battle in September of 1943 where six merchant ships and three
escort corvettes were lost. Another incident that occurred when he
was likely serving was an assistance in the Battle of Normandy on
June 6, 1944. From a long leave request form, | also found that he
was stationed in Plymouth, England at some point. Unfortunately,
the document is undated. It is possible that during this time he may
have found his way to London as he left behind a card detailing

the location of the American Eagle Club, near Piccadilly Circus in
London.

From January 31 in 1943 to June 8, 1945, the Active Service
sheet says the word “Niobe.” From researching, there is no town
named Niobe listed, and that the word has something to do with a
Greek God. It was the name of some ships, but none of these ships
saw service after World War |. There are also brackets indicating
that these could still be the Drumheller, but | cannot be sure. There
are also the words “Peregrine” and another word that is hard to
read out. It seems that my grandfather was part of the war a little
over a year after it started, and ended his service just before the
war ended, with the last stamp dated August 27, 1945.

Another clue into his service comes from the medals he
received. The five medals he received are as followed. The 1939-
1945 Star for “six months service on active operations for Army
and Navy,” according to Veterans Affairs Canada. The Atlantic
Star for “six months of service afloat an Atlantic Navy ship.” It also
has a bar on the ribbon stating that it was in service during the
France and Germany campaign. Next there is the Defense Medal.

 

This one is a little harder to designate, but according the Veterans
Affairs Canada it states: “Although the medal was usually awarded
to Canadians for six months service in Britain between September
3 1939 and May 8 1945, the exact terms were: ‘Service in the
forces in non-operational areas subjected to air attack or closely
threatened, providing such service lasted for three or more years.
Service overseas or outside the country of residence, providing that
such service lasted for one year, except in territories threatened
by the enemy or subject to bomb attacks, in which case it was six
months prior to September 2 1945."” It also includes service done
in Newfoundland, which at the time was not a Canadian province.
The next medal is the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal which
was “granted to persons of any rank in the Naval, Military, or Air
Forces of Canada who voluntarily served on Active Service and
honourably completed eighteen months total voluntary service
trom September 3, 1939 to March 1, 1947.” The final medal is the
War Medal 1939-1945, given to any Navy veteran who served 28
days at sea.

After the war, James Watson started a family with his wife
Margaret—and she gave birth to their three sons and daughter.
James Jr., Clifford, Ronald, and my mother, Margaret. From the
looks of the documents, he was involved with the war for over
five years. Who knows what kind of stories and adventures he
experienced? Hopefully, this article has helped colour a little more
of the story of one man’s fantastic journey through life.

This piece is dedicated to my uncle Cliff. Rest in peace. I love you.