For Posterity's Sake         

A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project

 

In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

 

Thomas Grant Denny, M.I.D.

 

Commander, O-19130, RCN(R)

 

Died: 02 Feb 2001, Victoria, British Columbia

 

DENNY, Thomas Grant - Tom Denny lived his entire 93 years in Victoria. As a young man he started building boats, an activity that developed into a passion for wood-working and sailing (both coastal and offshore). Tom's familiarity with the sea served him well as a commander in the Canadian Navy during the Second World War. He joined Royal Victoria Yacht Club in 1930 and was the oldest living member. He and his brother, Roy ran Standard Furniture, started by their father, Arthur. Tom was president of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and a driving force in the development of downtown Victoria. Tom is survived by Margaret, his wife of 67 years; his four children; Rob, Jill, Chris and Trisha; seven grandchildren: Alex, Angus, Clio, Chris, Erica, Drew and Mark; brother, Roy and sister, Eleanor and a large extended family. Tom leaves a joyful legacy of song, kindness and generosity and will be missed by all who knew him. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Tom's life at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club

 

Cdr Thomas Denny served in the RCNVR from 1938 to 1945. After the war he was transferred to the RCN(R).

 

Mentioned in Despatches Citation - DENNY, Thomas Grant, A/Cdr, Mention in Despatches (M.I.D.), RCNVR, Canadian Coastal Forces - Awarded as per Canada Gazette of 16 June 1945 and London Gazette of 14 June 1945.  "By untiring energy and devotion to duty, this Officer has been a strong influence in the improvement in morale and efficiency of the Canadian Coastal Forces, and in bringing them to their present state, as a potent threat to the enemy in Canadian and European waters."

 

Ships served in:

RCNVR DIVISION VANCOUVER (Supplementary Reserve) - Date of Enrollment of 15 Sep 1938 (Navy List Oct 1933)  (note: Members of the RCNVR (S.R.) hold no rank until they are granted temporary commissions on or after mobilization)

* A/Lt, RCNVR - called up 01 Sep 1939 (List of RCNVR Officers called out for active service) (Navy List Oct 1939)

HMC DOCKYARD ESQUIMALT - Appointed to HMC Dockyard Esquimalt for York Island 01 Sep 1939 as an A/Lt, RCNVR (Navy List Oct 1939)

HMCS ARMENTIERES - Appointed to Armentieres 23 Oct 1939 as an A/Lt, RCNVR (Navy List Jul 1940)

HMCS CRUSADER - Appointed to Crusader 12 Jun 1940 as an A/Lt, RCNVR, CO (Navy List Sep 1940)

* Appointed Lt, RCNVR (seniority 01 Sep 1939) (Navy List Nov 1940)

RCN BARRACKS ESQUIMALT - Appointed to RCN Barracks Esquimalt, Add'l For Disposal or Under Training 06 Jan 1941 as a Lt, RCNVR (Navy List Feb 1941)

HMCS KAMLOOPS - Appointed to Kamloops 17 Mar 1941 as a Lt, RCNVR (Navy List Mar 1941)

RCN BARRACKS HALIFAX - Appointed to RCN Barracks Halifax, Add'l For Disposal or Under Training 18 Dec 1941 as a Lt, RCNVR (Navy List Jan 1942)

ML Q061 - Served in Venture 20 Oct 1941 - 17 Dec 1941 as a Lt, RCNVR, CO (Macpherson-Burgess - Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910-1981).  1st Commanding Officer

HMCS VENTURE II - Appointed to Venture 18 Apr 1942 as a Lt, RCNVR (Navy List Apr 1942)

ML Q074 - Appointed to Q074 21 Apr 1942 as a Lt (n) **, RCNVR, CO (Navy List Sep 1942.  1st Commanding Officer

HMCS VENTURE (Depot ship) - Appointed to Venture 14 May 1943 as a A/LCdr (n), RCNVR, XO  (Navy List Aug 1943). Appointed LCdr, RCNVR (seniority 01 Jan 1944) (Navy List Feb 1944)

HMCS PROVIDER - Appointed to Provider 29 Mar 1944 as a LCdr (n), RCNVR (Navy List May 1944)

HMCS VENTURE (Depot Ship) - Appointed to Venture 08 Apr 1944 as a LCdr (n), RCNVR, Staff Officer to Captain M.L. (Navy List Jul 1944). Appointed CO Venture 20 Dec 1944 as an A/Cdr, RCNVR, Commander M.L. (Navy List Jan 1945)

* Retired List as a Cdr, RCN(R) (seniority 04 Sep 1945) (Navy List Apr 1946)

HMCS MALAHAT (Retired List) - as a Cdr, RCN(R) (seniority 5 yrs. 242 days) (Navy List Jul 1953).  Last noted in the Navy Lists for Jan 1960 on the retired list at HMCS Malahat as a Cdr, RCN(R)

 

** (n) - In the Alphabetical and Seniority List denotes an Officer who has qualified for Navigation Officer; in a ship, an Officer borne for Navigating Duties.  The lowercase "n" means qualified (trained) on a course in Canada.

 

TD01

TD02

TD03

(TD01) Cdr Thomas Denney, RCNVR - 1945  (TD02-TD03) Notification of the award of Mentioned in Despatches with accompanying letter

 

Ship's company - HMCS KAMLOOPS K176

between Mar-Dec 1941

 

This photo was also posted on the ship's company photo page for HMCS KAMLOOPS K176

 


 

Crossed the Bar Index

 

HOME PAGE     SHIP INDEX      CONTACT