Seymour, Wallace Edgar

He was appointed as an Ordinary Telegraphist RCNVR 18/03/1940.

He served in the Edmonton Division of the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve 1940. After serving at Divisional Headquarters in Edmonton, he served aboard HMCS Skidegate, HMCS Niobe, HMCS Athabaskan, again aboard HMCS Niobe, HMCS Chaudiere, then aboard HMCS St. Hyacinthe. H ewas appointed as an Acting Petty Officer Telegraphist RCNVR.

He was appointed as a Chief Petty Officer Telegraphist RCNVR.

He served in HMCS Athabaskan. (He was demobilized 23/10/1945)

His son (Bill Seymour) reports: He served on board HMCS Athabaskan during the Second World War stationed in the North Atlantic. I understand their basic mission was Convoy Protection to England. The first Athabaskan was torpedoed by a U-boat and sunk while my father was on leave and a second Athabaskan was built and commissioned thereafter. Wally also served aboard her. I was told that he was referred to as “Leggy”, while on board. This name, I presume; making reference to his height. After the end of the war, Wally entered the commercial fishing industry in British Columbia, mainly halibut fishing in the Bering Sea, and Area 3 ( Westward ); but also reduction herring seine fishing and salmon seine fishing. One year, he went to Africa to teach the locals on purse seine fishing, sponsored by the Canadian Government.

They took the vessel through the Panama Canal and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. On the return, I believe they partook in the reduction herring fishing on the East Coast after the collapse of herring reduction fishing on the West Coast, but prior to Roe Herring Fishing. So, pre 1975. Wally did not spend much time as a deck hand, but went quickly to the wheel house to Captain of fishing vessels. Not his own, but owned by B.C. Packers Ltd. and Nelson Brothers Fisheries. Some of the vessels that come to mind are: Western Spirit, Western King, and others that slip my mind at the moment. Many halibut seasons, he returned to Prince Rupert with the first halibut load from Alaska and was honoured by the City with plaques and newspaper articles.