
Service information for:
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David
Ross
Chief
Petty Officer 2nd Class, Supply Technician, Ship's Diver
C.A.F.
(Navy) / C.A.F. (PRes Navy)
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I joined the
C.A.F. (Navy) in June 1970 in Hamilton, Ontario. My hometown was Niagara
Falls, ON.
CFRS
CORNWALLIS - Basic training
CFB
BORDEN - Trades trainings as a Sup Tech 00168 CFB
COLD LAKE - First posted after trades training to CFB Cold Lake, AB in Jan
1971. I lasted there 6 months before I called in a favour from a relative in a
high position at NDHQ Ottawa to get me out of Cold Lake as I asked to go
to sea. They laughed at me when I asked where are our "Ships". The
base Chief had some choice words for me over that stunt. HMCS
ATHABASKAN - Commissioning crew in Jul 1971. Served in ATHABASKAN
for 2 years CFB
SHEARWATER - Served in SHEARWATER for 1 year CFS
BERMUDA - Served in Bermuda for 2 years CFB
HALIFAX HMCS
ANNAPOLIS - Posted to ANNAPOLIS in 1978. Served in her for 2 years 1
CFSD Toronto for 2 years
HMCS SAGUENAY - for 2 years.
I was not happy there and almost quit the navy.
CFS BARRINGTON, NS - Posted to BARRINGTON in 1984. Served there
for 2 years
HMCS YUKON - Served in YUKON for 3
years in Training Squadron
CFQAR det GMDD (General Motors Diesel Division London, ON) and Diemaco,
Waterloo, On. where our C7 rifles were made.
HMCS CALGARY - Commissioning
Crew. Served in CALGARY for 3 years including a deployment for Operation
Sharp Guard (NATO deployment during the Balkans war)
CFB BORDEN Base Supply for 4 years
CFB ESQUIMALT to wait for a ship heading off to the Middle East after the 9/11
attacks HMCS
HURON - Served in HURON for 1 year and was promoted to CPO2
HMCS WINNIPEG - Served in WINNIPEG
Jun 2003 - Aug 2005 which included Op ALTAIR deployment I
was released on a Friday, and started back in the primary Reserves on the next
Monday for 2 years within MOG4. I finally retired in March 2010. I
served a total of 37 years. The longest I stated in 1 area was on the
west coast - 5 years. June
2021 I was asked by BCKF if I was still interested in Donating my Kidney,
which I signed up for 3 years before, and said yes immediately . I started
going through the myrid of tests in March and was in surgery on June 23rd
2021. The surgeon said to me for a 70 year old you are in great health. I said
thanks to the Royal Canadian Navy for taking care of me.
Last year sky dove from 10K feet in Parksville BC, tandem of course and I was
the only one out the door. I did pull the instructor out the door . Upon
landing he asked me two questions:
a. You said you have never done this before and
b. you showed to anxieties or terror for the whole jump, going again? I said
yup if my health holds out.
While
serving in CFB Cold Lake I met the Capt of CF 104 jet and after my HAI, I was
permitted to go up with him ( Capt Stewart) twice then flew in a CF 104 when
in Bermuda. So
in summary
1. Commissioned 2 warships
2. Sailed around the world . Set foot on all our continents except one- Africa
3. Transited both the Suez and Panama Canals
4. Crossed the equator at the Dateline
5. Stationed in CFS BERMUDA ( very hard on my liver in the 70's)
6. Served on both of our coasts many times (3 ships from HFX, and 4 ships from
West coast)
7. Saved a Life in Vancouver (Kidney Donation)
8. Appendix ruptured Mid pacific while on HMCS YUKON, USCG had to send out a
helicopter from pearl Harbour, to airlift me off. YUKON didn't have a
flight deck, the chopper could not land and I was hoisted off ship. Cost to
the Crown about 200K I was told.
9. Ship's diver from 1974 to 1997
10. Awards and Decorations - Afghanistan, NATO, SSM with Peacekeeping bar,
Former Yugoslavia, Queens Jubilee, and CD2
11. Total years sea time 16.5 for a Sup tech
12. Went through 5 wives!!! None now and still have lots of Hair on my head
Now I wait for the date of my Expiration, as what more could I ask for.
Ready Aye Ready
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