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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
JOHNSON, Carl Gustav Walter (Walt) - It is with great sadness, but many cherished memories that we say goodbye to our loving father, brother, grandfather, and friend after a wonderful life filled with many adventures. Carl Gustav Walter Johnson (Walt) was born on Jul 9, 1925 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Walt was a proud Rotarian and founding member of the Rotary Club of Surrey, where he was described as a "Cherished, unwavering and relentless champion of all that is good" and held a perfect attendance record of over 43 years. He was a Navy war veteran and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.
Walt founded an electrical company in 1970 and worked as an electrician most of his life. He was a member of the International Yacht Club where he enjoyed countless happy hours and cruises on his boat "Sapho". Dad loved to spend time at his Point Roberts beach house, travelling in his fifth wheel, going to sunny destinations and having countless adventures with his wife Shirley.
Up until his final day, Walt spent his time with good company in the house in Surrey where he raised his four children with his wife of 62 years, Shirley Johnson (predeceased). He is survived by his brother, four children, eight grandchildren and four great-grand daughters who will remember him for his sense of humor, love of family, and his ability to fix anything with a good power tool.
In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that donations be made to the Rotary Club of Surrey in Walt's honor. No service at this time due to Covid 19. (The Vancouver Sun / The Province 16 Jul 2020)
* Walt's brother, Len Johnson, also served in the RCNVR during the Second World War.
Walt Johnson and Bruce Catto were wartime friends and maintained contact after the war.
Ships served in: HMCS NADEN - Enlisted 11 Jan 1944 as an Ordinary Seaman, RCNVR HMCS MALAHAT - On Divisional Strength at MALAHAT 15 Jan 1944 * Commenced Active Service 20 Jan 1944 HMCS DISCOVERY - Drafted to DISCOVERY 26 Jan 1944 HMCS CORNWALLIS - Drafted to CORNWALLIS 25 Mar 1944 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 08 Jun 1944 HMCS TRILLIUM - Drafted to TRILLIUM 13 Jun 1944 * Rated Able Seaman, RCNVR 20 Jan 1945 HMCS CORNWALLIS - Drafted to CORNWALLIS 23 May 1945 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 20 Aug 1945 HMCS PEREGRINE - Drafted to PEREGRINE 16 Jan 1946 HMCS DISCOVERY - Drafted to DISCOVERY 21 Jan 1946 * Demobilized 25 Feb 1946
(CGWJ001) Ordinary Seaman Walt Johnson (CGWJ002) Page 2 of Walt's Certificate of Service (CGWJ003) Wartime Dairy of Walt Johnson - Jan-Jul 1945 (CGWJ004) Walt Johnson's medals: The 1939-45 Star; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Bar; 1939-45 War Medal; Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (CGWJ005) Walt was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow recognition medal for contribution to humanitarian and educational goals. // Note: this is a Rotary Club medal. It would be worn on the right side of the jacket, not with service medals on the left.
(CGWJ006) Walt Johnson in from of the family home (CGWJ007) Walt Johnson on the farm - 1944 (CGWJ008) Memorial written by the Rotary Club of Surrey (CGWJ009) Carl Gustav Walter Johnson
(CGWJ010) Postcard that Walt sent to his sister and brother-in-law telling them that he is joining the navy // back of postcard (CGWJ011) HMCS TRILLIUM souvenir pennant (CGWJ012) HMC Sub U-190 souvenir pennant. Historical note: U-190 was a German U-boat that surrendered to the RCN. It was commissioned into the RCN for trials and testing and later sunk as a target ship in 1947.
(CGWJ013) Russ McCorkindale, Walt Johnson and Less Lowe, New Westminster, BC (CGWJ014) Russ McCorkindale (left) and Les Lowe, New Westminster, BC (CGWJ015) Lew Lowe and and unknown woman (CGWJ016) Unknown woman wearing a port and starboard cap, New Westminster, BC
(CGWJ017) Friends / shipmates - Stoker Smith (left) and Walt Johnson 28 Sep 1944 (CGWJ018) Ken Roteau (left) and Gordon Lemky November 1944 (CGWJ019) L-R: Walt Johnson, Les Lowe, Lennart Johnson - 1944 (CGWJ020) L-R: Les Lowe (left) and Bruce Catto, New Westminster, BC. (CGWJ021) Mr. and Mrs. Wells Pulkey, Val and Paddy in Lewes, England. Walt stayed there
(CGWJ022) Sailors from HMCS TRILLIUM K172 sailing around Bermuda, Work-ups - Aug 1944. Walt Johnson on the far right (CGWJ023) Sailors from HMCS TRILLIUM K172 sailing around Bermuda, Work-ups - Aug 1944. Walt Johnson on the far right (CGWJ024) Cox'n from HMCS TRILLIUM K172, sailing around Bermuda, Work-ups - Aug 1944 (CGWJ025) An officer from HMCS TRILLIUM K172, sailing around Bermuda, Work-ups - Aug 1944 (CGWJ026) Two officer from HMCS TRILLIUM K172, sailing around Bermuda, Work-ups - Aug 1944 * During their sailing excursion around Bermuda, the crew encountered some goats and chased them around.
