Spring 2020

Report of the Immediate Past President New Club President

As I move into my new position of immedi- Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Jon ate past president I thank the membership for Summers joined the Royal Canadian the opportunity to serve as president for the Navy on September 22, 1966, at past three years. I congratulate new president HMCS Cabot in St. John’s New- Jon Summers and new vice president Dave foundland. Paddon for taking on these new positions and commend the executive and board mem- In January 1967, he joined the ship's bers who shall continue to serve. company of HMCS Algonquin DDE 224, as an ordinary seaman for her I welcome Angie Barrington to the board last cruise from Halifax, NS via the and welcome back Bruce Bennett, Ex Offi- Panama Canal to Esquimalt BC. cio, President of the Crow’s Nest Military Artifacts Association. I look forward to Upon completion of his Seamanship working with you all. As we work through Training at the Great Lakes Training COVID-19 new opportunities have resulted. Center in Hamilton Ontario, CPO1 Summers served as a boatswain in The Annual General Meeting on May 27, several Naval Vessels ranging from 2020, was held via Zoom and provided an the auxiliary HMCS opportunity for both in-town and out-of- Scattary to HMCS Cape Scott, town members to participate. It proved to be HMCS Provider, HMCS Thunder, CPO1 Jon Summers (retd) most successful with 45 members signed in. HMCS Fundy and HMCS Skeena. After a trade re-muster to Rad Sea, HMCS Fort Steel. Many good suggestions and comments were he served at the Mill Cove in NS and raised and this social contacting technique then in HMCS Saguenay as a radio CPO1 Summers was appointed For- will most assuredly be adopted to provide operator. mation Chief Petty Officer on June greater communications to all members as 30, 1998, and held this position until we move forward. will also be taking on the While employed in the OPS Depart- June 30, 2001. position as property chairperson and a series ment, CPO1 Summers played an of projects will be addressed and reported on active role in eight NATO Naval In September 2002 he joined the in future Scuttlebutts. Control of Shipping Exercise as an Ships Company of HMCS Scotian in OPS Room Supervisor and as part of Halifax NS and was appointed as the Summer officially starts on June 20 and I the Directing Staff. MOC Advisor for the Naval Commu- wish everyone an enjoyable season and nicators. please stay safe in these challenging times. He was promoted to the rank of Looking forward to seeing you all at the CPO2 on November 01, 1980, and CPO1 Jon Summers Retired from the ‘Nest’ in the near future. attended the CPO/CWO Course at at HMCS CFB Borden in 1993. He was pro- Cabot in St. John’s NL on September moted to the rank of CPO1 on Jan 01, 22, 2004 Bravo Zulu, 1996. Gary Walsh CPO1 Summers now resides in Immediate Past President During his 38-year career, CPO1 Whiteway, Trinity Bay, NL. He has Summers has served as Cox’n of two children Jessica and Jonathan. HMCS Cabot for four Commanding Officers, has served as Cox’n in East Coast Gate Vessels as well as

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Welcome Aboard New Members Spring 2020

Out of Town Honorary Members In Town (WWII RCN veterans)

David Shea Penny Fifield, Dildo, NL Cdr Peter Chance (HMCS Skeena), Colin Dalton Neil Whiteley, Terara, Australia Victoria, BC Chris Hickey Chris Richardson, Forsyth, GA Gord Woods, HMCS Fennel, Port Frank MacEachern Larry Hall, Clarksburg, ON Hope, ON Rick Mercer, Toronto, ON Norm Perkins, HMCS Skeena, North Life Membership LCdr (Ret'd) S.J.Z. (Alex) Csank, Lt(N) Craig Dalton, Victoria, VanKleek Hill, ON Lisa Chatzikirou, Triton, NL Paul Menard, Bedford, NS BC

Board of Directors Elected at AGM

The Crow’s Nest Officers’ Club Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. The slate for the Board of Directors for 2020-2021 was confirmed at that time.

