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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
TAIT, Wilfred - Wilfred enlisted in the RNCVR at the age of 17 on 1 Sept 1914 at Montreal. His occupation prior to enlistment as Draughtsman. He applied to the Government Radiotelegraph Service on 12 Oct 1917. Wilfred already had some Telegraphist experience and could operate at 14 words per minute in the Continental Code. He was assigned to the Niobe for training with the rank W/T (Wireless Telegraphy) Learner as of 14 Mar 1918.
Up to and including the FWW the crew of navy ships were awarded prize money for destroying or capturing enemy vessels during times of war. The Canadian scale of payout was the same as in the British Navy (see attached). Each ship was awarded an amount of money and each crew member was awarded a share according to rank, and how long he served "on the high seas". The payout was made in three installments (in pounds) and an announcement was made in the newspaper when the crew member could apply for his prize money. Wilfred received cheques of £5, £7:10, and £1
After the war Wilfred Tait was well known throughout Montreal and Eastern Canada in the electrical engineering and supply trade. Wilfred died suddenly on 26 July 1940 at the age of 43
Ships served in: HMCS NIOBE - Served in Niobe 14 Mar 1918 - 09 Jun 1918 as a W/T Learner * appointed W/T Op 4c on 10 Jun 1918 HMCS NIOBE - Served in Niobe 10 Jun 1918 - 10 Jul 1918 as a W/T 4c HMCS SEAGULL - Appointed to Seagull 11 Jul 1918 as a W/T 4c. Appointed OIC Seagull 30 Jul 1918 - 24 Oct 1918. Appointed as W/T 4c 26 Oct 1918. Served in Seagull until 23 Dec 1918 HMCS NIOBE - Served in Niobe 24 Dec 1918 - 15 Jul 1919 as a W/T 4c * Demobilized 15 Jul 1919 at Halifax, NS.
(WT01) Wilfred tait (WT02) Funeral Notice for Wilfred Tait - Montreal Gazette 30 Jul 1940 (WT03) Naval Prize Money notice (WT04) Wilfred's receipt for 2 shares of prize money (WT05) Order In Council 16162 (a) on the establishment of the Wireless Telegraph Operator in the RNCVR
(WT06) Excerpt for the Gazette on the awards of prize money for gunnery and torpedo efficiency in the Canadian Navy
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