ACTION TIONS 'j
CANADA'S NAVAL MEMORIAL - HMcs SACKVILLE NEWSLETTER· JUNE/JULY 2004
Lays D-DayWreath'at In This' Issue: National War Memorial Laying D Day Wreath By Len Canfield Len canfield Lieutenant Commander Murray Chairman's Update Knowles ofHalifux, a Retiring Chair veteran of WWll Vice Admiral (ret'd) Hugh MacNeil ...... pg2 and long-time supporter of the New Chair Canadian Naval Vice Admiral MemoriaJI Trust was (ret'd) Ducan (Dusty) Miller pg2 invited by the Royal canadian Legion to participate ill the D-Day 60lh anniversary ceremony at the National War Captain's Cabin Cdr (ret'd) Wendall Brown pg3 Memorial in OttawaJune 6. Dominion Command SecretaryDuane Daly invited Murray to lay a wreath on behalf of the Canadian Navy. Murray, who served as CO of the corvette HMCS LoUisburg, participated in HMCSAbemi the D-Day invasion 60 years ago. Murray Copot June 6,1944 was a memorable day for Murray in more ways than one. Not Leo McVarish only was he taking part in the largest battle of the war but his son Stephen was Max Corkum pg4 born on that date. He would not learn of his son's birth for some time and would not see his first born for nine months. Padre's Pence Among his treasured memorabilia from the wartime corvette is a five-gallon Chaplin Charles Black pg6 'officers rum k~g, inscribed 'HMCS Louisburg 1943-45,' which he plans to / donate to HMCS Sackville. / Last Word : pg8 Chairman's Update Message from New Chair Dear Trustees: What a Retiring Chair: '...it has been rewarding, challenging,jun... " privilege it is for me It is hard to believe that my four years as Chair of the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust to assume the reigns (CNMT) have nipped by. It has certalnly been rewarding, challenging, fun and interesting as Chair of the and I am very grateful to all the Trustees for giving me the chance to have my small input Canadian Naval into helping to gain for the "The soul of the Navy," the Canadian Naval Memorial, its fuU Memorial Trust and rightful status in the minds of Canadians. (CNMT) after the Two days prior to the AGM a lunch was held in the recently and handsomely refurbished wonderful job Vice Admiral (ret'd) Hugh Sackville Mess for all the previous chairs of the CNMT: Vice Admiral Andy Fulton, MacNeil has done Commodore Andy McMillan, Commodore Charles Westropp, Captain (N) Hal Davies, and dUring the last four our newly elected Chair, Vke Admiral Duncan (Dusty) Miller. We heard from those who years. I know from both made and Ih'oo the history of bow "Sackville" was saved, the decision to establish the standing ovation the original Canadian Corvette Trust, the problems that had to be overcome, the rebuilding given to Hugh at the AGM that you all join me in of the ship into her 1944 configuration, the dealing with the 'nay sayers,' the national thanking him and being delighted that he carries on fund raising campaign and the constant struggles among the many successes of keeping as our ex - officio past Chair. 'all above water.' As I said at the AGM, my response to being asked to It is worthwhile to read the minutes of the special committee of the Maritime Museum of be nominated as Chair was an immediate yes- a no brainer as they say. I first passed honours by piping the Atlantic, which records the early years of work, dedication, foresight and wise HMCS 5ackville from aboard HMCS Nipigon as we determination of the 'few' whose vision culminated in 1985, when Canada's and the sailed out of Halifax on a Great Lakes deployment world's 'Last Co lVette,,was granted her title of HMCS and was dedicated by the Government on my first day in command in 1986 and a fine of Canada as Canada's official National Naval Memorial. Next year will be the 20th relationship has existed ever since. Now, all ships in anniversary of this significant event in our naval annals. The past Chairs of the Trust were the fleet do the same and are proud to do so. intimately involved in Ihese achievements. The lunch was also to welcome Vice Admiral Thef
Vice Admiral (ret'd) Ralph Hennessy and Diana Hennesy present a print of "The Easteners" to Hal Gillis in recogniti on of his generous support of the Sackville Trust. 3. HMCS Alberni
