Navy Dips

LAST MAN ON BOARD

I joined HMCS Quebec early in 1953, as the replacement for CPO. Ruthledge, as the Chief GI and for duty in the Commander’s Office. Captain Budge was being replaced by Captain Finch Noyce.

Commander Ralph Hennessey the Commander and Lcdr. I. B. B. Morrow the first Lieutenant.

I remained in the Commander’s office for the next three years until I left the ship in New York and proceeded to Victoria for prep school and on to Whale Island where I was fortunate enough to become a Commission Gunner.

On my return from England I joined HMCS Buckingham as the Navigating officer and enjoyed this ship immensely for the next year and a half. How does a Commissioned Gunner become a Navigating Officer? You may never know.

One morning prior to the Squadron sailing for exercises I was called to the Admiral’s office and informed by Admiral Budge that I was, as of today the 7^th. Escort Squadron’s Gunnery Officer. This was quite an unexpected and rather surprising turn of events, especially when he informed me that the squadron had the distinction of having the worst record in gunnery possible and that I better move my butt and do something about it. But "Sir" I’m a Navigator. Those were the last word I uttered, before he told me to get out.

You have to understand that I was the trial officer for the famous 3.70" and had made my report that whoever decided to buy the 13 weapons should have their heads examined. (Not in those terms, but close)

HOME CDR'S OFFICE ASSOC.'S OFFICE SHIP'S COMPANY PICTURES STORIES

. Reason why I was on board Buckingham as Navigating Officer.

The trial crew was a gathering of the best: CPO. Bud Flanagan, CPO. Gerry Lavery, CPO. Brimble and Cmd. Gunner Sid Brain

I was not very happy with this new and second string appointment. However I joined the ship and made it my home for a couple years. The Squadron Commander "Charlie La Rose" was being replaced by Commander Coulter who took me under his wing and thought me more during the next two years on how to handle a ship, which has served me well after my retirement from the service.

Just before the end of 1960, Fort Erie entered Sidney, Nova Scotia for a few days and behold on entry I spotted my old ship "HMCS Quebec". I remember looking at her and it was a sad moment to see her all rusty, masts cut off, no funnels and all boarded up.

"I had to visit her." I found out that the Commander of the dockyard was Commander Marcel Jette and I went to see him. I also found out that she was ready to be towed out the next day for passage to Japan and that the ship had been inspected and was literarily welded shut. I had served with the Commander in Nootka and D’iberville and I pleaded with him to let me go on board.

He called in someone who gave me a set of keys and a flashlight and told me to be careful.

The following experience will follow me for ever and believe me I will never do this again.

I entered the port side hatch just under the old hanger deck (Chief’s Mess) and proceeded to the starboard side, where the Commander’s Office was. The door to the office was open and I looked inside and it came alive. I could see Petty Officer Seabold typing away and on my desk the plastic sheet covering the Watch & Quarter Billboard was still there.

Upon further inspection I soon found out that all brass had been removed, telephones gone, the office was completely stripped. I had a bunk bed made during one of our refits that folded on the wall, it was still there. Then I heard Doc Savage call me from sick bay, just near the commander’s office, I answered him but got no reply. I left the office and in the dark proceeded forward. I could hear voices, I could hear the Master at Arms yelling at someone. The more I moved forward the more I heard voices; I ended in the fore messes and went below to the stokers messes.

I found my way to the Chief’s mess and when I entered they were all there. Gordon, Manderson, Le Page, Aldhem-White, Starky, Cruickshank, Martin, Jenkins and many more.

I found my way to the bridge and I could hear Lt. Cdr. Morrow ask when the coffee was coming up. I stood the morning watches with him for 3 years.

I got lost in the dark a couple of time trying to get to the TS. My old action station. It was empty, but I could hear Petty Officer Flanagan, holding a big stick, telling his gang to stop playing with the handles.

I had to visit Y turret. You remember it was the show piece of the ship, all the inside white with the brass polished and all guns named. I could remember the engraved brass plaques that were above each breach. YVONNE - YVETTE – YOLANDE Where are the brass plates now? Anyone!

The breaches had been cut and scarred badly by blow torches and all visible hydraulic and electrical line cut up. What a mess. I closed the turret door and locked it. I was leaving the ship, with a sense of pride for having served on her and also with a feeling of not doing enough to keep her. What could I do?

I stood on the quarter deck for a long time. Remembering all those that had been on board and some of the highlights of her career in peace time. All the young sailors we had trained and all those who had volunteered for the Sunset Ceremony and had performed this old tradition all over the world. The trip to South America in 1954, the African cruise in 1955. How many remember Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Mombassa and Port Said. Not forgetting the ship’s hockey team being trounced by the Johannesburg hockey team 9 to 11.

On returning on board I asked Commander Coulter if we could do something to see the ship off. When the ship was towed out the next morning the whole ship’s company at division paid their respect to H.M.C.S. Uganda/Quebec

I stood on the quarter deck until she was just about out of sight and as Officer of the Day I ordered her piped and gave her my last farewell salute and wiped the tears from my eyes.

To this day I regret going on board and at the same time I’m glad I was there for her. She had taken us thru a Hurricane, North Atlantic storms and safely thousands of miles and never let us down.

R. Leduc