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CORNWALLIS REUNION
March Down Memory Lane With us
May 2008 | March 2008 Marlene Clarke | August Letters | Letter From Rick Buchanan | Letter From Bill Bucan | Memories of Dad
| Help The Museum | News of the Month | Black Hats | HMCS Short StoryI remember the shore line
of the Cornwallis Base.
I remember the parade square
with all of its space.
I remember the training
the sweat and the pride.
But mostly the friends
Who were there by my side.
~ Minnie Rogers ~
Memories
Cornwallis Military Museum hosted the Battle of Atlantic celebration the first weekend in May www.cornwallismuseum.com . I attended the dinner Saturday - hip of beef with all the trimmings - excellent. On Sunday there was a church service in the museum. I sat there with some of the old sailors, Military representatives, Legion Representatives, government representatives and the general public and we listened to the ship bell toll for the 24 RCN ships lost in the Battle of the Atlantic and for 24 of the (70 plus) Merchant Marine ships lost. After each toll a sea cadet called the name of each ship lost this was extremely moving experience.
The fact that Cornwallis was the start of a journey for the sailors who went to fight in WW11 and all the young people who followed is an important part of what the Cornwallis Museum is trying to preserve.
We are looking forward to seeing all those - military and civilian - who served and worked in Cornwallis return for the Reunion August 22-24, 2008. I realise you may not be as young but get a group together and come and enjoy the memories.
Lorraine
Marlene Clark requested that this be posted on the web site so here we are!
The reunion sounds like a great idea. I fully intend to get to the 2008 reunion especially after reading about a few of my friends and people I have known over the years. Hope some of you can attend. Brian Kennedy I have pictures of you. Can't believe you have 40 years of service this year.
I served in Cornwallis in D Company, 13 Platoon, from Aug 80 to 83 and enjoyed every minute of it. I've never been the same since. Ha ha.
I remember the frozen feet and a set of useless ear defenders on the firing point in Granville. Not to forget nearly taking a bullet from a young recruit who had a blockage with her SMG and turned around with her finger ON the trigger. But the times spent either teaching or hanging out with the other instructors were the best in my career and I'll never forget quite a number of pranks - one relating to an instructor setting off a thunder flash under my cot while I was trying to sleep.
I'm working as a civil servant at 8 Wing Trenton and live in Napanee. I'd love to hear from my friends, that includes you, Trudy Robichaud, my partner in crime. I can be reached at blondybrooks@hotmail.com or clark.me2@forcers.gc.ca
Marlene Clark
Reunion Memories August
Hi everyone!
CFB Cornwallis was my first posting. (My recruit training took place in St-Jean - 1984.) I arrived in Feb 1986 and remained there until July 1993. I was fortunate to represent Cornwallis at the Apple Blossom Festival as Miss Cornwallis 1988.
The memories ! There are so many !
Especially the '' South Block Rocks ! '' parties. I also met my husband-to-be in Cornwallis. Darren Doerr (my husband) worked at Base Construction Engineering Section. He was posted to Cornwallis twice. June 1985 - Aug 1988 & June 1991 - July 1993. He was actually posted 3 times while I remained in Cornwallis. Valcartier 1988 - 1989, Shearwater 1989 - 1991, Cornwallis 1991 - 1993. When he was posted back in 1991, he returned to an empty PMQ as I was in Toronto at Humber College. I plan on collecting on all the bets on our marriage. They all said it would never last ! We've been together for 20 years and still going strong ! Ha ! We have three sons : Jeremy 19, Vance 14 and Darcy 12.
I was posted to Cornwallis for so long. That when we were posted to Gagetown, Judy Isles (BTSO sect'y) Glen Adams (Eng O CE section) and many more told Darren that I could not go with him as I had been in Cornwallis for so long that I was now a part of the Base D.A. !
Some of my nicknames were Polliwog (too small to be a frog) and the French Photo Tech. I apparently held no rank. From the Base Commander on down I was addressed as '' Sylvie'' if someone asked for Cpl Alarie, the usual response was '' Who ? Oh, you mean Sylvie ! ''
I arrived 19 yrs old and single. I left 26 yrs old, married, two children and a third in the oven. I enjoyed my time there as well as the people I chanced to meet. I remember and miss you all !
Best Wishes
Sylvie Alarie
I can be reached at minushka7@yahoo.ca
p.s. We will try to make it to the reunion.
