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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
HASSARD, Ken - was born in Acton, Ontario. Ken enlisted in the navy at HMCS YORK (Toronto CNE) to become a radio artificer. He was sent to University of New Brunswick for math and science refresher (4mos). He was then drafted to ST HYACINTHE, Quebec to the Canadian Naval Signal School. After training at ST HYACINTHE, he shipped out on RMS AQUITANIA to the manning pool in Scotland late 1944. He was then drafted to HMS FERRET, the Royal Navy barracks at Londonderry, Northern Ireland. There were only 4 Canadian naval personnel at Ferret - Ken was the only R.A.. He worked on mostly Canadian ships but some British.
After V.E. Day , Ken volunteered for Pacific service and was assigned to HMCS SIOUX (V class destroyer). He maintained 4 radar sets on SIOUX. It was sent to Halifax for refit. By V.J. Day SIOUX had been transferred to the navy's base in Esquimalt on the West Coast. He was demobilized soon after.
After the Second World War he worked as a civilian at A. V. Roe putting radar units in CF 100 and CF 104 jets. Then he went to Canadian Westinghouse working on the Canadian Gov. guided missile program “Velvet Glove” approx 1953-54 which died with the Arrow project. He then went to work in Milton, ON at Canadian Meter, retiring in 1990. (Source: audio tape made by the Milton Historical Society / Courtesy of Mark Hassard)
Ships served in: RMS AQUITANIA - For passage to Scotland HMS FERRET
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