encre_vol21_no3_anglais

www.navres.forces.gc.ca Vol. 21, No 3, November 2012
2011 Naval
Reserve Sailor
of the Year
Award
The Rendez-vous naval de Québec 2012
Pages 17, 24 and 25
Page 27
“It taught me
discipline and instilled
self-confidence.
The whole experience
was life altering.”
PO 1 Roy Adamson
Page 6

IN THIS ISSUE
From the Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Message from the Deputy Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Message from FCPO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Top Story
The Reservists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
In the NRDs
HMCS BRUNSWICKER honours former commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Navy communicators mark 100th anniversary of the loss of RMS TITANIC . . . . . . . . . . .9
The good, the bad and the ugly, 2012! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
HMCS CHAMPLAIN at the Pichous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Battle of the Atlantic commemorative ceremony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
A baptism – “The Navy Way”! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Watch out, recruiters, the Lindstrom brothers are in town! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
A well-deserved award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Training
Naval reservists answer the call: Search and Rescue during an ORCA weekend . . . . . .16
Journey to Rendez-vous Naval de Québec 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
TECUMSEH gunfighters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Looking North: Naval officers receive arctic training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
HMCS UNICORN goes to sea with HMCS SASKATOON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
HMCS UNICORN sets sail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
"Too many cooks don’t spoil the broth" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Operations
MasterCard Memorial Cup 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
The rendezvous at the Rendez-vous! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Testament to a region rich in military history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
HMCS SUMMERSIDE recognized for Operation NANOOK 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
2011 Canadian Naval Reserve Sailor of the Year Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
The Trades
Naval communicator MOS Advisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
History
HMCS HAIDA: an irreplaceable historic artifact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
A bitter victory 1814–1815 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
70th anniversary of the Dieppe raid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
2 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
The LINK Web is aimed at providing all
of our contributors with a chance to be
published where print space is unavailable.
Vol. 21, No 3, November 2012
Director: LCdr John Williston
Editor: Capt Ginette Champagne
Contributors:
Cmdre David Craig, Capt(N) Chris Dickinson,
Lt(N) Daniel Turcotte, Lt(N) Andrew Foran, Lt(N)
Vance Gough, Lt(N) Chris Walkinshaw, Lt(N)
Magella Gallant, Lt(N) Phil Blackmore,
SLt Douglas Humphries, SLt Tim Woodworth,
SLt Xavier Joly, A/SLt Éric Tremblay,
A/SLt Benoit Plante, A/SLt Janet Lang,
A/SLt Shanette Dallyn, A/SLt Karine Tremblay,
CPO 1 Erroll Caza, CPO 2 Todd Kelly, CPO 2
Shelley Snair, PO 1 Ben Beaudoin, PO 2 Michael
Pinault-LePage, PO 2 Jonathan Lacasse,
MS Simon Crimp, MS Claude Laroche,
LS Fabrice Mosseray, LS Joel Ingersoll,
LS Brandon Bourne, Ms. Darlene Blakeley,
Mr. Daniel Rancourt, Ms. Ann Ivy Male
Translation:
NS Translation Services
Lt(N) Dominique Dion
Lt(N) François Ferland
LS Emilie Giroux
Multimedia:
Lt(N) Kévin Jutras
Graphic Design:
Communication Graphique Recto-Verso
Printer:
Imprimerie Provinciale (Québec)
The Naval Reserve LINK is published
three times a year by authority of
the Commander Naval Reserve.
Views expressed are the authors’ own and
are not to be construed as official policy.
Permission to reproduce certain articles
will be granted, provided original source
is clearly indicated.
Contributions are invited. Texts are to be
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Email: daniel.turcotte@forces.gc.ca
Internet : www.navy.forces.gc.ca/navres/

Recruiting and Retention: fun, flexibility and a
sense of family
By Cmdre David Craig, Commander Naval Reserve
During our Command Team conference
this past August, the
theme of our discussions centred
around how to reduce the number of people
choosing to leave the Naval Reserve
each year. My choice for this topic was
motivated by concerns with how to
increase our retention of sailors and officers
over the long term. Since 2009, our
overall strength has decreased by some
900 personnel, owing to a myriad of reasons,
not the least of which as been our
inability to recruit to the numbers we would
like. Now that our training backlog has
been alleviated, I expect to ramp up our
recruiting efforts to the maximum that can
be possibly accommodated. However,
recruiting efforts alone will not be enough
to increase the numbers in our Formation
sufficiently to deal with the tasks we have
been given by the Commanders of the
RCN. We must also look at making
changes that make a long term career in
the Naval Reserve an attractive choice.
The reasons that people have for enrolling
and staying in the Naval Reserve are many
and varied, but in my view, most of these
reasons can be summarized in three words:
fun, flexibility and family. I would like to
elaborate on each of these areas for choosing
a reserve career, as I view the strengthening
of these factors as critical if we are to
stem the tide of those leaving our
Formation.
Let me deal with the first of these reasons
–the “fun” factor. Particularly for the parttime
sailor, the Naval Reserve offers an
opportunity for new skills and experiences
of being at sea that you could not get elsewhere.
As a student, your summer employment
will take you places in Canada to
which you might not normally travel. Our
summer employment is both challenging
and interesting. We want to keep that level
of interest throughout the training year,
and are initiating changes in our winter
training. Part of these initiatives includes an
inter-NRD trade competition, where all
trades will be able to showcase their skills
and compete regionally and nationally.
Other initiatives include establishment of
Centres of Expertise, where the requisite
experts can provide mentoring and advice
on how to progress your training. As you
are now well into the fall training year, my
hope is that you are finding these changes
motivating and exciting.
A second reason for joining and staying in
the Naval Reserve is the career “flexibility”
factor that we provide. As an employer of
both full and part-time reservists, we offer
the opportunity for short-term periods of
service at your convenience throughout
your career. We are not simply a student
employment programme, but provide an
opportunity throughout your working life
to transition from civilian work to naval service
and back again. We are always there
FROM THE
COMMANDER
as an employment alternative for you during
periods of your life when you may be
changing careers or upgrading your education.
During uncertain economic times, this
employment flexibility can be invaluable
and a strong motivator to stay involved. As
part of building on this predictability of
employment, we will be strengthening our
succession planning and employment notification
so that you will have a better idea
of what opportunities exist for you.
Lastly, the final factor that motivates people
to stay in the Naval Reserve is hopefully
that sense of “family” that is created
once you become part of a Naval Reserve
unit. From my own experience, the friends
that you make during your naval career
tend to stay with you throughout your life.
The unique part of being a naval reservist is
that you meet people from all parts of
Canada–from Newfoundland to British
Columbia. I encourage you to make the
Naval Reserve more than just a job–take
time to go to mess events, and stay after
your training to socialize and get to know
your messmates better.
These three factors–fun, flexibility and
sense of family–have been strong motivators
for me to stay a part of the Naval
Reserve for over 39 years. Your reasons
may be different, but I hope just as compelling.
By the time you read this, you may
have already been asked to participate in a
pan-reserve survey about attrition that is
being administered to a sample group by
both electronic and hard copy mail out to
home addresses. I look forward to chatting
with more of you during my visits about
your experiences and your motivation to
stay. We need you and your expertise to be
“Ready, Aye, Ready” both now and in the
future if we are to be ready for the tasks the
Navy has given us.
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
3

FROM THE
DEPUTY COMMANDER
Parting words
By Capt(N) Chris Dickinson, Deputy Commander Naval Reserve
Greetings from Québec City to readers
of the Link everywhere. To date 2012
has been a good year for Naval
Reservists, whether they are serving in full-time
positions at sea and ashore, or as Class As in the
NRDs. While my comments in the Link often
focus on transformational projects and initiatives
being worked in the Headquarters, I will use this
opportunity to highlight some of the special
things happening across the Formation in
2012.
This has been a year of anniversaries and celebrations,
none of which is more important than
that of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee marking
60 years on the throne. Queen Elizabeth II is the
second longest serving British monarch after
Queen Victoria, who reigned for over 63 years.
Born on 26 April 1926, Her Majesty’s life to
date has been inspiring. Truly a working
Monarch, her efforts include service in the
Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service during the
closing months of World War II, to being the
patron today of over 600 charities, not to mention
our Commander-In-Chief.
To honour Her Majesty’s service to Canada and
to recognize deserving Canadians, a medal has
4 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
been authorized to mark this anniversary.
Amongst recipients of the Queen’s Diamond
Jubilee Medal are 300 Naval Reservists, each of
whom has made a significant contribution to the
country. By the time you read this, all of the
Formation’s recipients should have been
awarded their medals, and I encourage you to
congratulate those wearing the new medal on
their efforts.
The second significant commemoration underway
is the 200th Anniversary of the War of
1812. Over the next two years Naval Reservists
will be a part of this opportunity for Canadians
to take pride in our traditions and our shared history.
The War of 1812 was a defining moment
on the road to Confederation and had the conflict
ended differently the Canada we know
today would not exist.
This year’s Great Lakes Deployment was one of
several CF events in which our Naval Reservists
played a key role and ensured the successful
commemoration of the 1812 Bicentennial.
Scheduled between 23 July and 9 October the
deployment included: HMC Ships VILLE DE
QUÉBEC, MONCTON and SUMMERSIDE, as
well as USS DE WERT and HURRICANE.
Strongly supported by NRDs in Quebec and
Ontario, the deployment also presented a fine
opportunity for us to highlight the work of the
RCN. The importance of the anniversary and its
naval links was summed up by the Minister of
National Defence as he bid farewell to VILLE
DE QUÉBEC in Halifax on 23 July: “This year
we will also commemorate the War of 1812 and
celebrate 200 years of peace and prosperity
between our nation and our closest ally, the
United States of America. The events of that historic
conflict so long ago serve to remind us all
that the link between sea power and our nation’s
security and prosperity is as relevant today than
ever before.”
Amongst other initiatives associated with the
1812 Anniversary, nine Naval Reserve units,
whose names are associated with people, places
and vessels from the War, will receive a War of
1812 Commemorative Banner, approved by
Queen Elizabeth II. These units include:
BRUNSWICKER; NAVRES HQ (the city of
Québec); PREVOST; STAR; HUNTER; YORK;
QUEEN CHARLOTTE; TECUMSEH and
CHIPPAWA.
While we are enjoying these various celebrations
I’m also going to take this opportunity to
acknowledge the enormous contribution of five
members of the Naval Reserve who have
decided to swallow the anchor this year and
retire. They are Cdr King Wan (DISCOVERY);
Cdr Claude Gauthier (CHAMPLAIN); Cdr Gilles
Goulet (JOLLIET); CPO 2 Fred Dainard
(CATARAQUI) and CPO 2 Paul Smith
(BRUNSWICKER). These institutional leaders
have been the finest of mentors, shipmates and
friends to a generation of Naval Reservists, and
we wish them fair winds and following seas as
they embark on their next adventures.
In closing I would like to add one comment
about one of the main ’One Navy’ initiatives
underway. As many of you may have heard we
are trying to engage Reservists with special skill
sets to do institutional work on Class A TOS.
This normally entails working a few days a week
on projects that staffs are finding a challenge to
complete. While the ’asks’ are arriving at
Headquarters, it is useful for us to hear from
Reservists (through your AVREPs) of your availability
to do such work, as well as any special
civilian qualifications that may be applicable to
strategic communications or project work.
Subsequent to writing this article I was selected
for a tour of duty in Afghanistan, which resulted
in my turning over the reins of DComd
NAVRES to Cdr Jill Marrack (you can consider
this my part in playing the ’strategic reservist’).
It has been an honour to serve in the Formation
alongside such a talented and dedicate team of
reservists across Canada. Thank you for your
support and understanding during what has
been two years of change and uncertainty as we
worked through transformation and budget
challenges. Keep up the good work. I will continue
to follow your endeavours from afar.
With that I will leave you and bid you the finest
of training seasons.