Hi,
My name is Captain Brian Kennedy, I was a recruit instructor from 1978-1982 in 7 Plt. I must say it was the best time I had in my career. I know a lot of people attending this reunion and I have lots of nice pictures of the four years I spent in Cornwallis. Looking at the list of people involved in the organization of the reunion, it will be fun and sure it will bring back great memories. I am still a serving member and this Nov I will have 40 yrs service and the most and best memories are
about my time in Cornwallis, 7 Plt the best Plt in B Coy, maybe the best in Cornwallis. I am hoping to attend if not for the three days but for at least one.
So see you there. Wayne Currie, you old dog what are you up to?
Brian
Hello fellow wrens, airwomen, friends from Elaine Bigelow. Cornwallis, the best days of my young adult life! I have never since encountered such wonderful camaraderie. I remember faces and memories but have a hard time putting names to all the faces. Hope to hear from some of you. Sorry I can’t make it to the reunion, will be undergoing knee replacement surgery. Greetings to you all from Podolchuk. (I married able seaman Doug Bigelow (r.i.p) Contact me at elainebigelow@shaw.ca
Hi There: I want to thank you for your contact and information regarding the reunion. I served as the Base Supply Officer 1985-1988 during the time of the 3 distinctive uniforms bring brought back into play. I can say those were interesting times and success was mainly due to the Supply Staff and understanding of the Recruit School. I was also involved with the Base Fastball and Hockey teams and served as D/Mayor and Mayor taking part in the Apple blossom festival with our Princess. Needless to say I was busy but you know what.- I made a lot of friends throughout the Base and area. I regret I can't be with you for the weekend as I will be in the midst of moving to Moncton from St.Catharines, On..I do wish to say a big hello to Roddie and Marg Chubb and think of them often. Good luck to the Committee for a great weekend by attendees
Rick Buchanan
Letter From Bill Bucan (back)
Memories of Dad (Petty Officer Roger E. Fisher) scroll below for photo (back)
Susan Fisher (Woods) reminds us how Cornwallis impact the whole family and not just the family member serving/working on the base.
My father was Petty Officer Roger E. Fisher. Band instructor at Cornwallis from 1954 to 1966, trombonist and Drum Major. *Please see picture below.
Our house was on the 'Dingle' (great tobogganing hill) and my siblings and I attended the base elementary school. I have many fond memories of Nova Scotia from age 2 to 12. I am now a writer and radio broadcaster on the west coast and often enjoy concerts by the Naden Band in Victoria. I am now working on a fiction which draws on my early years as a 'navy brat'. My reason for writing to see if anyone remembers the Fisher family (my name was Susan Fisher) and/or wish to share remembrances of my late father. He was so proud of his uniform and his role as a music instructor to new recruits. Roger left the navy in 1966 over unification (one could say he was TOO proud) but life was never the same after the navy. He passed away in Victoria B.C. on Dec 20, 2000 at the early age of 71. I would truly appreciate hearing your memories of him. I believe his happiest years were spent in uniform (and bass fishing at Bear River) - and I hope he is well-remembered. My siblings were, Roger Jr. and Gayle Fisher, our mother was Lee (Carmelita) Fisher. I may attend a reunion one day so perhaps our lives/stories will cross paths again. Thank you and I welcome any reply suewoods@shaw.ca Susan (Fisher) Woods, Victoria, BC. (250) 595-5940
(back)
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The HMCS/CFB Cornwallis Museum is located in the former St. George’s Protestant Church. The church had 28 stained glass window commemorating the 24 ships lost in the Battle of the Atlantic. The other four windows were religious. The original windows were removed when the base closed and they are now housed at CFB Halifax. The Cornwallis Military Museum is getting replicas of the original windows so we will be able to enjoy the effect without the worry.
The Museum is trying to find out:
1. Where the windows were made.
2. When the windows were installed.
3. Any other information related to the windows.
4. Personal photographs with the windows.
Records relating to the windows appear to have been misfile/lost. So gentlemen put your thinking caps on and send information to
www.cornwallismuseum.ca att: Doug.This is the time of year we honor our Battle of the Atlantic vets. The Cornwallis Museum is hosting the Battle of the Atlantic dinner on Saturday May 6th at the Clementsport LEGION. On Sunday May the 7th there will be a Memorial Ceremony at the Cornwallis Museum followed by coffee. This is an opportunity to get out and honor those who gave up so much.
