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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
WILLIS, Thomas Alfred - passed away May 20, 1962 along with his brother-in-law James Blair in a boating incident on Lake Temiskaming, a tragic end for one who had spent the war years in naval service. The youngest son of Captain T.A. Willis, who had served in the First World War in the Canadian Railway troops, and the younger brother of Major J.L. Willis who served in the Second World War at Barriefield Camp in Kingston, Tom spent many years in the 1st London Signals of the R.C.C.S. in the 1920s and 1930s, before signing up with the R.C.N.V.R. in the summer of 1940.
He was one of the 150 Canadian Raleighites selected for officer training by Lt. Cmdr. E.A. Brock, and sailed for England in September 1940 to complete training. His background and training in communications with Signals was noted, and after training at HMS KING ALFRED and service aboard the HMS KENYA, he was commissioned a “tempy” Lieutenant in the R.C.N.V.R. and sent to Scotland to HMS NIMROD and HMS OSPREY for anti-submarine training. For the remainder of the war, he served on the seas in several ships including the HMS ST LOMAN and HMS EXE on convoy duty as an A/S officer, interspersed with appointments at shore installations including HMS OSPREY in Scotland and HMS ASSEGAI in South Africa, installing ASDIC system in ships of the British, Canadian and US Navies and training others in its use.
Upon demobilization through HMCS NIOBE and HMCS STADACONA in January 1946, Tom returned to Canada, spending a couple of years in business before embarking on a radio broadcasting career. He worked as a sports and news announcer for various CBC affiliates and later for Kawartha Broadcasting in locales that included Timmins, Ottawa, Peterborough and finally New Liskeard. When the radio station in New Liskeard closed in 1960, Tom remained in New Liskeard, having fallen in love with northern Ontario and getting involved in the community and in local governance on the school board. Among his pastimes was a love of fishing in all forms of weather. His life was tragically cut short at 49 years, drowning in Lake Temiskaming when his boat overturned in stormy weather... an ironic end for someone who had survived his wartime service on the seas as an A/S officer. He was buried in Streetsville Cemetery, and was survived by his brother Joe, sister Marjorie, wife Aurea, and two children.
Ships served in: * Prior to joining the RCNVR, Thomas Willis had served in the R.C.C.S., 1st Div, Sigs from 1927 to 1935 achieving the rank of W.O.2 RCNVR DIVISION LONDON - Enlisted 19 Jul 1940. Commenced Active Service 05 Aug 1940 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 07 Aug 1940 as an OS, RCNVR HMS KING ALFRED - Drafted to KING ALFRED for officer training 13 Sep 1940 as an OS. RCNVR. Appointed Lt, RCNVR 13 Sep 1940 HMS NIMROD - Appointed to NIMROD for A/S course HMS CAROLINE - Appointed to CAROLINE (for ST LOMAN) * Leave - Feb 1942 - 01 Apr 1942 HMS ASSEGAI (RN training facility Durban, South Africa) - Appointed to ASSEGAI 12 May 1943 as a Lt, RCNVR, add'l. HMCS NIOBE - Appointed to NIOBE 03 Jun 1943 as a Lt, RCNVR add'l for passage to UK T.S.M.V. City of Exeter (Ellerman Lines) - for transport from South Africa back to England HMS DRAKE - Appointed to DRAKE 03 Aug 1943 as a Lt, RCNVR, add'l (not to join) HMS OSPREY -Appointed to OSPREY 30 Aug 1943 as a Lt, RCNVR, add'l for training. Re-appointed 11 Oct 1943 add'l in lieu of A/S Specialist. Re-appointed 10 Jan 1944 as add'l for Long A/S course HMS EXE - Appointed to EXE 23 Jan 1945 as a Lt (A/S), RCNVR, add'l for duties with EG G-3. Re-appointed (in place of Lt. Ruttan) 12 Feb 1945 add'l for A/S duties with E.G. Cdr HMS OSPREY - Appointed to OSPREY 16 Jun 1945 as a Lt (A/S), RCNVR, Add'l HMS FAIRY - Appointed to FAIRY 24 Aug 1945 as a Lt (A/S), RCNVR for A/S duties in 42nd M/S Flottilla HMCS NIOBE - Appointed to NIOBE 23 Jan 1946 as a Lt (A/S, RCNVR, add'l for discharge *Demobilized 23 Jan 1946 as a Lt, RCN(R) (Navy List Apr 1946)
Thomas Alfred Willis c1943
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