In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

James was born in Revelstoke, BC in 1924.  His Father was a WW1 British Infantry vet who was among some of the 1st troops to be gassed at the Battle of the Somme.

Jim as he was called, married Emma in London 1947. Poor Mum, after surviving the Blitz during which she received a commendation from the British SPCA for rescuing pets from bombed out buildings, she had to travel all alone via the Aquatania by herself. She had never travelled more than a 100 miles from her home in Kent and now she was crossing an ocean, helping sea sick mother's care for their babies along the way. She landed in Halifax and boarded the train bound for Revelstoke. Four days in, the train stopped. She was overjoyed after such a long, lonesome voyage! Overjoyed that is until the conductor advised she was only in Winnipeg; she still had another 4 days! She stayed with my Dad's parents till Dad got shore duty, he collected her in Revelstoke then they settled in Beacon Hill Park near his Esquimalt base.

Dad served aboard Cayuga for 12 months during the Korean War June 1951 to June 1952. He remained in the RCN until 1960. They moved to Vancouver when Dad got a job with BC Ferries in the life raft service shop at Deas Dock, becoming foreman. At one point his crew was tasked with trying to improvise the use of aircraft rescue slides for the Ferries. In the end, despite all their efforts over many months (and a lot of cussing ) to make them work, the chute idea was abandoned by BC Ferries brass.

Dad was an avid fisherman and I thank him for making me his fishing buddy from an early age. He was also loved his gardening, he had some prize roses, one was a Mauve coloured variety he ordered by mail. He was rightly quite proud of it. He was an active Legion member. My siblings still recall the Legion Xmas parties held for the members' kids.

Dad retired in 1983 and he and Mum moved to Timothy Lake near Lac La Hache, BC. They loved it. Fishing, gardening, snowmobiling, cross country skiing. It was like he was reliving his youth growing up in Revelstoke.

Dad died in 1991 and Mum died in 1997. Together they had raised 6 kids and had 11 grandkids.

He was awarded 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star with France and Germany clasp, Defense Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp, War Medal 1939-45, Korea Medal, United Nations Service Medal (Korea) and Canadian Forces Decoration. After his death in 1991 he was awarded posthumously the Korean War Medal.

Dad was a radar operator I believe. He told me of the challenge aboard his Corvette of using the Head in 50 ft seas, sharing bunks always cold and wet from the previous shift, forcing the surrender of a U Boat crew, burials at sea and being aboard a destroyer cratering the beach ahead of the Normandy Landings. Also some of the hi jinks crewmen got into aboard ship from time to time to the annoyance of visiting Navy Brass- slingshots were involved in dropping circling sea gulls at the feet of an unsuspecting, visiting Senior Naval Officer. He also told me about the Great Imposter, Ferdinand Demara's exploits aboard the Cayuga.

Ships served in:

HMCS CAYUGA

HMCS ONTARIO

Photos courtesy of Bill Thompson

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