Biographical data

Biographical Data
Copelin, Charles W.J. If you have images associated with this Person, please contact us at admin@nauticapedia.ca

Title	Lieutenant (RCN(R))
Official Number	U-16852; O-15758

Birth	11/03/1934	Death	16/01/2020
Place	Halifax	Place	Burlington
Area	NS	Area	ON
Country	Canada	Country	Canada

Titles
Honours
Awards
Qualifications

Biography
He is the son of Commander Charles Copelin RCNR. After his naval service he was the President of the UNTD Association of Upper Canada. He was employed with The Partners' Film Company at Toronto ON.

Military Service
He was appointed as a Naval Cadet (UNTD) RCN(R) 1952. He served in HMCS Scotian for UNTD (St.FX Tender) 1952-1953. He served with the US Navy at Little Creek VA for Amphibious Warfare Training and CAMID 54 (Amphibious Warfare Exercises) 1954. He was appointed as an A/Sub-Lieutenant RCN(R) (With seniority dated 01/09/1954). He was appointed as a Sub-Lieutenant RCN(R) (With seniority dated 01/09/1955). He was appointed as a Lieutenant RCN(R) (With seniority dated 01/09/1957). In 1957-1959 he served in HMCS Scotian. (He was released 1959.)

Military Service

He was appointed as a Naval Cadet (UNTD) RCN(R) 1952. He served in HMCS Scotian for UNTD (St.FX Tender) 1952-1953. He served with the US Navy at Little Creek VA for Amphibious Warfare Training and CAMID 54 (Amphibious Warfare Exercises) 1954. He was appointed as an A/Sub-Lieutenant RCN(R) (With seniority dated 01/09/1954). He was appointed as a Sub-Lieutenant RCN(R) (With seniority dated 01/09/1955). He was appointed as a Lieutenant RCN(R) (With seniority dated 01/09/1957). In 1957-1959 he served in HMCS Scotian. (He was released 1959.)

Vessels Owned
Aircraft Flown
Named Features

Anecdotes
He recalled "It was our second summer of UNTD training at Stadacona in 1954 when we were invited to join an amphibious assault course run by the United States Navy at Little Creek, Virginia. Our divisional officer told us not to bother to take our raincoats as he had been on this course last year and it never rained. Well it rained and it was no easy task keeping our khaki uniforms pressed and “tiddly” to look our best in front of the yanks. They did seem impressed with our parade drill which was in marked contrast to the midshipmen who sauntered along in their casual style.Before our departure from Halifax, we all had to report to the clothing stores where we were issued with officer's white dress, high collar, tropical formal uniforms. This, I believe, was the only occasion where UNTiDies were issued such uniforms. These were to be worn at the conclusion of the course when we attended a fancy formal ball at the US Naval Academy. It was a gala affair. All the ladies wore southern antebellum dresses and spoke with a southern drawl. It was like a scene from "Gone With The Wind". It had to be one of the highlights of my UNTD experience."

Anecdotes

He recalled "It was our second summer of UNTD training at Stadacona in 1954 when we were invited to join an amphibious assault course run by the United States Navy at Little Creek, Virginia. Our divisional officer told us not to bother to take our raincoats as he had been on this course last year and it never rained. Well it rained and it was no easy task keeping our khaki uniforms pressed and “tiddly” to look our best in front of the yanks. They did seem impressed with our parade drill which was in marked contrast to the midshipmen who sauntered along in their casual style.Before our departure from Halifax, we all had to report to the clothing stores where we were issued with officer's white dress, high collar, tropical formal uniforms. This, I believe, was the only occasion where UNTiDies were issued such uniforms. These were to be worn at the conclusion of the course when we attended a fancy formal ball at the US Naval Academy. It was a gala affair. All the ladies wore southern antebellum dresses and spoke with a southern drawl. It was like a scene from "Gone With The Wind". It had to be one of the highlights of my UNTD experience."

References
Government of Canada The Canadian Navy List Ottawa ON; Williamson, R.J. (1993); Bill Clearihue (Nominal List UNTD); https://untd.org/wp-content/uploads/COPELIN_Charles_William_J_UNTDA_Bio.pdf ;
Last update
2020-04-28 00:00:00

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Biographical Data

Copelin, Charles W.J.