(Wife of James Oliver Lounsbury maiden name Weldon) Leading Wren. Born in Chatham, ON. The sister of Mary (Richardson) and brothers Jack and Dick. Enlisted in Navy in 1943 at HMCS Hunter in Windsor, ON. She served until 1945 at HMCS Stadacona, Halifax NS., age 21 years.

She was sent to Training Base HMCS Conestoga in Galt for six weeks. This was to provide a transition from civilian to service life in the shortest time. He reason fro joining the Navy. “I like the uniforms.”

After her basic training she was transferred to HMCS Stadacona in Halifax, NS. “I enjoyed it there as a messenger to and from different offices.” She did suffer loneliness she said. “I was very close to my mother  and missed her.” She was transferred to Shelburne, NS as a supply assistant, basically supplying sailors who had been at sea for six months  they needed new uniforms, shoes and supplies 

The Wrens were allowed ‘off base’ but they were to always to keep in groups of three or four. They could go to the base canteen but needed a pas to go off base. The were allowed to go home every six months. They went Nova Scotia across the Bay f Fundy to  St. John’s NB. to take the train west.

Rosemary remembered the  V-E Day Riot in Halifax. The city had closed all of the bars and restaurants but there was wide spread vandalism. She also remembered the first time a German submarine surrender in the ocean off  Newfoundland. She recalled that the German POW’s were aboard the sub but they never saw them come off. The next day all of the German uniforms were neatly folded and stacked on the supply shelves. They were allowed to board the sub so long as they didn’t touch anything.

Due to her mother failing health she left the Wren’s sooner than she wanted to but her mother need her help. She did pass her courses and achieved the rank of Leading WREN. She was proud of the positive experiences the Navy taught her.

Rosemary passed away at the Village Home in Ridgetown 29 August, 2006 at the age of 81 years. The mother of Beth (Gordon) and her sister Helen (Sans).

Burial in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Chatham  

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

Mainly For Seniors C-K 16/09/05 – Sharron Kornacker-reporter, . , email Bill MacDonald 27/09/17

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