Major Shaitan Singh
SENIOR MEMBER
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- Joined
- Dec 7, 2010
- Messages
- 3,550
- Reaction score
- 43
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On Sunday, May 3, I was privileged to be able to tag along and photograph the service and committal ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. Normally, this would occur onboard HMCS SACKVILLE, the world's last remaining Flower class corvette. For the 70th anniversary, however, they needed something a little bit.....bigger.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-g44h43G%2F0%2FL%2Fi-g44h43G-L.jpg&hash=a7cdd9e05b4b8d150f499e2e51551114)
HMCS HALIFAX reflects on the still calm waters of Halifax Harbour before departure on Sunday morning.
HMCS HALIFAX is currently testing the new CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, and took time off from these duties to play host to the ceremony this year. Guests were escorted to the ship before 0900. Shortly before departure, Sea Cadets from RCSCC Swiftsure marched ashore to pick up the VIP guests: the ashes of the 29 veterans who were to be committed to the deep that morning.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-Hs7pHpK%2F0%2FL%2Fi-Hs7pHpK-L.jpg&hash=e2c2162bcfb8f7751e016fb243eeae61)
Cadets from RCSCC Swiftsure gathered on the jetty with the ashes of veterans.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-vB9xPvB%2F0%2FL%2Fi-vB9xPvB-L.jpg&hash=314aa52498a65e9c9e3f7c14456f8993)
Cadets with containers of ashes marching on the helicopter deck.
The ashes were delivered to the quarterdeck of the ship, where they were arranged and covered with a white sheet for the voyage to their final resting place.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-CPqx6HL%2F0%2FL%2Fi-CPqx6HL-L.jpg&hash=729cdb5bc0eeb94c74e21ef4bc114a0f)
Second World War SACKVILLE veteran, Philip Clappison.
We were joined onboard by Second World War navy veteran Philip Clappison, who had served in HMCS SACKVILLE starting when he was 18. After HALIFAX departed the jetty, and backed out into the harbour, we headed south along the Halifax waterfront and took the western passage past George's Island. On our way, HALIFAX was saluted by ships in HMC Dockyard, as well as by personnel onboard HMCS SACKVILLE. Sailors onboard HALIFAX stood at attention as they received the salute.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-WsFmzct%2F0%2FL%2Fi-WsFmzct-L.jpg&hash=15555754d582a34a8cc0c46696ce8984)
The last corvette: HMCS SACKVILLE. Two personnel onboard salute HALIFAX as we pass by.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-2g6LdQX%2F0%2FL%2Fi-2g6LdQX-L.jpg&hash=a48fa271deafd9429ea873c5e1951ad3)
Sailors receiving a salute from a ship alongside in HMC Dockyard.
HALIFAX soon arrived at her station off Point Pleasant Park, and was joined by two Glen class Naval tugs, who helped HALIFAX maintain station. Ours was not the only ceremony going on that morning, and we could see marching personnel snaking their way to the memorial in the Park.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-43XCpVj%2F0%2FL%2Fi-43XCpVj-L.jpg&hash=8b1266b583f9a0dff3e3ad59b632b970)
Personnel marching to the memorial in Point Pleasant Park. The anchor from HMCS BONAVENTURE is visible on the shore in front of the line of people.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-FxtJDrd%2F0%2FL%2Fi-FxtJDrd-L.jpg&hash=90e0c96d71eb8df2d3c1a06d0e44d15f)
A CP-140 Aurora flying out of CFB Greenwood banks over the service in Point Pleasant Park.
As the ceremony proceeded on HALIFAX, another ceremony occurred ashore. Before our service could start, a wreath had to be placed.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-g44h43G%2F0%2FL%2Fi-g44h43G-L.jpg&hash=a7cdd9e05b4b8d150f499e2e51551114)
HMCS HALIFAX reflects on the still calm waters of Halifax Harbour before departure on Sunday morning.
HMCS HALIFAX is currently testing the new CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, and took time off from these duties to play host to the ceremony this year. Guests were escorted to the ship before 0900. Shortly before departure, Sea Cadets from RCSCC Swiftsure marched ashore to pick up the VIP guests: the ashes of the 29 veterans who were to be committed to the deep that morning.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-Hs7pHpK%2F0%2FL%2Fi-Hs7pHpK-L.jpg&hash=e2c2162bcfb8f7751e016fb243eeae61)
Cadets from RCSCC Swiftsure gathered on the jetty with the ashes of veterans.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-vB9xPvB%2F0%2FL%2Fi-vB9xPvB-L.jpg&hash=314aa52498a65e9c9e3f7c14456f8993)
Cadets with containers of ashes marching on the helicopter deck.
The ashes were delivered to the quarterdeck of the ship, where they were arranged and covered with a white sheet for the voyage to their final resting place.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-CPqx6HL%2F0%2FL%2Fi-CPqx6HL-L.jpg&hash=729cdb5bc0eeb94c74e21ef4bc114a0f)
Second World War SACKVILLE veteran, Philip Clappison.
We were joined onboard by Second World War navy veteran Philip Clappison, who had served in HMCS SACKVILLE starting when he was 18. After HALIFAX departed the jetty, and backed out into the harbour, we headed south along the Halifax waterfront and took the western passage past George's Island. On our way, HALIFAX was saluted by ships in HMC Dockyard, as well as by personnel onboard HMCS SACKVILLE. Sailors onboard HALIFAX stood at attention as they received the salute.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-WsFmzct%2F0%2FL%2Fi-WsFmzct-L.jpg&hash=15555754d582a34a8cc0c46696ce8984)
The last corvette: HMCS SACKVILLE. Two personnel onboard salute HALIFAX as we pass by.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-2g6LdQX%2F0%2FL%2Fi-2g6LdQX-L.jpg&hash=a48fa271deafd9429ea873c5e1951ad3)
Sailors receiving a salute from a ship alongside in HMC Dockyard.
HALIFAX soon arrived at her station off Point Pleasant Park, and was joined by two Glen class Naval tugs, who helped HALIFAX maintain station. Ours was not the only ceremony going on that morning, and we could see marching personnel snaking their way to the memorial in the Park.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-43XCpVj%2F0%2FL%2Fi-43XCpVj-L.jpg&hash=8b1266b583f9a0dff3e3ad59b632b970)
Personnel marching to the memorial in Point Pleasant Park. The anchor from HMCS BONAVENTURE is visible on the shore in front of the line of people.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fsmcclearn.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-FxtJDrd%2F0%2FL%2Fi-FxtJDrd-L.jpg&hash=90e0c96d71eb8df2d3c1a06d0e44d15f)
A CP-140 Aurora flying out of CFB Greenwood banks over the service in Point Pleasant Park.
As the ceremony proceeded on HALIFAX, another ceremony occurred ashore. Before our service could start, a wreath had to be placed.