NOAC:
Where have We Been?

This is not an attempt to write a history of the NOAC but rather to identify a short list of accomplishments which may be forgotten by some, and not at all known by "new entries." To the best of my knowledge, these contributions to the navy in general, have never been documented, and similarly, the numerous contributions of individual Branches is even less well known to the membership at large.

By way of background, I joined Winnipeg Branch in 1949 as a reservist, having been a wartime seaman. NOAC at that time was probably 99% wartime reserve, and all reserve division officers including postwar, were members of NOAC. I was subsequently a Branch member in Toronto (York), Montreal (Donnacona), and Calgary (Tecumseh). I served two years as President of Montreal Branch (1970-71) and on the National Board as Regional Vice-President (1971-72). Shortly after moving to Calgary from Toronto in 1976, I served as National Vice-President (1977-78), National President (1979-80) and Past President (1981-82).

It can be appreciated that an individual's knowledge of National's history can probably be limited to one's personal involvement. Other than the odd report from Branch representatives, Starshell was the only source of information. This publication only became a "newsletter" in the late 1970s, and even then it was impossible to tell the whole story. For these reasons I will confine my part of the story hoping that others may be able to broaden the list.

UNIFICATION
NOAC was the leader fighting the losing battle of unification and received many tributes from other military organizations and associations. The largest of those, the Conference of Defence Associations (CDA), also provided some resistance, but as their membership contained such a high percentage of serving officers, they were unable to organize a full-scale "rebellion."

NOAC on the other hand, being independent from any "chain of command," raised a great hue and cry and received much support from serving officers.

As unification settled in and the reduced ranks of serving officers stabilized, the storm inside the navy subsided. NOAC was often criticized for continuing the battle of "buttons and bows" and were urged to concentrate on new ship construction and hardware. Neither the Branches nor National were prepared to accept what was obviously a gross mistake on the part of the government and soldiered on.

Appeals to a succession of Ministers of National Defence to give the navy back naval ranks and distinctive uniforms fell on deaf ears. However, when James Richardson of Winnipeg, a former wartime air force officer, became MND, NOAC Winnipeg led by Jack Koyl, DSC, and Dunc Lennox, went to work. After a relentless battle, the Minister eventually agreed to reverse the government's policy. It was the first correction to the unification fiasco.

WATER SAFETY
In the late 1970s, National had decided that the number of serious and often fatal accidents involving small watercraft was in actuality, out of control in this country. Basic life saving equipment was not required in boats, boat registration or certification was almost nonexistent, and in addition to other failings, rules of the road were virtually unknown to small craft operators.

Frank Manshee, a Past National President, took the lead position and fought an uphill and often frustrating battle to convince governments to take a series of steps to correct the problem. NOAC funded a water safety pamphlet which received wide distribution and eventually led to the federal government coordinating various levels of government in taking positive action. The end result was a national program involving boat licensing and operator training which has saved untold numbers of lives.

THE LAST CORVETTE - HMCS SACKVILLE
Haida was "saved" in the 1960s and NOAC Branches and individual members contributed in a wide variety of ways. However, Haida was one of only four RCN destroyers, whereas there were over one hundred and twenty corvettes which formed the backbone of the wartime RCN. Understandably, whenever the subject of "preserving" warships came up in NOAC circles, the preservation of a corvette eventually entered the conversation.

NOAC researched the matter and located two Canadian-built corvettes with their structures virtually intact. The Dominican Republic Navy had two which were up against the wall. NOAC opened communications to determine their availability and seagoing condition. Several of our representatives travelled to the Dominican Republic and determined they were in very poor condition. Funds were provided for a professional engineer to examine the ships in detail and it was established only one with some hull re-plating and strengthening, could be made capable of withstanding the tow to Halifax. Canadian Navy headquarters advised they would have a tug in the Caribbean the following year to participate in an exercise, and could possibly perform the tow. Negotiations had begun with the Dominican Navy to negotiate the cost of repairs when fate intervened. A gigantic hurricane struck the Republic in 1979 depositing the corvettes' remains nearly 100 yards inland. They were both totally destroyed.

The only remaining corvette was the government-owned Sackville which was still in service and had undergone so many changes that she no longer resembled a "cheap and nasty." Nevertheless, members of NOAC initiated enquiries with Transport Canada and began to develop the cost of "restoration." The Corvette Trust Fund was created and a plea for financial support advertised in Starshell and other naval publications. A Board of Directors was appointed and a fund raiser employed. The rest is history.

"Knobby" King the treasurer, kept an album of responses included with the donations. They came from both officers and men and reflected the emotions of the wartime crews in response to the campaign to save Sackville. They ranged from affection and respect to the other end of the spectrum. One ex-matelot sent a cheque for $50 and suggested he would send $500 if we would tow her halfway into the Atlantic and "sink the G-D thing!"

