Canadian Forces

Canadian Forces

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.555.

Canadian Forces (CF)

The CF badge (nicknamed the "Pineapple" and the "cornflake"), has a Queen's crown over an oval wreath of maple leaves, with an anchor, crossed crusader's swords and an eagle looking right. The badge represents the sea, land and air environments of the Canadian Armed Forces.

CF logo.

CF service badge.

Intelligence Branch, worn by the author from 29 Oct 1982 to 8 Aug 2011, and Feb 2015 to Feb 2018, Canadian Intelligence Corps (C Int C).

United Nations badge, worn by the author in Cyprus, Aug 1986 Feb 1987.

Canadian Airborne Regiment, worn by the author Aug 1986 to July 1989.

Security Branch, worn by the author from 1978 to 1982, Military Police Branch.

Canadian Intelligence Corps, worn by the author from Sep 1973 to 1977.

The 3 Intelligence Company, C Int C Militia in Halifax was re-designated Atlantic Canada Security Platoon, but continued to wear the C Int C badge until they were allocated the Thunderbird Security badge c1977.

723 Communications Squadron, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, worn by the author from Sep 1971 to Aug 1973.

723 Communication Squadron can be traced back almost to the inception of the Canadian Signals Corps. On 24 October 1903 General Order 167 authorized the formation of the Canadian Signals Corps. The first independent Signals Corps in the British Empire. In 1904 with the issue of Militia Order No. 45, dated 24 February 1904, authorized the signals corps an establishment of 90 all ranks. This included 18 officers and 72 NCM’s, which was broken down to 1 signals officer 6 signalmen and 7 enlisted personnel per militia district.

Canadian Forces Communication Systems (CFCS) was formed in 1965, followed by the unification of the Canadian Forces in 1968. CFCS became Canadian Forces Communication Command (CFCC) in 1970. This brough all reserve signals units under the Command of CFCC rather than the Army. Group Headquarters were formed across Canada with 72 Communication Group taking control of all the Maritime Reserve Communication units. This led to the creation of 723 Communication Squadron Halifax. 723 Communication Squadron remains officially an independent unit.

56th Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers, worn by the author from Feb 1971 to Aug 1971.

This Reserve Force squadron originated in St. John's, Newfoundland on 24 October 1949, when the '56th Independent Field Squadron, RCE' was authorized to be formed. It was redesignated: '56th Field Squadron, RCE' on 15 September 1954; '56th Field Engineer Squadron (M)' on 21 May 1975; and '56th Field Engineer Squadron' on 4 September 1992.  Headquarters located at St. John's, Newfoundland. The author's first unit.