Pa g e 2 0 · F ebruary 2 0 0 2 sa · oakville rem em bered The reality of war WHEN WE LO O K BACK AT W.W.II. Oakvillians can be proud of the HMCS Oakville, a flower class corvette. This Ship was built in Port Arthur today known as Thunder Bay. HMCS Oakville's keel was laid in December 21st, 1940, and launched on June 21st, 1941. HMCS Oakville proceeded through the Great Lakes to Oakville and dropped anchor in the Oakville Harbour for her official Christening, November 5th, 1941. BY ED STEWART & SUZY GODEFROY HMCS Oakville Official Christening November 5th, 1941 HMCS Oakville's official Christening took place in downtown Oakville, at the bottom of Navy Street in Lakeside Park. The day started with a naval parade that proceeded along Lakeshore Road (Colboume Street). As the crowds filled the streets and wished the Navy Personnel off, it was a memorable & chilling day for those who attended this event. Church and school children were bussed into Oakville and presented gifts to the HMCS crew. Oakville Mayor Harry Deans led the christening with key Oakville dignitaries, including St. Jude's Reverend Cannon D. Russell, Rear Admiral Percy W. Nelles and Mr. Frank Pullen, whose family had extremely strong ties with the Royal Canadian Military. Honourable Angus L. Macdonald, Minister of National Defence for Naval Affairs, represented the Government of Canada. The official christening included A.C. Jones, R.C.N.R Captain of HMCS Oakville, receiving "the white ensign." Other honourable gifts included the HMCS Oakville's bell. The christening moved to the Oakville Club where a reception with formal speeches ended the day. November 5th, 1941 may be a memory today, but it was a special day that the community of Oakville came together in the crisis of W.W.II Harsh Reality They say people in numbers, creates peo ple in strength, the Military patronage on the day of the Christening was extremely powerful. Oakvillians gathered to wish the HMCS Oakville off to war, and to hope & pray that everything would be okay. The harsh reality of the war set in. Behind all of the hoopla and festivities was the fright ening realism that some of these young War Veterans would not be returning back to their families. Men of Valour-Oakville Sinks Sub! HMCS Oakville was successful in the sinking of the U-94 German sub. Lt. Harold Lawrence (RCNVR) and Stoker Petty Officer Arthur Powell are heroically remembered for the gallantry in the sink ing of the U-94. On August 27th, HMCS Oakville was part of an escort protecting the northbound convoy TAW (Trinidad Aruba - Key West.) The convoy was attacked by u-boats between Cuba & Haiti. Luckily, a US Navy Aircraft 92-P-6 sight ed the submarine 3 miles away from the convoy. The plane dropped 4MKXXIX depth bombs, damaging the U-94. By crippling the U-boat, and alerting the HMCS Oakville, this information led to the successful exploit. As HMCS Oakville came into closer contact with the U-94, the u-boat passed under the HMCS Oakville. Fortunately, the gunner from HMCS Oakville's direct hit to the U-94's 88mm gun, caused it to be knocked over. As Oakville rammed into the u-boat, Lt. Harold Lawrence (RCNVR) and Stoker Petty Officer Arthur Powell were instruct ed by their captain to take possession of the German Sub. With only a pistol in each of their hands, these two brave men had to rely on their courage, spirit, skill J 4 .M .C .S . O a k v ille Wednesday, N ^B m b e r 5th, 1941 P o rk OAKVIlie (Continued on page 21) m CUP COUPON O NA N Y N E IT E M SAVE 50%O DRY CLEANED In Support of CLEANERS LAUNDRY O ffer good toO C T . 10/73 (Except for Fur A Leather) Special Available At These Locations H O PED A LEM A LL SK YW A YP LA ZA Oakville 827-4762 Burlington 634-8632 Name---------------------------------------Address_________________________ Phone_ Coupon MUST be presented w ith incoming order. * | H eritage W eek Oakville's Community Vision A dynamic community working together respecting the past, celebrating the present, embracing the future. h --gacaosM - -- -- - -- ------ -- -- . . . . . . . j Mihofif T a k in gW o nT oT h eC lean en . <m Q U A L IT YD R YC L E A N IN G H O U S E H O L D S with Dry Cleaning reg. pnee Draperies, Bed Spreads, Blankets, Comforters ond Sleeping Bags W E D D IN G G O W N S 30% OFF w ith3o rm o reg a rm e n ts except Suede. 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