DRUMS FOR THE NAVAL RESERVE
At the November 1979 National Directors' meeting in Halifax, the Director of Music of the band now known as The National Band of the Naval Reserve, approached the Board with a request that NOAC consider providing financial support to purchase a set of drums for the band. The band was made up of personnel from most Naval Reserve Divisions who volunteered to participate during the summer months. These musicians brought their own instruments with them, and the problem was that the drummers often brought drums with different colours and markings.

National, with the support of the Branches, provided a complete set of drums which were adorned with the RCN badge surrounded by the Battle Honours in gold. The band subsequently took part in the Nova Scotia International Tattoo, and at parades and concerts throughout Eastern Canada.

STADACONA BAND RECORDING
In 1980, the Director of Music for the Stadacona Band (LCdr. Jack McGuire) forwarded an appeal to National to finance the production of a record. The band had not cut a record in twenty-five years, and it was felt that its professional calibre warranted such a recording be made.

National raised the money and the band produced a thousand recordings. Starshell advertised them and they were also sold at various performances. The cost of the undertaking was recovered. Two years later, Calgary Branch and Merritt Chisholm (a Past National President) were so impressed they funded a similar recording by the Naden Band.

MINESWEEPING BROCHURE
Members of NOAC will recall that in the late 1960s, the RCN decided to phase out of the minesweeping business. The Naval Reserve appealed to the regular force to allocate the role to them, but to no avail. The twelve Bay-class minesweepers were reduced to four and all sweeping gear was landed.

National decided it was not in the country's interest to have a modern fleet of destroyers if these ships could not leave or return to their harbours due to suspected mining.

In 1979, National provided the necessary funding for a 58-page paper entitled "A Paper on the Role of Minehunt-ing/Minesweeping for the Canadian Navy," which described the international status on the current generation of sea mines.

MARCOM and NDHQ were kept abreast of the project, and as the paper was at the printer's, National was requested to place the distribution on hold. It had been our intention to distribute copies to all flag officers, the NDHQ staff, senators, members of the Cabinet, defence critics, etc. The RN, USN and RAN had previously requested copies.

NDHQ (Cmdre. Brodeur) suggested that if NOAC were to be successful in convincing the government to build a fleet of sweepers, it could jeopardize the construction of the fleet of Patrol Frigates, the plans for which were well in-hand. Commodore Brodeur agreed the reserves needed replacements for the Gate vessels and that the navy should have a minesweeping capability. He also revealed in confidence that plans were in-hand for twelve Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels.

The booklets were produced and National agreed not to follow the original "frontal attack," rather playing it low key restricting circulation to in-house. The paper is still regarded as a very comprehensive overview of the mine threat. VAdm. Brodeur was as good as his word and the Reserves owe a great deal more to Nigel than they will ever realize.

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CANADIAN NAVY
NOAC was again front and centre prior to and during the 75th anniversary celebration including:

1. The production of a 75th anniversary band recording which included the massed bands of Naden, Stadacona and the Naval Reserve. NOAC provided the funding and participated in the selection of content.
2. We funded a "national" competition to produce a musical score for a new Canadian march, won by a Stadacona CPO who I believe, is now Director of the Nova Scotia International Tattoo.
3. Branches participated in making local arrangements for a touring Canadian Naval Tattoo across Canada in 1985.
4. Produced 75 Wilkinson broadswords engraved with silhouettes of the various classes of ships which served from 1910 (Niobe) to 1985 (Iroquois-class). These collector's swords sold out within two months.
5. Designed and produced 250 naval officer's swords suitable to be worn with No. 1s. One side of the blade is engraved with the names of ships lost in WWII, and on the reverse, the RCN's battle honours. Offered only to serving officers and members (no collectors) they were sold out at $350 before arriving in Canada from the manufacturer and are now valued at approximately $2,000.

NAVY BANDS IN BLUE
NOAC was aware that following unification, regular force army and militia bands were authorized to wear traditional dress. This provision was contained in Canadian Forces Administrative Orders (CFAOs), but stipulated funding for the dress was to come from regimental association funds, i.e., at no cost to the Crown. The Stadacona and Naden Bands of course, had no "associations."

NOAC privately approached two successive MARCOMs with the proposal we would consider providing funds to put the two bands back in "blues," but was unsuccessful. Within four days of his arrival in September 1980 from Brussels, the National President and Immediate Past President had an audience with Admiral Fulton. It was suggested that if he approved, or obtained the approval of CDS (General Ramsay Withers), NOAC would guarantee the bands would appear in front of 1,000,000 Canadians "live" the following year. NOAC Branches would arrange for participation in the parades of the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver, Calgary Stampede, Klondike Days in Edmonton, Red River Exhibition in Winnipeg, Buffalo Days in Regina, Warrior Days at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, the Grey Cup, etc. NOAC would cover all costs of providing traditional uniforms and badges for the seventy-five bandsmen and two officers.

Two months later Admiral Fulton called to say it had been approved. The December 1980 Starshell launched the appeal and the necessary funds ($35,000) was in the bank within sixty days. Both bands appeared in traditional dress for the first time at Battle of the Atlantic ceremonies in Halifax and Esquimalt in May 1981. While NOAC was the instigator and sponsor, Adm. Fulton and Capt.(N) Bob Darlington (Command Pusser) who had to arrange for the production of the uniforms, etc., should receive NOAC's respects.

