The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, released the following statement today to mark the 81st anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Atlantic:
"Today, on the first Sunday in May, we gather to pay tribute to the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service, and the Merchant Navy. They braved the unforgiving North Atlantic Ocean, risking everything in the longest continuous battle of the Second World War. Their courage and sacrifices helped shape the course of the war, and their legacy lives on in the peace we strive to uphold today.
"From the first convoy to set sail from Halifax on September 16, 1939, to Germany's surrender in May 1945, Canada's navy expanded substantially, becoming one of the largest in the world and playing a vital role throughout the Battle of the Atlantic. Over the course of the campaign, the Royal Canadian Navy helped sink or destroy roughly 33 submarines and an estimated 42 enemy surface vessels. This contribution came at a steep cost: more than 2,000 sailors, 700 aviators, and 1,700 members of the Merchant Navy lost their lives, and more than 40 ships were lost.
"Canada's naval forces faced relentless danger as they protected the vital lifeline between North America and Europe. Day and night, they battled storms, isolation, and the constant threat of enemy attack to keep supply routes open. Their steadfast commitment ensured that essential supplies reached the front lines, making their service indispensable to the Allied victory.
"Stories and accounts-like this of Leading Seaman Frank Curry, a Submarine Detector with the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve-remind us of the human cost of this struggle. Reflecting on his wartime experience, he wrote: 'There are long, long hours of thinking what it all means. The vastness of the sea is beyond all description, but it does something way down deep inside me, and to be out here, part of this grim relentless struggle brings me emotions that I have never experienced before. I know I will never forget these days and nights.'
"Leading Seaman Frank Curry survived the war, but those years at sea remained with him for the rest of his life. As we mark this anniversary, we honour his story-and those of all who served. It is our responsibility to remember their hardships, uphold their legacy, and continue working toward the peace for which they sacrificed so much.
"Lest we forget."
