For Posterity's Sake         

A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project

 

In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar 

 

 

 

George Richard Rae

 

Leading Stoker (M), V32806, RCNVR

 

Born: 1924

 

Died: 12 Dec 2003, Edmonton, Alberta

 

RAE, George Richard - With heavy hearts we announce the passing of George R. Rae on Friday, December 12, 2003 at the age of 79. Left to mourn are his Loving wife Rose of 36 years, son George (Georgina) of Calgary, daughter Virginia McCann of Edmonton, as well as many relatives and good friends. George was predeceased by his parents Robert and Anne Rae, his sister Eunice Chorley, and his brother Howard. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at Glenwood Funeral Home, south of Wye Road on Range Road 232, Sherwood Park. Cremation will follow. George's final resting place will be in the Field of Honor at Glenwood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation or to Heart and Stroke foundation of Alberta. The family would like to thank the E.M.S. Emergency Medical and nursing staff unit 5A4 and the Respiratory Unit at the University Hospital for the compassion and help given to George at this time. A thank you is also extended to Community Public health Home Care Services and support staff past and present. (Edmonton Journal 15 Dec 2003)

 

From George's daughter Virginia: I do know of Dad’s two best friends in the navy because they visited us in the 1950s with their families. (Robert) Burke Neddow (1924-2011) was from Saskatoon and Carey C. McKercher (1926-2006) was from Edmonton. According to my Gran Rae, Dad and Carey ran off one day and joined the RNCVR together. When they came home and told her what they’d done she was very worried. She spent the rest of the war knitting and sewing clothes for the Canadian Armed Forces. Must have sent hundreds of care packages over those years.

 

Awards and Decorations:  The 1939-45 Star, The Atlantic Star w/France and Germany Bar, The Defence Medal, The CVSM with Clasp, The War Medal 1939-45

 

Ships served in:

LCI(L) 266 - Served in LCI(L)-266 as a stoker during D-day

 

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(1) Seaman Rae  (2) George Rae  (3) George's Combined Operations Badge  (4) ID disc  (5) Page from George's Pay and Identify Book  (6) ID Bracelet and General Service Pin  (7) Membership card for The Beaver Club, London, Spring Gardens, S.W. 1, 1940  (8) Pass card for the Centenary Hall, Poole, U.K.

 

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(9) A few of George Rae's rail tickets while he was in Scotland and England  (10) Part of George Rae's kit, his "white front" or "dickie"  (11) This anchor pendant was in George's collection of memorabilia when he crossed the bar. Where it was from is not known, but it obviously held some importance for George to keep it all these years  (12-13) George Rae on board of unknown ship  (14) George Rae and shipmate on unknown ship  (15) Sailors on unknown ship  (16) Dhobey day - Unknown sailor doing laundry

Note:  The ship in photos 12-15 is the same ship

 

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(17-18) Unknown sailors, appear to be on a corvette  (19) Two friends of George Rae. Carl Jensen (person on right in uniform)  (20) Unknown sailor on unknown ship. Note the stamp on the back of the photo where it was developed  (21) Unknown sailors taking a break on a pile of life jackets - possibly a corvette  (22) Unknown personnel on unknown landing craft. LCI(L)-266 and LCI(L)-121 in the background  (23) Unknown personnel on unknown landing craft  (24) George Rae, date and place unknown

 

(25) Joie on Water Street, St. John's, NFLD

 

Courtesy of Virginia McCann

 


 

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