In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

 

John Joseph McGowan, CD

 

Chief Petty Officer 1st Class, Cook, 40997, RCN

 

Born: 27 Sep 1926, New Westminster, British Columbia

 

Died: 08 Mar 1990, Victoria, British Columbia

 

McGOWAN, John Joseph - passed away peacefully at home on March 8, 1990. Born in New Westminster, BC on September 27, 1926, a long time resident of Victoria. Lovingly remembered by his wife, Jean; brother, Peter and Pearl of Powell River; daughter, Marilyn and Bob Cook of Nanaimo; daughter, Bev and John Oberg of Victoria; son, Dan and Carol McGowan of Comox and five grandchildren: Brian and Michael Cook, Jennie and Carrie Oberg and Taryn McGowan. A gather will be held in his home from 1-3 pm on Sunday, March 11 for family and friends. Special thanks to Dr. Alan Cook. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations in memory of John may be made to the A.L.S. Society of Victoria, 3855 Seaton Street, Victoria, V8Z 3W7. (Victoria Times Colonist 11 Mar 1990)

 

John served in the RCN from 14 Dec 1944 to 28 Jan 1970 retiring as a Chief Petty Officer 1st Class.

 

Ships served in:

HMCS DISCOVERY - Enlisted 24 Dec 1944

HMCS DONNACONA - Served in DONNACONA 25 Dec 1944 - 29 Mar 1945

HMCS YORK - Served in York 30 Mar 1945 - 29 May 1945

HMCS LASALLE - Served in LASALLE 05 Jun 1945 - 30 Jun 1945

HMCS UGANDA - Served in UGANDA - 20 Sep 1945 - 30 Apr 1947

HMCS ONTARIO - Served in ONTARIO 10 May 1949 - 02 Jul 1951

HMCS ONTARIO - Served in ONTARIO 08 Sep 1952 - 06 Dec 1953

HMCS NEW GLASGOW - Served in NEW GLASGOW - 28 Mar 1955 - 27 Nov 1956

HMCS ANTIGONISH - Served in ANTIGONISH 27 Aug 1959 - 27 Jun 1963

HMCS ASSINIBOINE - Served in ASSINIBOINE 28 Jun 1963 - 09 Feb 1964

HMCS QU'APPELLE - Served in QU'APPELLE 10 Feb 1964 - 19 Sep 1965

 

JM01

O/Cook John McGowan Feb 1945. Photo taken in Montreal

 

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JM03

JM04

(JM02-JM04) Cook John McGowan at various unknown locations

 

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JM06

JM07

JM08

JM09

(JM05) C1CK John McGowan in summer dress

(JM06) C1CK John McGowan in winter dress

(JM07) C1CK John McGowan in winter dress

(JM08) C1CK John McGowan

(JM09) John McGowan while on retirement leave - 1969

 

JM10

JM11

JM12

JM13

(JM10) Cook Trade Group 4 Course Certificate for P1CK John McGowan

(JM11) Promotion scroll to CWO (CPO1) 01 May 1966

(JM12) List of John McGowan's drafts.

(JM13...) Certificate of Service for CWO (CPO1) John McGowan, CD

 

JM14

JM15

JM16

JM17

(JM14) Civilian Ticket for Ship's Dance at HMCS YORK 22 May 1945

(JM15) Wallet size Crossing the Line certificate - HMCS UGANDA 28 Feb 1946

(JM16) Wallet size Crossing the Line certificate - HMCS ANTIGONISH - 09 Feb 1960

(JM17) Invitation to Cadet Graduation Parade at HMCS VENTURE 14 Oct 1962

 

 

JM18

JM19

JM20

(JM18...) Wedding party photo for unknown sailor

(JM19) Photo by Harvey Croze of Cranbrook, BC - John McGowan standing, left rear

(JM20) Group photo - John McGowan standing, 1st on right

 

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JM22

JM23

JM24

JM25

(JM21) C&POs Mess newsletter - May/Jun 1969

(JM22) Unknown course photo.  Photo neg # DB3586

(JM23) Unknown CPO receiving the 1969 Centennial Medal from an unknown officer

(JM24) Cook John McGowan at Florentine Gardens, Hollywood, CA

(JM25) Cook John McGowan (left) in Hollywood, CA with James Paulik and John Hannon 08 Oct 1945

 

JM26

(JM26) Station Card for P1CK John McGowan - unknown ship

 


 

Misc souvenirs

 