Went the day well sailor attached to it which must have been soaked in phosphorous They did and never knew because it started to smoke. Two others were with me, Ed But good or ill England Collard, who passed away in 2000, and Leo O'Mara from They died for you. Vancouver. Leo, like me was off duty when the ship was hit and we were dressed in shoes, pants and T-shirts. Ed was HMCS Alberni KI03 on duty an.d was in his "Zoot suit" which was lined with 21 Aug 1944 wool for warmth. At.first it helped keep him afloat but when Canadian War Memorial, London it got wet it began dragging him under. Leo and I were frantically trying to unzip his suit to get him out of it. This Just before noon on August 21, 1944 the corvette HMCS gave us something to do and probably kept us from Albemi was torpedoed by U-480 and sunk in the English panicking. Finally we succeeded. The sea was very cold and Channel. heavy. These conditions probably caused the loss of so many The following are accounts from those who were there. men in the water. It was a stroke of good fortune that British Motor torpedo Memories of Murray Copot, Coder 1st Class boats HMS 469 and 470 were returning to Britain following It was just before noon and Iwas in the mess deck due to go duties off the Normandy coast. What followed was a truly on duty at noon. I was three or four steps up the ladder amazing sea rescue. In spite of heavy seas with high waves, from the mess deck when the bottom fell out. I hit my head 31 suIVivors were rescued from the freezing water. on something and the next thing I remember was being in the wilter. I didn't know if I was on my way up or down. Those of us rescued were sent to Greenock, Scotland where Then Isaw light and knew Iwas headed in the right direction. we joined survivors from HMCS Regina that was also sunk The only thing I could think was, "My mother can't get a in August 1944. I was among those sent back to Canada on telegram. It will kill her." the Queen Mary where we acted as guards for 3000 German After the initial shock of being in the water I started looking prisoners ofwar who were being sent to an internment camp around and found that there were quite a few of us in the in New York. After suIVivors leave, back in Halifax, I was same predicament. We got hold of a Carley float that was sent to HMCS Ontario where I left for action in the Pacific like a plank that we could hang on to. There was a rope Theatre in the war agamst]apan. 4. J wdS an asdlc operator at the time of the explosion in Albemi and was off duty in a seaman's mess for tot rations. Ueut. Fulton, from Mootreal, and Coxwain., Chief Petty Officer Ughthall from Picton were overseeing the nun rations when we were hit. I was sitting at the end of the starboard table near these two. On my side of the table were Leading Seamen Bob Carson, from Midland, and Ted Lawson from Orillia. They were su(Vivors. Opposite sat Johnny Allan and Cyril Moffatt from Winnipeg. Both were lost. When tbe hit came, Stoker Pallin and I took the stariK>ard side to freedom. On the port side is where many jammed to get oul I was climbing the ladder to the foc'sle when the ship went under and my life jacket was tom off me. 1 managed to hold on to a snull box. The sea was rough and I could ooly see three shipmates off In the distulce. C~t Murray and family In front of the Calgary arena mUlled after Murray Those that got free were scattered all over. 1left the box to hitch a ride m 1991 to honour his work with children and hockey. \ 10 1993 Murray was named sportsman of the year for Calgary. with our gunner officer, Ueut. Frank William from Montreal, until a I plank GIllle into view. I held 00 in the cold water until we were rescued. Memories of Leo McVarish, Asdic Operator I believe because it was daylight, 2lld 00 depth ch~es went off we had. a better chance of survival. It was a sad trip back to Engiand knowing Like most Canadian sailors I was in and out of Halifax on callout. 1 that 59 of our shipmates were never to go home again. served in two minesweepers, HMCS Milltown and HMCS Lachine; the After survivors leave I was drafted to aBritish submarine. I didn't think British submarine Unseen and the corvette, HMCS A1benti. that was a good choice by the navy but they told me I had to take the The captain of the Albemi, LLCmdr Ian Bell from Vancouver, was a draft. I was discharged in 1945. ' super skipper. I guess when you have a strong and friendly leader the crew is efficient and happy. Alberni was definitely a family ship. She Memories of Lt.Cmdr Max Corkwn was credited with a probable submarine sinking, escorted many HMCS Alberni was torpedoed by U-480 southeast of the Isle of Wight convoys, and was active in the Mediternmean and on D-Day. Alberni