(CGWJ027) Sailors from HMCS TRILLIUM K172 on a cliff in Bermuda, Work-ups - Aug 1944 (CGWJ028) Sailor from HMCS TRILLIUM K172. It looks like he is attempting spear-fishing using a boat hook. Work-ups - Aug 1944 (CGWJ029) A TRILLIUM sailor diving from a platform at a pool in Bermuda, Work-ups - Aug 1944 (CGWJ030) the Cox'n on HMCS TRILLIUM K172, Bermuda, Work-ups - Aug 1944 (CGWJ031) A Chief and a Petty Officer on HMCS TRILLIUM K172, Bermuda, Work-ups - Aug 1944
(CGWJ032) Chiefs and Petty Officers on HMCS TRILLIUM K172, Bermuda, Work-ups - Aug 1944. The Petty Officer with the black socks is a Square Rig PO. (CGWJ033) A Petty Officer and a Chief on HMCS TRILLIUM K172, Bermuda, Work-ups - Aug 1944 (CGWJ034) An Officer, Petty Officer and Seamen on HMCS TRILLIUM K172, Bermuda, Work-ups - Aug 1944 (CGWJ035) A Petty Officer and a Seaman on HMCS TRILLIUM K172, Bermuda, Work-ups - Aug 1944 (CGWJ036) Petty Officers on HMCS TRILLIUM K172, Bermuda, Work-ups - Aug 1944
(CGWJ037) Walt Johnson on HMCS TRILLIUM K172 (CGWJ038) Les Lowe on HMCS TRILLIUM K172. The ship's gunshield art is now on the face of the bridge. (CGWJ039) Les Lowe (left) and Walt Johnson on HMCS TRILLIUM K172. Walt, with belt and gaitors, is dressed for duty at the brow. (CGWJ040) Walt Johnson (left) and Les Lowe on HMCS TRILLIUM K172. Walt, with belt and gaitors, is dressed for duty at the brow. (CGWJ041) Unknown sailor standing on the ship's side of HMCS TRILLIUM K172
(CGWJ042 - CGWJ046) Walt Johnson on HMCS TRILLIUM K172
(CGWJ047 - CGWJ048) Sailors chipping ice on HMCS TRILLIUM K172 (CGWJ049) HMCS TRILLIUM K172 covered in ice. The ship's gunshield art was moved to the bridge face after refit. (CGWJ050) Walt Johnson (left) with two unknown shipmates on HMCS TRILLIUM K172 (CGWJ051) Unknown sailor standing watch as lookout in the after gun tub on HMCS TRILLIUM K172
(CGWJ052) An iceberg visible in the distance (CGWJ053 - CGWJ054) A North Atlantic convoy (CGWJ055) HMCS KOKANEE K419 (CGWJ056) HMCS ALGONQUIN R17
(CGWJ057) Corvettes nested - location unknown.
HMCS STADACONA, Halifax
(CGWJ058) Parade square and Administrative building at HMCS STADACONA - 1945 (CGWJ059) Barrington St, Halifax, looking north - 1945 (CGWJ060) Barrington St and Sackville St., Halifax, looking north east - 1945 (CGWJ061) Halifax harbour - 1945
The Bedford Magazine Explosion 18-19 Jul 1945 (CGWJ062) Mushroom cloud from an explosion at the Bedford Magazine 18 Jul 1945 (CGWJ063 - CGWJ064) Sailors fighting brush fires around the area of the Bedford Magazine (CGWJ065) Ordnance on the road a half mile away from the Bedford Magazine
The Bedford Magazine Explosion 18-19 Jul 1945 (CGWJ066 - CGWJ067) Damage caused to buildings and bunkers as a result of the explosion at the Bedford Magazine 18-19 Jul 1945 (CGWJ068) Rail ammunition loading platform at the Bedford Magazine with shell casings strewn about (CGWJ069) Broken windows at the drill hall at HMCS STADACONA, Halifax caused by the Bedford Magazine explosion
Surrendered U-Boats at Lisahalley, Northern Ireland
Surrendered U-Boats at Lisahalley, Northern Ireland
Surrendered U-Boats at Lisahalley, Northern Ireland
Surrendered U-Boats at Lisahalley, Northern Ireland Photos and documents courtesy of Beverley Desmarais
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