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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
DOULL, Commodore John McGregor - died at home on April 21, 2009. Born in New Glasgow, he was the eldest son of the late Honorable John Doull, Justice of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court and Irene (née McGregor) Doull. After receiving education in New Glasgow and Halifax, he studied Science and Engineering at Dalhousie University and Electrical Engineering at McGill University.
In February 1941, during the Second World War, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve. He was on loan to the Royal Navy throughout the Second World War as a Radar Officer. Lieutenant Doull’s first ship was HMS ‘Ramilles’, a First World War battle ship, and the second was HMS ‘Howe’, the newest battleship at the time. Both commissions were in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
He also played a vital role both in the installation of radar equipment and in the crew training in many of the small sailing craft that actively participated in the 6 June 1944 ‘D-Day’ (Operation Overlord) invasion on the beaches of Normandy.
After the war, he returned to Canada in 1945 and joined the permanent RCN. He served in key engineering positions in the Halifax Dockyards and in the Naval Headquarters in Ottawa. He retired from the Navy in 1966 at the rank of Commodore/Director General Support Facilities on the staff of the Chief of Naval Technical Services in Ottawa. He and his family moved back to Halifax. He worked as project manager for 23 years overseeing the construction of large buildings such as Scotia Square and Purdy's Wharf until his retirement at the age of 75. He was a very keen sailor and participated in several Bermuda and Marblehead races. He also cruised in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Sea. He was a member of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron for more than 50 years and the Cruising Club of America-Bras d'Or Station for 37 years. Since 1933, he was an enthusiastic radio ham.
Survived by his wife, Ann (née Laidlaw) Doull; his two daughters; one son; his four grandchildren; and his four great-grandchildren.
Predeceased by his brother, James A. Doull and his sister, Mary E. Doull.
A memorial service took place on Friday, 24 April 2009; interment took place in Pictou County. (Source: Find-a-Grave website)
Note: Commodore Doull is buried in the MacLellan's Mountain Cemetery, Kirkmount, Pictou Co., Nova Scotia.
Ships served in: HMS RAMILLIES
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