Officers: President: Jon Summers Vice President: Dave Paddon Secretary: Stephanie O’Brien Treasurer: Margaret Morris Immediate Past President: Gary Walsh

Directors: Leroy Murphy Tom Paddon Bruce Dyke Andrew Collins Tom Horrocks Stephen Lee Brian O’Connell Robin Blatch Angie Barrington

Ex Officio: Bruce Bennett, President, CNMAA

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Treasurer’s Report

Despite the coronavirus crisis and there is no problem paying the in- ask. If my mouse and slipped and all the uncertainty in the world surance, utilities and taxes during credited the wrong member with a today, the Crow’s Nest is in good the lockdown. Many members have dues payment, I’ll quickly correct shape physically and financially. submitted their dues quickly and it it. Also, if anyone wants extra time The social program is temporarily is very much appreciated in order to to pay, just ask. No explanation is halted but there is no reason why replenish the contingency required. we won’t rebound back as soon as fund. Some have even added an COVID-19 is behind us. extra donation. Others may have If you have any questions or con- more important matters with health, cerns about your membership With the production of the docu- family or careers so delays are per- status, email me through the mentary in 2019, our surplus for fectly understandable. Club’s email address the past financial year is very slim [email protected], write to but, thanks to previous surpluses, Happily, the Club has a good finan- me care of the Club or feel free to we have a good contingency fund. cial cushion to weather the storm. call me at home (709 754-6730). I I will be sending reminders out soon am handling Club business from my As I mentioned in my email of for those who haven’t paid yet. We dining room table these days and I April 8th, these extra funds were have over 500 on our membership welcome calls. intended for unexpected property roll. There are multiple Browns damage. With an old building in a (some with an “e” and some with- Stay safe, stay well during these harsh climate, we have to be ready out). It is a similar situation with challenging days. Like all of us, I for anything. Clark(e)s and Green(e)s. look forward to sharing a few pints and stories at the Club soon. A pandemic wasn’t in the plan but There are Stacks and Stamps, Moore the contingency fund will tackle & Moores. You get the idea. If you Margaret Morris the problem anyway. For now, have any questions, don’t hesitate to ZOOM Service Used for AGM

adapted with the video, audio-only or both. If re- times while con- quired, it lets you record sessions to tinuing the tradi- view later. Over half of Fortune 500 tions established companies reportedly used Zoom in many years ago. 2019.

Since the out- The first Crow’s Nest ZOOM An- break of the coro- nual General Meeting was held on navirus pan- Wednesday, May 27. It was well- demic, people attended and the consensus is that it have had to con- was a tremendous success. fine themselves The Crow's Nest has survived many for fear of contracting COVID 19 One of the benefits of the ZOOM changes since it was founded in The club and its members adapted platform is that it allows out-of- 1942. In the beginning, members and followed the necessary rules to town members the opportunity to would view Corvettes, ensure members' safety. The club fully participate in the AGM. and Merchant Ships from the Club's also embraced new technology. For windows. Now, they see ships in- the first time in the club's history, One can't help wonder what mem- volved in the offshore oil industry, our Annual General Meeting was bers from years ago would think of cruise ships and yachts that pay a held off-premises on ZOOM. this new technology? visit during the summer season. ZOOM is a cloud-based video con- ferencing service you can use to The Crow’s Nest changed and virtually meet with others, either by

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Christmas and New Year’s Eve at The Crow’s Nest Although the 2019 holiday season has passed, we wanted to share some photos taken at The Crow’s Nest during that time. While the “Nest” saw many celebrations over Christmas and New Year's there were two that stood out. St. Nick visited our annual Christmas dinner and members welcomed 2020 with a Roaring ‘20s theme. Here are some photos from those events.

