James Walter Williamson (Lcdr, Ret'd)

James (Jim) Williamson (Lcdr, Ret'd - April 7, 2022) passed away at Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC on July 11, 2022. He was born in Hepworth, Ontario, on March 19, 1928. He attended public schools there and in nearby Wiarton. His father was a medical doctor and his mother a registered nurse. Together they started a medical practice in that part of Bruce County in Southern Ontario. In the spring of wartime 1943, at the age of fifteen, Jim hitch-hiked to Montreal and joined the Merchant Navy as a Seaman. He sailed in convoys in five different ships to Newfoundland, the UK, North Africa and Italy. He was in Australia when the Pacific war ended in August 1945. After returning to Canada, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy as a Seaman. His first posting was to the aircraft carrier HMCS Warrior, and his last posting was to NATO HQ in Brussels, Belgium. The highlight of his career was commanding a Royal Guard in the centennial year 1976 for the arrival in Halifax, Nova Scotia of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy, and two brothers Doug and Jack. He is survived by his son Capt(N) Ret'd Mike and grandchildren Jessica and Devin, sons Tom (Stella), Peter and sister Marg (Larry), and first cousin Susan. Also nephews Doug, Tim, John, and niece Kathy. He will be missed by his dear friend and companion of the past thirteen years, Audrey Johnson. He was a trustee of the Canadian Memorial Trust, HMCS Sackville, a member of the Nova Scotia Naval Association, and a member of the Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans Association. He enjoyed all sports. A private memorial service will be held and burial will be at sea.