JM27

JM28

JM29

JM30

JM31

(JM27) Earl Carroll Theatre-Restaurant, Hollywood - postcard

(JM28) Cabaret Boston - Montevideo, Uruguay

(JM29) Miss Merv, Valparaiso, Chile

(JM30) Miss Bertha, Valparaiso, Chile

(JM31) Cerveja Antarctica Pilsener beer, Recife, Brazil

 

JM32

JM33

JM34

JM35

JM36

(JM32) Cassoni's Bar - Restaurant, Montevideo, Uruguay

(JM33) Souvenir of Fiji

(JM34) Brahma Chopp, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

(JM35) Advertisement for Calibri Monopol Lighter

(JM36) Farm Yard Bar Restaurant

 

JM37

JM38

JM39

JM40

JM41

(JM37) Fanny Bar, Montevideo, Uruguay

(JM38) Bar OHara, Yokosuka, Japan

(JM39) Bill Lederer's Bar, Honolulu, Hawaii

(JM40) Hollywood Canteen, Los Angeles, Calif.

(JM41) Plaza Mexico Temporada 1946-47, Mexico City, Mexicxo

 

JM42

JM43

 

(JM42-JM43) Navy Gun Club Hawaii crest with autographs

 


 

Misc photos

 

JM44

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JM48

(JM44-JM45) PO James (left) and John McGowan (right) "Down Under"

(JM46) Cooks on either ONTARIO or UGANDA

(JM47) PO.CK John McGowan? with RAdm Hugh Pullen. RCN photo neg # ML6860

(JM48) Cooks at the RCN Hospital NADEN prepare food trades.  L-R: Cook J. McGowan, Cook D.G. Cambridge, Cook M.S. Richard, PO Cook A. Cownden

 

JM49

(JM49) Crew photo - unknown ship / unknown location

 

JM50

JM51

JM52

JM53

(JM50-JM53) Cooks preparing food for work crew and lunch break - location unknown

 

 

JM54

JM55

JM56

 

(JM54) Cook Smith of Vancouver

(JM55) We went fishing and this is what we caught - 1 Bullhead

(JM56) Cook (O) Canning of Pitt Meadows

 

 

 

JM57

 

 

(JM57) Cook Smith (left) at Port Alberni, BC

 

JM58

(JM58) CPOs on either HMCS ASSINIBOINE or HMCS QU'APPELLE

CPO Cook John McGowan 1st on left

 


 

HMCS DONNACONA

 

 

 

JM59

 

 

(JM59) HMCS DONNACONA

New Entry Cooks Course Photo

photo between Dec 44 and Mar 1945

 


 

HMCS LASALLE

 

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JM63

(JM60) HMCS LASALLE jacket patch

(JM61) Officers of HMCS LASALLE - 1945

(JM62) Ratings with Divisional Officer on HMCS LASALLE - 1945.  It is not known if they are all cooks or if there are other trades of the Executive Branch in the photo

(JM63) HMCS LA SALLE Station Card for A/Ck John McGowan

 


 

HMCS UGANDA

 

JM64

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JM68

(JM64) HMCS UGANDA - RCN photo neg # E6697-2

(JM65) HMCS UGANDA - RCN photo neg # F4648

(JM66) HMCS UGANDA in Esquimalt

(JM67) HMCS UGANDA in Esquimalt.  Masts of Castle Class corvettes seen on the left side of photo

(JM68) HMCS UGANDA'S boat deck and crane

 

JM69

JM70

JM71

(JM69) HMCS UGANDA ship's company photo - undated

(JM70) HMCS UGANDA'S Executive Branch - undated

(JM71) HMCS UGANDA Christmas Menu - 1946

 

JM72

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JM76

(JM72) Photo album cover

(JM73-JM76) HMCS UGANDA in dry dock in Esquimalt, BC

 

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JM81

(JM77) Cook Parsons on HMCS UGANDA while in drydock

(JM78) Cook John McGowan (right) with shipmate on HMCS UGANDA

(JM79) HMCS ONTARIO in Esquimalt - SEEN FROM HMCS UGANDA

(JM80) Esquimalt harbour.  Yarrow shipbuilding seen on the far shore

(JM81) AB Morrow (position in boat not identified on photo) in UGANDA'S 1st motor boat.

