UN / Canada / Cyprus beginings

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

The remainder of the squadron arrived on HMCS Magnificent with the rest of the heavy vehicles.

Dan;

HMCS Magnificent served with the RCN from 1948 to 1957, at which point, it was replaced by HMCS Bonaventure. The Magnificent‘s last mission, was that of the deployment of the Canadian UNEF contingent during the Suez crisis of 1956.

HMCS Bonaventure was involved with the deployment of the Canadian UNFICYP contingent to Cyprus in 1964, reference: paragraph 74, which reads:

"the Canadian contribution would consist of the First Battalion, the Royal 22e Regiment and a reconnaissance squadron of the Royal Canadian Dragoons.(132) The force would be airlifted to Cyprus by the R.C.A.F.'s Transport Command, and vehicles and materiel would be shipped on board the aircraft carrier H.M.C.S. Bonaventure.(133),"

of DIRECTORATE OF HISTORY - CANADIAN FORCES HEADQUARTERS - Report Number 4 - Canada and Peace-keeping Operations, dated 22 October 1965.

Cheers