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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
HOLLINGSWORTH, Robert Roy (Bob) - was the first son of Roy (Robert) Hollingsworth and Valeria Hollingsworth (nee Routley). Bob was born, raised and educated in Watford, Ontario along with his brother Donald Hollingsworth.
Bob and his cousin, LaVerne Routley, enlisted in the navy as soon as they became of age. They knew that many of the Canadian recruits were being placed in the infantry and then slaughtered on the battle fields. Even though Bob was prone to seasickness and allergic to wool, the odds seemed better of surviving the Second World War as a sailor than not.
Most of what I know about my father's time as a sailor has been gleaned from two newspaper articles. He never discussed his time in the war other than saying he was always seasick, but the fear and the tragedies he witnessed haunted him and were never talked about or glorified. Only in his later years, I heard him say he had difficulty sleeping because of the nightmares. When pressed to talk about them, they were of a recurring theme about explosions on board a ship.
While in the service of the Royal Canadian Navy, Bob rose to the level of 'Lead Seaman' and was assigned to the Frigate HMCS TEME. The TEME was present on D-Day and was rammed by an aircraft carrier, "casualties were light" with 4 killed and others injured. The TEME was towed to port in Cardiff Wales for repairs. Once seaworthy the TEME was put back to duty. In less than a year the TEME was torpedoed, March 29, 1945. There were casualties and injuries. The TEME was again towed back to port and declared a total loss.
During the drydock repair times in Cardiff Wales, Bob met our mother, Zona Joyce Jones, and they married. Zona, a nurse, travelled by ship during the war with the final destination being Watford Ontario. When Bob returned from the war he and Zona settled in Watford, then Bright's Grove and finally Sarnia. During that time they produced six children, Darcy, Laura, Jill, Adele, Todd and Bernard. All this while Bob was finding his path for his life's work: Androck Wire Works, hair dressing school, electrician and a few more occupations I don't have full knowledge of. However, he became a 'fireman' with the CNR when the engines were still steam locomotives. They, the CNR,soon switched to diesel engines and with further training Bob became a train Engineer. This was his employment and career for 35 years until retirement.
After 22 years of marriage, Bob and Zona divorced and Bob moved to Toronto where he remarried. Upon retirement he and his wife Margaret, moved to Forest Ontario where he lived until his passing in December 29, 2000.
Ships served in:
(RH01) Seaman Bob Hollingsworth (RH02) LTO Bob Hollingsworth (RH03) Article on Windsor recruits departing for training (RH04) Article on the torpedoing of HMCS TEME - Robert Hollingsworth missed the blast by seconds (RH05) some of the crew of HMCS TEME - this photo is posted on the ship's company photo page for TEME
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