Ceremony for Battle of the Atlantic marks 80 years since end of WWII

A parade of Canadian Armed Forces and HMCS Cabot members marched in unison — their footsteps coming down softly on wet pavement along Water Street in downtown St. John's.

They marched from the St. John's Port Authority to the National War Memorial on Sunday morning to commemorate the end of the Battle of the Atlantic, and to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

"Our freedom today is derived from what they did 80 years ago," said Ian Kelly, a member of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment advisory council.

Kelly's personal connections to WWII are not distant, despite the growing years. His father, great uncle and grandfather served.

"I had a great uncle who was actually the captain of an escort ship on convoy duty in December 1940 who was lost at sea," he said. 

WATCH | Honouring N.L. soldiers 80 years since the end of WWII: 

Ceremony for the Battle of the Atlantic marks 80 years since the end of World War II

3 days ago

Duration 1:23

On Sunday, a parade of Canada’s Armed Forces and HMCS Cabot members commemorated the end of the Battle of the Atlantic and the 22 000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who served in the war. A prayer and wreath laying ceremony took place at the National War Memorial in downtown St. John’s.

Roughly 22,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians served during that war, a time before Canadian confederation.The burial of these young soldiers spans the world, Kelly says, across England, the Netherlands, North Africa and Italy.

Members of the HMCS Cabot and Canadian Armed Forces held Sunday's ceremony. This year's ceremony was organized in collaboration with the naval services and the Royal Newfoundland Regiment advisory council.

Residents young and old took part in the ceremony in prideful remembrance.

Between the clacking of footsteps on pavement and the soft naval hymns and prayers was the ceremonious tolling of a bell for each ship lost at sea or in battle.

For some, 80 years is a lifetime. But Kelly says it's important not to let the passing of time take away the weight of the sacrifices made.

"There were some children here today, and I've seen other family members from people who served during the war as well," Kelly said. "It's wonderful to see them turn out to honour those from Newfoundland who served."

May 8 is the official date marking the end of the Battle of the Atlantic and Victory in Europe, when Nazi Germany officially surrendered to the Allied forces.

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