Second World War naval veteran celebrates 100th birthday

One of Manitoba’s last-known surviving naval veterans of the Second World War celebrated his 100th birthday on Monday.

One of Manitoba’s last-known surviving Second World War naval veterans is celebrating a major milestone this week—he’s turning 100 years old.

“I waited 100 years for it!” Lt.-Cmdr. (Ret) Robert Watkins told CTV News on Monday at a birthday party in his honour.

Watkins joined the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets in 1939 after the war broke out and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy after he turned 18—training out of HMCS Chippawa.

Watkins headed overseas in 1943 and served on the HMCS Loch Achanalt patrolling the English Channel, Irish Sea, and the North Atlantic. He still remembers chasing a German U-boat between the Faroe Islands and Norway during his stint on the frigate.

“We were going to head in to ram the conning tower… The HMCS Anna cut us off, dropped the depth charge, and blew up the submarine,” Watkins recalled. “We did get an assist on it, but they cheated.”

Watkins said they picked up 24 survivors from the U-boat and kept them on board for a week before dropping them off in Scotland.

“They were friendly, but there was only one real Nazi in there with the group. He wanted to try and take over the ship, but the others just told him to back off.”

According to the Royal Canadian Legion, Watkins served on several other ships during his time in the Navy before taking his discharge at HMCS Chippawa in 1946. He rejoined the naval reserves in 1949 and served another decade.

He later drove streetcars and buses in Winnipeg and retired as Winnipeg Transit’s superintendent of schedules in 1984.

When asked his secret to a long and fulfilling life, Watkins credited having a great family and a good group of friends.

“I’ve had a very good life—a very enjoyable one,” he said. “I’ve had ups and downs like everybody, but I’m quite happy with it.”

On Monday, the Royal Canadian Navy presented Watkins with a naval ensign and certificate, and he also received best wishes from Mayor Scott Gillingham.