Wurtele, Alfred Charles: my Navy recollections (October 27, 1982 - January 14, 1983)
PublicInterviewer: Lawrence, Hal
Interviewee: Wurtele, Alfred Charles “Alf” “Aggie”
ABSTRACT: Cmdr. Alfred C. Wurtele Royal Canadian Navy (Cassette 1, Side 1) In 1913 he joined the Royal Canadian Naval College, while his brother went to RMC. Mentions classmates and the difficult time that the commandants (Cmdr. E.A. Nixon) had keeping the college operating. Discipline and curriculum. Appointed to the RN heavy cruiser HMS Leviathan. Speaks of midshipmen lost at sea and remembered at St. Paul's Naval and Garrison Church at Esquimalt. (Cassette 1, Side 2) Remembers that he was both under weight and under height when he joined the Naval College but was accepted because there was only four in his term. Returns to time in the Leviathan and later was appointed to HMS Renown (battle cruiser). Scapa Flow and running a steam picket boat. Returned to Canada and joined HMS Shearwater (later HMCS Shearwater) which Cmdr. Wurtele describes and which was used in training Canadian Boy Seamen. Promoted to Sub-Lieutenant, returned to England to HMS Swift (destroyer), badly damaged by a mine and with bow damage as well. Swift formed part of the Dover Patrol, sometimes on the coast of Belgium. Escorted the British monitors HMS Terror and HMS Erebus, each carrying twin 15 inch guns and HMS General Wolfe with one 18 inch gun. Saw the German Fleet surrendering at Rosyth (and later at Scapa Flow). An aside re the Royal Navy at Jutland: critical of Adm. Beatty. At the end of the war HMS Swift was partly paid-off but subsequently went on day training cruises. Later in 1919 appointed to HMS Cleopatra on general patrol duties in the Baltic. In 1920 was appointed to the (new to Canada) destroyer HMCS Patrician under Lieut. G. C. Jones. Sailed for Halifax and then to Esquimalt. (Cassette 2, Side 1) In an aside Wurtele speaks of his time as Councillor and as Reeve of Esquimalt, the breakwater at McAulay Point and other matters (20 years in all). Comments that a considerable number of RN ratings manned Patrician (also Patriot and Aurora). Returned to England to complete Sub's courses interrupted by the war. Appointed to HMS Malaya (battleship) in which he describes his duties. Returned to Canada to help in the peace-time establishment of the RCNR and RCNVR, formed into companies. Many problems including lack of instructors. Anecdote regarding the English pronouncement of French Canadian names but with boat pulling and PT (both by Wurtele) much was taught in two weeks. In 1925 returned to the RN for a six month appointment in HMS Ramilles. Returned to Halifax as the Intelligence Officer. In 1929 to the RN, to the new HMS Sussex (cruiser) in the Mediterranean. Describe their work as well as the crowded harbour at Valetta (Malta). Describes a difficult captain, problems with church service. Speaks favourably about the Commander, later Sir W. Tennant. Wurtele returns to the beginning of the Canadian Navy and of our first naval cadets. Wurtele left HMS Sussex in Sept. 1931, to be part of a New Entry Training plan first in Ottawa then in Esquimalt. In 1933 appointed to HMCS Vancouver (destroyer). After eighteen months was appointed training officer at HMCS Naden where he remained until the war broke out. (Cassette 2, Side 2) By then was First Lieutenant of the Barracks with the rank of Commander. Later (1940) as Executive Officer of HMCS Prince Henry (armed merchant cruiser). After conversion was sent to the west coast of South America to capture or sink German merchant ships. Caused one, the Munchen to set fire to herself (and sink). A second ship, the Hermonthis was caught, boarded, but eventually was sunk by the Prince Henry as they were unable to put out the fire in that ship. Returned to Esquimalt. Much of the crew on leave when ordered to sail south to check on a German raider (an AMC). Luckily they did not see the German ship--which would have been a more powerful vessel. At the end were ordered to Bermuda then to Halifax and finally to Newfoundland to act as depot ship but not used. Crew gradually left--some on leave--but ordered to Halifax after the war with Japan started so they sailed with very few officers and crew--no gyro compass, no signalmen--but found their way. Wurtele then retraces his steps to an account when training the reserves before the war and using the old trawler, HMCS Ypres, a ship with a number of mechanical faults. The Prince Henry went to sea with a new captain and with Wurtele as Executive Officer. Sailed for the West Indies to serve under U.S. Navy command but withdrawn as the Henry not suitable for anti-submarine operations. Sent to Esquimalt in 1943 then to Halifax as Executive Officer of HMCS Stadacona, the Halifax barracks eventually to become an Acting Captain and in command. Not a happy appointment, Wurtele felt that there were too many ratings and there was some lack of proper control, serious lack of accommodation, the Shore Patrol not handled to the best effect, etc. (Cassette 3, Side 1) Comments by both Lawrence and Wurtele about Shore Patrol conditions as they affected naval personnel in Halifax. (New interview: 14 Jan. 1983) Captain of the barracks (Stadacona)--1944. Discusses the Halifax riots in 1945 and how a divided command structure affected the naval forces in Halifax. Shore Patrol reported to the Admiral, the Manning Depot reported elsewhere and Wurtele commanded the barracks. Cmdr. Wurtele returns to command structure as it affected him in the barracks--finally resulting in his transfer to Esquimalt and, after a period of inaction, retired from the service as a Commander. Wurtele felt badly about this and requested interviews, wrote letters (including the Minister) and went to Ottawa in an endeavour to find out why he couldn't get another appointment. Had to accept retirement. Comments on his 20-year occupation as Councillor and Reeve of Esquimalt. This turned out well as W. was popular and had a good municipal staff behind him. Returns to comments about the RCN-RCNVR-RCNR "mix". Comments by both Wurtele and Lawrence about their respective careers and Admiral Murray. Cmdr. Wurtele returns to 1932/33 and the New Entry Training Scheme and concludes.
An interview/narrative of Alfred Charles "Alf" "Aggie" Wurtele's experiences during World War II. Commander Wurtele served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on October 27, 1982 and January 14, 1983.
Rank: Commander.
- In Collection:
- 5 sound recordings (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- 35.68536, 139.75309
- Original sound recording on three audio cassettes also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- WAC_294
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/hal-lawrence-collection
- May 19, 2017
- 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 2017. 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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