For Posterity's Sake         

A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project

They made the Ultimate Sacrifice

GILLIS, Daniel Everett, Chief Motor Mechanic, A841, RCNR, killed - 26 Mar 1941, HMCS OTTER - son of Daniel and Mary Gillis, of Sydney, NS; husband of Viola Georgina Gillis, of Halifax, NS.

Daniel Edward Gillis of Halifax, Cape Breton-born Chief Motor Mechanic, lost with 18 others in the HMCS Otter tragedy, was a member of the pre-war R.C.M.P. marine section before he was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy.

A Native of Glace Bay, the 33-year-old father of six children ranging in age from one month to nine years, had served with the R.C.M.P. at both Halifax and Charlottetown and when war came he moved from the island to Halifax to make his permanent home.

Hi Widow, the former Viola Lovell of North Sydney, and his family reside at 3 Linden Street, Halifax. The children are: Wendell, 9; Elva, 7; Joan, 5; Donald, 3;Shirley, 22 months; and John, one month. The navyman`s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Gillis, reside at Reserve.

Three sisters and two brothers also survive. They are: Mrs. Lewis Sommers, 14 Pine Street, Dartmouth; Mrs. James Diamond, Detroit; Mrs. Alex. MacLean, Strathlorne, Inverness County; Michael, with the R.C.M.P. at Fox Valley, Sask.; and Andrew, in Reserve.

Citation for Mentioned in Despatches:

Mentioned in Despatches (Postumously). Awarded as per London Gazette of 04 Nov 1941.

"For gallantry and devotion to duty when HMCS OTTER was lost."

Ships served in:

HMCS STADACONA - Enlisted 21 Sep 1938 as a MM. Rated Chief MM 22 Sep 1939

HMCS ADVERSUS - Served in ADVERSUS 30 Sep 1939 - 06 Feb 1940 as a Chief MM, RCNR

HDPC D15 - Served in D15 - 07 Feb 1940 - 08 Feb 1940 as a Chief MM, RCNR