A Victoria resident’s heroic efforts during the Second World War will be honoured with a new Royal Canadian Navy ship that will be named after her.
Margaret Brooke learned of the honour when Defence Minister Jason Kenney had a telephone conversation with her on April 10, which was also her 100th birthday.
The following day Commodore Bob Auchterlonie, commander Canadian Fleet Pacific, made a personal visit.
Brooke, a Royal Canadian Navy Nursing Sister, was decorated for gallantry during the Second World War. The actions followed the torpedo and subsequent sinking of the Newfoundland Ferry SS Caribou on Oct. 13, 1942.
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Margaret Brooke will be built this fall, part of a fleet of six Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships named after naval heroes.
The navy will employ the ships to conduct sovereignty and surveillance operations in Canadian waters on all three coasts, including the Arctic.
“I was and remain very proud of my years serving in the Royal Canadian Navy and thank all who were involved in making my 100th birthday an even more memorable occasion,” Brooke said in a written statement.