Saluting our longest battle: They fought for control of the Atlantic in WWII

Doug Hempstead
Published May 05, 2013  •  Last updated May 05, 2013  •  2 minute read
  1. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - VeteransCanadian Armed Forces and Merchant Navy salute cadets as they march at the end of the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  2. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Ron Robertson, a 93 year-old veteran listens during Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Ron Robertson, a 93 year-old veteran listens during Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  3. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Veterans as well as invited guests of the Canadian Armed Forces and Merchant Navy stand at attention during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Veterans as well as invited guests of the Canadian Armed Forces and Merchant Navy stand at attention during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  4. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - A member of the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces holds tempo for the band as well as the Ottawa Childrens Choir during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - A member of the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces holds tempo for the band as well as the Ottawa Childrens Choir during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  5. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Members of the Ottawa Childrens choir provided music during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency.
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Members of the Ottawa Childrens choir provided music during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency.
  6. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - A places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - A places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  7. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - A member of the Canadian Armed Forces places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - A member of the Canadian Armed Forces places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  8. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - A current member of the Canadian Armed Forces applauds the cadets as they march during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - A current member of the Canadian Armed Forces applauds the cadets as they march during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  9. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Invited guests representing different countries place wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Invited guests representing different countries place wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  10. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - A member of the Merchant Navy stands at attention at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - A member of the Merchant Navy stands at attention at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  11. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - A member of the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces waits for the veterans on their march following the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - A member of the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces waits for the veterans on their march following the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  12. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Veterans as well as current member of the Canadian Armed Forces and Merchant Navy stand at attention during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Veterans as well as current member of the Canadian Armed Forces and Merchant Navy stand at attention during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  13. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Members of the Ottawa Childrens choir provided music during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency.
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Members of the Ottawa Childrens choir provided music during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency.
  14. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Veterans as well as current member of the Canadian Armed Forces and Merchant Navy stand at attention during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Veterans as well as current member of the Canadian Armed Forces and Merchant Navy stand at attention during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  15. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Veterans as well as current member of the Canadian Armed Forces and Merchant Navy stand at attention during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Veterans as well as current member of the Canadian Armed Forces and Merchant Navy stand at attention during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  16. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Ron Robertson, a 93 year-old veteran listens during Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Ron Robertson, a 93 year-old veteran listens during Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  17. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and Merchant Navy march after the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and Merchant Navy march after the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  18. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Ron Robertson, a 93 year-old veteran listens during Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Ron Robertson, a 93 year-old veteran listens during Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  19. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Veterans as well as current member of the Canadian Armed Forces and Merchant Navy stand at attention during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Veterans as well as current member of the Canadian Armed Forces and Merchant Navy stand at attention during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  20. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Music was provided by the Sea Cadet Band during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Music was provided by the Sea Cadet Band during the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
  21. OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Ron Robertson, centre, a 93 year-old veteran stands at attention with two other veterans during Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency
    OTTAWA, Ont. (05/05/2013) - Ron Robertson, centre, a 93 year-old veteran stands at attention with two other veterans during Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Ottawa on May 5. This ceremony remember the battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Catherine Jackman/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

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Few would suspect Ron Robertson is 93 years old.

With boots, he marched in Sunday’s Battle of the Atlantic parade, cane-less and unwavering.

He’s a veteran of the very battle being commemorated — the longest fought in the Second World War, lasting from September 1939 to May 1945.

The hundreds gathered Sunday at 11 a.m. were there to honour the courageous men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Merchant Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force who answered the call.

Many were not as lucky as Robertson — the RCN lost 33 warships and suffered over 2,000 fatalities; the merchant navy lost over 70 ships and over 1,700 fatalities; and the Royal Canadian Air Force lost more than 900 air crew.

This is why the moment of silence at ceremonies like the one on Sunday can seem so terribly loud. There is usually a name on every veteran’s mind. Jack Rising was the one running through Robertson’s — the way it does at every one of these events.

“I’ve never missed one yet,” he says.

In 1943, Robertson was picked to go out on the HMCS St. Croix — a First World War destroyer, credited with two U-boat kills. But, he was on leave. His buddy Rising went in his place.

He never saw him again.

On Sept. 20, 1943, around 10 p.m. U305 struck at HMCS St.Croix with two torpedoes, hitting her aft, near her propellers. The St. Croix did not sink immediately — a third torpedo caused the old ship to sink within three minutes.

The responding Royal Navy ships trying to save the survivors were torpedoed as well.

Eventually the frigate Itchen picked up 81 survivors who had been in the cold water for 13 hours.

On Sept. 23, another U-boat torpedo hit the Itchen, leaving three survivors — only one from the St. Croix. Perishing along with Riding was fellow seaman Lt W.L.M. King, a surgeon aboard the St. Croix — Prime Minister Mackenzie King’s nephew.

Robertson was already seven months into a tour aboard the HMCS Anapolis when he heard what happened.

He hunted U-boats for two summers and three winters. The equipment made the same ping for a school of fish as it did for a submarine.

“We dropped a lot of charges on fish,” he says.

He and Rising got to know each other on a gunnery course.

“Every time I’m standing here I think of him. We were young, we never thought we’d be killed. I just try to keep smiling, you know. Stay on the sunny side of the street.”

Twitter: @DougHempstead

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