"Muff" Mills - Nose Artist

Albert Edward “Muff” Mills was born in Todmorden, Ontario, in 1923, raised in Humber Bay, where he attended Mimico High School. During his last year of school his artistic talents won two scholarships to attend the Ontario College of Art.  Muff, as he was known to his friends, completed his art studies, then entered the RCAF in 1941. He trained as an airframe mechanic at St. Thomas, Ontario, then began his career work at No. 14 Service flying Training School, Aylmer, Ontario.

In 1943, LAC Mills was posted overseas to No. 428 [Ghost] Squadron based at Dalton, Yorkshire. Muff painted at least five Wellington Mk X aircraft with Nose Art.

 

Rough sketch of 'Wha Cher Cock?' by "Muff" Mills.

Original by Muff Mills created recently and donated to the Trenton Museum in 1999.
In June 1943, Muff completed a rough sketch on the dispersal at Leeming, Yorkshire, “C for Charlie” No. 427 [Lion] Squadron, with nose art name from a British cockney greeting – “Wha’ Cher Cock?”

The Canadian pilot had been a chicken farmer and the entire crew [most British] called him “Cock”. As a joke the crew used the common English expression – “Wha’ Cher Cock?” instead of “How Ya’ Doing?”. Six question marks signified the crew members, while the pilot [cock] was drawn wondering why the dud bomb [egg] never exploded.

On 27 May 1943, a special presentation was made to No. 427 [Lion] Squadron at Leeming, Yorkshire. The squadron was adopted by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, with Mr. Samuel Eckman Jr. [MGM London, England], W/C D. A. Burnside, DFC and Bar, [C.O. of squadron] and F/L J. Chasanoff [adjutant] attending the event.

The presentation Halifax B. Mk. V, aircraft was serial DK186, code ZL-L named “London’s Revenge”.

In October 1943, No. 427 Squadron adopted a Lion named “Maredth”, the offspring of Rota, the prized lion of Prime Minister Churchill. A special ceremony was held at Regent’s Park Zoo, attended by ground crew, air crew and civilians.

55 years later No. 427 Tactical Helicopter Squadron would participate in a second adoption ceremony. L/Col. Dan Guertin [Commanding Officer] and D.C.O Dean Black would adopt a rare white male Lion cub on 24 November 1998. The Lion cub was named “Maredth II”.

 For this event, World War Two nose artist “Muff” Mills created this special drawing.

Leaving the RCAF in 1945, "Muff" worked all his life in the art field, mostly in the Toronto area, where he was art director of McGaw-Jordan for thirty years. Today his political cartoons appear in the Cambridge Times newspaper, bringing laughter, and some controversy to our Canadian political frustration and life’s problems.