'It was good of them to recognize us'

BEDFORD - They sailed alongside the navy, transporting goods and material deemed essential to the war effort.

But for decades following the Second World War, the dedication and sacrifices of members of Canada's Merchant Navy went unrecognized.

"The navy was there to sink the (enemy) subs trying to sink us. We were the sitting ducks creeping slowly across the Northern Atlantic. And we were creeping at 20 kilometres an hour," recalled Merchant Navy veteran Angus McDonald.

"After the war was over, the Merchant Navy was not recognized the way other veterans were. It surprised a lot of people. We weren't really recognized until 1993."

Last week, members of Bedford's Democracy 250 committee commemorated the Merchant Navy's contributions in a way that ensures they won't soon be forgotten. A 5,200 lb. black anchor now stands on the shore of the Bedford Basin where convoys filled with food, fuel and other essential supplies bound for Europe once gathered in large numbers.

The anchor is part of the Merchant Navy Memorial officially unveiled during a Sept. 24 D-250 ceremony in Bedford's Admiral Harry DeWolf Park. The event attracted politicians, military representatives, veterans and residents who gathered to pay tribute.

Rear Admiral Paul Maddison, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic, was one of many who spoke during last week's celebration. He told the crowd gathered under the bright sunshine along the Bedford Basin that the work of the Merchant Navy was essential not only to the war effort, but to the survival of democracy in the free world.

"They did it well, with steely determination, grit and courage, hunted by an aggressive enemy in ships that did not have the luxury of speed to evade the U-boats," Maddison said.

The anchor and dedication plaque on display at DeWolf Park will be joined by an interpretive panel detailing and honouring the efforts of Canada's Merchant Navy.

"I'm very pleased about today. It was good of them to recognize us. It's good that they have that plaque that tells people what we did," McDonald said before last week's ceremony got underway. "At the time, we didn't think about what might happen. You were young and looking for some excitement, and boy, we got it!"

Retired naval officers Bruce Gilchrist and Don Lowther were recognized for their efforts spearheading the Merchant Navy Memorial project. The pair were presented with commemorative medals during the Sept. 24 memorial dedication ceremony.

The new Merchant Navy Memorial will be joined in 2010 by another naval memorial at DeWolf Park intended to mark the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy.

ydentremont@hfxnews.ca