 

JM82

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JM86

(JM82-JM83) Unknown merchant ships in Esquimalt Harbour

(JM84) USN sub in Esquimalt harbour

(JM85-JM86) USN sub alongside HMCS UGANDA in Esquimalt harbour

 

JM87

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JM90

(JM87) Cooks on HMCS UGANDA

(JM88) John McGowan by the forward 6-inch guns on HMCS UGANDA

(JM89) Band and Guard formed up on the quarterdeck of HMCS UGANDA at sea - General Salute

(JM90) Cooks on HMCS UGANDA

 


 

JM91

(JM91) HMCS UGANDA'S South American Cruise - 1946

 


 

San Diego, California

 

JM92

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(JM92-J94) USN ships at San Diego, Calif.

 


 

Magdalena Bay, Mexico

 

JM95

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JM99

(JM95) Sail/fishing craft passing near HMCS UGANDA

(JM96) Seabirds in the water off Magdalena Bay, Mexico by HMCS UGANDA

(JM97) Sailing vessel in Magdalena Bay passing near HMCS UGANDA

(JM98-JM99) HMCS UGANDA at anchor in Magdalena Bay, Mexico

 

JM100

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JM104

(JM100) HMCS UGANDA at anchor in Magdalena Bay, Mexico

(JM101-JM102) Village of Bahia, Magdalena Bay. HMCS UGANDA can be seen anchored off shore

(JM103-JM104) UGANDA sailor sitting on hill overlooking Bahia, Magdalena Bay, Mexico

 

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(JM105-JM106) Village Bahia, Magdalena Bay, Mexico

(JM107) Cook John McGowan ashore at Magdalena Bay, Mexico

(JM108) Ship's dentist from HMCS UGANDA, Capt E.B. Hooks, examining the local villagers at Bahia, Magdalena Bay, Mexico, 1946

(JM109) HMCS Uganda's padre, Chaplain (R.C.) J.H. Laporte performing Baptisms/Christenings at Bahia, Magdalena Bay, Mexico, 1946

 


 

Crossing the Line (Equator)

 

JM110

JM111

JM112

(JM110) The night before the Crossing the Line ceremony on HMCS UGANDA

(.JM111) Crossing the Line ceremony on HMCS UGANDA enroute to Peru from Magdalena Bay, Mexico

(JM112) HMCS UGANDA Crossing the Line (Equator) Certificate - 28 Feb 1946.  Certificate includes a list of port visits for the 1946 South American Cruise

 


 

Lima, Peru

 

 

 

JM113

 

 

(JM113) Sailors from HMCS UGANDA ashore in Lima, Peru

 


 

Valparaiso, Chile

 

JM114

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(JM114) HMCS UGANDA arriving Valparaiso

(JM115) Chilean Battleship LA TORRE (former HMS CANADA)

 

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JM119

(JM116-JM117) UGANDA sailors ashore in Valparaiso

(JM118-JM119) Scenes around Valparaiso

 

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(JM120-JM124) Scenes around Valparaiso

 


 

Rounding the Horn

 

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(JM125-JM126) HMCS UGANDA Rounding the Horn "under sail".   UGANDA was the first ship of the RCN to Round the Horn

(JM127) HMCS UGANDA Rounding the Horn Certificate - 20 Mar 1946

 


 

Port Stanley, Falkland Island

 

 

JM128

JM129

 

(JM128) Falkland Island Weekly News 21 Mar 1946

(JM129) Supplement to the Falkland Island Weekly News 21 Mar 1946 - Welcome HMCS UGANDA

 

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JM133

(JM130) Port Stanley welcomes HMCS UGANDA

(JM131) UGANDA sailors with Port Stanley citizen

(JM132-JM133) Sailors from HMCS UGANDA getting close up views of the local penguin population in the Falkland Islands

 

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JM138

(JM134-JM138) Sailors from HMCS UGANDA getting close up views of the local penguin population in the Falkland Islands

 


 

Montevideo, Uruguay

 

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(JM139) Sailors from HMCS UGANDA collecting souvenirs off the hulk of the German Pocket Battleship ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE

(JM140) Petty Officers from UGANDA ashore in Montevideo. PO Larry Restall 1st on left

(JM141) PO Cook Smith ashore in Montevideo, Uruguay

(JM142-JM143) Scenes around Montevideo, Uruguay

 

 

JM144

JM145

JM146

 

(JM144-JM146) Sailors from HMCS UGANDA ashore in Montevideo and surrounding areas

 


 

Transit to Rio de Janeiro from Montevideo

 

 

 

JM147

 

 

(JM147) Sailors relaxing and enjoying the sun during HMCS UGANDA'S transit from Recife to Rio de Janeiro 

 


 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

 

