The Queen unveiled a pair of plaques on the Maritime Museum Wharf yesterday with 300 veterans and cadets looking on.
The first plaque commemorates the Canadian naval centennial and the second remarks on the historical significance of the HMCS Sackville, the last remaining corvette from the Second World War.
John Jay, chair of the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust, said the Sackville once held off an attack from three German U-Boats, but the Queen’s visit yesterday will always be remembered as its most significant historical event.
Encounters
Here are a few comments from veterans and others who chatted briefly with the royal couple at the Maritime Museum Wharf yesterday:
• “It’s very special,” said Daniel Brownlow, Second World War and Korea veteran, of his very brief chat with Prince Philip.
• “It’s very exciting,” said Matthew Madill, 16, who won the Duke of Edinburgh award for volunteering and physical activity. The Duke noticed the pin on Madill’s lapel and asked him about it.
• “It’s a great day,” said Chief Petty Officer Raymond Soucie.
