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A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
TILLEY, Harold Richard - Member of Royal Canadian Navy/Canadian Forces 1941-80. Peacefully on Thursday, June 27 at his residence. Beloved husband of the late Dorothy Jean (nee Coffin). Loved father of Richard (Laudy), Halifax; Stewart (Linda), Toronto and Patrick (Trish), Ottawa; Barbara, Edmonton and grandfather of seven wonderful grandchildren. Survived by brother Donald, Kingston; sisters Joyce, Maine and Jennifer, Calgary. Harold was born in New York City to Arthur and Mary (Nee Fortier) Tilley, raised in Mahwah, New Jersey, attended Lakefield College School (1936-41) and Royal Naval College Dartmouth in 1941/42. During World War II he served in HMS Anson, HMS Melbreak, and HMCS Huron. He was navigation Officer for 262nd Flotilla LCI(L)s at DDAY landing in Berniere-sur-Mer. His post-war at sea service was in HMCS Charlottetown (XO), Antigonish (XO), Crescent, Nootka (Korean War), Jonquiere (CO) and Saguenay (CO), as Captain Sea Training Atlantic, and as Commander Seventh Escort Squadron. Numerous staff and training positions in Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto and London, England. Attended Imperial Defence College, London and commanded CFB Cornwallis. An accomplished sportsman, he was Commodore of the Canadian forces Sailing Association (Ottawa), President of the Canadian Forces Ski Club (Ottawa) and a member of several tennis clubs. After retirement he continued a lifetime of community service at St Thomas the Apostle Church (Alta Vista), and as a member of the Naval Officers Association of Canada. He was a long-time member at both Camp Fortune and the Highlands Golf Club. A keen philatelist, he was an active member of several Ottawa stamp clubs. "The family would like to thank Dr. Coulombe and her palliative care team for all their assistance during the last two months." Funeral Service will be held in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 2345 Alta Vista Dr. on Wednesday, July 3 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice.
Ships served in: HMS ANSON HMS MELBREAK - Appointed to Melbrake as an A/SLt, RCN (RN List Apr 1944) 262nd LCI(L) Flotilla - Served as Navigation Officer for the 262nd LCI(L) Flotilla for D-Day HMCS HURON - Appointed to Huron 30 Aug 1944 as a SLt, RCN (Navy List Nov 1944) HMCS ST BONIFACE - Appointed to St Boniface 21 Mar 1946 as a Lt, RCN, CO (Navy List Apr 1946). 6th Commanding Officer HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN - Appointed to Charlottetown 18 Apr 1946 as Lt, RCN, XO (Navy List Oct 1946) HMCS ANTIGONISH - Appointed to Antigonish 26 Apr 1947 as Lt, RCN, XO (Navy List Jun 1947) HMCS TECUMSEH - Appointed to Tecumseh 14 Aug 1947 as Lt, RCN, Staff Officer (Navy List Jan 1948) HMCS CRESCENT - Appointed to Crescent 01 Aug 1948 as Lt, RCN (Navy List Jan 1949) ROYAL NAVY - List as training with RN (Navy List Jul 1949) HMCS STADACONA, NAVIGATION DIRECTION SCHOOL - Appointed to Stadacona 09 Feb 1950 as a Lt (ND), RCN (Navy List Jul 1950) HMCS NOOTKA - Appointed to Nootka 17 Sep 1951 as Lt (ND), RCN (Navy List Jan 1952). Appointed LCdr (seniority 01 Nov 1952 (Navy List Jan 1953) NAVAL HEADQUARTERS OTTAWA, (Borne in HMCS BYTOWN), Directorate of Naval Plans and Operations, Staff Officer (Operations) - Appointed to Naval Headquarters 27 Feb 1953 as LCdr (ND), RCN (Navy List Jul 1953) HMCS STADACONA - Appointed to Stadacona 13 Sep 1954 as LCdr (ND), RCN, Add'l for Jonquiere (Navy List Oct 1954) HMCS JONQUIERE - Appointed to Jonquiere (re-commissioned at Lauzon, QC) 20 Sep 1954 as LCdr (N), RCN, CO (Navy List Jan 1955). 5th Commanding Officer. HMCS YORK - Appointed to York 04 Sep 1956 as LCdr (N), RCN, add'l HMCS STADACONA - Appointed to Stadacona 29 Jul 1957 as Cdr (N), RCN, Staff Officer (ND) and on staff of Canadian Commander Atlantic as Staff Officer (ND) (Navy list Jan 1958) // then Command Training Officer (Navy List Jul 1958) // then Training Commander and as Officer-in-Charge JOTLC (Navy List Jan 1960) COMFLT, Staff of Senior Canadian Officer Afloat Atlantic - Appointed to COMFLT 19 Dec 1960 as Cdr, RCN (Navy List Jan 1961) HMCS SAGUENAY - Appointed to Saguenay 23 Aug 1961 as Cdr, RCN, CO (Navy List Oct 1962). 5th Commanding Officer NAVAL HEADQUARTERS, Staff Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel, Plans - Appointed to Naval Headquarters 26 Jul 1963 as Cdr, RCN COMMANDER SEVENTH CANADIAN ESCORT SQUADRON (Flag HMCS Assiniboine) - Appointed Commander Seventh Canadian Escort Squadron 04 Jan 1965 as Capt, RNC (Navy List Apr 1965)
Banner for Harold Tilley at Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy, France in preparations for the 75 Anniversary of D-Day Photographer: Amanda Brazeau, Communications Div., Veterans Affairs Canada
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For Posterity's Sake 
