Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had the honour of laying a wreath at the Centennial Flame on behalf of Surrey's veterans to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic.
Throughout World War II, convoys battled storms, submarines, and air strikes, keeping Britain's lifeline open. Brave Canadians in our navy, merchant marine, and air force helped Britain endure and set the stage for the liberation of Europe.
This was my dad's war. As an ASDIC operator, he would go “ping happy” listening for U-boats on the HMCS Kincardine and HMCS Galt, two tough little corvettes that could, in his words, “roll on wet grass” as they shepherded the runs from Halifax and Sidney.
It was uncomfortable and dangerous. One in seven of our merchant mariners, over 1,600, were killed or wounded, as were over 2,000 in our navy and air force. As we know, many of them were just kids.
I hope the House will join me in honouring these Canadians who fought the longest battle of the war; they fought it well and they won.