 

 

JM148

 

 

(JM148) HMCS UGANDA arriving at Rio de Janeiro

 

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(JM149) Two Uganda (left) sailors ashore in Rio with Sugarloaf Mountain in the background

(JM150) UGANDA sailors ashore in Rio

(JM151-JM152) Scenes around Rio

 

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(JM154-JM158) Scenes around Rio

 

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(JM159-JM163) Crew of UGANDA taking part in various parades and ceremonies while in Rio

 

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JM168

(JM164) Brazilian army in traditional uniform formed up on parade

(JM165) HMCS UGANDA sailors on parade - RCN neg # G773

(JM166) Monument and Mausoleum of the Heroes of the Battle of Laguna, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

(JM167) Sailors on HMCS UGANDA while alongside in Rio

(JM168) Believed to be the funeral for L/Stwd George Stuart who died on ship of an accidental electrocution during UGANDA'S port visit to Rio

 


 

Trinidad

 

 

JM169

JM170

 

(JM169) HMCS UGANDA alongside in Trinidad

(JM170) Scenes around Trinidad

 


 

Panama Canal - East to West

 

 

 

JM171

 

 

(JM171) HMCS UGANDA Transiting the Panama Canal Certificate - 01 May 1946 for the ship's passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific

 


 

 

 

JM172

 

 

(JM172) The Watcher Knows All

 


 

HMCS ONTARIO

 

JM172

JM173

JM174

(JM172) PO.CK John McGowan, on HMCS ONTARIO, holding a tray of fresh pastries while AB Edward Linde looks on with anticipation - The Province 19 Jul 1950 

(JM173) 2nd copy of above article - larger image from different periodical

(JM174) The Navy Likes Its Food - PO.CK John McGowan (left) and LS.CK Dane Spittal making tarts onboard HMCS ONTARIO - Vancouver Herald 13 Jul 1950

 

JM175

JM176

JM177

JM178

(JM175) HMCS ONTARIO Crossing the Line Certificate (Equator) 09 Mar 1951 during the 1951 Australian Cruise

(JM176) HMCS ONTARIO 1951 Australian Cruise Certificate

(JM177) HMCS ONTARIO Crossing the Line Certificate (Equator) - 27 Sep 1952

(JM178) HMCS ONTARIO Crossing the Line booklet (Equator) - 27 Sep 1952

 

JM179

JM180

JM181

JM182

JM183

(JM179-JM181) HMCS CRESCENT coming alongside HMCS ONTARIO for a jackstay - "We had a line over to the Crescent just a practising of passing ammunition from one ship to another"

(JM182) HMCS CRESCENT putting out a fire on a fishing boat

(JM183) Crossing the Line (Equator) Ceremony on HMCS ONTARIO

 

JM184

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JM186

JM187

(JM184) Cartoon caricature drawing of John McGowan during ONTARIO'S 1953 transit of the Panama Canal enroute to England for the Queen's Coronation

(JM186) Juan Peron visits HMCS ONTARIO

(JM187) Unknown cook on HMCS ONTARIO - it appears after arrival in Hawaii

(JM188) Hula dancers in Hawaii

 


 

HMCS NEW GLASGOW

 

HM188

JM189

(JM188) HMCS NEW GLASGOW Christmas Card

(JM189) HMCS NEW GLASGOW 315

 


 

HMCS ANTIGONISH

 

 

JM190

JM191

JM192

 

(JM190) HMCS ANTIGONISH Crossing the Line (Equator) Certificate - 09 Feb 1960 during the 4th Escort Squadron 1960 South American Cruise

(JM191) HMCS ANTIGONISH Crossing the Line (Equator) booklet - 09 Feb 1960

(JM192) HMCS ANTIGONISH Realm of the Golden Dragon Certificate 28 Jun 1960 - from the 1960 Far East Cruise

 


 

HMCS ASSINIBOINE

 

 

 

JM193

 

 

(JM193) HMCS ASSINIBOINE 234 Commissioning Booklet - 23 Jun 1963

 


 

HMCS QU'APPELLE

 

JM194

JM195

(JM194) HMCS QU'APPELLE 264 - RCN photo neg # E-76710

(JM195) Article on reception aboard HMCS QU'APPELLE with CO and guest admiring a Queen's Crown shaped cake made by CPO2 John McGowan

 


 

JM196

JM197

(JM196) HMCS ST LAURENT Christmas Card
(JM197) HMCS ST CROIX Christmas Card

 


 

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