Yorke Island Weekend 19-21 August 2016
The weekend featured a two night stay on Yorke island with the Honorary Battery Commander Ross Keller. Ross has worked with Parks BC and a great group of local volunteers to preserve some of our historical roots so that others can find out about the service of our veterans.
The weekend started out with the usual fight through Vancouver traffic, a BC Ferries ride from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo and a two and a half hour trek to Kelsey Bay. I've attempted to create a video log of the experience but, as you can see, it could use considerable editing!
The weekend started out with the usual fight through Vancouver traffic, a BC Ferries ride from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo and a two and a half hour trek to Kelsey Bay. I've attempted to create a video log of the experience but, as you can see, it could use considerable editing!
Skipper Eric took me over on board his vessel, Hardwicke Transporter, for a short twenty minute ride. I'm sure glad that we didn't experience any heavier seas, these were rough enough for a far weather sailor such as myself. Watching the changing of the tide and the wind action over the weekend gives an indication of how rough the water can get when a real storm blows through. Probably not very pleasant when your trying to get off the Island on the completion of your rotation and a weather pattern moves in!
I've also added in some pictures of the past. The spot where I was dropped off is the location of the wharf during the war, but as you can see, very little remains. Funny story with the last picture. We had it reversed in our files and it was just as we were leaving the Island on Sunday that I finally clued in as to why it wasn't making any sense to me. The concrete staircase was on the wrong side, the road just didn't seem right.
I've also added in some pictures of the past. The spot where I was dropped off is the location of the wharf during the war, but as you can see, very little remains. Funny story with the last picture. We had it reversed in our files and it was just as we were leaving the Island on Sunday that I finally clued in as to why it wasn't making any sense to me. The concrete staircase was on the wrong side, the road just didn't seem right.
Most of the buildings in the camp area were sold off for low prices at the end of the war. Many locals purchased them and barged them off the Island to their new locations. The Officers' Quarters was of different construction and was left to rot away. It had a cistern built in the basement which was used to collect rainwater. Unfortunately, there have been tales told that the building was also the favourite spot for seagulls to roost. Seagulls + rainwater = not very healthy drinking water.
The second set of two pictures is from an undated trip to Yorke Island where much of the building has fallen down. The last three photos are from the most recent weekend and show the results of seventy years of no building maintenance.
The second set of two pictures is from an undated trip to Yorke Island where much of the building has fallen down. The last three photos are from the most recent weekend and show the results of seventy years of no building maintenance.
The Battery Observation Post was received several large additions over the duration of the war. The top two photographs are from around 1939 with parts of the building being simple wood construction. The second two photographs are from the mid 1940s when the large concrete tower was built at the rear of the original structure.
These undated photos show the wear and tear on the Battery Observation Post over the years.
The Battery Observation Post today. The Honorary Battery Commander is checking his email. I'm sure that the three guys from 1939/45 had that kind of connectivity with their families back home.
Have you ever wondered about that apple core from your box lunch that you tossed into the bush? This apple tree must have sprung from a core tossed out the window by one of the Gunners. Looking forward to some Yorke Island Apple Cider in the future. Someone left their mark behind showing the date that the larger tower was built - 30 October 1943.
The final photo is the nice glass of BC Merlot to celebrate the end of a great day of exploring the Island!
These undated photos show the wear and tear on the Battery Observation Post over the years.
The Battery Observation Post today. The Honorary Battery Commander is checking his email. I'm sure that the three guys from 1939/45 had that kind of connectivity with their families back home.
Have you ever wondered about that apple core from your box lunch that you tossed into the bush? This apple tree must have sprung from a core tossed out the window by one of the Gunners. Looking forward to some Yorke Island Apple Cider in the future. Someone left their mark behind showing the date that the larger tower was built - 30 October 1943.
The final photo is the nice glass of BC Merlot to celebrate the end of a great day of exploring the Island!
The photographs show the inside of the Battery observation post where we attempt to show some of the old pictures lined up against the photos just taken this weekend. The large concrete mounting block is the key reference point in all these photos.
The instrumentation is gone but the view outside is unmistakable with #2 gun shown below.
There is some debate as to whether this old photograph is from Yorke Island. The back wall appears somewhat different than the wall today. What do you think?
The instrumentation is gone but the view outside is unmistakable with #2 gun shown below.
There is some debate as to whether this old photograph is from Yorke Island. The back wall appears somewhat different than the wall today. What do you think?
On August 20 1941, Gunner Wallace Reece Brunt died in a tragic accident while on a detail returning from Hardwicke Island. The boat carrying a load of sandbags sank and the bight line wrapped around Gunner Brunt's leg, dragging him under. His body was never recovered.
The Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Brent Purcell, the Regimental Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer George Dempsey, Captain Conway Hui and the President of the Vancouver Artillery Association took part in a ceremony organized by the Honorary Battery Commander of Yorke Island Ross Keller in a ceremony that was held at the spot where Gunner Brunt disappeared.
