1000 Men, 1000 Stories : Photographs: His Majesty's Canadian (HMC) Dockyard (B.C. Trip, 2012) (1)

HMC Dockyard in Esquimalt, Vancouver Island, B.C.

Good Thing I Carried a Small Camera in 2012

Click here to view Google Map of HMC Dockyard, Esquimalt, 2024

Introduction:

During WWII, several members of RCNVR (who later volunteered for Combined Operations as well) did their initial training on Vancouver Island, B.C., likely at HMCS Naden III located on The Spit in Comox. Interested readers can click on Photographs: The Roy Burt Collection, RCNVR and Combined Operations (1) in order to see a photo or two of a very young Roy Burt training at HMCS Naden III, circa 1939 - 1940.

Several other sailors (also RCNVR/Combined Ops) completed their WWII service at the same location, beginning January, 1944, but known as HMCS Givenchy III (as of October, 1943) and associated with Canada's only Combined Operations School. My father served there from January, '44 - September, '45 and was discharged from the RCNVR at HMCS Star, in Hamilton, Ontario on September 5, 1945, one day before his 25th birthday. And his records (next photo below) show a final entry for Givenchy III dated '10 July 1945' followed by an entry for Naden - signed out on 16 July 1945 - before ending up at HMCS Star. Did Doug spend a few days in Esquimalt sorting out his luggage or was it just a pit stop for his official papers?

Questions or comments about my father's Navy records above

can be addressed to Gord H. at gordh7700@gmail.com

Below are several photographs that I took while visiting CFB Esquimalt (NADEN) in 2012, first to see a unique Navy hammock at a military museum on the grounds, followed by a tour of several significant sites on the base. Among many other things, I spotted one of the submarines that Canada's Dept. of Defence had purchased from the Brits (but was told to put my camera away!) and a work shed where hawsers (braided ropes) were still made. That was a significant find for me, as my father had to climb up a long one in order to catch a meal, a tot and a well-deserved rest during Operation TORCH.

I hopped a bus in downtown Victoria to get to CFB Esquimalt's

Naval and Military Museum. I made my 10AM appt. on time

I was handed white gloves and helped unroll this WWII Navy

hammock, seen "by appointment only." Dad had never seen it!

The names of some of the officers and sailors belonging to the 80th

Canadian Flotilla of Landing Crafts were printed on the hammock.

Photo sent to me by staff of CFB Esquimalt Navy Museum (2011)

The following information about the lengthy life of the Navy hammock appears in St. Nazaire to Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War 1941 - 1945, Volume 1 (page 167):

Please click here to link with the full book of WWII Navy veterans' stories (RCNVR/Combined Operations) St. Nazaire to Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War 1941 - 1945, Volume 1, created and editted by David and Kit Lewis, and Len Birkenes (circa 1995).

The hammock was loaned to Robertson by W. Katanna (Engineer) while

circling Africa aboard Silver Walnut prior to Operation HUSKY, July '43

Several members of the 80th Flotilla are seen here aboard the Walnut

Photo as found in St. Nazaire to Singapore, Vol. 1, page 161

Members of the 80th served for three months in the Mediterranean, 1943

Yes, I was very grateful to staff at the museum, to be able to see my father's

name once the hammock - which smelled like diesel fuel(!) - was unfurled

My father wrote a few words (correction - more than a few!) about the return of the hammock ("a long term loan") in 1986:

As found in St. Nazaire to Singapore, Vol. 1, page 166

The paragraphs above conclude a lengthy story re the Walnut's

struggling journey (at times as "submarine bait"), pg. 160 - 166

If I am able to return to the West Coast with my sons in the next few years

then the hammock will be unfurled one more time. It's a BIG DEAL : )

From the Navy Museum I made the long hike to HMS Dockyard.

Another important appointment, but I got lost and was 15 min. late!

My tour inside the circled area began shortly after I knocked

on His Majesty's Canadian (HMC) Front Door (see arrow)

I was almost immediately dwarfed by HMCS Vancouver

This is the size of ship I'd be comfortable to captain, if they'd have me

My cheerful tour guide and I traversed a narrow walkway adjacent

to a spacious dry dock, empty at the time

The same walkway is empty in the above photo (see yellow arrow) but the

dry dock is now home to one of Canada's (nuclear?) subs* from the U.K.

*Canada's submarines: At the time I visited I was not permitted to photograph the recently purchased subs. One of them had caught fire while under repair, I seem to recall. It wasn't top secret! And now one of the subs appears on the Google Map of the Navy base!!

I vowed not to take a photo of anything that was Top Secret

However, I did take several photos of buildings that seemed older, WWII vintage, thinking they might have meant something to my father:

This one - with a huge chimney - definitely seemed older than many others

This old frame shed certainly seemed older than most and reminded me of

the West Coast setting of one of my favourite photos of Dad and his mates

Back, L - R: Don Westbrook, Chuck Rose, Joe Spencer

Front. L - R: Joe Watson, Doug Harrison, Art Warrick

Out West, circa 1944 - 45

Stately brick buildings caught my eye, and all are 'heritage buildings'

Maritime Forces Headquarters (centre), not top secret

Photo taken while standing on A Jetty

Bickford Tower Federal Heritage Bldg. plus a very rare Telus Phone booth!!

Bickford Tower

Admiral's Residence D101 Federal Heritage Building

A look north toward Rainbow Drive and a white van on A Jetty

We walked past a strange bunker-like building on our way toward Duntze Head

Looking toward two cannons sitting at Duntze Head. Cannon fire might

not reach the opposite shore and Fort Rodd Hill

Nice views follow from Duntze Head

We stopped in at The Factory D51 Federal Heritage Building because I just

happened to spot a hawser (braided rope) in the front window. An employee

was willing to explain how hawsers were made (it's complicated) and the

machinery was still in place. Awesome!

My father scrambled up a hawser "hand over hand" to get aboard Reina Del

Pacifico during the invasion of N. Africa in November 1942. Details here.

Large amounts of braided rope act as fenders on large ships

Old boots - with a lot of miles on them - make fine pieces of art

My guide discusses the art of rope making with a helpful 'Factory' employee

The old brig where sailors went to think over their mistakes.

No one can exit that back door!! No way! You're stuck!!

The side of the brig faces Carden Street and the pine trees are still there!

I don't know where this photo was taken. It could be Top Secret!

The following two photos were taken at a downtown Victoria 'military museum' and I took a few dozen photos while inside. I hope to share some of them on this site in the near future:

If you are ever in Esquimalt, B.C., Google Maps will certainly help you find your way around the Canadian Navy base. If guides are still available sign up for their assistance!