Canadians mark 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic

Under an overcast sky and a cool ocean breeze, dozens gathered Sunday at Point Pleasant Park in Halifax to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. A solemn ceremony was held to honour the longest military campaign of the Second World War.

Set against the backdrop of Halifax’s naval history, the event followed a formal agenda which included the singing of O Canada, a time of reflection, a roll call of lost ships, the Last Post, wreath laying, a benediction, and a ceremonial march-off.

The roll call listed the names of Royal Canadian Navy and Merchant Navy vessels lost during the six-year campaign, which spanned from 1939 to 1945. More than 4,600 Canadian sailors and over 1,600 merchant mariners died during the conflict.

Veteran Brian Lappier, who is a former Chief Petty Officer, electrician in the navy, and who served in submarines, stood near the front with other veterans, wearing his medals and remembering comrades who never returned from sea.

“It means a lot because you see veterans, we’re getting older and there’s guys that were here the last time that aren’t here today and so you reflect upon that and you try and remember those people that you sailed with, the men and women that you worked with and everything that we represent as Canadian Armed Forces and to remember,” said Lappier.

Lappier, who provided his service with the navy for 23 and a half years, said ceremonies like this are essential to ensure generations can understand the cost of Canada’s freedom.

“You don’t know where you’re going, unless you know where you come from and so when I see the cadets and see the veterans, it all has a meaning.”

The sense of legacy was echoed in the voices of the Canadian Military Wives Choir, which performed a number songs in remembrance.

Patricia Tupper, leader of the choir, remembers attending many ceremonies like this as a child with her father who served in the military.

“Knowing that this is where my father would have been years ago and following in his footsteps as a leader in a choir, while he was a leader in the military, it’s all very meaningful to me.”

For choir member Pattie Powell, attending ceremonies like this is not new, however, she said seeing the parade march on left her reflecting on her own time in the military.

“Looking back at how young they are and just picturing how I was back in those days and what a career they’re going to have,” said Powell.

“The songs really resonated with me, especially about members who have perished.”

The ceremony concluded with a parade march-off as the crowd stood still in silence. The only sound being the notes of trumpets, drums, and the crash of waves along the shore.

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