The three poles indicate the area where the Yorke Island loaded water for the Fort. The sand for this particular work party was slightly along the shore line where a stream empties into Sunderland Channel.
The Last Post was played and the Commanding Officer recited the tale of Gunner Brunt. The wreath was given to the family members who placed it on the waters where he disappeared (see video below).
After the event, the Hardwicke Transporter cruised around Yorke Island before returning to the camp area.
Ross Keller led the group on a walking tour of the Island including the searchlight positions.
The Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Brent Purcell, the Regimental Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer George Dempsey, Captain Conway Hui and the President of the Vancouver Artillery Association took part in a ceremony organized by the Honorary Battery Commander of Yorke Island Ross Keller in a ceremony that was held at the spot where Gunner Brunt disappeared.
The three poles indicate the area where the Yorke Island loaded water for the Fort. The sand for this particular work party was slightly along the shore line where a stream empties into Sunderland Channel.
The Last Post was played and the Commanding Officer recited the tale of Gunner Brunt. The wreath was given to the family members who placed it on the waters where he disappeared (see video below).
After the event, the Hardwicke Transporter cruised around Yorke Island before returning to the camp area.
Ross Keller led the group on a walking tour of the Island including the searchlight positions.
The machine shop behind the Battery Observation Post is seen with some Royal Canadian Navy sailors outside the door. This building is in relatively good condition mostly just lacking doors and windows. (plus electrical, lights, heating, etc) (I may have gotten the machine shop mixed up with the ammunition storage room. Ross will have to set me straight)
The Generator building features prominently in several hunting pictures. I believe that's Bombardier (future Lieutenant Colonel) Bud Garrett in the first photo. The doors and windows have rusted off but the generator mounts are awaiting the arrival off a new set to power up the searchlights and the island. No idea if the electrical wiring running to all parts of the Island is still intact or not.
The newer addition on the Generator Room should be avoided. The interior walls have been torn apart and it appears that they used a type of asbestos filler. DO NOT ENTER!
The crew room between the two guns is in excellent shape. Nice wood paneling on the wall and it appears to be dry. Just needs a new set of doors and a stove and one would be set to move in.
At the end of Saturday the family and the Regimental trio left for the Big Island. Nice wave action!
The Generator building features prominently in several hunting pictures. I believe that's Bombardier (future Lieutenant Colonel) Bud Garrett in the first photo. The doors and windows have rusted off but the generator mounts are awaiting the arrival off a new set to power up the searchlights and the island. No idea if the electrical wiring running to all parts of the Island is still intact or not.
The newer addition on the Generator Room should be avoided. The interior walls have been torn apart and it appears that they used a type of asbestos filler. DO NOT ENTER!
The crew room between the two guns is in excellent shape. Nice wood paneling on the wall and it appears to be dry. Just needs a new set of doors and a stove and one would be set to move in.
At the end of Saturday the family and the Regimental trio left for the Big Island. Nice wave action!
I'll leave you with these current photos of the 6" gun emplacements followed by a series of 1939/45 pictures of the same
The gun positions have been modified considerably since they were originally established on Yorke Island. The first photos show the original 4.7" coastal guns. There was no overhead cover and the crew was exposed to both the elements and enemy fire. These guns were swapped with the 6" coastal guns from the Stanley Park fort and the overhead cover was built. The overhead cover is a steel frame which supports blocks of Plastic Armour, a mixture of bitumen and gravel, for crew protection. Yorke Island may be the only surviving fort with this type of armour protection in existence today. Unfortunately, the steel bolts supporting the blocks are beginning to rust out.
The videos provide a brief view of the structure as it exists today.
The videos provide a brief view of the structure as it exists today.
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There isn't enough time on a weekend visit to explore all the hidden parts of Yorke Island. I would like to thank the Honorary Battery Commander Ross Keller for the time he spent with us this weekend, the time and effort that he has spent as a volunteer with Parks BC and his personal drive in organizing the memorial for Gunner Wallace Brunt.
Hats off to Parks BC for taking the Island under ownership as part of a BC Parks Conservancy. I look forward to the eventual production of a Park Plan for the Island and would offer whatever service the Vancouver Artillery Association can provide in that regard.
I would also pass on my appreciation to the many volunteers that Ross has mobilized over the years. Great job! I can see that you've spent countless hours in cleaning up some of the fallen debris in order for the story to be retained for future generations. Thanks for helping us keep alive the history of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA.
Hats off to Parks BC for taking the Island under ownership as part of a BC Parks Conservancy. I look forward to the eventual production of a Park Plan for the Island and would offer whatever service the Vancouver Artillery Association can provide in that regard.
I would also pass on my appreciation to the many volunteers that Ross has mobilized over the years. Great job! I can see that you've spent countless hours in cleaning up some of the fallen debris in order for the story to be retained for future generations. Thanks for helping us keep alive the history of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA.