Biographical Data

Watt, Ernest Frederick Balmer

Personal Image

Photo Credit: RCN Official Photo

 
 
Title Commander (SB) (RCN(R))
Official Number VR-3737; 0-76490
 
Birth 30/03/1898 Death 07/06/1996
Place Woodstock Place Victoria
Area ON Area BC
Country Canada Country Canada
 
Titles
Honours MBE;
Awards
Qualifications
 
Biography
He was the son of Arthur Balmer Watt and Gertrude Hogg Balmer Watt. He moved to Edmonton AB early in his life. He was educated in Edmonton. In 1918 he was a reporter with the Edmonton Journal. He was a clerk at the time of his recruitment into the navy. He worked as a reporter on the Edmonton Journal, 1920-1928. He was the writer of articles and books. After his war time service he was an Information Officer, Department of Health and Welfare. He was the author of poetry basd on his war services and a recording of his work that sold more than 20,000 copies - "Who Dare to Live" (1943). He was the author of "A Great Bear Journey" and the story of the Naval Control of Shipping, "In All Respects Ready".
 
Military Service
He was appointed as an Ordinary Seaman RNCVR (With seniority dated 15/02/1917). He served in the Overseas Division 1917. In 1917 he served in HM Drifter Azrael. In 1917 he served in HMS Chatham for Seaman Gunner's badge. In 1917 he served HM Trawler Hercules. He was appointed as a Leading Seaman RNCVR 1917. He served in HMS Cornwall for Travel to Canada 1917. (He was demobilized 12/1917). He was appointed as an A/Sub-Lieutenant RCNVR 1923. In 1923 he served in the Edmonton Half Company of the RCNVR. He served in HMCS Thiepval. He served in HMCS Armentieres. He served in HMCS Patrician. He was appointed as a Lieutenant RCNVR 1925. (He was released.) (He was mobilized for Second World War service.) He was appointed as a Lieutenant (Temp.) RCNVR (With seniority dated 21/07/1940). He served in the Naval Boarding Service 1940. He was the boarding officer at Halifax NS (for which work he was decorated). He was appointed as an A/Lieutenant-Commander (Temp.) RCNVR (With seniority dated 01/07/1943). He served in HMCS Stadacona, Naval Examination Service (boarding parties). He was appointed as a Lieutenant-Commander (Temp.) RCNVR (With seniority dated 01/01/1944). (He was demobilized.) He was appointed as a Lieutenant-Commander (SB) RCN(R) (With seniority dated 01/01/1944 on the retired list). (Short Service Appointment). Commander (SB) (SSA) RCN (With seniority dated 01/07/1949). He served in NDHQ as Staff Officer Psychological Warfare) 1951. (He resigned 1951.) (He did two further Short Service Appointments. (He was released in 1955.)
 
Vessels Owned
Aircraft Flown
Named Features
 
Anecdotes
He was awarded the MBE for his development of the Boarding Service and his group made 50,000 boardings - "In 1940 Lieutenant-Cmmander Watt conceived the idea of using the boarding party, which had been organized primarily for checking ships before proceeding in convoy to the U.K., to encourage the general morale of Merchant Seamen. From this idea, the system quickly spread to all Canadian ports and became a, very potent and valuable factor in the general handling of merchant seamen. Lt.-Cdr. Watt was responsible for the training of all boarding officers and ratings, and their undoubted success was very largely due to the spirit which he infused and maintained in them throughout the war." Government of Canada The Canadian Navy List Ottawa ON; Blatherwick, John (1992); Hume, Stephen A Christmas Epiphany: A hard-nosed bush pilot and people praying near a creche in a tiny Dene church in Fort Norman helped to turn around the life of a drunken loser (Saturday December 22, 2001 The Vancouver Sun). He was awarded the MBE "In 1940, Lieutenant-Commander Watt conceived the idea of using the Boarding Party, which had been organized primarily for checking ships before proceeding in convoy to the United Kingdom, to encourage the general morale of Merchant Seamen. From this idea, the system quickly spread to all Canadian Ports and became a very potent and valuable factor in the general handling of Merchant Seamen. Lieutenant-Commander Watt was responsible for the training of all Boarding Officers and Ratings, and their undoubted success was largely due to the spirit which he infused and maintained in them, throughout the war."
 
References
Government of Canada The Canadian Navy List Ottawa ON; Blatherwick, John (1992); http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/royal-canadian-navy-1910-1941-ledger-sheets/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=13808&;; The Navy List Volumes I, II and III (HMSO London); http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/bibliography/author/4442.html?rank=1; http://www.rcnvr.com/W%20-%20RCN%20-%20WW2.php;
Last update
2022-06-30 00:00:00

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