Battle of the Atlantic Statistics:
Royal Canadian Navy pre WWII consisted of:
11 Ships
1,800 men
Royal Canadian Navy post WWI consisted of:
427 ships
96,000 men
Battle of the Atlantic:
24 ships lost
1997 sailors killed
319 wounded
95 prisoners of war
Click here to read Gerry Cann’s article on the Battle of the Atlantic located on the website.
February 2006 (back)
14 February 2004 -- Please note that Bob Moneypenny sent a photograph of his blanket (I really have to stop calling it Bob's blanky) that he embroidered many, many, many years ago. This seems an ideal time to cover the strange and wonderful questions we get asked. One gentleman wanted to know what happened to all the awards, we have some of the trophies but some of the other awards, sad to say, may have been destroyed. Another gentleman wanted to know how wide the hem of the bell-bottom pants is. Our museum expert went down to the museum (no heat) dug out a pair of bell-bottoms and measured them - they were thirteen and a half inches. Now in my opinion, I think the width would depend on how tall you were, if you had to hem them an inch wouldn't they be twelve and a half inches. Doug (my hardy expert) says they were not taken up but came in the different lengths - I think he was having me on. When it gets warm in the museum I am going to measure a few pairs of bell bottoms myself!
Lorraine
(back)
During committee meetings I often hear interesting tidbits of conversation. One such item obliquely covered a mother's worst nightmare - unidentifiable objects in the pockets of their men folk (of all ages). These items can be especially gruesome after clothing has been through the washer and dryer. The second aspect of the pocket issue is the tendency of our men folk to put their hands in their pockets. The navy solved this problem by requiring the recruits to embroider (not sew) their pockets closed. The mother in me applauds this move and stitched pockets would certainly have helped maintain the smart appearance and deportment of the sailors while in uniform we only have to figure out how to apply this concept to civilian life. This raises a question where did the sailors keep their keys, change, cigarettes and lighters. I must ask.
Expanding on the embroidery theory, the navy was the only branch of the forces that required their personnel to embroider every item of kit. A friend informed me he still has a blanket he embroidered way back when. I think he should bring it to the reunion.
When does a life changing experience become a cherished memory? I do not know but what I do know is that the reunion will certainly trigger a few of those memories.
Regrets: Who regrets stomping on the dreaded black hat? Did anybody preserve their hat? Let me know at cornwallisreunion@yahoo.ca att: Lorraine
(back)
I received an email from Jim about the article 'Memories of black hats':
I got a kick out of 'Memories of Black Hats'. When I was there from January of 1944 to March, all recruits wore 'White Hats' - Black hats designated those who instructed or were in Cornwallis on advanced training as far as I can recall.
Actually, I should never have been there at all. It turned out that I had been transferred to Communications in August of 1943 while on staff at a Sea Cadet camp but it was not discovered until after I had finished my seamanship training in March of 1944 and of I went to St Hy for training as a signalman. I was back in Cornwallis twice after that before the cessation of hostilities, one in May of 1945 to be married and again in July when our ship was assigned as a training ship. We have been back three times since.
Thanks Jim I enjoyed reading about your experience.
Black Hats and the Protocol of Broadway Avenue
(back)
The reunion meetings spawn some interesting tidbits. The "old navy" guys do
not need much incentive to pick a topic and like a dog with a bone "worry it
to death".
During a presentation at the last meeting Wayne donned a white navy hat,
complete with an HMCS Cornwallis band, to emphasize a point. This triggered
a 'remember when' session. The chairman quickly brought this chatter to a
halt so after the meeting, over a coffee at the Country Lane Café, they
expanded on their stories.
Black hats in Cornwallis (do I hear a collective groan of remembrance)
apparently were often referred to as the 'Pick on me' hats and I am sure
other less polite names. Back to black hats vs. white hats and the protocol
of Broadway Ave.
What I gathered from the conversation is that after reporting to Joining
Block, the new inductees ran the gauntlet of the usual chores. These
included medicals, the issuing of kit and the many chores associated with
getting all the equipment. I hear that sewing on name tags was highly
enjoyed. The inductees also learned that the wearers of black hats were not
permitted to walk up and down Broadway Avenue. This symbol of newness (as if
the haircuts were not bad enough and what happens to the ears?) As I was
saying, this symbol of newness allowed every other person in the camp to
boss you around. Dogs were even allowed on Broadway Ave. The only true joy
of the raw recruit ( not including that glorious day when white hats were
earned and worn) was knowing that in one week another batch of newer
inductees would arrive and you would then be able to view yourself as a
seasoned entry.
