Stirling, Michael Grote: my Navy recollections (October 7, and 8, 1984)
Rank: Rear Admiral.
An interview/narrative of M. G. Stirling's experiences during World War II. Rear Admiral Stirling served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on October 7 and 8, 1984.
Interviewee: Stirling, Michael Grote
Interviewer: Lawrence, Hal
ABSTRACT: R/Adm. M.G. Stirling Royal Canadian Navy (Cassette 1, Side 1) Came from a naval family and joined the RCN as a naval cadet in 1933. Sent to the cadet-training cruiser HMS Frobisher in the UK. Comments on officers and other Canadian cadets. Describes the Dartmouth Naval College cadets and the "Pubs" (public school direct-entry cadets) who were much closer in experience and education to the Canadian cadets. The differences disappeared when they all went to Sub-Lieutenant courses. As a Midshipman he joined HMS Sussex (cruiser) and a cruise to Australia, carrying the Duke of Gloucester. Some fuss made in Western Australia as Mid. Stirling was a descendent of the first British governor. Later joined the Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria. Landing party protecting trains during the Arab/Jewish troubles in Palestine. Later the ship served in the Spanish Neutrality Patrol. Gun-room anecdotes. To Greenwich for Sub-Lieutenant courses. Both a social and academic life. In 1936 returned to Canada on leave. Comments on Royal Navy training for Canadian officers. How very good it was and how, even in 1938, when Stirling joined his first Canadian ship (HMCS Skeena), the crew was treated somewhat differently than he had been used to in the RN. "Scotty" Brodeur, a terrific officer and well-liked by Stirling. The Skeena was at Acapulco when R/Adm. Stirling joined as a Sub-Lieut. (Cassette 1, Side 2) Describes some of the crew. After exercises, returned to Esquimalt. Speaks of the Royal Visit in 1939 where he participated in the granting of new RCN colours by the King. Considers the Queen (later "Queen Mum") as a wonderful person and met her again when Agent General for B.C. in London. Returns to the 1939 presentation of Colours to the RCN. How to stand still for long periods, etc. and how, in later years, men of a Royal Guard who fainted where quickly replaced by the Gunners Mate who watched from the side. Peacetime naval exercising including a torpedo exercise in Nanoose Bay. A speedy trip in HMCS St. Laurent before Canada declared war in 1939 and just cleared the Panama Canal thus avoiding the possibility of being interned! From Halifax they took the first convoy to the UK. Comment on senior officers in Halifax and Ottawa. Despite RCN/RCNVR mutual resentment the system finally worked quite well. Sent in 1940 to the Long Signals Course in Portsmouth and later, Petersfield. In 1941 joined HMS Onslow (destroyer) under H.D. Armstrong (Beaky), a bit of a terror, respected but not liked by Stirling. Later, participated in attacks on German-held Norway (Vågsøy) with the Home Fleet. In Canada (1942) as Assistant Director of the Signal Branch (Ottawa) then Deputy Director. Unsuccessful attempt by Canada to develop its own radar set although Stirling was not directly involved. Much effort spent in replacing the poorly operating Canadian sets with the British 271 set that worked. Speaks of the Huff-Duff direction finding stations which were good. (Cassette 2, Side 1) Capt. Sam Worth the Director of Signals, an absolute workaholic (and drinker) who did a great deal for the expansion and training of the Signal Branch (Stirling replaced Worth in 1949). Speaks of L/Cmdr. Ross Hanbury who advised Canadian ships to pick up British 271 radar sets in Londonderry if they could. This caused a row with Worth. Stirling then became Staff Officer, Signals on the Atlantic Coast as a L/Cmdr. Offers an insight to R/Adm. Len Murray. Then to sea as Captain of the HMCS St. Laurent. Stirling retraces his steps, describing why he went into Signals and with a later anecdote regarding Lord Louis Mountbatten. St. Laurent returns to Canada and into refit, then in 1945 to Somers Isles, Bermuda for working up. Shortly after was appointed as Captain of HMCS Crusader, then building in UK. The war ended. Discussion of the request to volunteer for the Pacific and the unhappiness that it caused. American signals system began to be introduced at the end of the war and shortly after the signal branch, divided into Visual and Telegraphist branches, became one (Communications). This became unwieldy and was eventually reversed. Partial agreement with Integration, particularly in Supply, but then only at the Staff level. Stirling re-affirms the fact that he and R/Adm. Landymore did not resign in conjunction -- although coincidently both did on the same day over Unification. Discusses "Leadership" again, a term much preferred to Man Management, and requires that a man should want to do what is required. (Cassette 2, Side 2) A short spell as First Lieutenant at HMCS Naden, then the New Entry Training establishment later moved to HMCS Cornwallis in Digby NS. Anecdote: obstacle course and leadership. Staff position in Washington. Comment on the U.S. Navy -- critical of their seamanship and on strong family ties that by the very nature of them, hindered sharp focusing on the Navy. returns to his Washington time (Naval Member of the Canadian Joint Staff) and the early days of High Frequency Radio and a further drift from the RN toward methods of the U.S. Navy. The start of teletype in naval vessels -- common now. Points out that the old, visual methods are still vital during periods of radio silence. In 1951 became Commander in HMCS Ontario in time for the Royal Tour in the Maritimes (Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh). Anecdote re the unexpected return of the Royal Party to the slip (at Sydney, NS). Stirling comments on Royal Tour organizing when he was Agent-General for BC in London (1971). Ontario went around South America -- a very successful cruise -- a popular "showing the flag" especially among the Canadians in various ports. Social functions on board ended in Beating Retreat with guard and band which was always very well received. Entire ships company participated in social functions ashore. Collision in Buenos Aires that badly damaged a propeller and was partly repaired in dry dock in Rio and then through the Panama Canal and to Esquimalt. Promoted to Captain and posted to the SACLANT staff in Norfolk, VA (Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic). (Cassette 3, Side 1) Sent to the National Defence College in the late fifties. A very valuable and mind-broadening experience for both senior service students and those from government and industry. From there Stirling became Senior Officer Afloat as CANCOMFLT (in HMCS Bonaventure). Anecdote about arriving in Bermuda as a Commodore with twenty-six ships and an RN Vice Admiral arriving with one ship. Comments on the flying in Bonaventure and some changes made. Returned to remarks about wives -- used to be proud to have their men in the Navy, now wanted them home more. Affected efficiency. Two years as Chief of Naval Personnel -- a difficult time as Integration was starting, quickly to be followed by Unification. Feels that the Navy should have been more politically minded. As Flag Officer Pacific Coast he carried on with Armed Forces Service Leave Centre in Victoria which has now disappeared. The Fleet Club near Dockyard has taken its place. Unification was a great factor in naval matters but less so personally, in the fact that it was not discussed in that light by flag officers -- and it probably should have been -- possibly with happier results. Some comment here on the resignation and firing of senior officers of all services. Several pages of transcript laying out who said what and what was misinterpreted now follow, changed appointments, dismissals, some previously secret, etc.
- In Collection:
- 5 sound recordings (MP3)
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Original sound recordings on three audio cassettes also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- SMG_265
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/hal-lawrence-collection
- October 9, 2013
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
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