Training Initiatives for Positive Change
By CPO 1 Erroll Caza, Formation Chief Petty Officer, NAVRES HQ
All NRDs are now well entrenched
into their respective local training
rhythms and routines for
2012/2013. Indeed Comd NAVRES and I
have visited a good portion of you for COC
ceremonies and QDJM presentations.
Congratulations to the newly appointed
Commanding Officers, XOs, Coxns, and all
recipients of the QDJM. The new training
year, focusing on Train to Excite, is upon
us. There have been very positive responses
from those who attended training sessions at
the Centres of Expertise (CoE) such as
HMCS MONTCALM. Initiatives such as this,
combined with new initiatives of Regional
Inter NRD skills competitions, streamlining
of CRRs and other targeted training opportunities
at other CoEs reflects the diligent
efforts of our Formation leadership to
ensure that the NRDs are venues our sailors
look forward to attend each week.
I touched briefly on the NRD training platforms
above and would like to focus on the
outstanding force generation training opportunities
our entire Officer and NCM corps
experienced this past summer. Each and
every venue met the C Navy themes of
Purpose, Platforms, People, and Pride in a
One Navy construct. Participation in RIM-
PAC, Op NANOOK, Great Lakes
Deployment (GLD), Avalon Responder, and
War of 1812 visits on the Eastern US
seaboard provided exciting and varied training
opportunities. This allowed for completion
of numerous OJPR packages for all
trades including many support trades
embarked aboard HMCS VILLE DE
QUÉBEC or in support to the GLD. Indeed,
every bunk in an MCDV was effectively
coordinated and utilized to ensure every
part-time sailor had an opportunity, time
permitting, to advance his or her trade skills
and experience. The core blended crews
consisting mostly of full time PRes sailors
were the backbone of leadership, dedication,
and professionalism that contributed to
the outstanding experiences of ther part-
time counterparts. Despite the many repetitious
engineering and ship handling drills
they endured, they remained focused and
positive, fully understanding the value and
importance of their role to the success for
the future of the RCN and Naval Reserve in
particular. There is indeed a very integral
and positive future for our full time reservists
in the Naval Reserve.
These force generation training opportunities
could not have been as successful without
the outstanding coordination efforts provided
by the Personnel Coordination Centres
(PCCs) both on the coasts and in the centre.
This involved matching the training needs of
our sailors to the operations or exercises
being conducted on MCDVs, regardless of
area of operations alongside or deployed.
Tremendous efforts to swapping out personnel
whether in Norfolk, Va., San Diego,
Calif., or various ports during Op NANOOK
up north, were complex but made seamless
due to their expertise and professionalism.
Their efforts, combined with all others
noted above, are a strong foundation and
catalyst for Comd NAVRES to meet the
obligations and tasks expected of our
Formation, such as generating trained individuals
and teams for CF Operations, including
Domestic Safety, as well as security and
defence missions, while at the same time
supporting the RCN’s efforts in connecting
with Canadians.
The continued success mentioned above will
require the utmost attention by our NRD
Command Teams to maintain a focus
towards diligence in supporting the various
Train to Excite efforts. This will require
thinking outside the box and developing
individual ideas applicable to their respective
locations across the country to ensure that the
limited time of our part time sailors during
the fall and spring is varied and of interest
for our sailors. Many ideas discussed during
the annual Commanding Officers conference
in Québec City, which focused attention on
FROM THE FCPO
retention and recruitment, will be of
immense value in this endeavour. That being
said, vigilance will be required to ensure the
basics are not overlooked, such as having
current medicals, dentals, physical fitness
standards, passports, etc., so no unforeseen
hurdles are faced when our sailors are called
upon. The best way to take care of our
sailors is to ensure discipline and basic needs
are properly attended to. This focus will
undoubtedly result in a higher percentage in
NRD attendance figures.
My last point to bring to your attention is in
respect to a significant event in recognizing
three CPO 1 positions within our Formation
as key CPO 1 positions. Our Personnel
Management, Training and Education, and
Strategic Planning CPO 1s are now key
positions. This went into effect on August 1,
2012, resulting in the removal of their
respective trade cap badges and replacing
them with the appropriate CPO 1/CWO cap
badge.
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
5

TOP STORY
The Reservists
By Ann Ivy Male, Mississauga Life Newspaper
“G
od keep our land, glorious and free”—a salute to our
Reservists; the men and women who support our
Regular Force in safeguarding our country.
In the world of the modern family, it would appear that our lives
are a constant juggling act. Our electronic calendars are buzzing
reminders of how demanding our lives have become with work
obligations, kids in school, after-school activities, sports and
social events. Now, add in the role of Reservist and life gets even
more intriguing, yet this is just what many of our firefighters,
police officers, businessmen, students and educators have chosen
to do, alongside their daily responsibilities. Reservists, also known
as our “citizen sailors,” have a primary role “to augment, sustain,
and support the Regular Force plus they have made substantial
contributions to Canada’s international and/or domestic operations.”
There is even a sub-component of Reservists called the
Canadian Rangers who protect our remote north.
I recently interviewed two Reservists who are dedicated family
men with careers in the Education system. They both take pride
in their efforts to keep a balanced home-life and career, in addition
to following their Canadian dream by proudly serving our
country.
Petty Officer 1 st Class Roy Adamson is a Health and Physical
Education and Science teacher with The Peel District School
Board. He has been serving our country as a Naval Reservist for
the last 21 years. Roy’s father, who passed away when he was
seven, was in the Navy for a brief time as a cook. When Roy was
sixteen, he was searching for a worthwhile summer job and decided
to join the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve through their Summer
Youth Employment Program.
The first year of basic training was in Kingston, Ont., on board
HMCS CATARAQUI, and upon completion of the program, Roy
accepted a position as Boatswain–taking care of the ship’s husbandry
(painting, cleaning, specializing in small arms, operating
and navigating zodiacs and rigid-hulled inflatable boats, supervising
all deck evolutions, coordinating and performing watch on
deck). The next summer, Roy was stationed in Esquimalt, B.C.,
where he was involved in environmental training drills such as
firefighting, damage control and biological/nuclear warfare training.
Roy was hooked and soon found himself in Halifax, N.S., on
board a WW2 relic, HMCS PORTE ST. JEAN. His duties on that
training mission included learning how to sail, being part of the
ship’s crew and maintaining the ship. “I was a teenager and I
wanted a job that was challenging and different from what most
of my peers were doing,” Roy explains. “Sailing on board a Navy
vessel gave me a huge sense of pride, especially when watching
a sunset at sea with our Canadian flag blowing in the wind.”
6 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
PO 1 Roy Adamson in his classroom.
(Photo by John Cicci.)
I asked Roy to elaborate on how his training with the Navy has
helped him in his daily life. “It was invaluable,” he said. “It taught
me discipline and instilled self-confidence. The whole experience
was life altering; it ignited a sense of adventure and helped me to
develop strong leadership, communication and organizational
skills which I use now as a teacher and with my family commitments.”
Roy happens to be my daughter’s teacher and she speaks favorably
of him, but more importantly, someone else who speaks very
highly of Roy is his wife. The day I interviewed Nancy, who is a
French teacher, she was meticulously organizing her classroom
and prepping for maternity leave. The couple was expecting their
second child that Friday and I asked her how they maintain balance
in their lives.
She tells me that when they first met, she got accustomed to
Roy’s commitments in terms of training and time away and how
as a couple they incorporated it into their relationship.
Nevertheless, while it was manageable when it was just the two of
them, things got more challenging when they decided to start a
family.
“It wasn’t easy at times, but we had to make a compromise and
gauge what was best for our family life, especially when our first
child was born. We decided together that Roy needed to scale
back on some of his Navy commitments so he could spend time
at home. When he was away on training, our extended family was
a huge support. I often feel that it’s more difficult for Roy sometimes
because he is torn between meeting family obligations and

pursuing his passion for the Navy. One thing is for sure, I am
extremely proud of him because he is good at what he does and
he is fulfilling his calling by giving his time, knowledge and expertise
for Canada.”
I then asked Roy about the personal pressures that come with
being a Reservist in regards to managing home life, career and
Navy duties, and if he feels that he is making a difference for
Canada after all.
“The greatest stress I feel is that I will let one of my responsibilities
down. I often feel like I need to make everyone happy and
take on too much of everything. Usually it takes Nancy to open
my eyes to how thin I have stretched myself and help me prioritize
my responsibilities.
“And as for making a difference—I truly believe that Reservists do
make a difference. We make a commitment to our nation and
TOP STORY
give up valuable family and career time to help augment the
Regular Force. Reservists work alongside all elements in the military
and do so with the utmost professionalism—no matter the
tasking.”
© 2012 Ann Ivy Male
Sites used for research and reference:
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/reserve/overview-survoleng.asp
http://www.qor.com/index2.html
http://www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canada-afghanistan/progress-progres/timeline-chrono.aspx?lang=eng&view=d
HMCS DONNACONA is ready for every eventuality
By SLt Xavier Joly, HMCS DONNACONA
In case of a cardiac arrest, intervention with an Automated
External Defibrillator (AED) considerably increases the victim’s
chance of survival. To enhance the efficiency of its first aid
programme, the St. John Ambulance course now includes
AED training for military members. These new standards will
be progressively implemented throughout 2012.
HMCS DONNACONA is one of the first units to obtain an
AED. The unit opted for the Zoll model which is the same that
is being used onboard MCDVs. Eighteen reservists are currently
qualified and the unit instructors are working to qualify
as many people as possible before the end of the training year.
Hopefully they won’t have to use their knowledge, but they
will be ready, if necessary. Ready, Aye, Ready!
PO 2 Bouchard, recrutor at HMCS DONNACONA, giving First Aid training with the
help of the unit’s dummy.
(Photo by SLt Xavier Joly.)
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
7

IN THE NRDs
HMCS BRUNSWICKER honours former
Commander
By Lt(N) Phil Blackmore, Unit Public Affairs Representative, HMCS BRUNSWICKER
On Saturday, April 14, 2012, family, friends, and civilian
and military colleagues paid their respects to the late
Commodore (Retired) William Frederick O’Connell, CD,
in a ceremony to name the main conference room of HMCS
BRUNSWICKER in his memory.
Among other appointments, Commodore O’Connell served as
Commanding Officer of HMCS BRUNSWICKER and as
Commander Naval Reserve. He had extensive experience at sea in
both charge and command of vessels of many classes. He also commanded
a number of Coastal Defence and Harbour Defence districts
in the Atlantic Region. In civilian life he was a highly respected trial
attorney who was appointed Queen’s Counsel (QC) in 2002.
The plaque that now marks the entrance to the Commodore
O’Connell Conference Room was unveiled as part of a ceremony on
HMCS BRUNSWICKER’s Quarter Deck. Commodore David Craig,
Commander Naval Reserve, and Commander Elizabeth Syvertsen-
Bitten, Commanding Officer HMCS BRUNSWICKER, shared their
memories of Commodore O’Connell; and his brother, James
O’Connell, QC, emphasized that although his brother had a very
successful law career, his first love was always the Navy.
8 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
Don’t forget
Let us know your comments
and suggestions about
your publication by
contacting the editor:
daniel.turcotte@forces.gc.ca
For the next issue
( January 2013 )
December 15, 2012
Left to right, Mr. Robert O’Connell; Cmdre (Ret’d) Gerald Peer, CD; Cmdre David W. Craig,
Comd NAVRES; and Mr. James O’Connell, QC.
(Photo by Sgt JLY Proteau, CFB Gagetown.)
After the dedication ceremony, the Commanding Officer of HMCS
BRUNSWICKER escorted the guests to the newly-named conference
room. In addition to the plaque at the entrance, the conference
room contains memorabilia, certificates and photographs from
Commodore O’Connell’s long and distinguished career.
At a Wardroom reception Commodore Craig and Commander
Syvertsen-Bitten presented Commodore O’Connell’s brothers
Robert and James with keepsakes to commemorate the day’s
events.
The Commodore O’Connell Conference Room is at the heart of
HMCS BRUNSWICKER. It is a fitting tribute to Commodore
O’Connell and it will serve as a remembrance of his many accomplishments
and contributions to Canada’s Naval Reserve.

IN THE NRDs
Navy Communicators mark 100 th anniversary
of the loss of RMS TITANIC
By SLt Tim Woodworth, PAO, HMCS CABOT
Mt. Pearl, N.L. — On Monday, April 16, Naval
Communicators from HMCS CABOT joined Admiralty
House Museum and Archives and amateur radio operators
worldwide to remember the loss of the RMS TITANIC.
To commemorate the sinking of the RMS TITANIC, the Society of
Newfoundland Radio Amateurs (SONRA) invited Naval
Communicators from HMCS CABOT to participate in a special
event station. Using the same call sign as the Titanic “MGY,” with
the Newfoundland designation of “VO1” before it, HMCS CABOT
Naval Communicators made contact with over 65 amateur radio
operators over a two-hour period.
Together with SONRA and the British International Morse
Preservation Society “FISTS,” connections were made with many
stations across the globe. Mr. Everett Price, a board member of
Admiralty House and a member of SONRA said: “Things went wonderfully
well this evening. The HF band was open and with the assistance
of CPO 2 Joe Earles the Nav Comms enjoyed a VO1MGY pileup.”
Stations everywhere recognized the famous call sign and scrambled
to make contact. These stations included Belfast, Northern
Ireland (where the TITANIC was built), Queensland Maritime Museum
Australia, East Asia, Sweden, Spain, Poland and locations across
North America.
CPO 2 Earles is the Coxswain of HMCS CABOT, a Nav Comm by
trade, and has been an avid radio amateur (Ham Radio) operator for
over 25 years. "There were countless times during my career as a
Sailors provide close escort
during Thames Diamond Jubilee
Pageant
By Darlene Blakeley, senior editor and writer,
Crowsnest
A boat crew from the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) stands with the
Royal Navy’s First Sea Lord at HMS PRESIDENT (the London shore
establishment of the Royal Naval Reserve) following the Thames
Diamond Jubilee Pageant in London June 3. Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, led
the river pageant aboard the Spirit of Chartwell, navigating along the
11 km route through central London in celebration of the Queen’s
60-year reign. The RCN boat crew, along with crews from the United
Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, provided close escort for Her
Majesty’s barge.
Communicator that my knowledge and skills acquired through amateur
radio have assisted me in my duties; such things as understanding
when and why to use a vertical antenna over a horizontal wire or
vice versa and on what frequency to use,” the Coxn stated enthusiastically.
“Additionally, back in the days before email and satellite,
most of our ships had at least one Ham Radio Op amongst the Naval
Communicators who would conduct phone patches for the ship’s
company while deployed. We would make use of both amateur radio
and CFARS (Canadian Forces Affiliated Radio System). We would
have quite a line-up of people in the flats awaiting their turn to call
home from sea.”
Communications played an important role on that fateful night one
hundred years ago when the TITANIC sank. RMS CARPATHIA
heard the morse code distress calls and rescued 710 survivors thanks
to Marconi’s wireless device. A similar radio system can be seen at
the Admiralty House Museum and Archives in Mt. Pearl. SONRA
operates a modern station at the site which was originally constructed
in 1914 by the Marconi Telegraph Co. as a top secret H. M. Wireless
Station for the British Royal Navy. The station was designed to intercept
secret German naval transmissions during the First World War,
sea ice reports and distress calls from ships in peril.
The TITANIC disaster demonstrated the need for effective messaging
between land and sea. A century later we remember those passengers
who lost their lives and honour them by continuing to strive for
excellence in naval communications.
From left to right: MS Jaclyn Hunter, PO 2 Felix Rowsell, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope,
LS Alecia Barlow, and LCdr Danny O’Reagan.
(Photo by Capt(N) Harry Harsch.)
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
9

