Hi Graham. An interesting find. I’ll throw out the possibility that it was made for a graduating course in the first half of 1953 when Gimli was designated as No. 2 FTS (Flight Training School). They were using Harvards at the time.
I’m quite certain the patch isn’t made by Crest Craft, based on the quality. A guess on the motto might be, “OCTIMI GIMLITANI”; a sort of a meaningless pig Latin to emulate many other motto's found on Commonwealth Squadron insignia. I don’t have a guess why, “OCT” unless it was the 8th course offered at 2 FTS that year. The “47” might be the number of the course offered since inception of 2FTS at Gimli. There are patches numbered in the 30's in 1952 for example. At 47, it would near to the last course offered there before the Unit moved to Moose Jaw in mid 53.
Perhaps others will have additional insight.
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