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S.S. Nerissa, The Final Crossing Book Review By Gary Greene miles from her destination, she was The book sheds light on a little sunk by U-552 (Erich Topp). Of the known Canadian tragedy. In fact, it In the past few years, some secrets 291 people on board, 207, including is the only non-fiction book devoted and lesser-known stories of WWII 14 Newfoundlanders, lost their exclusively to the Nerissa which I are just starting to emerge as offi- lives. It was the third-largest loss of could find in my online search of cial documents become declassified life caused by U-Boats in the UK library holdings and bookstores. It and other materials such as wartime approaches during WWII. is an interesting read especially for diaries are being discovered. Wil- students of maritime, naval, WWII liam Dziadyk has been researching Neither the nor the or Newfoundland and Labrador and writing about the SS Nerissa, Royal Canadian Navy held a formal history. The book is available from the only Canadian troopship sunk inquiry into the sinking. Victims' Amazon. during the war, for several years. families were instructed to keep the (See his article in the Winter 2018- tragedy a secret and the press never Club members may be interested to 19 Scuttlebutt.) Further research has revealed the ship's name. Informa- know that a few years ago the resulted in his publishing on No- tion related to the sinking was clas- Crow's Nest Military Artifacts As- vember 11, 2019, of S.S. Nerissa, sified and official documents re- sociation was presented with a the Final Crossing. The story has a mained sealed until 1985 and 1990. framed display containing the med- strong connection to Newfoundland Consequently, a number of WWII als and a replica of the page in the and Labrador. history books, including the Royal Book of Remembrance for New- Canadian Navy's official history of foundlander James Wicks, Quarter- The Nerissa, originally built in the , never master, who lost his life in Scotland in 1926 for Bowring's Red mention the ship. the Nerissa sinking. He was 27 Cross Line's Newfoundland trade, years old. was one of three freight and passen- The author, a retired Lieutenant ger ships on the firm's St. John's - Commander from the Royal Cana- Halifax - New York City run. dian Navy, brings his years of naval Though the ships were sold in 1928, experience and interest in naval the Nerissa continued to serve on history to the task of telling the the St. John's - New York route story. He is thorough in providing until 1931. At the outbreak of war, details about the ship, the attack, the the Nerissa, still crewed in part by search and rescue, the aftermath and Newfoundland sailors, was armed those on board. To his credit, the and refitted for troop transport. Her author not only gives detailed lists first transportation of Newfound- of those on board by category, but land troops to the United Kingdom he also brings forward the human occurred in June 1940. element of war by providing bio- graphical material on some of the Nerissa's 40th wartime crossing of victims and survivors. the North Atlantic started when she left Halifax on April 21, 1941, as Dziadyk relies heavily on primary part of convoy HX-122 bound for sources including declassified docu- Liverpool. Three hours later, she ments, firsthand accounts and letters left the convoy and independently home by survivors, and, in the ab- headed for St. John's. After a day in sence of any naval investigation, the port and unknowingly with the ad- Canadian Army's Court of Inquiry dition of two stowaways, Canadian into the loss of the Nerissa and its soldiers deserting their local posts Court of Inquiry into the desertion to see action in Europe, Ner- by a sergeant from Force "W" in St. issa departed unescorted for Liver- John's. Sources for his information pool. are documented in chapter endnotes enabling readers to consult the On April 30, about 200 nautical original material.

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Progress Report on the Club’s History Project

