Winter 2018, No
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StarshellA little light on what’s going on! A publication for the Naval Assocation of Canada • Winter 2018, No. 81 Orphan Monument No More Halifax’s neglected Bonaventure Monument gets a much-needed facelift 2 | Starshell Winter 2018 Starshell NEW ISSN-1191-1166 From the Editor National Magazine of the Naval Association of Canada Carmel Ecker Magazine Nationale de L’Association Navale du Canada www.navalassoc.ca “You have some big shoes to fill.” which I served for 14 years as a This is what I’ve heard repeatedly writer and graphic designer at CFB since agreeing to take on the role of Esquimalt’s Lookout Newspaper. I editor of the Starshell. treasure the time I spent embed- I daresay it seems like George ded in the community there. Moore WAS the Starshell. He The learning curve was steep. I PATRON: HRH THE PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH took it from a 4 page newsletter grew up in the B.C. interior, had HONORARY PRESIDENT: H. R. (HARRY) STEELE and built it up to a 48 page maga- never been on a military base and zine over 20 years. Anyone who’s knew very little about our Armed BOARD OF DIRECTORS put out an association newsletter Forces. There was a plethora of PRESIDENT: Bill Conconi, [email protected] knows that is a feat of epic new terminology, acronyms, ranks, VICE PRESIDENT: Barry Walker, [email protected] proportions. ships, shore units and many other TREASURER: King Wan, [email protected] And like any good CO, George things to learn. NAVAL AFFAIRS: Ian Parker, [email protected] built the magazine by enlisting There were also many wonder- HISTORY & HERITAGE: Dr. Alec Douglas, [email protected] a great crew of writers, many of ful opportunities: a flight in a Sea whom have volunteered to stay King, three days in the former HONORARY COUNSEL: Donald Grant, [email protected] on. So I am pleased to dedicate HMCS Protecteur for a Task Group ARCHIVIST: Richard Gimblett, [email protected] this, my first issue, to George. Exercise, a tour of an American AUSN LIAISON: Fred F. Abbott, [email protected] May he enjoy his “retirement” (in aircraft carrier and a day sail on CHAIR ENDOWMENT FUND: Michael Morres, [email protected] spite of all his remaining volunteer one of their mine sweepers, and OBITS EDITOR: Pat Barnhouse, [email protected] commitments). more. I’ve also gotten to see first- WEBMASTER: David Soule, [email protected] I cannot overstate how critical hand the resilience and dedication Starshell’s volunteer writers are. of military members and their EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SEC’Y / COMMUNICATIONS There is no magazine without families. Those stories will stay David Soule them. And, of course, there is al- with me for the rest of my life. 613-837-4026 • [email protected] ways room for more. If you have When I left the Lookout in 2016 STARSHELL EDITOR a story idea—contemporary or his- to start my own business, I felt a Carmel Ecker torical—please get in touch. Many sense of loss at not officially be- 250-661-1269 • [email protected] people hesitate because they don’t ing a part of that community think of themselves as “writers”. I any more. So I’m grateful for the STARSHELL magazine is published quarterly by the Naval Association say, “That’s what editors are for!” opportunity to reconnect to the of Canada (NAC) in February, May, August and November. The editor I welcome all voices who want to naval community in my role as ed- is solely responsible for the selection of material. Contributions are contribute in a meaningful way. itor of Lead & Line and Starshell. encouraged and should be sent direct to the editor. NOTE: All material must reach the editor no later than the 15th day of the month prior to Starshell is now the second I hope to fill the shoes George the month of publication. All photographs submitted for publication NAC publication I’m responsible has left for me and continue to must be accompanied by suitable captions and accreditation. Changes for. The other is NAC Vancouver bring NAC members a publication of address are to be sent to the executive director, David Soule, Island’s Lead & Line newsletter, that you find valuable. [email protected]. which I took over in the fall of If you have any comments or The opinions expressed in this publication are deemed to be exclusively 2016. questions or if you would like to those of the author(s) and are not necessarily shared by the Naval Both publications are a welcome contribute, email me at starshell@ Association of Canada, the Royal Canadian Navy or the Department of connection to