FORMER HAIDA CREW PHOTOS
A CREW OF EIGHT
FORMER HAIDA CREW PHOTOS
A CREW OF EIGHT
In this photo of original HAIDA crew photo:
#1- John Wardrop. A/B Gunners Mate; Captain of "A" gun and cook's helper.
#2- Bill Stevenson who still lives in Edmonton.
#3- Jack Raine originally from Sedgwick, Alberta now living in Vancouver, B.C.
#4- Jim Ledingham.
#5- Peter Wispinski (Radar Operator.) - Spoke fluent Russian and was great help in trips to
Russia.Originally from Edmonton.
#6- John Topelko
#7- Reg Figg
#8- Doug Johnson(Photo courtesy of Kerry Wardrop).
" THE RADAR BOYS - 1944 "
Back Row - Norm Slessor, Jim Young, Les Taylor, Jim Reynolds, Doug Graham.
Middle Row - Manse Williams, Peter Wispinski, Ken Mackenzie, Doug McClure.
Front Row - Harry Hainer, Frank Goldsmith , Bob White, Albert Wray (1)
(Photo courtesy of Fred Ware)(1) Resided in Thunder Bay after the war. He passed away in 1985.
'B' GUN CREW - JULY 1944 Front Row (L-R): Tom Wilkinson Sightsetter, Communications; Ralph Frayne, Ammo (Cordite); Ken Bough, Ammo (Cordite).
Middle Row : Jack Hannam, Right Gun Brushworker; Picket, Ammo (Shell); Jean Bealeau, Ammo (Shell); Clifford 'Gus' Feehan, Trayworker; Marchand, Trayworker; Bob Neville , Ammo
Back Row :Pat Begley - Mounting Trainer; P.O. Tanner ; Art Winter, Mounting Layer (Photo courtesy Jack Hannam)
Lawrence O'Reilly (V6784) served on the Haida from her commissioning until the end of WWII on 'A' gun. Deceased 1994.
MASCOT IN KOREA 1952-53
What's a dog doing in the Former Crew section? Well...the animal was definitely a morale booster for those young sailors who were so far away from home.
The dog's name is Pom Pom and the canine was HAIDA's mascot during her first tour of duty in Korea in 1952-53. Able Bodied Seaman John Milne found the starving lop-eared mongrel in Kure Japan and was quickly appointed as the dog's official keeper. He decided Pom Pom would find a new a new home with his parents in Toronto.
When HAIDA returned to Halifax on 23 July 1953, customs officials had other ideas. Pom Pom would have to remain in quarantine for 90 days at a cost to the owner of $75. "But I haven't got $75 exclaimed Milne. Shipmates dug deep in their jeans and came up with $50 to help Able Seaman Milne defray the costs. While officialdom was making all the fuss over Pom Pom, one of HAIDA's officers whipped ashore with two budgies in a cage.
Thanks to Jerry Hanselman of Brantford Ontario who provided this information.
P2 R.G. Kettle in Korea 1954 and Puppy San. This is "Puppy San", HAIDA's mascot during her second tour of duty in Korea in 1954. (Both photos courtesy Flo and Robert Kettle)
"Hands to Muster for Grog". The Victualling Petty Officer issues rum for the Chief Petty Officers mess. John E. Elliott (left) ABQM/LSQM handles the paperwork. (HMCS HAIDA photo archive). Mail Call 1953: The ship's postman sorting mail in the ship's office while in Korea. John E. Elliott (right) ABQM/LSQM, assists with the sorting. (HMCS HAIDA photo archive). Any sailor over the age of 21 was entitled to 'grog' which was a daily issue of rum mixed with two parts water. For those who wanted to forgo alcohol, they declared themselves T ( temperance) on their identification papers and in doing so, they were entitled to receive 25 cents per day more in pay.
Andy Barber in Korea Good Day Everyone,
My name is Andy Barber and I served aboard the Haida as a Communicator Signalman from October 1953 to July 1955 which of course included her 2nd Korean Tour. I have been attempting to complete my project of contacting former Haida shipmates who served aboard her from October 1953 to July 1955. My retirement (the 3rd one) has allowed me time to get involved with the "Friends of Haida" and the Canadian Tribal Destroyer Association.
When I frequently view HAIDA's web site I come upon the names of former Haida crew members
who request to be contacted by any former crew members. This dovetailed with my desire to verify some of the events that took place during my stay aboard the Haida. As you know, memories can become a bit tricky after 48 years and some of the events become embellished with the telling over time. So...it is my intention to bounce this period off of you guys and see if my recollection of the happenings coincide with my memories of them.Below is a list of topics that are of interest to me and maybe you may have a few of your
own:(1) The typhoon that hit us on our way to meet Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent. I'm looking for a date and any recollections you may have. You can find my account on the Haida's website under "Shipmates Tales".
(2) Nootka hitting the seawall in Bermuda 1955.
(3) Catching a shark in the Gulf Stream.
(4) Places we stopped at on the way back from Korea.Respectifully,
Andy Barber
E-mail: andrew.barber@sympatico.ca
A shark was caught in the Gulf Stream during one of HAIDA's goodwill trips around the Eastern Seaboard in 1955. The crew all had visions of shark steaks for supper until the X.O. (Lt.Cdr Hunter) ordered the crew "to get that thing off of my ship NOW!" The guys dropped it over the side and believe it or not it looked like it swam away. (Photo courtesy Andy Barber)
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| This is Muncher, HAIDA's rabbit mascot in Russia, April 1948. (From the Parks Canada HAIDA photo collection) |
From The Star Newspaper, October 1944: In 1944, HAIDA's mascot was a little rabbit with the odd name of "Handy Built." "We weren't satisfied with a rabbit's foot so we brought along four on the hoof," said Petty Officer C. S. MacArthur of Ottawa , Ottawa. The rabbit actually belongs to A.B. John McGregor of Montreal.
He says the rabbit is a submarine detector in his own right, jumping wildly around in his cage whenever there is a contact. Handy Built always seems to know when there is going to be action. too," he said, "He once woke me up even before action stations were sounded. I woke up some of the other fellows and they were at their guns faster than would have been possible without Handy's warning," (News clip provided by John Clark of Orleans Ontario).
Fred Polischuck with Handy
Built
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| Charles Bush in 1947 |
Jun 1/10
