APRIL 1, 1924
The Royal Canadian Air Force becomes a permanent component of Canada’s defence forces.

Cross in Memoriam Father Marchand, O.M.I. (Frog Lake Massacre)

PHOTO: LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA—PA019108

APRIL 2, 1885
In what is now Alberta, Cree warriors kill nine men in what would become known as the Frog Lake Massacre.

St. Eloi Craters

PHOTO: LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA—C043979

APRIL 3, 1916
The 2nd Canadian Division relieves British troops in the Battle of the St. Eloi Craters on the Western Front. During two weeks of confused fighting in a sea of mud, Canadian casualties exceeded 1,370.

APRIL 4, 1949
Canada is one of a dozen nations that establish the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Sir Winston Churchill

PHOTO: LEGION MAGAZINE ARCHIVES

APRIL 5, 1955
Poor health forces Sir Winston Churchill to resign as prime minister of Britain.

Lieutenant-General A.G.L. McNaughton

PHOTO: CANADIAN ARMY PHOTO

APRIL 6, 1942
First Canadian Army is established in England with Lieutenant-General A.G.L. McNaughton as commander-in-chief at headquarters in Headley Court.

APRIL 7, 1991
HMCS Athabaskan (3rd) returns from Operation Friction in the Persian Gulf.

APRIL 8, 2007
Six Canadian soldiers die after their vehicle hits an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan.

APRIL 9, 1917
Fighting together for the first time, the four divisions of the Canadian Corps overcome formidable German defences and capture most of Vimy Ridge.

APRIL 10, 1912
The Titanic leaves England; five days later she sinks after striking an iceberg. More than 1,500 people die as a result of the disaster.

APRIL 11, 1713
France signs the Treaty of Utrecht, ceding the territory that is now Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to Britain, and recognizing the British claim to Hudson Bay.

Execution of Lount and Matthews.

ILLUSTRATION: LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA—C001242

APRIL 12, 1838
Peter Matthews and Samuel Lount are publicly hanged in Toronto for their part in the Upper Canada Rebellion.

APRIL 13, 1942
The Royal Canadian Air Force No. 417 Spitfire Squadron is transferred to Egypt to join the fighting in the Middle East.

APRIL 14, 1971
The destroyer HMCS Gatineau (2nd) re-commissions in Esquimalt, B.C.

APRIL 15, 1941
Near Boulogne, France, 12 aircraft of 402 Squadron carry out the first RCAF offensive operations over enemy-held territory.

APRIL 16, 2006
Citing danger to aid workers, the Canadian International Development Agency suspends projects in Afghanistan.

Alexander Mackenzie

PHOTO: LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA—PA025303

APRIL 17, 1892
Alexander Mackenzie, Canada’s second prime minister, dies at age 70.

APRIL 18, 1957
It is announced that Canada will extend a NATO aircrew training plan to personnel from Norway, Denmark and Holland.

APRIL 19, 1943
The Allies meet in Bermuda to discuss the plight of Jews in Europe, and agree to open a refugee centre in North Africa.

Major-General William Nickerson, VC

ILLUSTRATION: SHARIF TARABAY

APRIL 20, 1900
Under heavy fire at Wakkerstroom, South Africa, William Nickerson, born in Dorchester, N.B., attends a soldier’s wounds and remains with him until he can be moved to safety; he is awarded the Victoria Cross.

APRIL 21, 1952
HMCS Iroquois sails for duty in Korean waters.

APRIL 22, 1915
Canadian troops fight to close a gap created by the enemy’s first use of Chlorine gas. The Canadians also mount a counterattack to force the enemy out of Kitcheners Wood.

APRIL 23, 1923
The Canadian Air Force (before it becomes The Royal Canadian Air Force) adopts the motto “Per Ardua ad Astra”—Through Adversity to the Stars.

A company of the PPCLI moves in single file across rice paddies as it advances on enemy positions across the valley.

PHOTO: LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA—PA171228

APRIL 24-25, 1951
2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry withstands wave after wave of enemy assault at Kapyong, Korea.

APRIL 26, 1860
The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada is formed in Toronto.

APRIL 27, 1942
Quebec votes ‘non’ in the national conscription plebiscite.

APRIL 28, 1917
The 1st Canadian Division successfully attacks the Arleux Loop east of Vimy Ridge, but casualties amount to more than 1,000.

APRIL 29, 1945
Germany agrees to an unconditional surrender of troops in Italy, to take effect May 2.

APRIL 30, 1943
Rear-Admiral Leonard Murray becomes Commander in Chief, Canadian Northwest Atlantic. With this appointment, he is in command of Canadian and Allied air and naval forces involved in convoy protection in that area.

For ‘ON THIS DATE’ MAY Events, come back to legionmagazine.com on May 1, 2014.