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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
DARLINGTON, Robert Arthur (Bob) - passed away 6 September 2021 at age 94 in Victoria. He is survived by Wendy, his wife of 69 years, sons Colin (Cdr (Ret’d), Halifax, and Robert, Mississauga and daughter Jann Everard, Toronto.
Born in Winnipeg, Bob became interested in joining the navy after his experiences in sea cadets. He joined the University Naval Training Division, HMCS Chippawa, as an Ordinary Seaman Officer Candidate in 1945. In 1948 he took an oral board at HMCS Stadacona, was promoted to A/Slt Supply Branch and transferred to the RCN.
Subsequent postings included Supply Officer, HMCS Beacon Hill (1950-52), Liaison Officer, Aviation Supply Office, Philadelphia (1952-54), Planning Officer, Naval Supply Depot, Montreal (1955-58), Supply Officer, HMCS Gatineau, Senior Staff Officer Supply, Training Command HQ, Winnipeg (1965-1968), Chief Instructor, CFSAL, CFB Borden (1968-71), Student, (1971-72) and as Faculty Advisor, (1975-78), NATO Defence College, Rome, Italy and, as a Capt(N), Deputy Chief of Staff Logistics, Maritime Command HQ, Halifax (1978-82).
As DCOS Log, Bob was amongst a group of DND and naval officers involved in the transfer of CFAV Sackville from Defense Research Establishment Atlantic to the volunteer Canadian Naval Memorial Trust (CNMT). Bob was a life member of the CNMT/HMCS Sackville.
Bob retired in 1982 and returned to Winnipeg as the DND Regional Audit Director from which position he retired in 1987 and then moved to Victoria.
A naval historian and author, Bob co-authored with Fraser McKee, two books: “The Canadian Naval Chronicle” published in 1996 which relates the details of the RCN’s successes and losses in World War II and “Three Princes Armed” published in 2008 which covers the pre-war, wartime, and post-war stories of the three CNR liners that were converted to Armed Merchant Cruisers, then to Landing Ships Assault and an Anti-Aircraft cruiser, namely HMC Ships Prince Robert, Prince Henry and Prince David. (CNMT "Actions Stations Fall 2021)
Ships served in: HMCS CHIPPAWA - Enlisted at CHIPPAWA in 1945 as an Ordinary Seaman, RCN(R) for UNTD * Promoted to A/SLt (Supply Branch) * Transferred to the RCN AVIATION SUPPLY OFFICE, Philadelphia, USA as Liaison Officer NAVAL SUPPLY DEPOT, Montreal as Planning Officer TRAINING COMMANDER HQ, Winnipeg as Senior Staff Supply Officer CFB BORDEN (CFSAL) as Chief Instructor / Student / Faculty Advison NATO DEFENCE COLLEGE, Rome, Italy MARCOMHQ HALIFAX as Capt (N), Deputy Chief of Staff Logistics
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