IN THE LEDGE – 419 ‘Moose’ Squadron’s colours will be stood down Friday

Remarks by Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar in the B.C. Legislature on Tuesday, March 5, 2024:

P. Milobar: This Friday, March 8, the 419 Squadron will have their colours stood down for another time, and people in this place may wonder why a squadron in Cold Lake, Alberta, for the Canadian military, is being referenced in this chamber today.

But the 419 Squadron has a very long history and a connection to both Kamloops, and in fact, this chamber. Created in 1941, its first wing commander was John ‘Moose’ Fulton from Kamloops.

In fact, his father was an MLA in this chamber for ten years, and before that, his grandfather on his mother’s side was actually our eighth Premier, A.E.B. Davie, who the street in Vancouver is named after.

When the squadron was created, it quickly became our most decorated bomber squadron in World War II. As the years have progressed, it has transitioned into becoming a training squadron, which will now cease until the new planes arrive for Canada.

John Fulton, though –– the “Moose” tagline came from an interview with an RAF officer when he heard that he was from the wilds of western Canada, and he spun a yarn about hunting to try to get the job. And so, although he had never hunted before, Moose became the story of the day and hence his nickname. It has a very strong relationship with the city of Kamloops. The city of Kamloops adopted the squadron in 1943 and, in fact, in 1944, purchased the 100th Lancaster bomber produced to send over specifically for the 419 Squadron.

Over the years, the relationship has ebbed and flowed, but it is stronger than ever before. Every commander since has been named the tagline “Moose” as well, and that is why the squadron is named the Moose Squadron in recognition of their first commander, who only had around an eight-month run as commander before he unfortunately was shot down in World War II himself.

I look forward to the standing down of the colours, but I look even more forward to the colours being reinvigorated again as they were in 1954 and 1975 and now, hopefully, in the not-too-distant future as well.

Source: BC Hansard