|
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
HOPE, Donald Bateman - Born in 1926 and raised in Victoria, BC, Don developed an enjoyment and appreciation of the outdoors from his mother, Mysie, with whom he spent summers camping in and around Sooke, Campbell River and many other favourite locations on Vancouver Island. With his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, Don made many fond childhood memories. Especially dear to him were the adventures shared with his uncle Keith, who was close in age and more like a brother. Don attended University School where he graduated in 1943 before joining the Merchant Navy and later the Royal Canadian Navy. He was one of the early members of the Fleet Diving Unit and served on both the east and west coasts of Canada. It was while stationed in Halifax he met and married Laura Black in 1967, followed by the birth of their daughter Janice and son David. In 1970 Don was involved in the underwater oil recovery operation from the wreckage of the SS Arrow. He was later awarded the Order of Military Merit for his efforts with the salvage operation. Donald and Laura then moved their family back west to Victoria in 1974. Don continued with the Fleet Diving Unit Pacific and later retired after 41 years of naval service. In retirement he retained his love of the sea as a member of the Thermopylae Club and was also an active member of All Saints Anglican Church in View Royal. Don enjoyed morning walks in Uplands Park where he took a keen interest in the wellbeing of the resident hummingbirds. His daily routine was to pick an apple from the back garden and eat it along the way to the park. He was often followed by a seagull eagerly awaiting the apple core. Donald died in the early hours of Thursday, September 30th at Veteran's Memorial Lodge in Victoria. Predeceased by his parents Mysie (Douglass) and Geoffrey Hope, he is survived by his wife Laura, daughter Janice (Michael), son David (Rhonda), grandson Matthew and granddaughter Jocelyn. Don will be missed by his family and all who knew him as a kind, thoughtful and patient man. A private ceremony will be held at sea in the spring of 2022. (Victoria Times Colonist 04 Dec 2021)
Ships served in: * Enlisted in the RCN as an OS. CFR. RCN BARRACKS ESQUIMALT - Appointed to RCN BARRACKS ESQUIMALT as an A/CMD BOS'N, RCN(R) (seniority 16 Mar 1953) (Navy List Jan 1955). Appointed CMD BOS'N, RCN(R) (seniority 16 Mar 1953) (Navy List Apr 1955) HMCS CEDARWOOD - Appointed to CEDARWOOD 26 Apr 1955 as a CMD BOS'N, RCN (SSA) (Navy List Jul 1955) HMCS JAMES BAY - Appointed to JAMES BAY 27 Oct 1955 as a CMD BOS'N, RCN (SSA) (Navy List Jul 1956) HMCS ATHABASKAN - Appointed to ATHABASKAN 30 Sep 1958 as a Lt, RCN (SSA) (seniority 01 Apr 1958) (Navy List Jan 1959) HMCS SAGUENAY - Appointed to SAGUENAY 02 Mar 1959 as a Lt, RCN (SSA) (Navy List Jul 1959) HMCS GRANBY - Appointed to GRANBY (RCN Diving Establishment East) 14 Sep 1961 as a Lt, RCN (Navy List Oct 1961) HMCS COWICHAN - Appointed to COWICHAN 26 Feb 1962 as a Lt, RCN, XO (Navy List Apr 1962) HMCS NIAGARA (Washington) - Appointed to NIAGARA, Training and Transient, 06 Jan 1964 as a Lt, RCN (Navy List Apr 1964) RCN DIVING ESTABLISHMENT WEST - Appointed to RCN DIVING ESTABLISHMENT WEST 13 Jun 1964 as a Lt, RCN (Navy List Oct 1964-Oct 1965) * Appointed LCdr, RCN (seniority 01 Jan 1966) (The Nauticapedia) *Awarded O.M.M. 13 Dec 1972 * no further career info available
|
