|
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
GORDON, Vayle Austin - Great Village. Its with great sadness we announce the passing of our Dad on May 15th 2010. He was 82 years old. Born in 1927 in Rolleau SK, he was the son of the late Roy and Florence (Jackson) Gordon. The family left SK when Vayle was 9 and settled in his father's hometown of Oxford, NS. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy and saw duty on the Corvette HMCS CAMROSE, stationed out of Plymouth, England. Most of his service was spent in the North Atlantic and North Sea to Russia. When the war ended in Europe he was sent to Vancouver and while waiting for a posting, the war ended. He then returned to NS where his parents had relocated to Great Village, hometown of his paternal grandmother, where he met and married his wife of 62 years, Jean (Smith) Gordon. He had a lengthy career as a mechanic, machinist and as an independent construction contractor, his last project shaping and reclaiming marshland. After retirement he spent his time tinkering in his garage and keeping family members vehicles running. Besides his wife Jean, he is survived by daughter Linda, son Ross, daughter Lois, granddaughter Kelli, sister Audrey (Ken) Congdon, sister Jean Schaschl, sister-in-law Mary (Jack) Barley and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by two baby daughters, son-in-law Ross McLean, sister Shiela MacRae, brother-in-laws Karl Schaschl, Louie MacRae, Russell Smith, Donnie Smith. The family invites all family and friends to join them at the Royal Canadian Legion, Cobequid Branch 72, Great Village on Saturday May 22nd, at 3:00pm. Donations in memory of Dad can be made to the Great Village Fire Department.
Vayle was on the CAMROSE when it was rammed by HMS NASTURTIUM, hitting once, bouncing back and hitting again. Most of the damage was done on the second hit. It struck the CAMROSE right at the paint locker spraying paint down an alley where the captains quarters were situated covering the room in grey. They put a mat over the damage and were left on their own to make their way back to Plymouth. It was a slow tension filled trip as they would have been an easy target for the enemy.
Ships served in:
|