on August 21, 1944. She MIS one of the many Canadian corvettes sent shot down a German Junker 88 off the coast of France. The stories are to the UK to escort convoys dUring the invasion of Normandy. She was all true about the accommodations on board our minesweepers and escorting a convoy when she encountered a German submarine. She corvettes. Peacetime crews were 40 and this extended to more than 90 was torpedoed about ooon and this would account fo~ the high loss of as more equipment was introduced for these ships to become fighting ille as most of the men would have been below having dinner. ships. Our radar in the early years was a disaster. Many times in a convoy a1 nigflt we were without functioning radar. Food never was I was seITing in HMCS Moosejaw, also an escort convoy, proceeding favourable, only when we stopped in Boston or New York. east when we came upon the wreckage of Alberni, approximately an fiiiii===!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii==iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~~~=~ho;;ur;;;;aft;e~r~s~he;;". had been sunk. There were all the usual flotsam and jetsam that remain after a sinking, but one memory that has remained with me after all these years Is of a guita.r, quite intact, floating high above the other wreckage. Alberni lost a musician. Many years later when HMes SackviUe was being restored to her WWll configuration, those of us working on tbe restoration became Involved when the wreck of the Afbemi was discovered by divers and there was difficulty in trying to complete her identi.ficatioo. HMeS A1berni never had her foc'slc extended. The divers reported that most of her top superstructure had been stripped off in an attempt to lesson the wreck as a navigational hazard. We did learn that the 4-inch gun was intact. The divers were asked if it would be possible to recover any of the equipment off the mounting gun. Later reports indicated that the waters near the wreck were murky. Further to this, there werf' '-======~~~~~~~~~~ additional thoughts that this was awar grave and should Awatercolour of the rescue of the survivors of HMCS A1bernl painted by be left undisturbed. Nothing further was done. Leo McVarish hangs in HMCS Chippawa's Museum, Wmnipeg. 5. Padre's Pence By Chaplain Charles Black • Veterans Pastoral Care Program CROSSEtTHE BAR Aprogram of interest to Trustees and other supporters of the canadian Naval Memorial Trust is the Veterans ~toral Care Program, an initiative of DND and 1\vilight and the evening bell, Veterans Affairs canada. And after that the dark. Similar to the care which military chaplains routinely provide to those who are I hope to see my Pilot's face serving in uniform, this program enables the provision of clergy (often retired When I have crossed the bar. Canadian Forces (CF) Chaplains) to our retired CF personnel and their immediate Alfred Lord Tennyson, 1809-1892 family, when apastoral need arises. It should be pointed out the program is not that ReverendJohn Francis Moorhead intended to replace the ministry of dviUan parish clergy when the fonner member is regular member of a civilian parish. When, however, a member is without immediate ministry of amember of the clergy, Dig Out Photos, Mementos this program may be able to provide assistance. While it is primarily deSigned for Trustees and friends of trustees: We need your help! situations when former members are dealing with 'end of life' issues, ie., dying, HMCS &ackville's education service crew is on the death, funerals, bereavement, etc., it is not necessarily restricted to this area alone. hunt for personal and anecdotal information that can be included in Sackville's growing historical Usually, when pastoral emergencies arise, Lime is of the essence. Thus, an important database and Web site. Photographs, with a caption feature of the program is its capacity to provide a swift r,esponse with a very high deSCribing conteOl, e.g. who, year, location, etc are quality of pastoral care. prime items. THECLERGY . So, please take the time to dig through your old The clergy who are provided under the provisions of this program are carefully files, storage areas, etc and locate these important selected and specifically mandated fue this ministry. Many of them are retired CF mementos. The Canadian Naval Memorial Trust wiU padres, or Royal Canadian Legion chaplains, who have personal familiarity with the record/digitize the information fOr all to enjoy now and for