By Margaret Morris of a well-to-do family. He attended board SS Port Gisborne when the ship Gary Green and I continue to collect the Eton and later studied at Oxford. His was sailing to the UK as part of convoy stories behind the Club’s gunshields and athletic abilities were displayed in HX-77. other memorabilia. If you think the yachting, golf, cricket and skiing. He current lockdown is producing lots of also played the piano, spoke French The convoy was attacked by U-boats writing, you’re wrong! fluently and was talented both as an and Port Gisborne was sunk by U-48 on artist and a writer. the night of 11th October 1940. With my social calendar temporarily Light survived the sinking and made a suspended, I have the luxury of ponder- Because his father served in India with heroic effort to keep the others in his ing over a word for hours. My thesaurus the Army, young George spent a great boat alive for ten days. is my new best friend. I’ll take all day deal of time with relatives in Brixham, to choose the right word and then, to- Devon. Despite his affluent upbringing, They spotted another lifeboat in the morrow, I’ll change it! he was not hesitant to get his hands water from a different ship and he dirty with the local fishing fleet and in tended to those survivors as well. Fi- Not only does the lockdown provide the local shipyards. As Ian Dear notes nally, both boats were picked up by the ample time to ponder word choices, but in The Tattie Lads, “what he didn’t rescue tug Salvonia. As a result of his it also allows me to go down rabbit know about working boats wasn’t worth actions, Light was awarded the George holes. I always meet new people at the knowing, and this knowledge was to Medal and the Lloyd’s War Medal for Club and this is continuing despite serve him well in both world wars.” Bravery at Sea. coronavirus. Instead of face-to-face encounters, it is introductions through George Martin joined the Royal Navy When he disembarked from the rescue books and research. Some of these char- Volunteer Reserve in November 1914 tug in Greenock, Scotland, he was acters and stories have direct connec- and initially served in the Motor Boat asked what his address would be while tions to the Crow’s Nest while others Reserve. His extensive appreciation of onshore. He responded by asking which are on the periphery. working boats and civilian mariners was hotel was the best in town. When he noted by senior leadership and led to his was told that it was the Tontine, he While researching HMRT (His Maj- appointment as an inspector of tug replied that the Tontine would be his esty’s Rescue Tug) Tenacity, I came equipment. The remainder of WWI was address. across the book The Tattie Lads by Ian spent contributing to a more effective Dear. It is a history of the Rescue Tug tug service for the RN. His efforts were On his way to the hotel, he stopped at a Service in both world wars and two rewarded with an OBE (Military). naval outfitter to order a new uniform fascinating characters have come to my and told the tailor to send the bill to his attention. The first is E.G. (George) Martin’s vision for the role of ocean- banker. One can only imagine how Martin who contributed greatly to the going tugs was validated when the Res- anyone would look in the eyes of the development of the Rescue Tug Ser- cue Tug Service was promptly re- naval outfitter or hotel staff after such a vice. activated with the outbreak of WWII. lengthy ordeal at sea. Despite his age (59 at the time), Martin The other is Sydney Herbert Light who was among the first to be recalled to Later, when he enquired about the status apparently came from a totally different duty. He was Commander-in-Charge of his fellow survivors, he learnt that background but distinguished himself Rescue Tug Base, Campeltown, until some were penniless and were accom- greatly during a sinking. What they had the fall of 1944 when poor health led to modated at the work-house. He was in common was tremendous respect for his retirement. Sadly, he died of a heart outraged at this treatment of his fellow all people regardless of their personal attack on April 27th, 1945, less than survivors. Although his methods are circumstances. It seems they were not two weeks before VE Day. not known, his actions did correct what burdened with bias or bigotry towards he considered to be an indignity to these other services or other backgrounds. Sydney Herbert Light men who had already suffered so much. Sadly, not much is written about either Sydney Light survived the war and one of them. Not much is known about Sydney Light resumed a successful business life. as a youth except that, at the age of 13 I hope you enjoy meeting them as much years, he ran away to sea. This suggests According to Ian Dean’s book, The as I did! Stay safe, stay well in these that he had a less than happy home life. Tattie Lads, Light became “an under- difficult days. After some time as a deck boy, he re- writer at Lloyd’s, owned a shipyard in turned to life onshore and became a Holland, and eventually retired to his Commander E.G. (George) Martin prosperous businessman. When WWII villa on Mallorca to sail a yacht he had broke out, he chose to serve his country designed himself.” He died in 1967 and Evelyn George Martin was born into a by re-joining the merchant navy. is buried in the British cemetery in Lis- banking family on March 22nd, 1881. bon, Portugal. (continued on page 7) His early days were what you’d expect Sydney Light was an Able Seaman on

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(continued from page 6)

The Tontine Hotel was consid- ered the best hotel in Greenock, Scotland in WWII when Sydney Light arrived after 10 days in a life boat. It is still operating to- day.

