Born in February 1926, John Watts grew up in Toronto, where his mother was a homemaker, and his father worked for the telephone company. In his early years, John struggled in school but managed to graduate from high school. At the age of seventeen-and-a-half, with his parents permission, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy in the fall of 1943.
After basic training in Toronto and further ASDIC (submarine detection) training in Cornwallis, John was assigned to work on sonar equipment. The decision to specialize in ASDIC came with a small perk … an extra ten cents a day.
John was assigned to the HMCS Goderich, a Bangor-class minesweeper. The Goderich played a crucial role in the Battle of the Atlantic. The ship’s primary mission was as a local convoy and escort ship along the eastern coastline.
One of its roles was to meet Trans Atlantic cargo ships, sometimes as far north as Iceland, and guide them safely into harbour, while constantly on the lookout for enemy submarines. John worked the sonar, scanning the waters for the telltale signs of a German U-boat. Little did he know, as the war drew to a close he would find himself closer to one than he ever expected.
The HMCS Goderich was a small vessel, with a crew of 89 that included 9 officers. The cramped conditions on board made the ship feel even smaller. The mess deck was designed to accommodate 8 people yet it often held 28, with 13 men sleeping in slings while others slept on the deck.
John was one of six sonar operators who worked in shifts of four hours on and eight hours off, constantly listening for any sign of danger. John recalled how the sound of the sonar’s pinging was relentless. “Oh goodness, it’s that pinging in your ears. It was constant and after a while would be like torture. So they needed to make sure you were sharp and didn’t keep us there more than four hours at a time.”
Although the HMCS Goderich never sank any enemy ships, the crew remained vigilant for whenever the depth charge alarm sounded. The ship carried 300-pound depth charges, which were launched in a specific pattern to destroy enemy submarines. John vividly can recall two cooks who were assigned to operate the depth charge station. “Those guys were no bigger than you or me, and they would just hoist them without hesitation,” John said.
He also recalled the sheer power of the explosions. “The charges were set for 50 feet. When they went off, it was just like what you see in the movies. I can’t imagine what it would have been like for the guys in the submarine hit by one of those charges. It would have been a terrible fate.”
During his time on the HMCS Goderich, John took part in several significant rescue operations and scuttling missions. One such mission was on January 14, 1945, when the SS British Freedom was badly damaged by a U-boat attack, resulting in the death of one crew member. The remaining 56 crew members were rescued by the HMCS Gaspé. After the rescue, the HMCS Goderich was dispatched to sink the heavily damaged ship, which continued to float despite the attack. The HMCS Goderich used depth charges to finally sink the SS British Freedom.
At times, it can be difficult for John to separate which ship and experience correspond to each memory. However, some notable events correspond with his service on the HMCS Goderich.
In November 1944, the British merchant ship SS Empire Sun was torpedoed by U-867, resulting in heavy casualties. The HMCS Goderich, along with other Canadian ships, rushed to the scene. Despite rough seas and challenging conditions, the Goderich crew managed to rescue many survivors, most of whom were badly injured. Reflecting on his time in the North Atlantic, John recalls, “I could be getting something mixed up, I’m not sure of the ship. But I remember it was cold, dark, and very stormy. If I ever remember anything about the North Atlantic, it was how cold it could be.”
In January 1945, the SS Vesta, another British merchant ship, was torpedoed by U-803 off the coast of Newfoundland. The HMCS Goderich, along with the HMCS Magog (K-227), quickly responded and rescued survivors from lifeboats.
A haunting memory that stays with him to this day was an experience he had while on convoy duty. While passing through the coastal waters of the Atlantic, the Lookouts spotted a lifeboat full of sailors. “They were sitting side by side, all frozen to death”. Knowing another ship had been dispatched to help with recovery, “We just kept right on going,” John recalled, after a long pause.
When the war officially ended in May 1945, John remembers the excitement that spread through the crew when the radio announced the news. Yet, the following days brought another surreal moment: a German U-boat, the U-889, was tied up alongside their ship. The German crew had received orders from their Admiralty to give up to the nearest Allied ship, which ended up being a Canadian Crew. John watched as the Germans were taken to buses to be transported to a prison camp. “Those soldiers looked younger than us!” he recalled.
“Looking back on it all,” John said, reflecting on the war, “the whole intent of the war was to kill these guys, and I was a part of that?” The emotional weight of his service weighs on him, especially when considering the sacrifices of those who participated in major battles like D-Day. “I never did a thing,” he remarked, comparing his own contributions to the immense sacrifices made by others.
After leaving the Navy in December 1945, John joined the Merchant Marines. After four years, John fully retired from the military. Living in Toronto, John worked for Toronto Hydro for about 15 years. Later, he owned and operated a Harvey’s Restaurant franchise in Ottawa.
John and Frances, with their three children grown, moved to the West Coast to be closer to his parents, who lived in White Rock, BC. He worked for BC Ferries in the hiring department, then later moved to the BC Public Service in labor relations before retiring.
John’s story is a reminder of the countless sailors who served during the Battle of the Atlantic. His service on the HMCS Goderich contributed to the safety of countless convoys, and his reflections on war and its devastating consequences offer a glimpse into the emotional toll of service.
Still living at home, John attends the Veterans Health Centre day program at Veterans Memorial Lodge each week. It is an honour to have the opportunity to share some of the moments that shaped John’s life. John was part of the Canadian legacy that helped secure the freedom we enjoy today and that so many dedicated servicemen and women continue to preserve.
You can help veterans like Jim enjoy the comforts of home and simple pleasures by making a donation today.
