Remember the sacrifices made by the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Merchant Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Battle of the Atlantic at ceremonies commemorating the 73rd anniversary of the conflict Sunday at various venues downtown.
The Battle of the Atlantic was a pivotal struggle during the Second World War that took place between September 1939 and May 1945. It was the longest single campaign of the war.
While the battle was ultimately won, it came a high cost: The Royal Canadian Navy lost 33 vessels and suffered more than 2,000 fatalities; the merchant navy lost more than 70 ships, with more than 1,700 mariners lost at sea; and 900 aircrews with the Royal Canadian Air Force did not return to base.
At Sunday’s event, hundreds of Canadian Armed Forces personnel, veterans, cadets and the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy will take part in a parade. They will start at Wharf Street and march down Government Street to the cenotaph at the B.C. legislature for a ceremony.
After the parade, people can reminisce at receptions to be held at two locations. All events are free to attend. The parade begins at 10:35 a.m., with the ceremony at the cenotaph commencing at 10:50 a.m. Sunday.
One after-parade reception runs noon to 2 p.m. in the Gunroom, Nixon Building, Work Point 1367, Victoria View Rd., CFB Esquimalt.
The second reception to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic and Victory in Europe Day starts at 11 a.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 54, 6726 Eustace Rd., Sooke. For background on the battle, go to veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/battle-atlantic.
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