IN THE NRDs
The good, the bad and the ugly, 2012!
By LS Fabrice Mosseray, HMCS CARLETON
here was a lot going on during the first six months of 2012:
the bicentennial of the War of 1812, the Queen’s Diamond
Jubilee celebrations, the 70th T
anniversaries of the Women’s
Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS) and of the Battle of the
St. Lawrence, and the unveiling of the Navy monument in Ottawa.
Our heroines
During World War II, almost 7 000 Canadian women enlisted in the
WRCNS. Some were looking for adventure, but many of them
joined after a husband, fiancé or relative died while serving his country.
Those extraordinary women worked as cooks, clerks, drivers,
receptionists, code-breakers and radio operators, playing a crucial
role in the fight against Nazism, Fascism and the tyranny of Japan.
The Nazis in the St. Lawrence
From 1942 to 1944, 23 commercial vessels and warships were sunk
by 8 U-boats in the St. Lawrence River and its estuary. Not only did
the Germans fail to make any strategic gains as a result of their
efforts there, but the Battle of the St. Lawrence was won on the
Atlantic, where our crews gave as good as they got in the fight
against the U-boats.
The Royal Canadian Navy monument
On May 3, 2012, the RCN monument was unveiled in Ottawa, with
Prime Minister Stephen Harper in attendance. A contingent from
HMCS CARLETON took part in the ceremony, and the guests were
treated to an excellent performance by the HMCS STADACONA
Band. The site on Victoria Island with its view of the Parliament
Buildings was a good choice, but the monument itself left some people
perplexed—even stunned—because of its austere, minimalist
style. The Navy’s motto is engraved on a corner of the western face,
and its battle honours are carved into the east-facing side. Since our
Navy did not obtain any battle honours during the First World War,
its participation in that conflict is left unacknowledged. The monument’s
smooth white surfaces bear no mention of any Navy element,
such as naval aviation or our submarines. On top of the monument
is a golden sphere representing—you guessed it—the sun, the
moon and the stars. Prime Minister Harper delivered a very good
speech, then invited Elsa Lessard, who served in the Women’s Royal
Canadian Naval Service in World War II, to christen the monument
with a bottle of champagne.
10 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
With the Prime Minister are LS Mosseray, AB Baker-Lucas and LS Marshall, all from the HMCS
CARLETON.
Elsa Lessard, a member of the WRCNS and a World War II veteran, christened the monument
with a bottle of champagne.

Unit running club
HMCS CHAMPLAIN at the Pichous
By A/SLt Karine Tremblay, Divisional Officer Nav Comm, HMCS CHAMPLAIN
On March 10, 2012, five members of HMCS CHAMPLAIN
took part in a Saguenay tradition that dates back to
1965—the Pichous 15 km race. Every year, hundreds of
sporting enthusiasts from the region gather for this competitive walk
and run through the streets of the city of Saguenay.
The first Pichous races began as part of the running and portaging
competitions held by the canoe portagers. One event involved using
a strap around the forehead to carry a sandbag weighing 25, 50 or
100 pounds. For those races, the competitors wore pichous (moccasins)
with wooden snowshoes. As the pichous were not very comfortable,
they were replaced over the years with running shoes. The
Pichous race has been very popular in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-
Jean region ever since.
PO 2 Alexandre Ferland organized a running club at HMCS CHAM-
PLAIN with the aim of participating in the Pichous 15 km. To
ensure that they made a good showing in the competition, the club
members began training hard, running three times a week.
Running in winter is not easy. During our practice runs, we were faced
with a typical range of Saguenay weather: cold temperatures, snowstorms,
high winds and freezing rain. One day we even had to wear
safety glasses because we were running blind, unable to open our eyes.
Thanks to our team spirit, discipline and intensive training, we were
ready to brave any weather on race day. But when we finally ran the
Sailors from HMCS
D’IBERVILLE help clean up
the Pointe-au-Père site
By MS Claude Laroche, HMCS D’IBERVILLE
On the afternoon of June 12, 2012, seven sailors from HMCS
D’IBERVILLE, in cooperation with a group of people from
Katimavik, helped clean up the area around the Pointe-au-Père maritime
historic site.
The cleanup is an annual activity that sailors from HMCS
D’IBERVILLE usually take part in. This year, approximately 150
pounds of garbage were removed from the banks, including bits of
plastic and metal, bottles, cans and other types of waste.
The Pointe-au-Père maritime historic site boasts a fairly unique
tourist attraction: the ONONDAGA submarine, which is the only
submarine that is accessible to the public in Canada. The site also
has a maritime museum featuring a pavilion on the EMPRESS OF
IN THE NRDs
Left to right: NCdt Samuel Blanchette who completed the 15 km in 1 hr 9 min, PO 2
Alexandre Ferland (1 hr 14 min), A/SLt Karine Tremblay (1 hr 27 min), PO 2
Jean-François Simard, of CFFS Québec (1 hr 11 min), OS Nicolas Thibeault (1 hr 9 min),
and NCdt Leblanc (1 hr 12 min).
(Photo by MS Marilyn Tremblay.)
Pichous 15 km, it actually turned out to be beautiful and sunny. We
wore our sweaters proudly, and our participation in the race was a
perfect opportunity to raise the Royal Canadian Navy’s profile in
our community.
The sailors from HMCS D’IBERVILLE with the Katimavik group.
(Photo by MS Gosselin.)
IRELAND, a cruise ship that sank off the coast of Pointe-au-Père in
1914, claiming the lives of 1 012 people.
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
11

IN THE NRDs
Battle of the Atlantic commemorative
ceremony
By Lt(N) Magella Gallant, HMCS JOLLIET
On Sunday, May 6, 2012, a ceremony was held to commemorate
the Battle of the Atlantic. The main component
of the ceremony was remembering the ultimate sacrifice
of all the sailors and airmen who lost their lives during the longest
battle of World War II. Exceptionally this year, a number of other
important events were also highlighted.
The ceremony was held at the Musée régional de la Côte-Nord in
order to celebrate the opening of an exhibition on the Battle of the
Atlantic, which was put together with the participation of the Naval
Museum of Québec, the Musée régional de la Côte-Nord and HMCS
JOLLIET. The exhibition focused in particular on the battles that
took place in our waters, right in our own backyards, such as the torpedoing
of HMCS MAGOG three miles off Pointe-des-Monts on the
North Shore. The injured sailors were picked up by a Canso
amphibious aircraft from Sept-Îles that was on patrol in the area.
Artefacts and photos of the ship were displayed to show the damage
caused by the explosion. The exhibition ran from May 6 to June
10, and the various partners are already in discussions for future
exhibitions.
Numerous dignitaries and veterans attended the ceremony. One
person whose presence was noticed and highlighted was Cdr Gilles
Goulet, Commanding Officer of HMCS JOLLIET, who was attending
his last ceremony as a military member. Cdr Goulet retired in
June, after 32 years of good and loyal service in the Royal Canadian
Navy, six of which were at the helm of HMCS JOLLIET.
Cdr Goulet led his crew as if he were raising a family; he gave firm
direction but was understanding and always ready to listen. He took
care of and lavished attention on all of his “military children,” doling
out recommendations with a sense of humour. His vast expertise
and experience, along with his extraordinary leadership and personal
qualities, enabled those who worked closely with him to grow
not only as military personnel but also as citizens. Gilles Goulet will
remain in Sept-Îles, his adopted city, and chances are good that he
will visit his HMCS JOLLIET family from time to time.
Fair winds, and following seas, Gilles!
Immediately after the ceremony, HMCS JOLLIET welcomed three
new members into its ranks and to the Naval Reserve. Enrolment
and the swearing in ceremony are the first steps in a member’s career,
and it is important to observe this event in a special way whenever
possible. For that reason, HMCS JOLLIET took the opportunity to
swear in Vincent Jomphe, Louis-Éric Mailhot and Alexandre Noël
with the dignitaries and the rest of the audience as witnesses. These
three new members went to Halifax in June for the second step, i.e.
the recruit course, or basic military qualification, which trains our
recruits for naval service. HMCS JOLLIET is proud to welcome
these new members to the extended Navy family.
12 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
Part of the exhibition on the Battle of the Atlantic at the Musée régional de la Côte-Nord.
Cdr Gilles Goulet at the ceremony.
Like all of HMCS JOLLIET’s important ceremonies, the Royal
Canadian Sea Cadet Corps of Sept-Îles, RCSCC 117 Jacques-
Cartier, was in attendance. RCSCC 117 supports HMCS JOLLIET
by providing a colour party or a music division as required during
ceremonies, which is greatly appreciated because HMCS JOLLIET
does not have such a division. The Canadian Cadet Programme is
the largest youth program sponsored by the Canadian government.

Lt(N) Magella Gallant and the three new recruits at the swearing in ceremony.
A Baptism–The Navy Way!
By MS Simon Crimp, HMCS DISCOVERY
On June 24, 2012, we were very fortunate to have
Padre Lt(N) Shane Flanagan, baptize our son Connor
Russell Crimp in a traditional naval ceremony at
HMCS DISCOVERY. That same day, LS Joshua Burdett was
also baptised.
Conducting baptisms aboard Navy ships is a tradition that dates
back several hundred years to the Royal Navy, where baptisms
were carried out in foreign ports, or for infants born at sea. Navy
tradition also allows for a child to be baptized in the ship’s bell.
IN THE NRDs
HMCS JOLLIET strongly supports the Cadet Programme and
graciously grants RCSCC 117 access to some of its rooms to hold
their activities. The reason is very simple: the values instilled in the
young people aged 12 to 18 by RCSCC 117 are the same as the
values of the Canadian Forces: loyalty, professionalism, mutual
respect, integrity, teamwork, ethics and leadership, to name but a
few. A healthy lifestyle and physical fitness complete this winning
recipe for developing better citizens.
All in all, May 6, 2012, was a very special day in many ways. Once
again, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our
freedom, and we are aware that we must continue to serve in order
to protect that hard-won victory. Swearing in new recruits while also
commemorating the Battle of the Atlantic was a way of thanking
our veterans and those we lost by showing that we will continue the
work in their memory.
After the baptism, the child’s name is engraved inside the bell,
forever making them a part of the legacy and history of that ship.
In our case, it was the bell of HMCS DISCOVERY, a shore establishment
quite often referred to as a “Stone Frigate,”
There is also a symbolic meaning to being baptized onboard a
naval ship. “The bell used for the baptism was the ship’s fog bell,
which is used as a navigational aid, setting us on our course in life
as a child of God.”
MS Crimp, Connor with his mother and the Padre. LS Burdett with his father on left & Padre Lt(N) Flanagan on the right.
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
13