the naval community, shaw.ca. National Defence. If copyright is specified for any item, permission to copy must first be obtained through the editor, otherwise material may be copied without permission provided appropriate attribution is given Starshell is printed in Canada by Editorial services, layout and to both the author(s) and STARSHELL. design are provided by DISTRIBUTION and SUBSCRIPTIONS – STARSHELL circulation exceeds 2,000 copies and is distributed to members of NAC, HMC Ships and shore establishments, NDHQ and other interested individuals. Except for copyright material, copying and internal circulation to interested individuals is encouraged. Non-members may subscribe by sending $20 in Canada, $25 elsewhere, for each subscription to the Executive Director. In this Edition 4 17 22 27 34 45 From the Editor 1 Final Sea King flight at 423 Squadron 24 From the Bridge 4 Ocean War Graves closer to being protected 25 Bravo Zulu George Moore 5 Late Discovered Successes: HMCS Morden vs. U-756 27 The Front Desk 6 Canada’s last destroyer to be recycled 29 Diplomacy: Defence, Naval or otherwise 8 Book Reviews 30 Bronte, in the Shadow of Etna 12 Ivory Coast Navy sailor gains an RCN family 33 Remembering Canada’s Merchant Marine Women 14 RAdm Welland’s Memoirs, Part 18: Gee! Isn’t it exciting! 34 Women of the Navy Project 16 More to the story: POW Richard Leir 38 Honours and Awards 18 Last Post 40 The Orphan Monument 20 Farewell to Hamish Berchem 45 MV Asterix joins the fleet 22 Our Navy: Air/Sea Rescue Work 46 2 | Starshell Winter 2018 We provide competitive solutions that meet current and future needs Type 26 represents the latest in ship design options and this adaptable solution allows for the accommodation of different combat systems, sub-systems and equipment in order to meet specific customer requirements. BAE Systems is a world leading shipbuilding company with the skills and expertise to design, build, integrate, test and commission complex warships to deliver the varying demands of our customers. Starshell Winter 2018 | 3 www.baesystems.com From the Bridge Bill Conconi, National President Spring has arrived, at least officially, lowship while engaging in social and Affairs, Ian Parker, reports the following: and on the West Coast. However, I un- educational experiences. At the national “As some will be aware, the NAC na- derstand that parts of Canada are still level, our main goal is to support and tional board took a strategic decision to struggling with winter. I think of you educate about the navy and its role in enhance the NAC Naval Affairs portfo- curled up in your comfy chairs while Canada. This is not an easy task and lio. This decision was based on a strat- those of us on the left coast are now something we deal with at both levels. egy to move from a part time ad hoc struggling with lawn mowers and gar- The preceding is not to undervalue the Naval Affairs activity to a full time ac- dens. I am sure you support and under- many other things we do, but to attempt tivity with a cadre of funded positions stand us. to focus on our core purposes. in order that NAC Naval Affairs can As we watch new shoots in the gar- Associations everywhere are struggling evolve into Canada’s recognized cen- dens and buds on the trees, I am re- to maintain member numbers as demo- tre of maritime and naval knowledge minded that spring is a time of renewal graphic shifts take their toll. People now outside of academia. The road that has and growth—a good time to think about appear to join for different reasons and, been chosen will be a long one, but at growing our membership. in many cases, are looking for a return on the end there will be a centre of knowl- Recently, I found myself in a discussion investment (ROI). We all need to work edge that can be used to educate Ca- in which the topic of my involvement at extending this discussion towards nadians on the vital importance of the in NAC came up and the logical next what we, as members, have to offer as oceans to her well being and the critical question was, “what is it all about?” we look to support our navy. I believe role that her navy and coast guard play It’s a challenge sometimes to succinct- that in doing this well, we will receive in defence of the nation and the oceans. ly explain something you know reason- our rewards—something to consider as As a first step, embarking on this Naval ably well to someone who does not have we build our “12 floor elevator pitch”. Affairs journey, NAC posted solicita- your background. Directors Bill Thomas and Ed Wil- tions to fill the newly created positions I gave it my best shot.