True and Fascinating Canadian History
The Battle of the Atlantic:
A Ceremony of Remembrance
The Halifax, NS. 2016
RCMP Ottawa Veterans' Association. June, 2015
I am wondering if the Halifax AGM 2016 Organizing Committee would be open to the idea of building a "Battle of the Atlantic" component into the Program to recognize and remember the outstanding contribution made by the RCMP 'Marine' Division -- the members and vessels which contributed to the Allied victory in the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II?
I have enclosed 2 lists of RCMP 'Marine' Division members and ex-members who were killed in the Battle of the Atlantic. All but one were lost at sea. They have no grave. One member was buried ashore -- Reg.#12223, D. E. Gillis was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Halifax, NS.
The full story is contained in the The July 1946 Quarterly on the RCMP 'Marine' Division in World War II.
Activities could include:
- a memorial service of remembrance on board ship, including the placing of wreaths in the sea,
- a memorial service of remembrance in Halifax at the Battle of the Atlantic Memorial or other such location,
- a visit to HMCS Saskville, to be housed in the future Battle of the Atlantic Place in Halifax,
- a visit to Coastal Marine Security Operations Centre in Halifax (RCMP/CCG/CBSA/DND/TC) at HMC Dockyard,
- a donation to the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust in Halifax on behalf of RCMP Veterans in recognition of the RCMP who fought in the Battle of the Atlantic,
- a lecture or presentation on board about the RCMP's naval history - The Vancouver Division Vets active with the Vancouver Maritime Museum and the St. Roch National Historic Site might be ideal presenters for this, based on the late Reg.#42712, Cst. Haycock's book. RCMP Heritage Centre might also be involved?
- an event marking the October 11, 1942 arrival of the RCMPV St. Roch in Halifax after completing her first Arctic Northwest Passage voyage,
- an event or tour at HMC Dockyard by RCN personnel.
These are ideas which I am proposing.
When war broke out in 1939 there were 240 RCMP members in the 'Marine' Division who were absorbed into the RC Navy. The RCMP's 33 vessel fleet was also transferred over to the RCN. (At the time, the RCN already had 13 vessels in service). The RCMP vessels engaged in key escort and patrolling duties until other proper warships could be built.
Most of the 'Marine' Division members saw wartime action, but there were others who filled the huge task of administrative duties on shore. RCMP adminstrators continuous efforts played a major role in the success of the operational men and vessels as they supplied, repaired and fulfilled all other aspects of maintaining a fighting force at sea.
Concurrent with sea operations was the never-ending training of new crews for the numerous vessels that were under construction. Many of the engineers and officers of the RCMP 'Marine' Section shared their skills with the newly recruited personnel who eventually formed a new ship's company. The ever-expanding navy took shape and the RCMP 'Marine' Division played an important role.
There are four members of the Force who are on the RCMP Honour Roll who were lost during the Battle of the Atlantic. But, there may be others: The Quarterly listed Ldg. Tel. A. W. Armstrong (HMCS MARGAREE), 2nd Officer, Merchant Navy, J. Cassidy (SS PINK STAR) and 2nd Engr A Allard of the Merchant Navy as being lost. However, these men are not on the RCMP Honour Roll so more research is necessary.
Having a Ceremony of Remembrance while at sea in 2016 would be a touching and newsworthy moment during the AGM 2016, especially if RCMP Vets can link our naval history to modern times (e.g., search and rescue, Fisheries, Swissair 111 response etc).
As well, Commissioner R. H. Simmonds was in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm during the war in 1945 and he served overseas before joining the RCMP in 1947. So, RCMP Vets have a Battle of the Atlantic Veteran in our ranks!
RCMP LOSSES IN THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC 1939-1945
1. RCMP HONOUR ROLL #67
Reg.# 12223, Third Engineer Daniel Everett Gillis. Killed. March 26, 1941
Constable Gillis joined the RCMP 'Marine' Division in 1932. The armed yacht HMCS OTTER was destroyed by an accidental explosion and fire on March 26, 1941 near Sambro Island 24 nautical miles from Halifax, NS. Two Officers and 17 other ranks were lost. Third Engineer Gillis was awarded a posthumous citation for gallantry and devotion to duty. He was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Halifax, NS.
2. RCMP HONOUR ROLL #68
Reg.# 10063, Constable Charles James Johnstone. Lost at sea. April 30, 1941.
Constable Johnstone joined the RCMP in 1924 and he served in “G”, “D” and “Depot” Divisions. He joined the No. 1 Provost Company during WWII. He was one of 7 RCMP members on board the SS NERISSA en route to the UK which were serving as reinforcements. SS NERISSA was torpedoed and sunk by U-boat U-552 on April 30, 1941 about 100 miles northwest of County Donegal, Ireland. All but 84 of 290 crew and passengers were lost.
The SS NERISSA was the only troopship carrying Canadian troops that was lost during World War II. The surviving RCMP members were 8.5 hours in a life boat before being rescued: Reg.#9512 Denton, Reg.#12502 Currie, Reg.#12797 Mara, Reg.#13015 Keelan, Reg.#13298 Nicholas and Reg.#13760 MacPhee. Constable MacPhee is listed on the Halifax Memorial Panel 14.
