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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
Very little is known of Russell Matthews. When he passed his residence was cleaned out and the cleaner saved his service memorabilia and gave it to a contact who finds museums or legions that are willing to accept it. In the case of Russell Matthews, they loaned the collection to For Posterity's Sake for scanning and what is known about Russell's time in the Navy is shown here. The dates listed for time served at each ship or shore establishment are approximate and based on the postage cancellation dates and mailing addresses from the many letters that Russell had kept.
Russell's diary from 1950-1951 which includes his Korean War Tour aboard HMCS NOOTKA - Matthew started his diary on 01 Jan 1950 shortly after he joined the Navy. His first entry on NOOTKA'S Korean war tour is 25 Nov 1950, page 168 of the PDF file.
Ships served in: HMCS NADEN - 20 Oct 1949 as an OSCMS HMCS STADACONA - 30 Dec 1949 - 16 Sep 1950 as an OSCMS HMCS NOOTKA - 11 DEC 1950 - 24 Jul 1951 as an ABCM1 - NOOTKA'S 1st Korean War Tour. HMCS GLOUCESTER - 03 Nov 1951 - 30 Apr 1952 NRS ALBRO LAKE - 25 Jun 1952 - 09 Jan 1953 as an ABCR1 and LSCR1 HMCS MAGNIFICENT (Mess 20.A) - 14 Jan 1953 - 04 Jan 1954 as a LSCR1 HMCS STADACONA - 18 Jan 1954 - 29 Jan 1954 - drafted for release
(RM16) Letter hand carried by Russell Matthews for CPO Tel C. (Slim) Marlin, Comm School, HMCS STADACONA, Halifax
Back of envelopes from letters to Russell Matthews showing the names of two friends who were also serving (RM17) OSNSS K. Caldwell 11553-H, Bos'n Div, HMCS CORNWALLIS, 31 Dec 1949 (RM18) LSCM1 H.L. Symington 5409-E, NRS ALDERGROVE, 20 Feb 1950
(RM19) LS Russell Matthews ribbon bar for the The Korea Medal and the UN Korea Medal (RM20-RM23) Russell's rank and trade badges
(RM24) Christmas Menu - HMCS NOOTKA - 1950
(RM25-RM28) Messages and Press Release on the discussion of an Armistice between North and South Korea - Jun and Jul 1951
(RM30-RM31) Script from a play "Hiro Knights"
(RM31) HMC Radio Station cap tall
It is not know if it is from Albro Lake or Gloucester
(RM32) HMCS MAGNIFICENT - Welcome to USNAS QUONSET booklet - PDF file (RM33) HMCS MAGNIFICENT Damage Control Training notes - PDF file (RM34) Invitation of a ship's company dance for HMCS MAGNIFICENT - 27 Nov 1953 (RM35) Page from a letter to Russell Matthews about a Radioman named McCann whose grandmother had passed away (RM36) Communications duty watch 06 Nov
Family photos in Russel's belongings
Other than the writing on the back of the 2nd photo, there is nothing to indicate who anyone in the photo is or if Russell Matthew is in any of the photos
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