A visit to the RAF base Linton-on-Ouse began with representatives of 408 and 426 Squadron associations planting two trees, oak and maple, to mark the wartime service of these to units and their return on 4 May 90. Here 426 Sqn Association President, John May (former F/L and S/L), is presenting Group Captain Peter Gooding, AFC, CO Linton-on-Ouse, with a framed sqn crest and a copy of the history of 426 Sqn. Howie West (former F/S), Secretary Treasurer, is standing to the rear.

W.H. 'Bill' Swetman, wartime Sqn CO, places a wreath on behalf of 408 and 426 members. Sentries of the cairn are Rosaire Berube (426 Sqn Assoc rep), and to the right, George McKillop (408 Sqn Assoc rep).

FROM JUNE 1943 TO MAY 1945, TWO SQUADRONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE, PART OF THE ALL CANADIAN, 6 GROUP BOMBER COMMAND, OPERATED OUT OF THE NEARBY AIR BASE, ACHIEVING A DISTINGUISHED RECORD AND AN HONOURED PLACE IN THE ANNALS OF THE ALLIED AIR OFFENSIVE OF WORLD WAR II.

THIS MEMORIAL CAIRN HAS BEEN ERECTED THAT WE AND GENERATIONS TO COME MIGHT PAUSE AND REFLECT UPON THE DEDICATION AND SACRIFICE OF THOSE WHO DIED IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM AND HUMAN DIGNITY WHILE SERVING WITH 408 (GOOSE) SQUADRON AND 426 (THUNDERBIRD) SQUADRON.

"AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM IN GRATITUDE"

WE HALLOW THAT MEMORY AND THE SPIRIT THAT BINDS US IN COMMITMENT TO THOSE HUMAN RIGHTS AND VALUES FOR WHICH WE STROVE; A BOND FORGED IN A PERILOUS TIME OF SHARED SACRIFICE AND STRUGGLE TRIUMPH AND PEACE.

ERECTED BY THE ASSOCIATIONS OF FORMER MEMBERS OF 408 SQUADRON AND 426 SQUDARON AND THE PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE OF LINTON-ON-OUSE.

DEDICATED THE 4th DAY OF MAY,  1990.