HMRT Salvonia (W43) was one of the more robust and most successful of Cdr George Martin’s Rescue Tug Service.

HMS Port + HMS Pine = HMS Porcupine The Royal Navy’s half-boats, the RN patched them up HMS Pork and HMS Pine. It is HMS Porcupine was launched in and used them as floating accom- not known if the naming ceremony June 1941 and commissioned in modation for dock works and sail- included the traditional bottle of August 1942. ors for the remainder of the war. champagne. HMS Pork and HMS Pine were decommissioned in In December 1942, while on escort Technically, each was a new vessel March 1946. duties between Algeria and Gibral- and, in keep- tar, she was hit by a from a ing with na- German U-boat. The attack re- val tradition, sulted in the deaths of seven men each needed but the ship was mostly intact ex- a name. cept for localized damage that al- Dockworkers most cut it cleanly into two pieces. were already referring to After top weight was jettisoned to the two reduce the list, the ship was towed halves as to Arzew, Algeria and later, in Pork and March 1943, it was towed again to Pine so it was Oran, also in Algeria, where it was decided to declared a total loss. make it offi- cial. HMS PINE being towed alongside Guns, ammunition, mountings, stores and other items were re- On Janu- moved. The ship was actually cut in ary 14th, HMS PORK half, each was ballasted and they 1944, were towed to in June they were 1943. formally named Rather than sacrificing two useful

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Club Presentations

Members and visitors to The Crow’s Nest are familiar with the collection of caps above the bar. Recently, Brigadier- General James Camsell added to the collection with the presentation of his cap to out-going Crow’s Nest Presi- dent Gary Walsh. Brigadier-General Camsell recently retired from the Army Reserve and felt The Crow’s Nest would be a suitable home for his cap.

Crossed The Bar

Kenneth Jerrett 1970 – 2020

Although not a frequent user of the Club, Ken was certainly well known. Despite suffering from chronic granulomatous disease, he had a successful professional career as a lawyer. He was meticulous in his observations about Club admini- stration. If this was indicative of his attention to detail, he must have been impressive in law. We extend Lou Howard 1924 – 2020 our condolences to his wife, Taryn Harvey Bishop 1933 – 2020 Hearn, and his family. His friendly Lou visited St. John's multiple times corrections of procedures kept us on In addition to his career at Bowring while serving in HMCS Sarnia dur- our toes and will be missed. Brothers and, later, Munn's, Harvey ing WWII. Because he was the was very involved with Branch 56 youngest officer on board and the of the Royal Canadian Legion, the only one that was married, he was Last Post Fund and the Corps of always made Officer of the Day John B. Mason 1934 – 2019 Commissionaires yet he still found which meant little or no time time to contribute greatly to the ashore. He never got to the Crow's Living faraway in Notthingham- Crow's Nest. He also served as an Nest until 2016! Lou was serving shire, UK did not deter John from Aide de Camp in the early 1980s to with Sarnia when they rescued sur- being a long-time supporter of the then Lieutenant-Governor Anthony vivors from the sinking of HMCS Crow's Nest. Although sending Paddon. Harvey's health in recent Esquimalt. He earned a cash through the mail is always years curbed his activity but he is “Mentioned in Dispatches” recogni- discouraged, John successfully sent still well-known and fondly remem- tion as a result of his actions that his dues in Canadian banknotes bered. He was predeceased by his day. Although he was a late addi- every year. The brief notes that wife, Frances, and is survived by tion to our membership roll, he always accompanied his dues were his four children, seven grandchil- made quite an impact. He was an very much appreciated. He is sur- dren and one great grandchild. impressive speaker at our 75th anni- vived by his wife, Sheila Ann, his versary mess dinner and kindly do- children and grandchildren. nated his cherished Sarnia pennant to our collection. We extend our condolences to his wife Hyacinthe and family.

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