IN THE NRDs
Life in the Reserve
Watch out, recruiters, the Lindstrom brothers
are in town!
By Daniel Rancourt, Servir Newspaper
There is Master Seaman Lindstrom, Corporal Lindstrom,
Leading Seaman Lindstrom and Ordinary Seaman
Lindstrom. No, these aren’t promotions in the career of
a service member. We’re talking about brothers, Marc, 24,
Charles, 25, Nicolas, 22, and Christopher, 17, all Lindstroms, of
course!
Marc was the first one to climb on board HMCS JOLLIET, the
Naval Reserve Division in Sept-Îles, in June 2004. In 2005,
Charles followed and then Nicolas, in 2006, bringing other
friends with them. “It set off a chain reaction and around 50% of
the members at JOLLIET are part of our network of friends,”
remarked Marc. “I just got back from an exercise in Esquimalt
where I ran into two of my friends from Sept-Îles,” said Nicolas.
When the three oldest brothers came to Montréal to study, they
became boatswains at HMCS DONNACONA. When Charles
went to Bishop’s University in Lennoxville, Que., he joined the
Army’s 714 Communications Squadron and was transferred to
the 34 Communications Regiment where he has been working as
a radio operator since coming back to Montréal.
Christopher, who finished his recruit course in Borden in 2011,
is also a boatswain at HMCS DONNACONA. “It’s a trip,” he
said, “to get paid to live the military adventure. It’s even more fun
than I thought it would be.” The Lindstrom brothers are sports
fanatics: hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, riding quads,
motocross, ski, snowboarding, hockey and basketball. Three of
the brothers even play rugby!
The Lindstrom family
The boys’ grandfather, Carl, came from Finland to join his brother
in 1954 to work on the railroad connecting Sept-Îles with
Schefferville and Labrador City. Later, his son Kenneth went to
study in Montréal, where he married Madeleine Caron. Both
accountants, they had their four sons and then, in 1995, the family
moved back to Sept-Îles.
Charles got a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in administration
and economics and has been working for ArcelorMittal
since March 2010. After studying mechanical engineering at
Concordia University, Marc went back to Sept-Îles where he
works as an engineer for the mining company IOC, while still
working as Divisional Petty Officer for the boatswains at HMCS
JOLLIET. Nicolas is currently studying business finance at
Concordia and also takes flying lessons. Finally, Christopher,
the youngest of the clan, is studying at Champlain College in
Saint Lambert and wants to go on to study pharmacology at
university.
14 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
Nicolas, Charles and Christopher Lindstrom in front of the huge Canadian flag in their apartment.
“This way, we don’t have to repaint the wall!” said one of them.
(Photo by Servir.)
Every Tuesday evening and two weekends a month, the
Lindstrom brothers fulfill their obligations as reservists. “But if we
want to, we can carry out other tasks and get more involved,”
said Nicolas. Christopher visits veterans at the Sainte-Anne-de-
Bellevue Hospital while Charles takes care of the recruits at the
34 Communications Regiment.
Advantages and benefits
The Lindstrom brothers are well aware that they have been able
to study and do other things thanks to their involvement in the
Reserve. “The Reserve gives us $2 000 a year for our studies,”
said Nicolas. “There is a lot of collaboration between the
Canadian Forces and teaching establishments. Both organizations
have a good understanding of each other’s requirements and
needs, which gives us a lot of flexibility. We can often postpone
a school exam or even, for example, write the exam under the
supervision of an officer.”
Afghanistan, Haiti and Montérégie
At the end of his studies, in May 2008, Cpl Charles Lindstrom
was put in charge of communications with the 5 Military Police
Company and participated in Roto 7 in Afghanistan, from March
to October 2009. After three months at the Kandahar Airfield, he
mentored Afghan police officers at a police sub-station in Deh-e-
Bagh, and later in Kandahar City. “I loved it and was sad to come
home,” he said. As soon as he came back, he participated in

Operation HESTIA in Haiti for two months, following the
January 2010 earthquake.
LS Nicolas Lindstrom participated in Operation LOTUS to help
victims of the floods last spring in Montérégie and then went on
to carry out the Great Lakes Deployment on board HMCS
MONTREAL late last summer.
What about the limitations and inconveniences?
The brothers look at each other before responding. “The schedule,”
says Charles. “Time management is the most complicated
part. We learn to prioritize without overlooking anything.” “We
learn to eat fast!” added Nicolas. “And for sailors, the schedule is
24/7. You can’t go home at the end of the day when you’re at
sea.” For Christopher, getting up early is the hardest part, but “it
is part of the experience.”
For the Lindstroms, the Reserve is a good plan B. They have all
considered joining the Regular Forces but they enjoy their civilian
jobs.
A Well-Deserved Award
By A/SLt Benoît Plante, HMCS JOLLIET
L
eading Seaman (LS) Philippe Brunette, a member of the
HMCS JOLLIET Naval Reserve Division (NRD), was presented
with the 2011–2012 Sailor of the Year trophy on
May 12, 2012. This trophy is awarded to a non-commissioned
member who has excelled in every way in his or her unit.
LS Brunette enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 2006. He completed
his recruit course in 2007 and his Supply Technician training in 2008.
Since then, LS Brunette has provided excellent service in his occupation,
not only in JOLLIET, but also on occasion in DONNACONA
and MONTCALM.
LS Brunette is very dedicated to HMCS JOLLIET. He readily takes
opportunities to serve the crew or to give a variety of training. He
embodies military values, from his neat and tidy dress to his loyalty,
integrity and leadership skills. In every way, he has shown that he is
a top notch sailor.
LS Brunette was selected to participate in a promotional video for
the Naval Reserve. He is a perfect example of the “citizen sailor”
and is living proof that being employed as a reservist can contribute
to a successful civilian career and vice versa. Over the past year, he
got a job as a Supply Technician for Hewitt in Sept-Îles, and his
Naval Reserve experience has been very useful to him in his work.
In addition, LS Brunette is involved in community life. He is a Scout
leader in Sept-Îles. He is also involved in organizing and coordinating
various fundraising events for community organizations.
IN THE NRDs
The perfect men?
You would think that the Lindstrom brothers wouldn’t have any
discipline problems. “Our mother hoped that we would learn
something doing drills. She is really disappointed; she still doesn’t
understand why our beds are not made,” said Charles, with a
laugh. “Our father seems happy,” added Nicolas.
What do your school and work colleagues think of you? “People
are not used to working with military service members. They can
see that we are men of action and they appreciate that,” said
Charles. “People already look at us funny when we say that we
play rugby,” remarked Nicolas. “We’re sometimes a bit too competitive,”
said Marc.
Are the Lindstrom brothers perfect men? “No comment!” they
reply in unison and then burst out laughing. Like the motto of
HMCS JOLLIET says, OMNIA PERRUMPIMUS (Nothing can
stop us).
LS Philippe Brunette receiving his Sailor of the Year trophy from Lt(N) Magella Gallant,
Executive Officer.
In all of his military and civilian endeavours, LS Philippe Brunette is
a shining example of the modern “citizen sailor.”
Bravo Zulu!
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
15

TRAINING
Naval Reservists answer the call: Search and
Rescue during an ORCA weekend
By Lt(N) Chris Walkinshaw, PAO, HMCS CARLETON
Onboard WOLF, the crew were undertaking a busy afternoon
of exercises and individual training when life
onboard was interrupted by a radio call. Vancouver
Coast Guard was seeking vessels to assist with the search for a passenger
who had fallen overboard from the B.C. ferry Coastal
Celebration travelling between Swartz Bay near Victoria and
Tsawwassen. Naval training vessels CARIBOU, RENARD, and
WOLF responded and had begun Search and Rescue operations
within fifteen minutes of receiving the request. Responding to the
call were more than seventy Naval Reservists from 10 Naval Reserve
Divisions across Canada. The three patrol vessels, based at CFB
Esquimalt, were joined in the search by a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter
from CFB Comox and vessels from the Canadian Coast
Guard, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter, as well as B.C. ferries and private
vessels.
The weather provided a challenging environment for the search.
“Everything was really grey and that was tough, because we were
told that man who fell overboard was wearing grey clothes,” said
Leading Seaman Samantha Meeks, a Resource Management Clerk
from HMCS CARLETON, Ottawa’s Naval Reserve Division. She
described the atmosphere onboard: “Everyone was keyed up.
Everyone was on lookout, everyone wanted to find him.” The crew
“was split into three watches, with four or five people each. One
group would be on lookout, and then switch with the second.”
This Search and Rescue operation provided a real life opportunity
for these sailors to put their training into practice. “For my Search
and Rescue station, I had to make sure we had everything in the Zodiac
The ORCA-class patrol vessel PCT-58 RENARD, accompanied by PCT-57 CARIBOU, engaged
in a Search and Rescue pattern near Active Pass, searching for a man who fell overboard on
January 30, 2012.
(Photo by PO 2 William Collison, HMCS CARLETON.)
16 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
Lt(N) Christopher Hough, of HMCS CARLETON, Executive Officer on board PCT-60 GRIZZLY,
participating in the search for a man who fell overboard, January 30, 2012.
(Photo by Lt(N) Christopher Walkinshaw, HMCS CARLETON.)
to conduct a rescue,” explained Master Seaman Julie Soogree, a
Boatswain from HMCS CARLETON serving as Senior Boatswain
Mate onboard WOLF. “Thinking back on it, on one hand I’m happy
for the experience everyone had to participate in a real life Search
and Rescue operation. While on the other hand, it was frustrating
because we weren’t able to find him.”
“Our ability to respond to this incident highlighted both the abilities
of patrol vessels and Naval Reserve crews to quickly adapt and effectively
respond to operational tasks when needed,” said Lieutenant(N)
Christopher Hough. After having served as Executive Officer of
patrol vessel WOLF, Lt(N) Hough added, “Our training deployment
was considered a success by all involved, as it provided both training
and operational opportunities to improve individual seamanship and
crew-level skill development, as well as multi-vessel collective training.”
Sailors from HMCS CARLETON and the other Naval Reserve
Divisions across Canada look forward to their next opportunity to
sail again soon.

Journey to Rendez-vous Naval
de Québec 2012
By SLt Douglas Humphries, HMCS SUMMERSIDE
With the summer months upon them, the ship’s company
of HMCS SUMMERSIDE departed Halifax on Saturday
June 2, 2012, for a busy summer sailing schedule that
includes a MARS IV program and a number of port visits to commemorate
the bicentennial of the War of 1812. After taking on an
influx of sailors from Naval Reserve Divisions across the country,
HMCS SUMMERSIDE sailed with two German Navy ships, FGS
EMDEN and FGS FRANKFURT AM MAIN, en route to Rendezvous
Naval de Québec (RVNQ) 2012 in Québec City. The five-day
transit from Halifax to Québec City provided an opportunity for the
two NATO allies to conduct joint exercises, such as Officer of the
Watch manoeuvres, towing operations, and secure communications
procedures. All exercises were conducted with professionalism and
efficiency by all vessels. This was most evident during the towing
evolution, which took only twenty-five minutes before FGS EMDEN
was being towed by HMCS SUMMERSIDE, thanks to clear and
compatible NATO Standard Operating Procedures.
Sailors aboard HMCS SUMMERSIDE prepare to tow FGS EMDEN.
(Photo by Lt(N) Townson.)
Numerous exchanges gave several sailors from all three vessels a
chance to sail aboard a foreign warship for a day or two. Visiting
sailors were provided with a ship’s tour and dined with the ship’s
company, which exposed them to different naval operating environments,
and provided new cultural and culinary experiences (most
notably German beer). Sailors who visited FGS FRANKFURT AM
MAIN noted similarities and a familiarity with the ship’s routine,
TRAINING
German warships FGS FRANKFURT AM MAIN (left) and FGS EMDEN (right) during
manoeuvres.
(Photo by Lt(N) Townson.)
observing cleaning stations, routine pipes, and other shipboard life
activities. Hospitality was reciprocated warmly by all messes, and
bonding between the Chiefs and Petty Officer’s messes saw socializing
between the ships’ companies continue ashore in Québec City.
Once alongside in Québec City, thousands lined up along the jetty
at Pointe-à-Carcy, outside HMCS MONTCALM and the Canadian
Forces Fleet School, for the chance to tour a KINGSTON-class ship.
Also present in Québec City were HMCS KINGSTON, a number of
Canadian Coast Guard ships, the two German naval ships FGS
EMDEN and FGS FRANKFURT AM MAIN, the American amphibious
assault craft USS WHIDBEY ISLAND, and the French patrol
craft PB FULMAR. Members of the ship’s company donned summer
whites and attended numerous celebratory events for RVNQ
and the bicentennial of the War of 1812. The ship was honoured to
host a reception for the Deputy Commander of the Royal Canadian
Navy, Rear-Admiral Mark Norman, to mark this momentous occasion.
In attendance was Honorary Captain(N) Valérie Dion,
President of RVNQ 2012, representatives from all levels of government,
as well as the Commanding Officers, Officers, and Chiefs and
Petty Officers from local units and the visiting foreign warships.
HMC Ships SUMMERSIDE and KINGSTON proceeded to sea in
high spirits on Monday June 11, 2012, to commence training
officers on their MARS IV sea phase, and celebrate the bicentennial
of the War of 1812.
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
17

TRAINING
TECUMSEH Gunfighters
By Lt(N) Vance Gough, PAO, HMCS TECUMSEH
Maybe it was a coincidence that Calgary had just celebrated
the centennial of the Calgary Stampede. The “Greatest
Outdoor Show on Earth” features how the West once was,
and how it has evolved. Most businesses in the city get into the act
by adding old western facades like swinging saloon doors, bales of
hay and hitchin’ posts to their storefronts. The city gets into the spirit
and when you go to the bank it feels like you are going to the OK
Corral. Naval Reservists in Calgary are used to this. They volunteer
to work at the military displays at the Stampede through OP CON-
NECTION and share what they do in the Reserves with millions of
visitors each year.
With Stampede over, what do Calgary-based Naval Reservists do to
keep this western spirit alive? They learn how to gunfight, of course.
From July 29 to August 3, twelve sailors of HMCS TECUMSEH
took part in advanced weapons training in a Basic Gunfighter
Course at the Kipp Range, near Lethbridge. They were instructed
by members of the RCN Operational Shooting Training Cell (RCN
OSTC), which is composed of both Regular and Reserve Force
sailors of all ranks.
LS Brann McGrath does a shoulder check to scan for potential targets during the Gunfighter
Course at the Kipp Range in Southern Alberta on August 2, 2012.
(Photo by Lt(N) Vance Gough.)
18 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
A/SLt Desmond MacMillan does the quickdraw as part of the Gunfighter Course conducted by
the RCN Operational Shooting Training Cell for HMCS TECUMSEH at the Kipp Range in
Southern Alberta on August 2, 2012.
(Photo by Lt(N) Vance Gough.)
The RCN OSTC trains and draws procedures from agencies within
DND, the RCMP, the OPP, and with local Police Tactical Units.
They also train internationally with the US Navy and the US Marine
Corps. The Cell recently returned from training at the US Marine
Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, and was able to share lessons
learned with Calgary’s Naval Reserve sailors.
Led by LCdr Kristof Langland, the RCN OSTC taught members of
HMCS TECUMSEH how to survive gunfights and become better
operational marksmen. Using both Sig Sauer P225 pistols and C7
rifles over the five-day course, sailors learned holstering, quick draw
techniques, firing while moving positions, reloading and how to
engage with multiple targets. The course dramatically improved the
marksmanship skills of the participants and prepared them for
potential operational taskings.
Courses like this are both interesting and relevant. They help Naval
Reservists to remember why they joined the Canadian Forces.
Being a better sailor includes being capable with small arms. As
HMCS TECUMSEH Training Officer Lt(N) Andy Paschke said,
“Operational settings are not like traditional range shoots. This
course helps prepare us to survive live fire situations.”