years to come. When submitting your military way of life. As well, they are quite familiar with the unique demands of material, please indicate whether you would like retired life. They are paid a standard honourarium for their services and are also the photo, etc returned or have it included in reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred. &ackville's collection on board. WHO IS EUGIBLE Don't let these important artifacts vanish! Protect All former members of the CF, both Regular and Reserve, who have been honourably yonr story and Canadian naval heritage by forwarding photos/materials to: discharged., and any CF veteran of the World Wars and Korea, including merchant seamen, are eligible. An immediate family member may also be considered eligible Education services to apply, and depending upon individual circumstances, may be provided with cio Executive Director pastoral care under the provisions of the program. HMCS &ackville While it will be necessary to complele and forward a standard application form, if STN FORCES the circumstances are deemed to be of an emergency nature, authority to provide Halifax, NS B3K 5X5 \------1 care may be provided "in advance of the paperwork". In all cases, the manager of Notice to Trustees: the program will determine the appropriate action to be taken. The previous owner of Larinda has med a lawsuit REGISTRATION against HMCS Sackville and the matter is now in All inquiries rehued to this program should be directed to the Manager of the Pastoral the hands of the attorney for CNMT insurance company, Reed Stenhouse. As the matter is before Outreach Program, Director of Casualty Support and Administration (DCSA 6), the courts we are unable to prOVide furthr.r National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, toll free in CanadA 1-800-883- 6094 or comment, however, once the matter is resolved, locally and outside Canada 613-944-4047. Applications also available on Web site, CNMT will advise all trustees as f.xpcditiously as www.forces.gc.ca/centre or by mail: Director Casualty Support and Administration possible. Chair CNMT 6, National Defence Headquarters, 101 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa ON KIA 0K2 Once approval has been given, the provision of care process will be initiated as FROM MY DITIT BAG quickly as possible, in order to alleviate further stress for individuals and families. In the movie TItanic, dUring the sinking of the ship, a junio.r officer is depicted as a complete However, if you believe you have an emergency requirement for pastoral care, and incompetent while loading the lifeboats. time is of the essence, call directly to manager of pastoral outreach program at Who was he? number(s) mentioned above. 6. WELCOME ABOARD
Mr. John Hennigar-Shue Cdr Jerry Maloney Mr. Murray T. Co.pot Mr. James Savage Mr. Jim Pomeroy Mr. Jay Abbass Mr. Michael Savage Mr. Scott MacNutt Mr. Geoff Regan Mr. Dave Martin HMCS SackvilJe's PUNdraisinggotftournament. The leader oJthepack (in his mintl). The successful tournament was organized by trustee Mr. Eldon Chaisson Neil Block. Thefollowing klws conceming the game were in effect. Captain Claude Ball Mr. David MacIntosh The Laws of Golf Mr. Sylvain D'Eon 1. No matter how bad your last shot was, the worst is yet to Mr. Ken McCormick come. Mr. Scotty Morrison Andrew "Sonny" Sunstrum 2. Your best round of golf will be followed almost immediately Mr. by your worst round ·ever. The probability of the latter increases with the number of people you tell about the Gift Shop Update: Check Out New Items former. 3. Brand new golf balls are water- magnetic. Though this In spite of the poor weather and a drop in tourists in July, IIMCS cannot be proven in the lab, it is a know fact that the more sackville's Gift Shop is doing better lhan expected, and to date, even expensive the golf ball, the greater the attraction to water. better than last year, reports manager Don Mackey. 4. Golf balls never bounce off trees into play. If one does, the Cbeck out the Sackville web site for new items, Including ball caps, tree is breaking a law of the universe and should be cut T-shirts, golf shirts, knives, commemorative coins of the sailor in down. .999 silver, gold plate, bronze and copper. Also, at a reduced price are the limited edition prints of "The Easterners 1941" and "The S. The higher a golfer's handicap, the more qualified he deems Westerners 1941." These POOlS are from original oil paintings by himself as an instructor. marine artist]. Franklin Wright. Each print is now only $50 or $95 6. Sand is alive. If it isn't, how do you explain the way it works on awood laminate. Each print comes with a numbered certificate against you? of authenticity. Prints may also be viewed on the web site. Ifyou are 7. Golf carts always fUn out of juice at the farthest point from in the Halifax area drop down to the ship at Sackvil1e Landing and the clubhouse. meet our friendly gift shop staff. 