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Service information for:
Memories of Life Aboard HMCS WETASKIWIN by John (Jack) Armstrong, Tel, RCNVR
Ships served in:
(JA01) HMCS WETASKIWIN K175 (JA02) Wrens visiting HMCS WETASKIWIN (JA03) Radar Antenna and Signal Yardarm on HMCS WETASKIWIN Jack's story about the mast: During one quiet time, I was curious what it would be like to climb to the top of the ship's antenna. One day, as a lark, I decided to find out and I started up the mast. The rope ladder was moving with each step and the mast itself was swaying. When I secured myself to the masthead, I looked down and was startled to not see the ship but just tossing waves below me, the ship was swaying in the waves so much that the mast was way over the water. Then it would sway to the opposite side. It was an experience I will never forget, a strange and unsettling feeling ! I was extremely lucky to have not gotten into big trouble for my wee adventure.
(JA04) Jack Armstrong on HMCS WETASKIWIN (JA05) Sig Al Wade on HMCS WETASKIWIN (JA06) Tel Sinbad on HMCS WETASKIWIN (JA07) Ashore in New York City - L-R: Tel Sinbad, Sig Bob Touvelle; and Jack Armstrong. This photo is a staged, we were not in a bar at all! We visited New York City and on the street a photographer offered to take our photo in front of a staged background and foreground. That is why you see me with a bottle or two of liquor...
While I was on ALBERTON, we spent about 6 months removing mines and other explosives and steel nets that had been installed around the harbour entrances and other strategic locations to protect against German u-boat attacks. An easy job after corvette duty, radio operation was my only job and I wasn't that busy, so I had much more of a social life with the crew on the Alberton. The extra time also meant more photos.
(JA08-JA09) Crew photos of HMCS ALBERTON (JA10-JA11) Sailors on HMCS ALBERTON (JA12) L-R: Jack, Frank, Woody & Dinny onboard HMCS ALBERTON
(JA13) Mess deck on HMCS ALBERTON. Jack sitting in the centre (JA14) Mess deck on HMCS ALBERTON. Dinny in Hammock, Frank (rear, center), Woody (right) (JA15) Mess deck on HMCS ALBERTON. Dinny in Hammock, Wood (right), Jack (centre). I (Jack) was his best man at Woody's wedding in Toronto. It was a Syrian wedding that went on for days! (JA16) Unknown sailor up the mast on HMCS ALBERTON (JA17) Ships alongside seen from HMCS ALBERTON. HMCS SAULT STE MARIE J334 in the upper left corner of the photo
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