On Friday June 17th, Roger and his wife Rhonda were invited aboard HMCS SACKVILLE, Canada’s Naval Memorial located in Halifax Harbour for a luncheon with the trustees and members of Canada’s Naval Memorial Trust. The wardroom was elbow room only during the event.
Roger was able to meet several members including the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer of the ship and several veteran’s. Including one gentleman who was aboard SS Athena when she was torpedoed by a German submarine, hours after war was declared on 3 September 1939. This attack on a passenger ship marked the opening of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Roger was able to sign many copies of his book, Warships of the Bay of Quinte. The first of two book signing of special note were for Bryan Elson, author of two books. Roger and Bryan first met in Picton, Ontario at Bryan’s book signing of his first book, Nelson’s Yankee Captain. At that time Bryan gave Roger some wonderful advice on getting his own work published.
On board SACKVILLE Roger and Brian were able to sign copies of their own books for each other, Roger signing Warships and Bryan signing his latest book, First to Die, the story of the first Canadian Navy men to be killed in WWI.
Roger was also able to sign a book for Ronald “Robbie” Robertson, Robbie had served in one of the ships detailed in Roger’s book and was the Buffer in HMCS QUINTE (2nd) from 1955-56.
At the end of the event, Roger has become a proud member of the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust.
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