The Second World War
War in the Pacific and South East Asia  - The Royal Canadian Navy and the Pacific Coast

The Royal Canadian Navy was active in operations along the Pacific coast from 1939 to 1945, patrolling British Columbia waters and helping to support the Allied war effort. West coast shipyards built ships for the navy and the merchant navy.

R.B. Michelin, Fishermen's Reserve

Michelin wears a Fisherman's Reserve sweatshirt that also bears the name of Esquimalt's base, HMCS Naden.

The pride of members of the Fishermen's Reserve survived the force's declining importance. It was wound down as more modern and capable naval units became available to patrol the Pacific coast. Michelin and some of his crew mates later volunteered for the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve, where they served in landing craft and took part in major Allied landings in Europe. Michelin served aboard landing craft LCI(L) 135, part of the Canadian-crewed 262nd Flotilla that took Canadian and Allied troops ashore on D-Day and afterwards.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19990143-015