I realize that black hats were at one time part of winter dress but for the
purpose of this story I only focused on the Cornwallis recruits.
I leave you with your memories and if you come to the reunion we will allow
everybody to walk along Broadway Avenue, unless you wear a black navy hat.
After all, traditions must be honored.
HMCS CORNWALLIS IN THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC
(back)by Gerald D. Cann
The Battle of the Atlantic was the only battle that really frightened me.
~Winston Churchill
Located midway between Digby and Annapolis Royal on Highway 1, sandwiched
between the villages of Deep Brook and Clementsport, lies what is still
recognizable as a military station. People, on their way to either Digby
with its ferry to St. John NB, or to Annapolis Royal with its historic Fort
Anne and Port Royal, are apt to simply glance and look away.
They have just driven through what used to be HMCS Cornwallis. A truly
significant place in terms of military lore, it was here that young men and
later young women came during WW2 in their tens of thousands to learn the
way of the sea.
After eastern Europe fell to the Axis in 1939, Britain stood alone. Clearly,
a supply line to feed and equip her had to be set in motion. Just as clear,
as in WW1 Halifax would be the prime east coast port from which this
lifeline would begin. More clearly still, the submarine would be the prime
menace to the convoys of ships, which would sail from there. Obviously the
Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) would play a major role in these operations.
When Canada declared war on Nazi Germany there was too little of everything.
On the Atlantic coast the strength of the RCN, if strength is the proper
term, consisted of just six destroyers and five minesweepers, manned and
supported by 1800 men. With hardly any anti-submarine skills it was simply
inadequate for the job. The Royal Navy (RN) was principally involved
protecting its own coasts and had few ships available for escorting convoys.
Nevertheless, on September 16, the first convoy sailed from Halifax escorted
for the first 350 miles by two RCN destroyers and two RN cruisers for the
remaining distance. Soon two convoys a week were sailing from Halifax and by
the end of 1939 fourteen convoys consisting of 410 ships had sailed. Taking
into consideration that Canada had declared war on September 10 this was a
major undertaking.
Meanwhile, everything went into high gear. To say the problem was serious is
an understatement. It was of great urgency, helped perhaps, by the fact that
Germany had just 46 U-boats ready for sea duty at the outbreak of war.
Small vessels with the maneuverability necessary to track submarines were
required in quantity, as were vessels of every other type up to the class of
destroyer. The corvette was selected as the backbone of the escort force,
and a decision made to build 64 of these in Canada. But a shipbuilding
capacity had to be created so construction could take place. Incredible as
it may seem, 14 of these were ready by the end of 1940 and the remaining 50
came off the ways in 1941.
Early in the war the US traded 50 obsolete US-destroyers for bases in
Bermuda and Newfoundland. The RCN acquired 6 of these, but the trade didn't
do much to add to the shortage of escorts. In early 1941 four of them
together with ten of the new corvettes were operating in British waters. The
result was still an under-equipped Canadian navy: too few ships manned by
inadequately trained and inexperienced men who understandably performed
poorly.
The result was great success for the U-Boats. Sinkings of the level
experienced during 1939 - 1942 were unsustainable. The reasons why were
understandable: the instructors necessary to train personnel were at sea
serving in the anti-invasion fleet in the English Channel, and training
facilities were scarce and scattered.
The RCN had total responsibility for the escort of convoys sailing from
Sydney NS. These were known as the slow convoys and being slow, were the
ships most susceptible to U-Boat attack. Adding to the escort problem,
warships of the United States Navy (USN), which had acted as escorts for
American vessels traveling in convoy, were transferred to the Pacific at the
end of 1941 when war broke out with Japan. RCN escort strength was thus
further diluted by having to assume escort responsibilities for the Boston -
Halifax run. Further, in mid-May more corvettes had to be transferred from
transatlantic duties to protect the tankers bringing vital Caribbean oil for
Canadian war industries. By mid 1942 the only half the ships necessary were
available.