Looking North: Naval Officers Receive
Arctic Training
By Lt(N) Andrew J.L. Foran, Arctic Operations Instructor, Venture NOTC
T
he Naval Officer’s Training Center (NOTC), located in
Esquimalt, B.C., has recently completed the second serial of
the new Arctic Operations Course, or AOC. The five-day
course is designed to introduce Maritime Surface Officers, from
junior bridge-watchkeepers up to Commanding Officers, to the
unique risks and challenges associated with operating HMC Ships in
Canada’s Arctic.
The initial concept of LCdr Danny O’Regan, former Senior
Navigation Instructor at NOTC, the AOC came about after several
years of sending Navigating Officers on civilian based arctic training.
Though useful, none of these courses fully addressed the unique
operational considerations of operating a warship in the harsh
northern environment.
The initial serial, ran by the Navigation Department of NOTC, took
place in August of 2011 and included five officers from HMNZS
WELLINGTON, New Zealand’s newest Antarctic Patrol Vessel. The
12 graduates of the second serial, completed on June 1, 2012, came
from HMC Ships ST. JOHN’S, GOOSE BAY, and KINGSTON; the
three ships were scheduled to deploy to the Arctic this summer.
Though only a five-day course, the AOC incorporates many subjects,
including Arctic Navigation, Ice Charts, Arctic Ship
Construction, Sovereignty Legal Issues, and Climatology. Several
HMCS TECUMSEH and the
War of 1812
By PO 1 Ben Beaudoin, Unit Public Affairs
Representative, HMCS TECUMSEH
Two hundred years ago, the War of 1812 made a difference in what
Canada is today. Tecumseh was a Native American leader of the
Shawnee and a large tribal confederacy (known as Tecumseh’s
Confederacy) which opposed the United States during Tecumseh’s
War and the War of 1812. Tecumseh has become an icon and
heroic figure in American Indian and Canadian history.
He fought with the British against the Americans. The most important
battle for Tecumseh was when he and Major-General Sir Isaac
Brock captured Fort Detroit, which had been surrendered by
Brigadier-General William Hull. Tecumseh was killed in the Battle of
the Thames, in October 1813.
TRAINING
subject matter experts, such as naval architects, Coast Guard
captains, Arctic Land Warfare specialists, and JAG Officers, add to
the value of the training.
Students are also put through approximately eight hours of simulated
training on various platforms including HALIFAX-Class,
KINGSTON-Class, and an early version of the upcoming Arctic
Offshore Patrol vessel. The exercises allow them to practically
demonstrate their skills in detection, avoidance, and navigating in
proximity of ice-infested waters similar to those they will experience
in the Arctic. NOTC’s bridge simulation software was upgraded for
the course to facilitate the realistic interaction between the ship’s hull
and various ice conditions.
Presently the course is targeted towards officers who are scheduled
to deploy in the near future to Canada’s Arctic. Plans are in place to
expand the distribution of this training to a wider range of MARS
Officers.
As Canada’s interest in Arctic sovereignty increases, the Navy’s
Arctic Operation Course is an integral step towards improving our
operational effectiveness in the North.
Tecumseh is honored in Canada as a hero and military commander
who played a major role in Canada’s successful repulsion of an
American invasion in the War of 1812, which, among other things,
eventually led to Canada’s nationhood in 1867 with the British
North America Act. Among the tributes, Tecumseh is ranked 37 th
in the Greatest Canadians list.
This past winter our unit received a flag and a plaque from the town
of Tecumseh, Ontario, through a member of HMCS HUNTER, a
resident of Tecumseh who was visiting Calgary. As a history teacher,
I am proud to teach this topic to my students, as well as our association
to this important piece of history.
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
19

TRAINING
HMCS UNICORN goes to sea
with HMCS SASKATOON
By A/SLt Shanette Dallyn, HMCS UNICORN
“B
e outside of your respective pick-up locations no
later than 0715! If you’re not there, you will be left
behind!” Those were the last words that members of
HMCS UNICORN heard before being left to our own devices the
night before joining HMCS SASKATOON in Esquimalt.
The next morning was chilly and that was to be expected for
February, yet, as per our instructions, we were waiting outside the
pick-up location at 0715. We were all anxious and excited for a
training opportunity like this. The UNI-SAS sail, although unique,
will hopefully be the beginning of many more joint training exercises
between NRDs and MCDVs.
Before we set sail, the ship needed to be prepped. As we arrived
at our new home, no time was wasted, as we were all thrusted
into temporary roles moving people, gear and stores about the
ship in preparation for the next week at sea. Both ’Unicorns’ and
’Saskatoons’ were already beginning to function as one crew.
Shortly after arrival and storing ship, we all gathered on the
bridge for introductions and briefings about the ship, the personnel
and expectations. HMCS SASKATOON’s Commanding
Officer, LCdr Patrick Montgomery, and Executive Officer, LCdr
Michael Sorsdahl, expected us to function flawlessly as one crew
and to learn as much as possible while on ship, and to work toward
more signatures on our respective learning packages. We were told
that in the days to come, a lot would be expected of us. We were
also encouraged to ask questions at any time as that was the main
purpose of this sail: to learn together and become better sailors.
EX UNI-SAS was developed in order to reinforce the Naval
Reserve’s role as a ’strategic reserve’ that augments the Fleet by
building working relationships between personnel in NRDs and at
sea, via esprit de corps development, team building activities and
training together. UNI-SAS proved to be an opportunity for
MARS officers awaiting training to gain real experience and
knowledge on the bridge of an MCDV. The deployment also created
opportunities for other members of HMCS UNICORN, such
as our Nav Comms and Bosns, to obtain more signatures on their
training packages. UNI-SAS was a much needed training sail due
to the fact that most of the HMCS UNICORN members have had
limited opportunities to go to sea during our training year. Several
Unicorns, myself included, had only ever spent time on an ORCA
during the sea phase of our NETP-O course.
Excited and ready to go, the newly-blended crew was about to
embark on an educational training sail with a new and welcome
set of learning curves and challenges!
On Monday February 20 th in the afternoon, HMCS SASKATOON
exited Esquimalt Harbour. Only a few hours into the sail, and
already we are all bustling about the ship, making ourselves at
20 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
Reservists from HMC Ships UNICORN and SASKATOON during training.
home in our new roles. I was paired up with SLt Allison Laker, a
Regular Force MARS officer, who was working toward her Bridge
Watch Keeper (BWK) Certificate. She was generous in teaching
me how to read and use the ECPINS and radar, fix the position
of the ship, fill out the log book, and all of the other instruments
required for our trade, as well as building general bridge presence.
She was patient, knowledgeable and confident in her role and
teachings, and was someone that I learned to trust very quickly.
Within minutes of my first crash course, courtesy of SLt Laker,
the con was turned over to me. I was driving the ship!
Each day, the MARS officers on HMCS SASKATOON would be
given time to be on the bridge. We would practice block reports
for contacts, conning and ship manoeuvring skills, man overboard
exercises, plotting courses and navigational passages. With each
watch turnover we would have more opportunities to learn, such
as the protocol and script for the turnover report. Slowly, but
surely, the trainee MARS officers from HMCS UNICORN would
learn what it was like on watch to trust the ship’s noises and
groans as it rolled and pitched over the ocean, thereby giving us
more confidence, a greater sense of bridge presence, and a more
keen seamanship instinct, undoubtedly all valuable experiences to
becoming better sailors in general.

As the days became more routine other training activities would
take place. Highlights of these activities were the weapons’ shoots
where we were given the opportunity to shoot the SIG Sauers,
C7s, C9s and the Ship’s .50 cal. There was one shoot scheduled
for each half of the sail, so that all personnel would have an
opportunity to practice their skills. Other activities included coming
to a buoy and a foreign port duty watch when we came alongside
in Vancouver Harbour on Wednesday of that week for a
changeover of HMCS UNICORN personnel. Late Thursday
night, we picked up some army pathfinders and transported them
to their exercise location. Some of our sailors were given the privilege
to fire the para-flares to provide minimal lighting while the
pathfinders were landed for their beach-storming exercise. Two
of our JOUTs, NCdt Shayna Desanghere and NCdt Keegan
Marsh, accompanied the pathfinders in the zodiac, surely an
experience that both will forever remember.
HMCS UNICORN sets sail
HMCS UNICORN deploys with HMCS SASKATOON on Exercise UNI-SAS
By LS Brandon Bourne, HMCS SASKATOON
With the support of HMCS SASKATOON, 31 reservists
from HMCS UNICORN set sail from February 20 to 25,
2012. The initiative, led by Lt(N) Michael Su of HMCS
UNICORN, addressed all current goals of the Naval Reserve: the
One Navy construct, developing a strategic Naval Reserve with
surge capability, augmenting the Fleet, conducting On Job
Performance Requirements (OJPR) progression, maintaining
Combat Readiness Requirements (CRRs) and enhancing the
morale and welfare of the ship’s company. Keeping only a skeleton
crew of 22 key personnel onboard, HMCS SASKATOON
provided 25 bunks on board to enable members of HMCS UNI-
CORN to succeed in their training goals.
NRDs typically conduct MCDV training alongside once a year.
Ninety-six days within the KINGSTON-Class deployment schedule
are designated specifically to foster NRD training opportunities.
Historically, however, due to the busy MCDV deployment schedule
and limited sea days available, NRDs have usually utilized the YAGs,
ORCA-Class training vessels, or KINGSTON-Class MCDVs tied
up alongside. Exercise UNI-SAS took the training opportunity to
the next level by allowing UNICORN sailors to train onboard an
operational platform while at sea.
Exercise UNI-SAS consisted of 31 sailors deploying onboard
HMCS SASKATOON to conduct refresher training, NRD CRRs,
and OJPR progression. The exercise achieved 100% of at-sea
TRAINING
We also went to anchor for a banyan on the Friday night of the
sail. This was a much needed and welcome celebration which
gave the crew time to unwind while not on anchor watch.
As the week came to an end, so did the UNI-SAS sail. Before
HMCS UNICORN members departed HMCS SASKATOON,
we once again gathered on the bridge for words from our ship’s
CO, LCdr Montgomery, and XO, LCdr Sorsdahl. I left the ship
with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction–the members of
HMCS UNICORN were given a very unique opportunity and I
took full advantage of the sail to learn as much as possible
through hands-on experience. Hopefully, we can all look forward
to a future UNI-SAS sail.
NRD CRR, and fostered an average OJPR progression increase
of 19%. Individuals with no training requirements were able to
refresh their seamanship, damage control and trade-related skills
onboard a fully fitted operational platform. They were able to
deploy as a unit and build a strong level of unit cohesion, develop
teamwork and enhance morale.
For HMCS SASKATOON, it was an excellent opportunity to connect
with HMCS UNICORN personnel, teaching and refreshing
their skills at a variety of levels. “It was an outstanding leadership
opportunity for many of SASKATOON’s sailors, and many
enjoyed the success of blending with UNICORN for a week at
sea,” explained HMCS SASKATOON’s Commanding Officer,
LCdr Patrick Montgomery.
Seen as a success by both units, the concept can be used and tailored
for any MCDV and NRD. “Prior planning and close liaison
will be crucial for future success,” explained LCdr Montgomery.
“There is no comparison between experience at sea and experience
alongside. Although alongside training weekends are useful,
sailing away from Esquimalt and Halifax allows naval reservists a
superior opportunity for skill refreshing and development. In
short, we get to do what we joined to do, go to sea.”
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
21

