Photo: Martin C. Barry
Canadian navy veterans observe a moment of silence during
last Sunday’s ceremony in the Old Port commemorating the
Battle of the Atlantic

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion from all over the Montreal area joined reservists of the Canadian Navy’s HMCS Donnacona last Sunday for a parade and commemoration of the Battle of the Atlantic, held at the Port of Montreal’s Clock Tower Quay.

The parade, which included more than 300 participants from the Legion, the Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans and the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, was reviewed by Honourary Captain (Navy) Moïse Tousignant. The Battle of the Atlantic ran from Sept. 3, 1939 until May 7, 1945 and was the longest continuing engagement of World War II.

The victory of the allies in the battle, in which the Royal Canadian Navy played a significant role, set the stage for victory in Europe by ensuring that supplies and troops could be transported from North America to Great Britain and Russia. The victory did not come without a price: 23 Canadian warships, 15 Canadian merchant vessels and thousands of lives were lost.

An HMCS Donnacona reservist, left, joins veterans of the Canadian
navy in a commemoration at the Old Port of Montreal last Sunday of the
Battle of the Atlantic..