots rested, caroused, attempted to sleep and readied for the next day’s inevitable pitched battles, while the ground crews of No. 242 Canadian Squadron laboured through the days and nights to refuel, repair and rearm their Hawker Hurricanes. Bader’s loyal, diligent and talented engine fitter was another Albertan by the name of Noel Barlow. McKnight and Barlow—one died, one lived, and Bader, an Englishman, had a lot to do with their names being associated with two intersecting thoroughfares in the booming oil town of Calgary.

Later, Bader unveiled a commemorative plaque to McKnight in the passenger hall of the Calgary Airport.

The quick firing 12-pounder was a three-inch (76.2 mm caliber) naval gun introduced in 1894 and commonly used until the middle of the 20th century. It was employed on several warships in the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy throughout the Second World War (1939 to 1945). 

This 12-pounder naval gun was produced in Ogden Shops by the Canadian Pacific (CP) munitions department and is on loan to CP by the Naval Museum of Alberta. Originally acquired from the Maritime Command Museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia, CP transported it back to the Ogden Shops in Calgary on July 2, 1993. It was restored in preparation for display at The Military Museums before transport to its current location in 2022.

Ten warships were named after Alberta cities and towns during the Second World War, including four minesweepers armed with Ogden Shops 12-pounders. This gun may have been aboard one of them.

At the commencement of the Second World War, Canadian Pacific (CP) President Edward Beatty placed the company’s full resources at the disposal of Canada and the British Empire in support of the war effort. He instructed the employees of CP: “On our readiness to meet the challenge, and, each of us, to do our duty, there hangs the fate of a nation – the destiny of future generations.”

That readiness saw two locomotive shops refitted to produce armaments. The Angus Shops in Montreal would build 1,420 Valentine tanks and other equipment to support the war effort. The Ogden Shops in Calgary were refitted at the beginning of 1941. The first gun was completed that November and shipped to the Halifax dockyards. By the end of the war, the Ogden Shops had produced over 3,000 guns and 1,650 gun mounts for use by the Royal Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the United States Army. With the conclusion of the Second World War in August 1945, Ogden Shops returned to maintaining locomotives. The naval gun production by Canadian Pacific remains one of the most significant Calgarian contributions to the Canadian war effort.

Just 200 meters east of this location, the Ogden Locomotive Shops (Building 7) first opened in 1913 and remained in use for locomotive maintenance until 2011.

This Montreal Canadian Pacific Railway Great War Tablet was dedicated at the Angus Shops on April 28, 1922. It was relocated to CPKC Archives. 

To honour those who served and gave their lives during the Great War, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) erected a series of bronze memorial tablets in over twenty select locations along their railway system and offices in Canada, United States, England and China. The tablet depicts Britannia, the national personification of Britain, as a helmeted female warrior with a lion to her right and a shield at her feet, HMS Lion (Admiral Beatty's flagship during the Battle of Jutland) with airplanes above and a tank in front, Canadian Pacific Steamship RMS Empress of Russia (used during the war as an armed merchant cruiser and transport ship), Canadian troops, and a CPR locomotive in a nod to all those who travelled by train across Canada before heading overseas. The plaque was designed by Archibald Pearce, Chief Engineer's Department, Montreal, with its model and casting by the Bromsgrove Guild at Worcester, England.

All tablets were unveiled simultaneously on the same date along with three identical Winged Victory memorials in Montreal, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

The Edmonton Canadian Pacific Railway Great War Tablet was dedicated at the Canadian Pacific Railway Station, Jasper Avenue and 109^th Street on April 28, 1922. It was relocated to the CPKC Archives and is currently in storage.

To honour those who served and gave their lives during the Great War, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) erected a series of bronze memorial tablets in over twenty select locations along their railway system and offices in Canada, United States, England and China. The tablet depicts Britannia, the national personification of Britain, as a helmeted female warrior with a lion to her right and a shield at her feet, HMS Lion (Admiral Beatty's flagship during the Battle of Jutland) with airplanes above and a tank in front, Canadian Pacific Steamship RMS Empress of Russia (used during the war as an armed merchant cruiser and transport ship), Canadian troops, and a CPR locomotive in a nod to all those who travelled by train across Canada before heading overseas. The plaque was designed by Archibald Pearce, Chief Engineer's Department, Montreal, with its model and casting by the Bromsgrove Guild at Worcester, England.

All tablets were unveiled simultaneously on the same date along with three identical Winged Victory memorials in Montreal, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

This Canadian Pacific Railway Great War Tablet was first dedicated at the Calgary Natural Resources Building on April 28, 1922. It was later moved to The Military Museums.

