History of 142 Squadron
142 Mimico Squadron was chartered by the Air Cadet League of Canada on July 2nd, 1942 under the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Mimico. The old Mimico High School was the first Squadron Headquarters, establishing an affiliation that continues to this day.142 Mimico Squadron proudly displays the sphinx emblem and “Determination” motto of the historic No. 142 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, formed in Ismailia, Egypt, on February 2nd, 1918, as an army co-operation Squadron, then re-designated in 1934 under Bomber Command. During the Second World War 142 Squadron was equipped with Wellington and Mosquito aircraft, serving in the Middle East, North Africa, France and Italy. Like many Second Word War Squadrons, 142 was disbanded following the Second World War, but its tradition of service and pride remains alive here in Mimico. Mimico Squadron proudly displays the winged sphinx emblem and ‘Determination’ motto of No. 142 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. Our wartime RAF namesake was a Bomber Command Squadron equipped with Wellington and Mosquito aircraft. That Squadron was disbanded following World War II but its tradition remains right here in Mimico.
The Lakeshore Board of Education took over Squadron sponsorship in 1945, and was assumed by the Etobicoke Board of Education in 1967 when the school boards amalgamated. Branch 217, now amalgamated with Branch 3, of the Royal Canadian Legion has also assisted the Squadron with financial support and facilities on many occasions. The new branch is RCL Branch 643, Flight Lieutenant David Ernest Hornell, VC.
142 Royal Air Force Crest. Image obtained from Squadron FacebookPresent-day 142 Squadron
Today's 142 ‘Mimico’ Squadron is fortunate to have a Squadron Sponsoring Committee, a volunteer group of parents and former parents who represent the Air Cadet League of Canada and help co-ordinate various fundraising initiatives to pay for building accommodations and special activities not funded by DND.In 1994 the John English Junior Middle School and Community Center occupied the old Mimico High School premises, but 142 Squadron remains a significant occupant and proud part of the building’s history.Temporarily moving to Fort York Armoury in 2015, 142 ‘Mimico’ Squadron began a close association with 32 Signal Regiment, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS). At the Annual Ceremonial Review in 2016, the Regiment bestowed the honour of Affiliation upon 142 ‘Mimico’ Squadron, thus bringing 142 into the RCCS family, a lineage that can be traced back 110 years in Toronto. This is a very special honour for 142 ‘Mimico’ Squadron, and the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, as this is the first time in the history of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals that an Air Cadet Squadron has become an Affiliated Unit.
Exercise Canadian Invasion: Cadets at Vimy Ridge 2018
Since July 1942, thousands young Canadians have benefited from Air Cadet training through their membership in 142 Mimico Squadron. Over the years countless 142 Cadets have been successful competing for flying scholarships, leading to earning their coveted pilot "wings", in both the glider and power programs. Additionally, hundreds have received advanced training in such other disciplines, such as meteorology, aviation maintenance, leadership and wilderness survival instruction techniques.In its 82-year history, 142 ‘Mimico’ Squadron Cadets have many local, regional and national trophies, honors and awards as a Unit. Most coveted among these is the Lord Strathcona Trust Shield awarded to the most proficient Air Cadet Squadron in Ontario. Since the award’s inception in 1947, Mimico Squadron has placed second 7 times and won it 10 times.
It is a record of which we are justifiably proud and signifies a strong “Determination” to provide the finest youth training experience possible to the young people of the Mimico area.
Exercise Canadian Invasion: Cadets at Juno Beach 2018
