Many other countries which were then part of the British Empire, and which now largely form the British Commonwealth, made great sacrifices fighting with the Allied Forces in the Second World War.  Whilst at Pocklington, my father shared many experiences with the Canadian squadrons posted there, and in their tribute I would like to direct you to the following site in which there is a wealth of information and some superb contemporary photographs.

Home Page for the Bomber Command Museum of Canada:  http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/index.html

Although there is information regarding many different aircraft, the page detailing the Handley Page Halifax can be found at:
http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/halifax.html

Some information about the Canadian effort to rescue and restore a Halifax: http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/project_halifax.html

Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) - RCAF - http://www.57rescuecanada.com/  - with video footage!



"Three thousand miles across a hunted ocean they came, wearing on the shoulder of their tunics the treasured name, "Canada," telling the world their origin. Young men and women they were, some still in their teens, fashioned by their Maker to love, not to kill, but proud and earnest in their mission to stand, and if it had to be, to die, for their country and for freedom.

"One day, when the history of the twentieth century is finally written, it will be recorded that when human society stood at the crossroads and civilization itself was under siege, the Royal Canadian Air Force was there to fill the breach and help give humanity the victory. And all those who had a part in it will have left to posterity a legacy of honour, of courage, and of valour that time can never despoil."


-from a speech by  Father J. P. Lardie, Chaplain 419, 428 Squadron, at the dedication of the RCAF Memorial at Middleton St. George, 15 June, 1985

- With many thanks to The Bomber Command Museum of Canada, from whom I unashamedly "pinched" the above quotation, and also the photograph below - I hope you understand the spirit in which this information is added to the website I created for my dad; in sincere admiration and with the greatest of thanks for the freedoms we enjoy today. May we long continue to do so.