The proposed site of a new naval memorial in Saint John, N.B. (Submitted)
Plans are in motion to have a naval memorial constructed along Harbour Passage in Saint John.
It is being spearheaded by the HMCS Brunswicker naval memorial committee, which recently gave a presentation to city council.
Commanding Officer Mark Brown says the public memorial would recognize Saint John’s rich naval history.
Brown says the city gave a “strong contribution to the war efforts in the Second World War.”
“Not only shipbuilding but refitting ships, convoys gathering here to go overseas,” said Brown, who noted nine of the 12 Canadian patrol frigates were built in Saint John.
No Request For City Money
Brown said they do not need any city money for the project — just permission to build on the city-owned land.
The committee said they plan to set up a trust fund to look after construction and maintenance costs.
Council referred the request to the city manager to come up with an implementation plan.
Other Military Memorials Nearby
Bernard Cormier, a retired Canadian Armed Forces lieutenant, said Harbour Passage is a great location for a naval memorial.
“It overlooks the harbour, it’s a historical site,” Cormier said. “Also, there are two other military memorials along Harbour Passage or will be by the end of this year.”
The Afghanistan memorial was unveiled in 2017 and the gunners memorial is expected to be dedicated in June.
Brown said they hope to have a sod turning on May 5 to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic — the longest battle of the Second World War.
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