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Battle of the Atlantic ceremony remembers Canada’s war contribution

It’s a special day for the sea cadets

The Cowichan Valley gathered at the Duncan Cenotaph at Charles Hoey Park on Sunday, May 5 to remember the sacrifices of the Second World War’s Battle of the Atlantic.

With a large contingent from the #100 Admiral Mainguy Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps, members of the St. John Ambulance Corps, the colour party and members from Royal Canadian Legion Br. #53 Duncan, the padre from Royal Canadian Legion Br. #210 Lake Cowichan, plus Dwight Grieve from the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #121 and BC Yukon Command, the Mayor of Duncan, Michelle Staples, and members of the public, there was wide representation at the event.

It’s a special day for the sea cadets, in particular as they honour those who “went down to the sea in ships” and never returned.

Canada played a strong role in this aspect of the war, as supply convoys were needed to keep Great Britain supplied as the conflict dragged on. Cadets spoke on the history of the campaign, and then a roll call of the ships sunk during the battle was accompanied by bell-ringing.

Prayers, salutes, and wreath-laying showed that the sacrifices of this, one of Canada’s great contributions to the war, have not been forgotten.