During the Second World War, a fleet of Royal Canadian Navy corvettes were named after more than 100 cities, including Chilliwack.
The hope was to create a personal link from the ships to communities. t also helped rally the population around the war effort, reminding them of their connection to the sailors at sea.
In Chilliwack, that link remains intact through the hard work of volunteers at the Chilliwack Military Museum. The museum is located on Wellington Avenue, downtown Chilliwack, and is a treasure trove of local military history, particularly involving life on the former base.
"It's the legacy of CFB Chilliwack," says volunteer Darren Kennedy, and their focus is on hyper-local military history. The bell and a a torpedo from the HMSC Chilliwack are in their impression collection, and so is the original phone system from Chilliwack's former Canadian Forces Base.
They've got old uniforms, newspaper clippings, photographs, and so much more that reflect life on the base in Chilliwack through the Second World War and beyond.
Kennedy said they'll be opening the doors on Remembrance Day so the public can come in and learn more.
The Canadian Naval Memorial Trust recently provided history to The Chilliwack Progress on the HMSC Chilliwack.
"In 1939 Europe was at war and by 1940 continental Europe, from France to Norway, had been occupied by German forces. Britain stood alone and the sea lanes across the Atlantic were its only lifeline," they wrote. "Supplying that critical lifeline were convoys of merchant ships bringing vital food, fuel and war material from North America. The role of the Royal Canadian Navy escorts including the tireless Flower Class corvettes like HMCS Chilliwack (K131) was to protect the merchant ships against enemy submarine attacks and ensure the 'safe and timely arrival of the convoy' at its destination. The escorts played a crucial role in ensuring Allied victory at sea during the pivotal Battle of the Atlantic."
The corvettes were primarily crewed by Naval Reservists from across Canada. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Canada's Naval Reserve organization. The HMSC Sackville is the last surviving corvette, and is kept in Halifax.
HMCS Chilliwack was built by Burrard Dry Dock Ltd. in Vancouver, BC and commissioned in April of 1941. It was employed almost continuously as an ocean escort until November of 1944.
The Chilliwack Military Museum is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. On Nov. 11, they will be open from noon to 4 p.m.
Most of the volunteers at the museum are volunteers, and the museum relies on donations to the non-profit society.
"That's the only thing that keeps us open," he said.
Kennedy said they rotate the displays from the collection, so visiting regularly is recommended for history buffs of all levels.
They are located at 45915 Wellington Ave.
