Lay, Horatio Nelson: my Navy recollections (March 15, 1984)
Interviewer: Lawrence, Hal
An interview/narrative of Horatio N. Lay's experiences during World War II. Rear Admiral Lay served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on March 15, 1984.
ABSTRACT: R/Adm. Horatio Nelson Lay O.B.E. Royal Canadian Navy (Summary of First Interview [Hal Lawrence]) Joined the Naval College of Canada in Esquilmalt in 1918. Trained in HMC ships Patrician, Patriot and Aurora. Received one of four "commissions" offered. Appointed to HMS Resolution (battleship) as a midshipman. Cruises in the Mediterranean. Appointed as a sub-lieutenant to HMCS Patrician. In 1929 sent to HMS Vernon to take the Long (T) course. Appointed to HMCS Skeena and other River Class destroyers and finally to HMCS Restigouche as captain. Convoys (1939/40) to the mid-ocean point and return. In May 1940, in company with St. Laurent, Skeena and Fraser, Restigouche went to the UK to assist in the evacuation of the British Army from France. Also to Saint-Jean-de-Luz to take off Polish troops (with the Arandora Star (liner)). (Cassette 1, Side 1) An account of the sinking of HMCS Fraser in 1940, although Restigouche was several miles away at the time of the collision. Rescued many from the after part of the Fraser by going alongside. Moderate damage to Restigouche. Comments on the capsizing of the Fraser and how some were rescued. Moves on to 1944 to Lay's time in HMS Nabob and her torpedoing. Describes shoring up, area of torpedo damage, electrics damaged so the fans weren't operating. Four hours later raised steam. Despite being down by the stern, two Avenger aircraft were flown off and just made it back, out of fuel. Run-away depth charges from the aircraft broke loose but luckily were secured. To lighten ship most aircraft and two 5 inch guns were jettisoned. In port later the stores books were thrown over the side, thus everything could be written off. Good account of the four day return to port and the efficient Damage Control Party with three times the heavy timber normally allowed. Comments that after Munich Lay had a staff appointment (Staff Officer, Operations) and at the beginning of the war was also captain of the minesweeper HMCS Gaspe. Anecdote regarding himself and President Roosevelt, who was visiting Halifax. War started and the Canadian navy in his opinion expanded too fast -- should have "expanded less and trained more". When Director of Operations Division in Ottawa he was certain that training facilities were inadequate, particularly after ships were commissioned. In 1941 was also secretary to the Naval Council which gave him some exposure to the Navy Minister, Angus MacDonald. Comments on V/Adm. G.C. Jones and V/Adm. Percy Nelles. Mountbatten managed to acquire seventeen Canadian corvettes for the North African landings much to RCN dismay. Some trouble with the exertions of a U.S. admiral in Newfoundland -- thought to be exceeding his authority. Comments adversely on the need to volunteer for the war against Japan. Talks to the Prime Minister about conscription. (Cassette 1, Side 2) Comments on Brook Claxton after the war and how he refused to promote Lay to Admiral. Did become Vice Chief of Naval Service, but not promoted until Campney became Minister. Flag officers retiring over unification and not really making a fuss publicly (except Landymore). Others, later, signed a letter to the PM stating how a small organization (Trio) were upset about unification. Speaks of some officers staying on through unification largely because of financial reasons and to save what they could. Mentions O'Brien and Hennessey. Also Rayner (C.N.S.), who was about to retire. Comments on Jeffery Brock, later R/Adm.
Interviewee: Lay, Horatio Nelson, b. 1903
Rank: Rear Admiral. Medals and Honours: Order of the British Empire; Mentioned in Despatches; Cross of Valour (Poland)
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 35.68536, 139.75309
- Original sound recording on one audio cassette also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- LHN_261
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/hal-lawrence-collection
- April 22, 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