TRAINING
"Too many cooks don’t spoil the broth"
A reflection of the first national Cooks NROTS event
By CPO 2 Shelley Snair, Naval Reserve Cook MOS Advisor
T
he old saying goes “Too many cooks spoil the broth.”
I don’t think so, as 51 cooks and Logisticians proved the
ancient proverb wrong! They gathered together in
September for their first national Naval Reserve Occupational
Training (NROT) event. A mix of sailors representing 19 of 24
Naval Reserve Divisions (NRD) packed their bags, and headed for
a weekend of Food Services training in Québec City. The goal—
fine tune their current expertise and provide a “toolbox” to aid
them in being successful at their NRDs when managing a galley.
Nothing would be left on the back burner.
So what was the recipe for success? First of all, a planned event
cannot be successful without participants who will eagerly make
themselves available to attend. Take 46 committed cooks, add
several Logistics Officers, a pinch of NAVRES staff, a dash of
D MAR LOG staff, a Career Manager, an Occupational Advisor,
the Branch Advisor, guest lecturers, and you have enough ingredients
to cook up a storm.
What was on the menu? Well, the training began with a video
reflection of Commodore Craig’s May 2012 words on training
methodology. Information sessions followed on topics such as
How to create an efficient OJT training plan, Running a suc-
Sailing on time
By PO 2 Jonathan Lacasse, HMCS DONNACONA
In the continuous wave of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) centennial ceremonies, HMCS
DONNACONA sailors participated in the presentation of watches bearing the Navy colors.
The Veterans of the Naval Forces living at Ste. Anne’s Hospital all received a watch from
the hands of their descendants: a tribute to their courage and their contribution to the RCN.
The meeting between the new generation of sailors and Veterans took place with a strong
wind of emotion and sincerity. It was an opportunity for everyone to tell saltwater and foreign
ports stories! Seeing the young sailors in uniform, Veterans’ eyes were instantly rejuvenated,
and they suddenly sailed out to sea heading to a distant youth. In this nostalgic trip,
they quickly realized that they had preserved their sea legs. Indeed, after having faced the
storms of time, they were still proudly standing on the deck of a forgotten ship.
The presentation of the RCN watches was held on March 9, 2012, through the initiative of
Ms. Robin Devine, President of Time is Ticking Inc., and of the Navy League of Canada,
while the Royal Bank of Canada generousely offered the watches to the Veterans.
22 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
cessful Food Services department, Galley Certifications and
SAVs and finally the “toolbox.” The toolbox was jam packed with
information, ranging from walk-throughs of Unitrak, regulation
updates, galley check off sheets, and reference material.
Cooks are known to work long shifts. This group was no exception.
Homework assignments asked each participant to provide
ideas regarding “training to excite,” “trade competitions,” and
overall opinions of their qualification training. The feedback was
phenomenal and the cooks supplied a banquet of ideas through
input and group discussions.
“We had the key ingredients, a menu, and we cooked with fire.”
But, as one senior cook indicated, “We will only consider this
event successful, if you take with you what you have learned, utilize
your “toolbox” at your Home Unit, and begin applying your
knowledge and ideas to training and the successful running of
your Galley.” So was this event successful? We are proud to say
that the feedback was extremely positive. We feel our cooks now
have an abundance of new tools to utilize at their Division. They
just have to open their toolbox frequently and the "proof will be
in the pudding.”
Veteran Phillip Kerry with sailors from HMCS
DONNACONA. OS Marc Lindstrom, OS Julian
Tutino, LS Weston Macpherson, OS Constantine
Zergiotis.

MasterCard Memorial Cup 2012
By A/SLt Éric Tremblay, Unit Public Affairs Representative, HMCS RADISSON
ince 1919, young Canadian hockey players have been
competing for the Memorial Cup. Each year, the cup is
brought to the tournament’s host city by Canadian
Forces representatives from each element. But what is the history
behind that tradition? The trophy was donated to the
Canadian Hockey League by the Ontario Hockey Association (the
current Ontario Hockey League) whose president at the time was
Captain Jim Sutherland. Captain Sutherland’s military involvement
in World War I had taught him the importance and significance
of teamwork, esprit de corps, and the ultimate sacrifice that
his friends and colleagues had made. When he was released from
the Canadian Forces in 1919, he recommended that a sports trophy
be created to commemorate the soldiers who had lost their
lives in the European conflict. 1
S
Over the years, hockey’s popularity in Canada has grown exponentially.
Some people even believe that it is our national sport
(now, now––we mustn’t forget lacrosse!). As a result of hockey’s
increasing popularity, the number of players and teams has multiplied,
resulting in the division, on several occasions, of the
national junior hockey champion category. The Memorial Cup
has nevertheless remained the title of the highest national junior
hockey championship. 2
In 1983, the Cup went international. The tournament took place
at the Portland Memorial Coliseum and the host team, the Winter
Hawks, won the competition and became the first non-Canadian
team to win the title. 2
In 2010, during the tournament’s opening ceremony in Brandon,
Ontario, the Cup, which to that point had been dedicated to the
soldiers who had died in World War I, was rededicated to all of
the Canadian citizens who had made the ultimate sacrifice in any
armed conflict defending the rights of our country since its founding.
3
On May 17, 2012, the opening ceremony of the 94 th tournament
was held in Shawinigan, Quebec. The cup arrived in a Griffon
helicopter, and the celebration began in front of the monument
commemorating soldiers from the region who had died in combat.
The parade, made up of flag bearers, a brass band, an hon-
OPERATIONS
our guard, the Cup escorts and, of course, the Memorial Cup itself,
then wound its way to city hall, where numerous people gave
speeches. There were several guests of honour in attendance,
including the Commander Naval Reserve, Commodore D.W.
Craig, and the Commander of Joint Task Force (East), Brigadier-
General J.R. Giguère. Also in attendance were members of three
Reserve units in the Mauricie region––62 nd Field Regiment (62 Fd
Regt) of Shawinigan, and 12 e Régiment blindé du Canada (12
RBC) and HMCS RADISSON of Trois-Rivières. Most of the
Reservists were excused from their civilian duties to participate
in the ceremony; they made a wonderful impression on the local
civilian population. In addition, one of the Cup’s escorts, LS Marc
Pépin, was a member of HMCS RADISSON. He accompanied
the Cup throughout the entire tournament and did a great job
representing the Royal Canadian Navy. The Commanding Officer
of HMCS RADISSON, LCdr A. Gervais, was invited to help drop
the puck during the tournament. On site, there was a fairly large
delegation from all of the regional Canadian Forces divisions:
62 Fd Regt, 12 RBC, CFRC Det Trois-Rivières and HMCS
RADISSON, and members of CFB Bagotville, who were serving
as Air Force representatives. All of the members were there to
provide the public with information and increase the visibility of the
CF during this festive event. It was also a perfect opportunity to
remind the public of the close link between the Memorial Cup and
the CF.
In 2012, for the first time in the Cup’s history, the Shawinigan
Cataractes won the tournament. They became the first team to
eliminate the champions from the three Canadian junior hockey
organizations (the Western Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey
League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) in three
consecutive matches. Their victory was all the more sweet
because they were also the hosts of the event; they thus became
the ninth host team to win the Cup since 1983. 4 The Memorial
Cup gives us much to celebrate, but let’s not forget its origins, its
reason for being and the symbolism it carries. We will remember
them.
1 Ontario Hockey Association – OHA – http://www.oha.pointstreaksites.com/view/oha/about-us/oha-history-8683
2 MasterCard Memorial Cup Site – History and Records – http://mastercardmemorialcup.ca/history
3 MasterCard Memorial Cup Site – http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/cup-to-be-rededicated-to-fallen-soldiers-at-2010-mastercard-memorialcup/89641
4 MasterCard Memorial Cup Site – http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/cataractes-win-mastercard-memorial-cup/122918
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
23

OPERATIONS
The rendezvous at the Rendez-vous!
By A/SLt Janet Lang, PAO, HMCS CATARAQUI
ren·dez·vous [rahn-duh-voo, -dey-; Fr. RahN-de-voo] noun 1. an
agreement between two or more persons to meet at a certain time and
place. 2. the meeting itself. 3. a place designated for a meeting or
assembling, especially of troops or ships. 4. a meeting of two or more
spacecraft in outer space. 5. a favorite or popular gathering place.
(Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rendezvous?s=ts)
T
he third edition of the Rendez-vous naval de Québec
(RVNQ), held from June 8 to 10, 2012, was much more
than the meeting of ships and sailors from different
nations in Québec City. In fact, this one event covered all aspects
of the definition of a rendezvous (apart from the spacecraft…).
Ten ships, representing Canada, France, Germany and the
United States were alongside, and tens of thousands of people
met up at the port during the weekend to tour the ships, take in
the shows and socialize with each other.
The USS WHIDBEY ISLAND was by far the most popular ship
with visitors to RVNQ. A dock landing ship with a crew of up to
411 officers and enlisted personnel, capable of carrying four air
Sonar visits the Rendez-vous naval
de Québec
By A/SLt Benoit Plante, HMCS JOLLIET
Sonar, the official mascot of the Royal Canadian Navy, was all over the
place during the third edition of the Rendez-vous naval de Québec. He
strolled on the piers, to the great delight of the young and young at heart.
Given that Sonar was not available for an interview and is unable to talk,
we had the pleasure of speaking with Lt(N) Vance Gough, Public Affairs
Officer, who was responsible for Sonar’s team of handlers.
In our interview with Lt(N) Gough, we learned that Sonar is a dog from
Newfoundland who was “recruited” by the Royal Canadian Navy in
2010. “His curious, energetic and attentive nature makes him a welcome
guest aboard the ships,” Lt(N) Gough said.
During the Rendez-vous naval de Québec, Sonar had important
responsibilities. “He helped greet foreign ships and brightened everyone’s
mood,” Lt(N) Gough explained, adding, “because he is a sociable,
extroverted dog, he never hesitated to give everyone he met a hug or a
high five. Sonar showed the foreign sailors that, even though they were
far from home, they could always find a friend on Canadian soil. He
ensured that everyone felt welcome and had fun at the Rendez-vous
naval de Québec.” Sonar was always on the piers during the arrival and
departure of the ships. He greeted the sailors warmly and they greeted
24 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
cushion landing crafts and over 400 Marines, USS WHIDBEY
ISLAND is an impressive sight indeed, and the line-up to visit was
a long one. While waiting to see the ship, the crowd was treated
to performances by the United States Navy Band Northeast and
took the opportunity to connect with each other. Once on board,
visitors were treated to interactive displays of small arms and
vehicles used by the Marines and were able to visit the massive
well in the centre of the ship where the landing crafts and vehicles
are stored. Crew from USS WHIDBEY ISLAND in turn used
RVNQ as an opportunity to see the sights in Québec City. The
impressive Château Frontenac was the highlight of the visit for
many and more than one sailor was heard to say that they wanted
to come back to see more of what Québec City has to offer.
Reservists from Naval Reserve Divisions across the country also
used the opportunity to “rendezvous” in Québec City. Students
on the Reserve MARS IV course at Venture NOTC joined HMC
Ships KINGSTON and SUMMERSIDE during the weekend for
the sea phase of their training. For these officers, RVNQ not only
provided an opportunity to meet their new shipmates, but also
allowed them to meet up with reserve sailors in a variety of occupations
from across the country who are on course at Canadian
him back in kind. He also boosted the sailors’ morale by visiting them
aboard their ships. He even gave a hug to the commander of the
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, the biggest ship at the Rendez-vous!
Sonar was, without a doubt, one of the stars of the Rendez-vous naval
de Québec. On the piers, he could barely make it 10 feet without being
stopped by children and adults, including sailors from all of the countries
being represented at the event. Everyone wanted to have their photo
taken with him or get a hug. It was not uncommon for there to be groups
of 20 or 30 people gathered around Sonar, waiting to meet him. Lt(N)
Gough believes that Sonar’s popularity stems from a few things, saying,
“[He] is extroverted, likes to have fun and is nice to everyone he meets.
His message is universal: no matter where you are or what language you
speak, no matter if you’re a soldier or a civilian, you will have a friend in
this loveable dog from Newfoundland.” He is truly sweet to everyone,
including members of his own species––we saw him having an in-depth
conversation with a Labrador!
Sonar is the official mascot of the Royal Canadian Navy, so don’t be surprised
if he visits your unit sometime in the next year. He particularly likes
events where he can make lots of friends. If you happen to meet him,
give him a big hug and a high five––you’ll make him one very happy and
fulfilled mascot!