3. RCMP HONOUR ROLL #71
Reg.# 12168, Lieutenant (N) Patrick Reginald Fairburn Milthorp. Lost at sea. February 10/11, 1942.
Lieut. Milthorp was a police officer in the West Riding (Yorkshire) Constabulary before joining the RCMP 'Marine' Divison in 1933. He was transferred to RCN at outbreak of war in 1939. At the time of his death he was a Lieutenant on the corvette HMCS SPIKEHARD. The ship was escorting Convoy SC 67 from UK to Canada south of Iceland when she was torpedoed and sunk by U-Boat U-136. Her commander, 4 officers and 52 ratings were lost at sea. Only 8 ratings survived. Lieut. Milthorp is listed on Panel 6 of the Halifax Memorial.
4. RCMP HONOUR ROLL #73
Reg.# 12130, Lieutenant-Commander John Willard Bonner, Lost at sea. September 11, 1942
L/Commander Bonner began his sea career in 1907 then he joined the Canadian Preventive Service in 1929 which was absorbed into the RCMP 'Marine' Division in 1932. With the marine rank of Master he skippered several RCMP patrol vessels until World War II when the 'Marine' Division and its vessels were transferred to the Canadian Military.
In 1941, L/Commander Bonner was given command of the corvette HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN and was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander in 1942. HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN was torpedoed and sunk on September 11, 1942 off Cap Chat, Quebec by U-boat U-517. Nine of her 64 crew members, including Bonner, were lost.
When struck by torpedoes, Bonner ordered abandon ship, organized the evacuation and was the last to leave his ship. As he swam away, there was a violent underwater explosion and he was killed. Crew members managed to pull his lifeless body onto their life-raft but it soon became so overcrowded that they were forced to return his body to the water. It was never recovered.
L/Commander Bonner is listed on Panel 6 on the Halifax Memorial. As well, Bonner Drive at 'Depot' Division is named for him.
RCMP LOSSES IN THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC 1939-1945
MEMBERS NOT LISTED ON THE RCMP HONOUR ROLL
1.Reg.#12828, Telegraphist Arthur Webster Armstrong., Lost at sea. October 22, 1940
Telegraphist Armstrong joined RCMP 'Marine' Division in April 1936 and transferred to the RCN in July 1938. Armstrong was a radio operator on the HMCS MARGAREE when this ship was escorting Convoy OL.8 from Londonderry to Canada. The ship collided with MV PORT FAIRY and sunk with the loss of 4 officers, 136 ratings and 2 Royal Navy sailors. Armstrong is listed on the RCN Honour Roll as #2235. He is listed on Panel 4 of the Halifax Memorial.
2.Reg.#12314, Seaman James Howard Cassidy. Lost at sea. September 19, 1941.
Seaman Cassidy joined the RCMP 'Marine' Division in November 1933 and left the RCMP in April 1939. At the time of his death he was Second Mate of the SS PINK STAR, a ship owned by US Government which was still neutral. SS PINK STAR was part of Convoy SC-44 from New York to UK when she was torpedoed and sunk by U-boat U-552. Thirteen were lost, including 5 Canadians. Cassidy was in the water but refused to enter into the overcrowded life-boat, so he waved farewell and swam away and was not seen again. Seaman Cassidy is listed on Panel 14 of the Halifax Memorial.
3. Reg. #12438, Third Engineer Aurèle Philippe Joseph Allard Lost at sea. date U/K
Engineer Allard joined the RCMP on August 14, 1934 and served in “H” and “C” Divisions and 'Marine' Division. He left the Force in August 1939 after serving 5 years. No other information available at this time beyond this notation on the RCMP Graves database: “WW2 Lost at sea when his ship was sunk by enemy submarine, after surviving a previous torpedoing.” No known Memorial listing.
This proposal would certainly "keep RCMP history alive" and a Ceremony of Remembrance would also take advantage of being at sea in the Atlantic Ocean for Halifax AGM 2016.
Reg.#11892, Constable Edward Earle Muffitt. Left the Force for RCAF in WWII. Lost at sea in 1943 when his aircraft exploded off west coast of Ireland. R.I.P.
(Contributors: AJH 'Joe' Collinson, Vets Edmonton, AB & John Henderson. Vets Ottawa, ON.)
Reg.#10982, RCMP Sergeant Louis Romeo Dubuc. Honour Roll #69. Sergeant Dubec was killed in action in 1941 while flying an R.C.A.F. bomber to England from Ireland. R. I. P.
(Contributor: Jack Hickman. Vets Kingston, ON.)
In July, 1945 Reg.#11169, Corporal Gayle B. Swaney was the Senior Engineer on an RAF transport plane which disappeared at sea enroute from Montréal to England.
Nicholas Clayton Rushton WWII. KIA
and
Reg.#13917, RCMP Constable
Harold Ernest Leslie Chapman WWII. KIA
and
Reg.#11892, RCMP Constable
Edward Earle Muffitt WWII. KIA
R. I. P.