With little rest time for the crews, limited training, maintenance problems
and deficient equipment, the strain became too great. In early 1943 RCN
escorts were removed from their mid-ocean escort duties and transferred to
the RN for crew rest, retraining, ship repair, and modernization. Between
January and April 1943 the mix of old RCN men and brand new sailors were
able to benefit from both individual and group training in anti submarine
warfare from the expert and experienced instructors of the RN.
The need for a base large enough to train the number of sailors required to
man Canada's expanding Navy was obvious. On May 1, 1942, HMCS Cornwallis was
commissioned in Halifax as a training establishment. But a still larger
facility was necessary to training the numbers of men required. An area in
Deep Brook was selected and HMCS Cornwallis was officially transferred there
in early 1943. Beginning with a complement of 2,539 men, the new base
expanded rapidly. From then until the end of the war there were never less
than 11,000 trainees and instructors in HMCS Cornwallis at any one time, and
it became the largest naval training establishment in the British
Commonwealth.
All specialties with the exception of Signals, which maintained a special
school in Quebec, were taught in Cornwallis. Gunnery, engine room,
torpedoes, ASDIC (an anti-submarine detection device), accountancy, cookery,
physical and recreational - the list goes on to include the varied skills
required by the Navy. As new and better equipment became available new
training requirements were met. The flow of new recruits was so highly
organized by personnel planning that, as one draft of graduates left by
train, a new group of recruits, mostly teenagers fresh from the prairies,
arrived.
Length of training varied from six to eight weeks with added time for some
specialties, then it was off to sea, the need for men being so urgent. New
ships were coming off the ways at such a rate that few fully trained men
were available to man them. Old sailors say that a ship might put to sea
with just a few experienced sailors in the crew.
Spring of 1943 saw the escort groups returned from their RN rest and
training period, but this time it was not just a mid-ocean responsibility.
The RCN assumed responsibility for all escort duties in the Atlantic as a
whole. The battle reached its climax in mid 1943. The U-Boats no longer had
the upper hand, and for the first time skilled sailors were being created in
large numbers with enough ships and modern equipment available to do the
job.
It is interesting to note that the responsibility of the escort was only
peripherally to sink submarines. Primarily it was to get the convoy through
with as little loss as possible. But submarines were sunk, and RCN ships
continued to be lost. During the course of the war 24 RCN ships went down,
some of them with their entire crews.
What must be remembered is the fact that the RCN in 1939 was minuscule. In
1945 it had grown to become the third largest navy in the world. According
to Far Distant Ships, the official history of the RCN, there were 427
principal ships and a complement of 96,000 men and women, the great majority
of whom received their training at HMCS Cornwallis. A UK source states that
the battle of the Atlantic could not have been won without the RCN. It can
be fairly said that the RCN reached its peak during WW2 and beyond, through
the existence of HMCS Cornwallis. Such a claim therefore makes the place a
monument.
Today that once-proud base exists as a village and a business park. It has
never received the official historic designation, which it so richly
deserves. In fact it lies largely forgotten by officialdom, government and
military alike. A small group of men and women, who do remember, maintain a
place of remembrance to the sailors who served, to the ships that were lost,
and to those who did not come home. They have created The HMCS/CFB
Cornwallis Military Museum. It receives no support beyond voluntary
contributions of artifacts and of money, largely from people who trained
here. Not recognized as a bonafide military museum because of out of date
military regulations, it struggles on alone. Yet it has been proclaimed a
jewel by those who represent the recognized and government supported
military museums.
Sadly the significance of the Battle of the Atlantic is now largely
forgotten. Such is the state of the teaching of Canadian history and
heritage that today most adults and most students know little or nothing of
it. Yet, Halifax, Sydney, Shelburne and Cornwallis, all former naval bases
in Nova Scotia, played a major part in winning that Battle.
Had it been lost Britain would have been starved and occupied by Germany,
the continued supply of Russia via the northern ice-free port of Murmansk
could not have continued and several military campaigns, which were
successfully carried out, would not have been possible. With the industrial
might of the USA nearby, the allied powers probably would not have sued for
peace, but the war would have continued with great cost in both material and
of men well beyond 1945.
The first Sunday of May of each year is remembered as Battle of the Atlantic
Day. It celebrates the valiant struggle that was waged throughout the war in
the Atlantic. Each year at 11am on the first Sunday in May a service is held
in Cornwallis at the Cenotaph located across the highway from the old main
gate.
Come, join us and remember.