Forces Fleet School (Québec) or doing on the job training at
NAVRES HQ. For CPO 2 Ron Chesley, Coxswain of HMCS
BRUNSWICKER, coming to RVNQ allowed him to meet up with
people he’d worked closely with on OP LUSTRE in Manitoba in
the spring of 2011. According to him, “it was great to see so
many familiar faces and catch up on what people had been up to
since we worked together on the flood mitigation.”
LCdr Luc Tremblay, Commanding Officer of HMCS SUMMER-
SIDE, used RVNQ to connect with his family—his parents and his
88-year-old grandfather, who live nearby, took advantage of the
The Rendez-vous naval de Québec:
Testament to a region rich in military history
By A/SLt Éric Tremblay, Unit Public Affairs Representative, HMCS RADISSON
T
he Rendez-vous naval de Québec (RVNQ) is an event that
has been held every two years since 2008 to bring
Canadian and foreign sailors together. It is also an excellent
opportunity to showcase the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) to the
civilian population. Quebec’s capital is the ideal place for such an
event. Since Jacques Cartier arrived in Stadacona, the ancestral village
where modern-day Québec City now stands, the St. Lawrence
River and its shores have witnessed a rich maritime history, sometimes
prosperous, sometimes deadly. Ships from all over the world
have sailed over this extraordinary body of water. Incidentally,
Stadacona, pronounced “kanata” by the Iroquois, served as an inspiration
to name the surrounding lands “Canada,” which, as you have
probably guessed, later became the name of our great nation.
The 2012 festivities marked the 50 th anniversary of the Canadian
Coast Guard (CCG). Since 1962, this federal organization, which
reports to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, has worked
towards the government’s priorities, contributed to economic prosperity,
and looked after the security, accessibility and protection of
Canadian waters. The CCG also plays a major role in the exploitation
and sustainable development of Canada’s oceans and waterways.
Numerous ships from the CCG fleet were at the event and
were open to the public for tours. A special thank you to Nathalie
Letendre, Senior Communications Advisor, who coordinated all
communications between the ships, the organizers, the Naval
Reserve Public Affairs section, and the media.
The event also marked the opening of an exhibition called
Evolution? illustrating the evolutionary journey of warships from
1812 to 2012, and of the men and women who served on them.
The activities were very interactive, and the young visitors enjoyed
them greatly. The exhibition featured a wide variety of scale models,
navigation simulators and information booths.
In addition, a ceremony was held, during which the Arturo Prat
Chacón Award was presented by Vice-Admiral Kenneth Pugh
OPERATIONS
opportunity to visit his ship. LCdr Tremblay also flew his family in
from Halifax so that his grandfather could meet his great-grandson
for the first time—a multi-generational rendezvous!
Of course, the RVNQ weekend would not have been complete
without a number of social rendezvous. Whether onboard ship
during official receptions or at local establishments watching the
EURO 2012 soccer action, sailors from all participating nations
took the opportunity to gather and raise a glass to each other.
RVNQ was indeed a popular gathering place!
Naval ships from Canada, Germany, France and the United States alongside in Québec City
during the Rendez-vous naval de Québec 2012.
(Photo by Sgt Norm McLean, Canadian Forces Combat Camera, © 2012 DND-MDN Canada.)
Olavarria of the Chilean Navy. Congratulations to Lt(N) Daniel
Karpenchuck. Nothing compares to an RCN parade—it is a veritable
sea of white. The various national and international ships were
extremely popular with civilian and military visitors alike: American
ship USS WHIDBEY ISLAND, French ship PB FULMAR, Canadian
ships HMCS SUMMERSIDE and HMCS KINGSTON, and German
ships FGS EMDEN and FGS FRANKURT AM MAIN.
This event, organized by the City of Québec, is an incredible opportunity
for the RCN to show its stuff. All of the members who helped
out during RVNQ 2012 contributed to its success. The Public Affairs
team, Fleet School members, Naval Reserve Headquarters personnel—everyone’s
military professionalism was once again plain to
see. Thank you, and good work!
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
25

OPERATIONS
HMCS SUMMERSIDE recognized for Operation
NANOOK 2011
By LS Joel Ingersoll, HMCS SUMMERSIDE
HMCS SUMMERSIDE received a Canada Command
Unit Commendation during a recent port visit in
Chicago. Presented by Commodore Darren Hawco
(Commander Canadian Fleet Altantic) on behalf of Commander
Canada Command, LGen W. Semianiw, they received the commendation
for their efforts during Operation NANOOK 2011.
Although SUMMERSIDE is a minor warship, they demonstrated
and carried out the duties of a major warship. There were some
challenges in taking on this role, but they carried out the mission
with confidence and effectiveness. This achievement is
indicative of the continuing hard work that the KINGSTON
Class vessels demonstrate on a daily basis and it easily might
have been any of the four East coast operational minor warships.
During OP NANOOK, HMCS SUMMERSIDE assumed control of
a programme that had been planned months in advance for HMCS
ST. JOHN’S. However, when HMCS ST. JOHN’S had to return
to Halifax due to engineering difficulties, HMCS SUMMERSIDE
took on the role of Officer in Tactical Command (OTC), essentially
having temporary control of the whole operation. This
meant communicating and tasking out foreign ships such as the
USCGC WILLOW, and HMDS HVIDBJORNEN. We were also
required to take on photographers as part of a photo journalist
project, and Canadian Rangers who required assistance to successfully
complete their own mission of radar site inspections.
Other significant milestones during this Arctic mission included
a very high profile EXECUTREK with such notable attendees as
the Honourable Bernard Lord and Her Excellency Edna Elias,
Commissioner of Nunavut. This mission also included support
to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to conduct a fisheries
patrol which resulted in the Department boarding, inspecting,
and eventually citing infractions of three Vessels of Interest.
HMCS SUMMERSIDE was recognized earlier this year by the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans for her efforts in this
regard.
26 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
HMCS SUMMERSIDE being presented the Canada Command Unit Commendation.
From left to right: Cmdre Hawco (CCFL), LCdr Tremblay (SUM CO), Lt(N) Tucker (SUM XO),
CPO 2 D’Amours (SUM Coxn), and CPO 1 Feltham (MARLANT Fleet Chief).
(Photo by LS Perez-Guerra, HMCS MONCTON.)
The citation for the unit commendation reads as follows: “Her
Majesty’s Canadian Ship SUMMERSIDE exemplified operational
effectiveness and leadership during OPERATION NANOOK
2011, by performing the role normally expected of a major warship.
She readily assumed the program assigned to Her Majesty’s
Canadian Ship ST. JOHN’S, taking on the frigate’s warfare duties
and command of the international Task Group. She operated well
beyond the normal capability of a KINGSTON Class vessel,
demonstrating leadership in Arctic waters, while representing the
Canadian Forces interoperability with Other Government
Departments and Northern allies.” Signed by W. Semianiw,
Lieutenant-General, CMM, MSC, CD. Commander, Canada
Command, June 2012.

MS Pascal Rioux from HMCS CHAMPLAIN received a national honour
2011 Canadian Naval Reserve Sailor of the
Year Award
By Lt(N) Daniel Turcotte, PAO, HMCS CHAMPLAIN
AGUENAY, QUE. – Master Seaman Pascal Rioux, a member
of HMCS CHAMPLAIN in Saguenay, received the
2011 Canadian Naval Reserve Sailor of the Year award.
This national recognition was awarded to him on February 25th S
by
the Commander of the Naval Reserve, Commodore David W. Craig,
at HMCS CHAMPLAIN, in front of the recipient’s family and shipmates.
During the ceremony, MS Rioux received the trophy related
to this award, notably for his professionalism and his commitment
to the community.
MS Pascal Rioux joined the Naval Reserve as boatswain on October
12, 1999. As a military member, he has distinguished himself in
many ways. He participated in various operations and exercises. He
had just returned from Exercise PACIFIC GUARDIAN, held in
Vancouver, when he received the trophy. From 2001 to 2006, he
completed his boatswain qualification levels and he regularly went to
sea to serve on Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels. He also served as
an instructor in Halifax. In 2007, he was elected the Top Student for
the field phase during the Primary Leadership Qualification.
Between 2006 and 2011, he received three Commander’s
Commendations for his outstanding performance. The one he
received in 2011 highlights his actions, his leadership, and his commitment
to the community.
In his civilian life, MS Rioux is an accomplished actor. He cofounded
a theatre company with colleagues and they were spokespersons for
La Nuit de la culture held in Saguenay in 2008. They were also
involved in charity campaigns, such as the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul
and Travail de rue charities. Moreover, he participated in the Nuit
des sans-abri event in 2007. He was also the spokesman and the
Honorary President of the Moisson Saguenay (food bank) fundraiser
in 2010–2011.
This Sailor of the Year award is presented by the Bennett family. It
was awarded for the first time last year. Its goal is to recognize the
accomplishments of a junior member of the Naval Reserve (at this
time, there are over 2 300 junior members in the Naval Reserve)
and it is a complement to the existing awards and honourary distinctions
in the Canadian Forces. The trophy is kept at the Naval
Reserve Headquarters in Québec City, and the name of the winner
and his home unit are engraved on it. A copy of the trophy is given
to the Sailor of the Year. A total of 25 applications (one for each
Naval Reserve Division and one for the Naval Reserve Headquarters)
may be submitted each year for this award.
OPERATIONS
MS Pascal Rioux, the 2011 NAVRES Sailor of the Year, receives his award from Comd
NAVRES, Cmdre David W. Craig. They are accompanied by the recipient’s father, Alain Rioux;
his wife, Gabrielle Boily; and their son, William Boily.
(Photo by MCpl Steeve Picard, 3 Wing Bagotville Imaging.)
Comd NAVRES, Commodore David W. Craig, presents the 2011 NAVRES Sailor of the Year
Award to MS Pascal Rioux, Boatswain at HMCS CHAMPLAIN.
(Photo by MCpl Steeve Picard, 3 Wing Bagotville Imaging.)
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
27

28
THE TRADES
Naval Communicator MOS Advisor
By CPO 2 Todd Kelly, CD, HMCS BRUNSWICKER
T
his is the first in a series of articles that will depict the
exciting challenges and opportunities that have been
afforded to us as Naval Communicators today. As a
frame of reference, you should be aware that our trade is undergoing
dramatic and relatively rapid change. Surprising, I know!
Change has been the focus of Annual State of the Trade articles
such as this one since well before 2008. There are a plethora of
documents that are readily available on the DWAN that provide
both background and insight as to the driving force behind this
constant forward migration towards a “One Navy” seagoing force
and, in particular, the ongoing realignment of our trade. I encourage
you to seek these out so that you have a clean trim as to the
way ahead.
So where are we as we near the end of 2012 and what’s coming
up in 2013? The JBOS for the QL1/QL2–QL5A/B have been
aligned such that there is no longer a gap between Reserve and
Regular Force course contents. This presents an important step
away from over 10 years of platform-specific coursing and will
lead to training that can be utilized in any ship of our Fleet,
increasing your opportunities to sail and serve. The focus on
modularized training continues with the goal of creating a training
programme flexible to the needs of part-time sailors. As of this
writing, the discussions on QL3/QL6A are proceeding with the
goal for alignment to be completed in 2013. The alignment
process includes the development of a common Occupational
Function Point (OFP) that will result in greater employability of
our trade personnel.
In August, funding was identified for the CISN OP/ADM course
as part of the KINGSTON-Class High Speed Data Connection
Project (KHSDC). More will follow on this exciting development
in the next edition.
Train to excite is a phrase that you will continue to hear throughout
2013. I will be looking to all of you once again for your valuable
input and suggestions. Our trade site on the DIN will come
down in the coming days to have its content revalidated, and then
translated. In addition, a working group has been established to
produce both Regional and a National competitions that are sure
to test the pigeonholes of your flag locker and your overall trade
knowledge, so get prepared!
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
Our trade is rebuilding. Yes, we are short just over 200 personnel,
however this is not a situation that has occurred over the last
year, rather it reflects an over-eight-year struggle in both recruiting
and retention that we have faced whilst undergoing unprecedented
changes and increased expectations. The Nav Comms in the Fleet
are professional, determined, enthusiastic, competent, intuitive,
problem solvers that have kept our warships at sea despite this
shortage. This has been no small feat and needs to be applauded!
Shortages of personnel mean that we have room for advancement
at all levels, which is also healthy. Going forward, a
Strategic Intake Plan (SIP) is intended to encourage growth
within the trade while maximizing throughput. The approved
2012/13 SIP for Nav Comms is 73 positions—so encourage
your friends and family to join to fill them, and we will move forward
together.
As you can expect, 73 new Nav Comms will need experienced
and motivated instructors in the schools to ensure our traditional
‘elite-of-the-fleet’ trainees receive the best education possible.
Schools have struggled in recent years to maintain appropriate
instructor/student ratios and WE need to turn this around. This is
well within our ability and is paramount to our future success. I
know it is only the fall of 2012. However I ask you to take a critical
look at how you are going to be engaged with the Navy in the
coming months. Then forecast yourself to contribute through
instructional staff, filling a sea-going position or consolidating
your trade knowledge. There has never been a better time to
renew our commitment to the Navy.
In closing, I wish to thank my predecessor CPO 2 Karyn Sihvonen
for her always tactful, diligent, tireless efforts, and overarching
commitment in seeing through the transformation for the betterment
of our trade during the last few years. Standing by principlebased
arguments and justifications is not for the weak at heart
when you are charting new territory. I look forward to working
with you all and on your behalf throughout my appointment as
your Occupational Advisor.

