Karlsruhe

Canada has played an integral role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since its inception on 4 April 1949. Canada's commitment to have four fighter wings in Europe resulted in the creation of the 1 Canadian Air Division with its Headquarters in Metz, France and the following Wings located in France and Germany:
    1 (F) Wing at Marville, France;
    2 (F) Wing at Grostenquin, France;
    3 (F) Wing at Zweibrücken, Germany; and
    4 (F) Wing at Baden-Söllingen, Germany.

Logistical support for the Division was provided by 30 AMB in Langar, England.

Following a restructure of the Canadian Forces in Europe, 4 (F) Wing was renamed Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Baden-Söllingen.

Service members and their families posted to CFB Baden-Söllingen often made their homes in the surrounding cities and towns. Karlsruhe was no exception. It is located approximately 20 kilometres north of Baden-Söllingen.

While his father was serving at Baden-Söllingen, Patrick Sean Hickey died. He was cremated and his urn was placed in a niche in the Karlsruhe cemetery.

As with cemetery plots in Europe, niches are only rented for set period of time. Canada is working with municipal authorities in Karlsruhe to seek a 50-year lease on Patrick Sean Hickey’s final resting place.

Background Information on these sites has been extracted from: the Pinetree Line Web Site; the 2 (F) Wing RCAF Grostenquin, France Information Booklet (1957); publication 4 CMBG Canada's NATO Brigade, 1983, Moritz Schauenburg Gmbh & Co. KG.

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