It was 1939 when the fascist Nazi regime of Germany, and the autocratic and expansionist Soviet Union sent the entire world into a war that would see the murder of millions at whims of two despots.

With the beginning of World War II, it also ushered in more than seven years of battle on the Atlantic Ocean, as Canadian sailors and airmen fought to provide a lifeline to Great Britain.

Calgarians traded the seas of wheat for the high seas in record numbers—but with that call to service many paid the ultimate price of having their blood shed for freedom. Many more returned home alive, but changed for the worse by the horrors of war.

Their sacrifices were honoured on May 4, by Calgary’s naval reservists alongside their counterparts from the army reserve, cadets, and representatives from the Calgary Police Service, RCMP, and Calgary Fire Department.

“It’s been a long time since the war, so we need to take up the mantle of remembrance. We need to learn as much as we can, so that these stories and these lessons that have been learned are not lost by us and society,” said Andrew Kerr, a sixth-year cadet with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Undaunted.

“It’s very important for us as youth to remember things like this, because we don’t think about war as applying to us now. But back then, there were people my age or even younger, who were involved in in the war. So we need to understand that we will never know when things like this are going to happen. We need to reflect on the people who came before us.”

During Sunday’s ceremony, a bell was rung by Kerr for the 30 Canadian Navy ships and multiple merchant marine ships lost during the battle.

Kerr, who is himself joining the Canadian Armed Forces in July, said that he reflected upon the fear that young sailors must have felt travelling from Calgary to being part of the longest campaign of WW2.

“I imagine for them, it would have been even scarier, because they’re in a war and there’s untold danger. I just have an immense sense of reverence for people who are able to do that,” he said.

The Battle of the Atlantic raged on for over 2,700 days, and saw 24,525 Canadians killed during that period. The Kings Own Calgary Regiment saw 98 killed, and the Calgary Highlanders saw over 400 killed.

Lucas Kenward, Western Regional Commander with the Naval reserve, said that the annual commemoration really reflected the spirit of Calgarians who chose to serve during the war.

“When the Second World War broke out, the entirety of the [Royal Canadian Navy], then only 13 ships and a few thousand personnel, was mobilized. Thousands of people volunteered to serve from Alberta, hundreds from Calgary itself. It was through that sacrifice of those people that the Battle of the Atlantic was ultimately won,” Kenward said.

“We remember His Majesty’s Canadian ship Calgary, the 208 foot long Corvette that served with distinction in the Battle of the Atlantic, sinking a German U Boat in action northeast of the Azores. I also have to point out… that there is still His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Calgary, of course, the Halifax-class frigate based in Esquimalt that has deployed around the globe over its 25 years of service to the Royal Canadian Navy in Canada.”

Mayor Jyoti Gondek, who served as the honorary reviewing officer for the static parade, thanked all those Calgarians who have continued to serve in the armed forces.

“On a personal note, I want to thank all of you who are here today, especially our veterans, active service members, cadets as well as reservists, as well as your support systems, your friends and your families,” she said.

“Thank you for carrying forward this legacy with integrity and with humility. Thank you for showing future generations what courage, honour and discipline look like. I know my council colleagues, many of whom are here today, feel that same sense of gratitude for your service.”

As part of the ceremonies, Mayor Gondek read out a proclamation by the City of Calgary honouring the unselfish actions and ultimate sacrifices paid by those to restore peace.

For more details on the Battle of Atlantic, see www.canada.ca/en/navy/services/history/naval-service-1910-2010/battle-atlantic-1939-1945.html.

Photos from the Battle of the Atlantic Static Parade commemoration