Lester, Richard Kingsley

He grew up in North and West Vancouver, BC.

He began his lifelong career in the grain export business in 1934, retiring in 1988.

He and his older brother Vernon, established Powell-Lester Grain and Shipping and Dick later worked with Parrish and Heimbecker. Contributions to the grain industry included representing the Canadian Grain Commission, B.C. Grain Shippers Clearance Association (past President), Vancouver Grain Exchange (past President), and Canada Ports Corporation (Director).

He married Margaret Muriel Maitland Marshall, of West Vancouver, BC, in 1945 when she was a Wren in 'signals' in London England.

He was appointed as a Sub-Lieutenant (Temp.) RCNVR 1940.

He served in HMCS Wetaskiwin 1940.

He was appointed as a Lieutenant (Temp.) RCNVR (With seniority dated 11/10/1941).

He served in HMCS Kings (Officer Training Establishment) 1943.

He served in HMCS Port Hope.

He was appointed as an A/Lieutenant-Commander RCNVR.

He served in HMCS Port Hope (In command) 1944.

He served in HMCS Whitby (In command) 1944. (He was released 1945.) He was Mentioned in Despatches "This officer was responsible for the training of A/S Personnel. His coolness and concentration during the prolonged U-Boat hunt in which his ship was engaged and the efficiency of the team for which this officer was responsible, greatly contributed to the success of the action." (He was qualified for navigational duties.) (He was qualified with a Watchkeeping certificate.)