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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
GUY, Rex Geoffrey, Sr. passed away 29 May 1955 whilst serving at Naval Headquarters. He had an extensive sea-going career. At age fourteen indentured to the British Tanker Company as an Apprentice (Cadet). During his career with the company he served in the British Princess, British Fern, British Fusilier and British Gunner. In the early 1930's he acquired ownership of a commercial three masted schooner, SV Six Sisters (Ex-SV Sigrid) trading around the British Isles, the family lived onboard. In late 1938 with World War II on the horizon the Six Sisters was requisitioned by the Admiralty he then returned to the Merchant Navy sailing in various ships engaged in convoy duty in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and the Middle East. Whilst serving in MV Gladonia during the early morning of 1 May 1940 the ship was approaching Hartlepool when she was attacked by three Junkers 88, he shot down one and the remaining two retreated each trailing smoke, their fate unknown. As an RNVR officer in 1942 he was recalled by the Royal Navy where he saw service in various operations including Atlantic and Russian convoy escort duties in HMS PASLEY K564 (Ex USS LINDSAY DE519). During the latter stages of the war and post war he served in HMS FOAM J409 (Ex USN BAM27) and HMS GAZELLE J342 (Ex USN BAM17) engaged in extensive minesweeping operations. He also served at HMS SKIRMISHER, HMS MALABAR and HMS CAROLINE. In 1950 he transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy and was appointed to the staff of the Engineer-In-Chief at Naval Headquarters. In this position he was directly engaged in the New Construction Programme, in particular the development of the St Laurent class of destroyers. Survived by wife Gertrude May (Ottawa), Sons: Rex (Phyllis) (Staff Officer HMCS Griffon), Rob (Montreal), William (HMCS Sioux), John (Ottawa), Daughter Mary (Robert) (Ottawa). Internment took place at Pine crest Cemetery Ottawa.
Ships served in: (RCN) *Listed on the retired list for the RCN(R) as a Lt (E) (seniority 01 Feb 1950) (Navy List Jul 1950) NAVAL HEADQUARTERS OTTAWA - Appointed to NHQ Ottawa, Naval Technical Services, Staff of Director Fleet Stores 27 Nov 1950 as a Lt, RCN(R) (Navy List Jan 1951) Appointed Lt (E), RCN (SSA) (seniority 01 Feb 1950) (Navy List Jul 1951). Seniority backdate 05 Jun 1946) (Navy List Oct 1952). Appointed to Naval Technical Services, Engineering, Staff of Engineer-in-Chief 12 Jan 1953 as a Lt (E), RCN (SSA) (Navy List Jan 1954). Appointed to LCdr (E), RCN (SSA) (seniority 05 Jun 1954) (Navy List Jul 1954). Appointed to Naval Technical Services, Engineer, as Staff Officer, Yard Craft as a LCdr (E), RCN (SSA) (Navy List Jan 1955) * Released - Dead - 28 May 1955 as a LCdr (E), RCN (Navy List Jul 1955)
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