In one squadron, a wealthy lieutenant ordered medallions struck in solid bronze and presented them to his unit. One young pilot placed the medallion in a small leather pouch that he wore about his neck. Shortly after acquiring the medallion, the pilot’s aircraft was severely damaged by ground fire. He was forced to land behind enemy lines and was immediately captured by a German patrol.In order to discourage his escape, the Germans took all of his personal identification except for the small leather pouch around his neck. In the meantime, he was taken to a small French town near the front. Taking advantage of a bombardment that night, he escaped. However, he was without personal identification. He succeeded in avoiding German patrols by donning civilian attire and reached the front lines. With great difficulty, he crossed no-man’s land. Eventually, he stumbled onto a French outpost. Saboteurs had plagued the French in the sector. They sometimes masqueraded as civilians and wore civilian clothes. Not recognizing the young pilot’s American accent, the French thought him to be a saboteur and made ready to execute him. He had no identification to prove his allegiance, but he did have his leather pouch containing the medallion. He showed the medallion to his would-be executioners and one of his French captors recognized the squadron insignia on the medallion. They delayed his execution long enough for him to confirm his identity. Instead of shooting him they gave him a bottle of wine.
Canada’s History with the Challenge Coin:
One of the first appearance of a challenge coin within theCanadian Forceswas that of theCanadian Airborne Regiment. Although conceptualized in the early 1970s, it was not officially adopted until the regiment returned fromCyprusin 1974.
Recognized as an “Americanism”, the widespread use of challenge coins is new to theCanadian Forces(CF) and was introduced by GeneralRick Hillieras theCanadian Armybegan to work closer with the US military. While many regiments and military establishments purchase them as ‘challenge coins’, most branches and schools within the CF use them for presentation purposes.
The first RCAF coin belonged to427 Squadron. Back in the Second World War, 427 and the film studiosMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer(MGM) shared the lion as their respective symbol. During a ceremony held on 27 May 1943, a bronze statuette of a Lion was presented to the Squadron as were MGM’s coins for the Squadron members.These coins granted free access to the MGM’s theaters in Britain and were popular with aircrew and ground crew alike. In 1982, the custom was reintroduced by Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Cunningham, then the squadron commanding officer; it has since expanded widely within the RCAF Tactical Aviation community.
Every newofficer cadetat theRoyal Military College of CanadainKingston, Ontario, is issued a challenge coin upon completion of First-Year Orientation Period. The coin is engraved with the name of the college in French and English surrounding the college’scoat of armson the obverse. The cadet’s college number and theMemorial Archis on the reverse surrounded by the motto in both languages.
Members of theCorps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical EngineersFund are issued challenge coins with the current RCEME badge and the member’s branch fund membership number on the obverse side, and the original pre-unification RCEME badge and branch motto on the reverse side. Usually, these are issued to craftsmen at the Canadian Forces School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, inBorden, Ontario, where branch fund membership is first offered.
Many of the CF training centres and staff colleges have a unique coin—some available for the students to purchase, others available only by presentation by the establishment or the commandant for exemplary achievement while attending the facility. GeneralWalter Natynczyk, when he was chief of the Defence Staff, and the Canadian Forces chief warrant officer often present their personalized coins to deserving soldiers.
Police, security and fire departments have embraced the concept and have found coins to be an excellent means of team building and creating a sense of brotherhood or belonging. Many feature a patron saint, badge or representative equipment.
583 Coronation Squadron Seasonal FundraiserHello 583 Family. As the Christmas and Holiday season approaches the Squadron Sponsoring Committee (SSC) has decided to do a Purdy’s Fundraiser to help you with the perfect present for all those who have a sweet tooth on your Christmas List. This last Thursday Cadets were sent home with a booklet and an Order Form. The deadline for orders is December 02nd. All orders must be in by that date. Cadets/Parents can sign-up for their orders via this website:fundraising.purdys.com/1815989-112238VERY IMPORTANT: Please make sure when ordering that cadets and supporters use order number 73590 when ordering as the Squadron gets a cut of the proceeds from every order placed with the use of that code. Any questions please email 583sscchair@gmail.com ... See MoreSee Less
Good evening Cadets and Parents. The weather tomorrow for the Remembrance Day Parade is calling for rain. Cadets who were issued Cadet Blue Parka's should bring them tomorrow to their respective ceremony. Cadets not issued Cadet parkas should bring a heavy coat, preferably dark blue or dark in color or a neutral tone. A decision on whether overcoats/parkas will be worn will be made just prior to stepping off for the parade.Just a reminder that all Band Cadets and those cadets that live West of 203rd Avenue in Maple Ridge go to the Pitt Meadows Ceremony. The remainder of the Cadets that live East of 203rd Avenue are to go to the Maple Ridge ceremony. Cadets that are in the Guard or Flag Party for the Parades are going to meet at the Pitt Meadows Cenotaph or the Maple Ridge Legion at 0930 hrs. The remainder of the cadets should arrive in either Pitt Meadows or Maple Ridge no later than 10am. Here are the cities links for each parade. Please.be aware that there will be road closures prior to the parade:www.pittmeadows.ca/our-community/events/special-events/remembrance-daywww.mapleridge.ca/1661/Remembrance-Day... See MoreSee Less
Remembrance Day 2023 The Legion will return to the cenotaph in šxʷhék̓ ʷnəs (Spirit Square) on Saturday, November 11 for a Remembrance Day ceremony. Veterans and officials will march through šx...
583 Coronation Squadron is active from September to June, and meets each Thursday evening from 6:30pm to 9:30pm on the Albion Fair Grounds in Maple Ridge. All youth aged 12 to 18 years are welcome to join this youth-oriented program.
Please feel free to drop by and visit if you would like to talk with our Officers or Cadets about the Air Cadet Program.