HMCS HAIDA: an irreplaceable
historic artifact
By Darlene Blakeley, senior editor and writer, Crowsnest
F
or those who know little or nothing about the Royal
Canadian Navy (RCN), stumbling across a vintage warship
on the waterfront in Hamilton, Ont., can be a revelation.
HMCS HAIDA, a Tribal-class destroyer built in England, was
commissioned into the RCN in 1943, serving in many theatres of
operation through the Second World War. After a post-war refit,
HAIDA continued in service through the Korean War and Cold
War until she was decommissioned in 1963. That year a group of
Toronto businessmen formed an organization called Haida Inc.,
and saved her from the scrap yard. The ship was later acquired
by the Province of Ontario and moved to Ontario Place in
Toronto in 1971. She was designated as a national historic site in
1984, and ownership was transferred to Parks Canada in 2002.
HAIDA was moved to Pier 9 in Hamilton on August 30, 2003,
the 60 th anniversary of her commissioning.
“In our experience, many people who visit the ship have minimal
to zero knowledge of HAIDA or the Navy,” says Darryl Jones,
past president of Friends of Haida, an organization partnered
with Parks Canada and devoted to the preservation of the ship.
“When our volunteers inform the public about the history of the
ship, her accomplishments and the living conditions aboard, they
come away amazed and carry an appreciation of the ship and our
Navy that they never realized previously.”
HAIDA is now an “irreplaceable historic artifact” managed and
presented as a living, operating ship, according to Mr. Jones.
Visitors can enjoy the unique opportunity of exploring, experiencing
and learning about the ship’s inner workings and what life
must have been like aboard a Second World War-era naval vessel.
“HAIDA is a direct result of the Navy’s ambitions when Canada’s
tiny navy was struggling for existence,” says Mr. Jones. “No other
warship has made a greater contribution to Canada’s naval traditions
than HAIDA. With her unmatched war record (sinking more
tonnage than any other ship in the Royal Canadian Navy),
HAIDA is Canada’s ‘fightingest’ ship. Along with HMCS
SACKVILLE [a Second World War corvette located in Halifax],
HAIDA represents the heritage of the Navy.”
HMCS HAIDA on the waterfront in Hamilton (Ontario).
(Photo by Friends of Haida.)
HISTORY
Mr. Jones adds that the Friends of Haida organization works to
preserve naval traditions and build links between the current
Royal Canadian Navy and its past through ship visits and outreach
to the fleet. “Its members and donors, some of them naval
veterans and some with no naval experience at all, share a common
belief that it is important to all Canadians, young and old,
not only to preserve Canadian naval history and heritage, but to
ensure that Canadians know about it.”
Friends of Haida is vital to the continued preservation of the ship
and needs support from contributors and volunteers. The organization
has a school visit programme and volunteers can help on
the ship, work in the gift shop, research information, or help
develop new skills. To join Friends of Haida, make a contribution, or
simply to learn more about the ship, visit www.hmcshaida.ca.
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012 29

HISTORY
A Bitter Victory 1814–1815
By LS Fabrice Mosseray, HMCS CARLETON
n 1812, the Americans thought that invading British North
America (modern-day Canada) would be a walk in the park.
In fact, however, the poorly commanded Americans were
kept in check by the British troops, the colonial regiments (the
Fencibles), the provincial militias and allied tribes. Even though the
Americans invaded Upper Canada (modern-day Ontario) in
September 1813 after the Lake Erie debacle, they were halted in the
following weeks during their march on Montréal. They were defeated
on the Niagara in July 1814 and eventually pushed out of the colony, 1
I
and their states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio were
invaded in turn.
The taking of Washington
Having control of the Great Lakes and the Atlantic contributed to the
success of land operations. The abdication of Napoleon I in April
1814 enabled Great Britain to send reinforcements to Canada. With
the support of the Royal Navy and the Halifax naval base, the British,
using amphibious operations, took Washington in August and then
Maine in September. They burned the White House and the Capitol,
thereby avenging York (Toronto) and Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake),
which had been pillaged by the Americans the previous year.
In September, Lake Huron came under British control thanks to
Lieutenant Miller Worsley’s bold actions. One month earlier, he had
been forced to burn his schooner, HMS NANCY, in Georgian Bay, to
spare himself from imminent capture by the two American schooners
patrolling the lake. Now Worsley, along with his crew of Amerindians,
troops from Newfoundland and Canadian fur traders, approached in
canoes and surprised the two enemy ships, seizing them and hoisting
the Union Jack on their masts.
At the end of the summer of 1814, Commodore Sir James Lucas Yeo
controlled Lake Ontario, thanks to the launching of ships such as
HMS ST. LAWRENCE (104 guns) 2 and HMS PSYCHE (56 guns)
from Kingston.
The Battle of Lake Champlain
The Governor General of the colony, Lieutenant-General Sir George
Prévost, wanted to march on Albany and New York. He would first
have to take Plattsburgh and destroy the Lake Champlain fleet.
Although Prévost had a solid track record in past battles, he revealed
himself to be incompetent in this case. Among other things, he did not
see eye to eye with Captain George Downie, whose ill-equipped flotilla
had to brave opposing winds. The Royal Navy, occupied with events
in Europe and the blockade on the American East Coast, had
neglected Downie’s flotilla, anchored at Île-aux-Noix. The crews were
poorly trained, their equipment was mismatched, and a number of the
guns did not fire properly.
On 11 September 1814, Downie launched his eight ships and eleven
gunboats against the enemy fleet, which consisted of four ships, six
1 Battles of Châteauguay, Crysler’s Farm and Lundy’s Lane.
2 This ship was bigger than Lord Nelson’s famous HMS VICTORY.
30 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
Capt Downie sends his ships against the American fleet defending Plattsburg. Due to the
incompetence of Sir Prévost, the British attack against the city was a complete failure.
(George Stanley, La guerre de 1812 : les opérations terrestres)
galleys, four gunboats and two transport sloops. 3 Captain Thomas
MacDonough’s American fleet was anchored in a line in order to fire
on any ship that entered Plattsburgh Bay. It was positioned in such a
way as to force Downie to attack in an irregular headwind, which
drove him closer to the enemy ships, bringing him within range of
their carronades. The American gunners lived up to their reputation—
the cannon fire was devastating. Despite the established plan, Prévost
did not attack Plattsburgh at the agreed-upon moment—he was supposed
to take control of the land batteries and use them against the
enemy fleet. After two hours of hard battle—which ended with
Downie dead, most of his officers killed or wounded, and his ships in
ruins—the English flotilla surrendered to MacDonough. In addition to
this defeat at Plattsburgh, for which Prévost was disgraced, the British
also lost the Battle of Baltimore. As a result of these defeats, the
British were forced to return to the colony, and their plenipotentiaries
were placed in an unfavourable position during peace treaty negotiations
with the Americans in Ghent, Belgium.
Who won the war?
Both sides claimed victory. In accordance with the Treaty of Ghent,
signed on 24 December 1814, Amherstburg was returned to
Canada, and the border and the Great Lakes were demilitarized.
The border was redrawn; from then on, it followed the 49th parallel
from the Great Lakes to the Pacific. Great Britain, weary from the
Napoleonic Wars, did not wish to continue fighting against the
United States or maintain a fleet on the Great Lakes. Construction
of warships on the Great Lakes gave way to construction of canals
and fortifications. 4 The lifting of the Royal Navy’s blockade enabled
3 These numbers vary from source to source.
4 The Rideau, Lachine and Welland canals; and the Québec, Halifax and
Kingston citadels.

the American economy, which had been completely choked off, to
start up again.
Great Britain and the British North American colonists felt that they
had won the war because they had repelled the invader and saved the
colony. However, after the Americans defeated the British at
Plattsburgh, Baltimore and New Orleans (January 1815), they considered
themselves to be the sole victors, going so far as to call the
War of 1812 the “second war of independence!” Although it did not
settle any of the issues that had led the United States to war, the Treaty
of Ghent returned to the Americans all of the territory they had lost
and enabled them to put an end to the British–Amerindian alliance as
they had wanted to do in 1812. Therefore, it is difficult to convince
the Americans that they were defeated, particularly when they are
singing The Star-Spangled Banner, their national anthem, which is
based on a poem inspired by the Battle of Baltimore! For the
Aboriginal allies, the treaty was catastrophic, as they lost their land
and came under the American yoke. The treaty did not honour the
British combatants or those from the colony who, together, were the
first to conquer the United States.
A new Canada?
Some have claimed that the War of 1812 shaped the Canada we
know today. But the quickly forgotten war did not help build a
Canadian nation, even though Anglophones, Francophones,
Aboriginals and Blacks fought side by side for the first time. Upper
Canada, heavily populated by Loyalists—former American colonists
who had remained loyal to Britain—developed a stronger sense of loyalty
towards Great Britain than towards Canada. In a climate of comfort,
order and security, the English forged a distinctively un-American
sense of identity. The Canadiens (Francophones), who made up over
50% of the population at that time, continued to resist assimilation,
particularly after the Union Act (1840), which prohibited the use of
French in public institutions. They would not soon forget the Durham
Report. As for Blacks and Aboriginals, victory ensured their freedom,
but did not protect them from prejudice or extreme poverty. The border
was demilitarized and redrawn but would be renegotiated between
Great Britain and the United States long after the hostilities. Colonial
institutions received their share of complaints about war pensions,
allowances for disaster victims and land concessions for militiamen.
Anger over colonial government abuses spilled over and the colonists
rebelled in 1837; those rebellions were put down by the British army.
HISTORY
The launching of HMS ST. LAWRENCE in September 1814 secured the Royal Navy’s supremacy
on Lake Ontario.
(Robert Gardiner, The Naval War of 1812)
The War of 1812, often overlooked by the Canadian Forces, points
to the necessity of a regular force, the usefulness of the militia and the
importance of a close working relationship between the two. The creation
of a naval reserve could have been a consequence of this war,
but it was not until the 1830s that the colony had naval and marine
companies. The bicentennial of the War of 1812 is a good opportunity
for us to remember the significance and the exploits of the combatants
of colonial Canada, and the suffering of the civilian population
in Ontario.
The author would like to thank Lt(N) François Ferland for his assistance.
Sources
Pierre Berton, The Invasion of Canada, 1981.
George Stanley, The War of 1812, 1984.
Robert Malcomson and Thomas Malcomson, HMS DETROIT: The
Battle for Lake Erie, 1990.
Robert Gardiner, The Naval War of 1812, 1998.
John Elting, Amateurs, To Arms! 1991.
Donald E. Graves, “The Other 11th of November,” Ottawa Citizen,
10 November 2011.
LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
31

HISTORY
70 th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid
By PO 2 Michael Pinault-LePage, HMCS SUMMERSIDE
his year marked the celebrations of the 70th anniversary
of the 1942 raid on Dieppe. A contingent of soldiers,
sailors and airmen from all over Canada gathered in CFB
Trenton on August 13, 2012. I was selected to represent the
RCN after I was awarded the JTFN Commander’s Pennant for my
actions in OP NANOOK 2011. This contingent formed a 50-man
Guard of Honour accompanied by the Fusiliers Mont-Royal’s
band and support personnel. The commemoration took place in
France on the historic site of Dieppe’s beaches from August 18
to 20. The contingent left Canada on the 16th T
of August en route
to Dieppe with a short detour to Ottawa to collect the Veterans
Affairs Canada representatives and the seven veterans who
would accompany the delegation to Dieppe. Of note, some of
these veterans had never returned to Dieppe since that infamous
day of August 19, 1942.
Once we arrived in Dieppe, people were given the afternoon to
settle in and visit the town at their leisure. It was truly impressive
to walk the streets where Canadian flags hung in almost every
shop window and all along the streets. Everywhere you stopped,
the local population would thank you for what was done 70 years
ago by WWII soldiers. As one of the local woman, who was a
young girl back then, told me: “The raid was a proof that we had
not been forgotten by the Allies.” The next day, the contingent
took a bus tour stopping in Pourville, then Puys, and finally Dieppe,
along the waterfront. This tour was made special by Dr. Stephen
Harris from the Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH) who
accompanied the troops and spoke about the events that took
place in each area 70 years ago. He gave the statistics of each
regiment present that day in the location they landed with how
many of them left England, how many returned, how many died
on the beaches and how many were captured and became POWs.
He also gave great details of the advance inland made by each of
the regiments and other notable actions made by specific soldiers
and officers. That afternoon, we attended the world premiere
presentation of the documentary Dieppe Uncovered which is
based on the research of military historian Dr. David O’Keefe.
During this documentary we were presented with a new side of
Operation Jubilee. Documents now show that Canadians were to
conduct the frontal assault on Dieppe while a British commando
platoon was to enter the harbour and take the German naval HQ.
This HQ was important to the Allies since they had the new 4-rotor
enigma machines with crypto codes and machine parts. After this
presentation, some of us retraced the location of the naval HQ,
giving us a first look at what is sure to become a new landmark of
the Dieppe raid. Later that day, one of the officers from the
Guard met a British veteran on the street. While chatting with
him, he found out this man’s job during the raid had been to blow
up the safe in the CO’s office of the German naval HQ. He
immediately put this veteran and Dr. O’Keefe in contact for them
to share information.
32 LINK Vol. 21, No. 3, November 2012
The Governor General of Canada, His Excellency David Johnston conducting the review of the
Guard of Honour on August 19, 2012.
(Photo by DND.)
While everyone prepared for the evening parade on August 18,
the members of the Fusiliers Mont-Royal proceeded into town for
a special ceremony. There is a monument beside a church, dedicated
to the only two soldiers who made it in town during the
assault and who died on the church grounds. That evening,
around sunset time, the contingent conducted a ceremony at the
cemetery where all the Canadians are buried. This immediately
made me think of the veterans’ creed: “At the going down of the
sun and in the morning, we will remember them.” The next
morning, after the main ceremonies at the Square du Canada, the
parade travelled along the waterfront stopping at each of the
three monuments dedicated to the Canadian regiments who landed
on the beach of Dieppe. All along the 2-km parade route, local
citizens were lined from one side of the street to the other
applauding and literally parting like the sea to allow the contingent
to pass through. That afternoon, ceremonies were held in Pourville
to commemorate the actions which occurred there and to unveil
a new monument. On the 20 th , we participated in a ceremony at
the soldiers’ monument in Puys and the unveiling of a plaque
made by a local schoolgirl. We completed our official obligations
with a ceremony held at the sailors’ monument at the harbour
entrance in Dieppe. When we left the next day, I felt truly privileged
to have been a part of these events and this contingent.