Finch-Noyes, Edward William: my Navy recollections (June 21 - July 4, 1977)

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Interviewee: Finch-Noyes, Edward William

Rank: Rear-Admiral.

An interview/narrative of Edward William Finch-Noyes's experiences during World War II. Rear-Admiral Finch-Noyes served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on June 21, 30 and July 4, 1977.

ABSTRACT: Rear-Admiral Edward William Finch-Noyes Royal Canadian Navy Finch-Noyes_E_0061_01.mp3 (Cassette) Born circa 1908/1909 (d. 198-?). Joined the navy as a direct-entry cadet straight from Appleby College in Ontario (the other cadet for that year was Rear-Admiral J. C. Hibbard, also on tape in this collection). In Sept. 1926 to England where he joined the training ship H.M.S. Erobus (monitor). Describes organization, training, studies, sports, including boxing, which was required by all. Comments on his officers: the commissioned gunner was their mentor. Cadets were also taught naval customs and manners. A year later, in Sept. 1927, he joined H.M.S.Emperor of India (Iron Duke class battleship) as a midshipman. Comments on midshipmen as officers. Experienced the exercise of "coaling ship", three thousand tons all brought aboard in sacks. The entire ship's company was involved in a competition, the Royal Marine band played, the sickbay was fully manned. The captain, not being involved, took the day off to play golf! Butter smeared on the eyelids and in the ears made the removal of coal dust easier. (35:00) Finch-Noyes_E_0061_02.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 1) Toward the completion of training as midshipmen the class joined H.M.S. Argus (carrier) for a month's flying experience. In 1929 joined H.M.C.S. Champlain (destroyer) as a sub lieutenant, and one of five officers. In June 1931 sailed out of Halifax harbour to meet the two new Canadian destroyers, H.M.C.S. Skeena and H.M.C.S. Saguenay arriving from the builders' yard in England. Great celebrations. The Depression years produced very economical and limited sea time. Trained reservists in the summer. As navigating officer he was given extra pay for navigating in the narrow reaches of the St. Lawrence River. Comments on gunnery and torpedo practice in Bras d'Or Lake. (15:00) First began to take a few cadets to sea from Royal Military College. As the Depression progressed they were asked to take a ten percent pay cut. Halifax routine usually included a cruise to Bermuda to clean ship for two weeks and then on to the West Indies for a period of intensive training. (30:00) Tropic routine was followed: work began at 5:30 A.M., ended at noon. Usually exercised with American ships for three or four days. Returned to Halifax in mid-March. Obtained watchkeeping ticket and promotion to lieutenant. Trained Royal Canadian Naval Reserve personnel, a high proportion of whom were the crews of the "Lady" ships. (Canadian National Steamship Line vessels). (41:00) Finch-Noyes_E_0061_03.mp3 (Side 2) In 1937 the navy acquired its first full-time training ship, H.M.C.S. Venture, a schooner with auxiliary power. Designed to give training to ordinary seamen. Comments on customs and routines. "Broadside messing" in effect and described. Food was brought from the galley to individual messes. Comments on officers' messing arrangements. Always dressed for dinner. Formal mess dinner every Thursday. As H.M.C.S. Champlain was such a small ship the Captain dined in the wardroom, but in the new destroyers he was no longer a member of the mess and looked to his own messing. By 1936 Champlain and her sister ship Vancouver were old and were replaced by four "C" class [ River class?] destroyers from Britain, H.M.C. ships Fraser, St. Laurent, Ottawa, and Restigouche. Four new minesweepers were laid down in Canada in 1938. (24:00) Mentions one or two lower-deck "characters" in the pre-war Navy. When war broke out in 1939 he was stationed at naval headquarters in Ottawa, where he spent the next two and a half years. Initially the Navy found it difficult to find jobs for all the volunteers who flocked to join up. Much new construction was required. Converted three "Prince" class liners (Canadian National Steamships) on the west coast to fast auxiliary cruisers (armed merchant cruisers). Comments on destroyer losses in the early years, H.M.C. ships Fraser and Margaree. In 1942 was appointed first lieutenant of H.M.C.S. Prince Henry. Patrolled the west coast for about a year; convoy duty to Alaska. In 1943 she was converted to a landing craft ship. Went to sea on the Atlantic in 1943. (48:00)

Interviewer: Murphy, James

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Rear-Admiral Finch-Noyes served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1926 to 1962. This recorded account ends in 1943.
  • Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 3 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 54.75844, -2.69531
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional physical characteristics
  • One original sound cassette (ca. 35 min.) and one sound tape reel (ca. 90 min.) : 3 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 2 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • FNEW_061
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • May 31, 2007
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 64 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by AN, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2007. 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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