It is generally accepted that the return of the two regular force bands to "blues" created an ever-growing ground swell in the fleet, as well as the civilian population, and that it was inevitable the navy itself would get their blue uniforms back. As Adm. Hugh F. Pullen said, "Here is a cheque for $100 for the band, and I will send one in for $1,000 for the entire navy." The seed had been well planted.

THE FYFE COMMISSION ON UNIFICATION
For NOAC, the Fyfe Commission Review on Unification was a major opportunity to express our professional assessment of the impact of unification on our service.

Representation literally poured into the Commission's office. Appearances were made at Committee meetings in all major cities.

National prepared a 12-page submission and circulated copies to all MPs and departments in NDHQ, as well as to every newspaper and TV station in Canada. Every Québec MP received his/her copy in French, at the time a major accomplishment for NOAC National.

ARCTIC SOVEREIGNTY
Under the direction of Frank Manshee, NOAC prepared and submitted a series of carefully researched papers dealing with Arctic sovereignty. These submissions were delivered to various departments of the federal government designed to promote a stronger military presence in Canada's third ocean, and were regarded as a positive influence on government policy of the day. It may now be timely to revisit this issue. (A recent declassified US Navy report entitled "Naval Operations in an Ice-Free Arctic," predicts that due to global warming, regular commercial shipping could take place in the Northwest Passage by the summer of 2015, and the summer ice cover could disappear entirely from polar waters by 2050! Ed.)

SPONSORED PUBLICATIONS
In the early 1980s and under the direction of "MacK" (Mack) Lynch, Ottawa Branch embarked on an ambitious project to collect "stories" from local naval officers. The result was the publication of "Salty Dips," the oft-quoted volumes of which you will find in virtually every public library in Canada. At about the same time, NOAC co-sponsored and funded the publication of Jim Boutilier and Alec Douglas' two-volume "RCN in Retrospect." These large volumes are much referred to by historians and researchers in our universities, as well as the general public.

"STARSHELL"
The most respected naval publication in circulation in Canada is of course, Starshell. NOAC has been fortunate in acquiring the services of a number of intelligent, dedicated and articulate gentlemen who have edited, designed and produced a publication that is looked forward to and enjoyed by more than just the members of our Association. Current distribution exceeds 2,500 copies and is distributed to all HMC ships and establishments, NDHQ, selected ministers, senators, MPs, other interested individuals and all members of NOAC.

SOME PERSONAL REFLECTIONS - DAYS GONE BY
It was the practice to hold executive meetings in Halifax in November, and in Tornto in April (where it could be done with little or no cost for accommodation). The National Annual General Meeting was in May/June, organized by a volunteer Branch. At the time, National received a nominal grant from NDHQ (as did most military associations) to contribute toward the cost of operations.

At least one, or sometimes two representatives of National attended the Conference of Defence Associations AGM usually held in Ottawa in late January. The NOAC representative(s) scheduled their itinerary to provide time to meet with the Minister of National Defence, Chief of the Defence Staff and the senior naval officer in NDHQ.

National always had to live within its means and it was difficult to meet their obligations, real or perceived, with the monies available - there was never sufficient funds. Directors scheduled their travel to coincide with business trips, airline seat sales, etc. If hotels were necessary, two to a room was the norm, and nobody was compensated for meals, taxis or other incidentals. Members recognized they were only representatives on the National Board for a period of two years, so it was not considered a particular financial hardship.

With the exception of the treasurer, Starshell editor and honorary counsel, all members served on the Board for a maximum of two years. A director could be elected to serve as Vice-President for two years, two years as President, and then Past President for a potential total of ten years. Originally, the Vice-President, President and Past President were only one-year appointments, but this was discontinued as being inappropriate.

A FEW CLOSING THOUGHTS
This has been one individual's attempt to chronicle some of the many accomplishments of NOAC over the years primarily through its national arm. These contributions speak for themselves and to the stated aims and vitality of our Association. Our many successes hinged, and continue to hinge upon the collective efforts of the many Branches which constitute the NOAC. Branches lobby local media, City Councils, MPs, MLAs, etc., and provide visible support to our Naval Reserve Divisions, Cadet Corps and other naval entities.

National is the element that binds and focuses our efforts on a national scale. While our membership is obviously and understandably less than it was during postwar years, it should be with the change of demographics (reserve vs. regular force) just as effective as it has been in the past. This is assuming that the current executive of both National and the Branches are as dedicated as "Our Fathers."

These numerous achievements, only the most memorable of which have been outlined here, serve to validate our continuing existence well into the 21st century. NOAC's tenets have been well met by those who have gone before … I submit there is a need for NOAC to remain a strong, national voice … the torch is passed.

Bill Wilson is a former National President, CO of HMCS York in Toronto, and is a Life Member of Calgary Br. He currently serves as HCapt.(N) of MOG4, MARPAC.