
By then he was 35 years old, positively ancient compared with his fellow pilots most of whom were only 19 or 20. Inevitably referred to as ‘Old Mother Hubbard’ his squadron was soon known as ‘Mother Hubbard’s Own’ and the nursery rhyme image was enhanced as Hubbard insisted on taking his dog with him to France.
It was not long before the squadron’s aircraft sported a badge showing a disappointed dog, his nose in a bare cupboard. This was enhanced by a large letter C that framed the dog and represented the large number of Canadian pilots attached to the squadron.
The squadron flew for the remainder of the war with Mother Hubbard’s dog emblazoned on their side until their disbandment in 1919. When the squadron later revised this badge their new crest acknowledged the old as it showed a Talbot with a maple leaf on its shoulder.