8. Asevere sUce is a thing of awesome power and beauty. 9. The last three holes of a round will automatically adjust Thanks Go Out your score to what it ~y should be. 10. Golf should be given up at least twice a month. At the AGM, the Naval Officers Association made two monetary donations, one for $2,000 to assist in the restoration of the mess and the other for $1,000 in support of the High School Essay Golf History Competition. Why do full-length golf courses have 18 holes and not 20 or 10 or As in the past years at the AGM, the Montreal White Ensign Club an even dozen? made a donation based on the size of its membership. Additionally, During adiscllssion among the Club's Membership at St Andrew's, when one of their members dies, in lieu of flowers, they send a Scotland, in 1858, one of the members pointed out that it takes generous memorial gift to HMCS SackviJle. exactly 18 shots .to polish off a fifth of Scotch whisky. By limiting Mr. Gerald Peer presented the trust with a significant artifact, the builder's plaque from HMCS Amherst. himself to only one shot of Scotch per hole, the Scot figured around of golf was finished when the Scotch ran out. Support such as thiS, and from other quarters, is greatly appreciated by the board and fellow trustees. 7. RAY.S DAILY ORDERS Ray Soucie AOTION STATIONS
SERVING MEMBERS Editors Dennis & Marlene May Serving members of Canada's Military are reminded of the changes to [email protected] the membership fee. At AGM03 the fee was revised and the Annual 20 Quarry Rd., Halifax NS B3N lX2 Donation is now $75.00 for evetyone. (902) 477-1615 DONATIONS: Editorial Committee Please check address label for year of last donation. Ray Soucie, Len Canfield, Contributors LIFE MEMBERSHIP Vice Admiral Hugh MacNeil (Ret;d) Want to ensure continued support to Sackville even after your gone? Vice Admiral-Duncan Miller (Ret'd) Have you considered a ute Membership. Contact Ray for further Cdr Wendall Brown (Ret'd) details. Chaplain Charles Black Murray Copot Answer to My Ditty Bag Leo Macvarish He was Charles Herbert lightoller, the ship's.second officer and the Max Corkum last person to board Carpathia. In WWl he was an RNR Commander Len Canfield and received the DSC and a bar. In WW 11, using his small boat, Don Mackay -Gary Thain "Sundowner," he rescued 130 men from the beaches at Dunkirk. As recently as two years ago, the Sundowner, wearing her Dunkirk Photography penent, was still afloat in Ramsgate harbour, Kent, England. Murray Copot Murray Knowles Ray Soucie Last Word: Diana Hennessy lIMCS Chipawa To Action Stations: Ian Urquhart Recently I read your account of !.he BoA Memorial service on Board Dusty Miller Sackville. As a BoA vet I often thought this would be my choice of buriaL Any info on this would be greatly appreciated. Design and Layout Thanks, J&S Prin' and DeSj~ 468~5558' RBumie Forbes (902) Smi!.h Falls (Jim Mackie) ~~ Bernie, Thank you for your letter. AfurorE': article by Padre Black will address HMCS Sackville your request as we feel there are others who would like this info as well. PO Box 99000 Station Forces Halifax NS B3K 5X5
Dear Ray, 1banks for attending to my "In Memorlum" requests. I enclose my CANADA"" POSTES cheque for my 2004 donation to the Trust POST ., CANADA The recently received issue of "Action Station" and its deS(rlption of life in the Seamen's Mess brought back memorles- fumbling about in the dark trying to find a place to lie down not al,.-eady occupied by 40016521 someone- under the messdeck table, on a locker. For sometime I slept 1/16 xxOO7(E} roUed up in the collision mat which was secured around the base of the VADM Duncan Miller ship's funnel It was dry warm and undisturbed! 6010 South Street Atip of my cap to the volunteers and others who look after "Sackville". Halifax NS B3H 157 Yours Aye Doug Meredith Ottawa, Ont .
Doug served on J{MCS Dundas, Digby, ML089, Port Hope, Portage, Nootka and Cape Scott.
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