By Charlotte Morritt-Jacobs - (@morrittjacobs on Twitter)

Southern Alberta’s Key Role In The War At Sea

Nov 6, 2016 | 3:01 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Despite being geographically far from any large body of water, Lethbridge harbours several long-standing connections to the Royal Canadian Navy.

During the Second World War Canadian seaports became important for the shipment and protection of supplies being sent overseas.

Canadian’s played a key role in the war at sea, protection home shores from enemy naval forces.

Glenn Miller, a local historian explained that Lethbridge was part of a nationwide program to investment support for the RCN.

“As a way of helping the war effort, cities and larger communities would adopt unit squadrons or ships. The City of Lethbridge had a connection with His Magesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) and its sailors. Many gifts and comforts were sent over as a means of adopting that ship.”

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HMCS Lethbridge was a Flower-class corvette comissioned in June of 1941, that served with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. She served primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic as an ocean escort.

The Lethbridge ship would escort convoys from St. John’s to Iceland and then from Iceland to Derry. The ship was then assigned to escourt convoys from New York and Guantanamo until the end of the war.

Fast forward 76 years and southern Alberta would have another important connection out at sea —Taber’s own Ronald Llyod is promoted to 35th Commander of the RCN.

Ron Lloyd received his military education and initial naval officer training in Ontario and then navigated several ships before becoming a navigation instructor.

Over his career, Lloyd served as a commanding officer for both Atlantic and Pacific functions and has held various positions at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.  

On the days leading up to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, Lethbridge News Now will deliver an “11 Days of Remembrance – Did You Know” feature segment discussing topics of interest which illustrates Lethbridge’s direct and indirect involvement in military pursuits.