To honour those who served and gave their lives during the Great War, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) erected a series of bronze memorial tablets in over twenty select locations along their railway system and offices in Canada, United States, England and China. The tablet depicts Britannia, the national personification of Britain, as a helmeted female warrior with a lion to her right and a shield at her feet, HMS Lion (Admiral Beatty's flagship during the Battle of Jutland) with airplanes above and a tank in front, Canadian Pacific Steamship RMS Empress of Russia (used during the war as an armed merchant cruiser and transport ship), Canadian troops, and a CPR locomotive in a nod to all those who travelled by train across Canada before heading overseas. The plaque was designed by Archibald Pearce, Chief Engineer's Department, Montreal, with its model and casting by the Bromsgrove Guild at Worcester, England.

All tablets were unveiled simultaneously on the same date along with three identical Winged Victory memorials in Montreal, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

In September 2005, three seven feet high statues were commissioned by Canada Lands Company to honour the military personnel who served in the Canadian Forces during the Second World War. The three bronze figures of young servicemen in uniform and full kit appear to be emerging from the eight feet high bas relief bronzes mounted on natural stone plinths. Each branch of the Canadian Armed Forces is represented by a statue; a pilot for the Air Force; a soldier for the Army; and a sailor for the Navy. The statues were created by renowned bronze sculptor Don Begg of Studio West Bronze Foundry Ltd. 

On 4th August 1944 Squadron Leader Bazalgette was "Master bomber" of a Pathfinder Squadron detailed to mark an important target for the main bomber force. When nearing the target his Lancaster came under heavy anti-aircraft fire. Both starboard engines were put out action and serious fire broke out in the fuselage and the starboard main-plane.

The bomb aimer was badly wounded. As the deputy "master bomber" had already been shot down, the success of the attack depended on Squadron Leader Bazalgette and this he knew. Despite appalling conditions in his burning aircraft, he pressed on gallantly, marking and bombing it accurately. That the attack was successful was due to his magnificent effort.

After the bombs had been dropped, the Lancaster dived, practically out of control. By expert airmanship and great exertion Squardon Bazalgette regained control. But the port inner engine then failed and the whole the starboard main-plane became a mass of flames. Squadron Leader Bazalgatte fought bravely to bring his aircraft and crew to safety.

The mid-upper gunner was overcome by fumes. Squadron-Leader Bazalgatte then ordered those of his crew who were able to leave by parachute to do so. He remain at the controls and attempted the almost hopeless task of landing the crippled and blazing aircraft in a last effort to save the wounded bomb aimer and helpless air gunner.

With superb skill and taking great care to avoid a French village, he brought the aircraft safely down. Unfortunately, it then exploded and this gallant officer and his two comrades perished. His heroic sacrifice marked the climax of a long career of operations against the enemy. He always chose the more dangerous and exacting roles. His courage and devotion to duty were beyond praise.

This plaque is one of 16 that were installed on Victoria Cross Boulevard in honour of Canadian Second World War Victoria Cross Recipients.

John Weir Foote was born in Madoc, Ontario on 5 May 1904. A Presbyterian minister, he joined the Canadian Chaplain Service at the beginning of the Second World War.

On 19 August 1942 Honorary Captain Foote was attached to the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (RHLI), one of the battalions from the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division that participated in the raid on the French port of Dieppe on that day. After landing, Padre Foote assisted the RHLI’s medical officer in caring for the wounded at the regimental aid post. However, he frequently left the relative safety of that location for the open beach where he rendered first aid, and gave injections of morphine to alleviate the suffering of the many wounded who were there. Later, he carried wounded men from the regimental aid post to landing craft waiting to evacuate the survivors of the raiding force. Padre Foote declined the opportunity to embark, preferring to continue to minister to those left behind, and to share their fate as prisoners of war.

At the end of the war, Padre Foote received the Victoria Cross for his conduct at Dieppe, the first ever awarded to a Canadian chaplain. He died in Hamilton, Ontario on 2 May 1988.

This plaque is one of 16 that were installed on Victoria Cross Boulevard in honour of Canadian Second World War Victoria Cross Recipients.

The Captain Nichola Goddard Plaque is part of the Letters Home installation on Trasimene Heritage Walk. It was created in 2020 by Canada Lands Company who uniquely redeveloped Calgary’s former Canadian Forces Base. Captain Goddard's story is told through the letters she wrote home during her service in Afghanistan. Serving as a forward artillery observer, she was killed by enemy fire on May 17, 2006. She was the first Canadian female combat soldier to lead troops into combat, the first artillery officer to call in support fire on an enemy since the Korean War, and the first female combat soldier lost to enemy fire – all in the same battle.

The Captain Vernon Cole plaque is part of the Letters Home installation on Trasimene Heritage Walk. It was created in 2020 by Canada Lands Company who uniquely redeveloped Calgary’s former Canadian Forces Base. Captain Cole's story is told through the letters he wrote home during his service in the Korean War. He earned the Military Medal for courage, leadership and personal bravery during his service in Korea.