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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
HACKWOOD, Robert James - was born in Nanaimo, BC, 1 August 1923. He is the son of Harold Hackwood, a World War One veteran, and former controller of Nanaimo. Robert's first exposure to the Navy happened when he was young and experienced HMS HOOD and HMS RENOWN fire a broadside up the coast of Vancouver Island. He was also permitted to visit the vessel and crew while along side in Comox.
A year after graduating high school Robert decided it was time for him to enter the war. Robert hitch hiked the Malahat to HMCS NADEN where he joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserves (RCNVR) in 1941. It was at NADEN that he received his New Entry Training and initial trades training as a Submarine Detector.
Robert was present at NADEN at the time of Pearl Harbor. Months later he was drafted to the East Coast. He arrived in Halifax in early 1942. It was there he was assigned to convoy duty to support England. During this time Robert performed countless escort missions across the Atlantic serving in the destroyer HMCS SKEENA. He also served in a FAIRMILE Motor Launch patrolling for German U-boats.
Robert maintained this dangerous routine until 6 June 1944 - the Allied invasion of France. D-Day found HMCS SKEENA assigned to the flank of the invasion force. HMCS SKEENA was also involved in the Battle of Pierres Noires near the port of Brest, France during Operation Dredger. U-boats were causing terrible damage to the Allied fleet. HMCS SKEENA along with three other Canadian Destroyers were tasked to destroy U-boats and their escorts at the entrance to the harbour. The operation resulted in one German ship sunk, the remainder withdrew, and the sub escaped. All four Canadian ships received some damage from small calibre gunfire and returned to England for repairs.
On 25 Oct 1944, HMCS SKEENA, while at anchor during a violent storm near Reykjavik, Iceland, dragged her anchor in 50-foot seas and was grounded and wrecked on the rocks off Viğey Island, Iceland with the loss of 15 of her crew. Robert survived the terrible ordeal and was sent back to Canada on survivors leave. After leave, Robert was once again assigned to the Pacific Fleet. He finished the war conducting harbour security on a Fairmile on the west coast.
Robert has honourably discharged (demobilized) from the RCNVR in 1946. He was a graduate of the University of British Columbia. In 1951 he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Sciences in Electrical Engineering and had a successful career as a Project Manager with General Electric based out of Peterborough, Ontario.
Robert married Giovanna (Jean) on June 2, 1951. Jean passed away February 6th 2017. They were married for 65 years. They had three children Joanne, James and Robert. Six grandchildren Nicholas, Jordan, Victoria, Mackenzie, Tyler and Quintin. Three great grandchildren Logan, Daniele and Molly.
Ships served in: HMCS SKEENA - Robert Hackwood survived the grounding and wreck of HMCS SKEENA
(RH01) Portrait of Seaman Robert Hackwood, age 18 (RH02) Letter written by LS Nicholas R. White (grandson of Robert Hackwood), nominating him for the French Legion d'Honneur (RH03) Notification of the award of the Legion d'Honneur to Robert Hackwood
(RH04) Article on HMCS SKEENA'S participation in the operations in the English Channel click on the above article to view a larger image
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