The intent of the display is to honour the Canadian submarine volunteer and it is dedicated to the memory of PO2TD L.D. McLeod who lost his life in an accidental explosion aboard the British submarine HMS Sidon in Portland harbour, England, on 16 June 1955.

HMCS Okanagan was secured alongside the seaward end of the jetty, her ensign and jack adding a splash of colour against the grey background. An army marquee tent had been erected near the end of the old submarine squadron building facing the boat, its flaps furled to provide overhead protection while giving an unobstructed view. Inside the tent were rows of seating for the many guests. 

Between the tent and the end of the jetty the large three-panel memorial display had been set up on easels, each panel covered with a white ensign. Next to the display was the podium and microphone. Beyond the end of the tent, another group of chairs provided seating for the Stadacona band.

By 1055 hours, Rear Admiral and Mrs Miller had arrived. The band members were seated and and then a lone piper provided the traditional strains of 'the highlands'  stirring the atmosphere for all those assembled in anticipation of this most unique and reminiscent ceremony.

The special guests and congregation had taken their seats and were chatting quietly to one another or leafing through the Order of Service booklets. On the hour, Padre Fletcher took his place at the podium and all fell silent. The church pennant at Okanagan’s portable masthead flapped lazily in the light breeze.

Except for the surprise, and very welcome appearance of Nigel Frawley, Okanagan’s commissioning CO, who provided the opening remarks, the Service of Thanksgiving celebrating Okanagan’s 30th anniversary and paying-off, proceeded smoothly. Each segment was preceded by an appropriate Dolphin Code, beginning with No. 78, “Wish you were here.” Able Seaman McGovern gave the reading from the Old Testament, the prophecy of Jonah, and LCDR Mullholand read of the calming of the seas from the New Testament. 

The congregation and Stad band gave a convincing performance when it came time for the hymns. The ceremony came to a suitable conclusion with the bugler playing a clear and emotive “Last Post” during which Okanagan’s jack, ensign and commissioning pennant were lowered for the last time. Padre Fletcher closed the service with Dolphin Code No. 60, “Can I go home now?” and the benediction. The congregation and band gave forth with God Save the Queen.

The McLeod Memorial Dedication Ceremony began immediately as Roy Pepper, Chairman of Canadian Branch, SOCA, stepped forward to take his place at the podium. In his brief presentation, Roy provided a run-down of how the memorial came to be and what it stood for. “It is,” he said, “a memorial to the Canadian submarine volunteer and dedicated to the memory of PO Laverne McLeod who lost his life in the explosion aboard HMS Sidon in June 1955.” Roy also explained that he hoped the memorial would serve as a link to the past for today’s serving members as well as recognizing the suffering of a family who were prematurely deprived of a loved one.

Rear Admiral Miller followed Roy. In his address, Dusty Miller paid tribute to the submarine volunteer, offering the observation that even though it was no longer a requirement, many submariners continued to be volunteers. He also explained that, although the Navy had not handled the circumstances of McLeod’s death as well as it should have, he was grateful of the opportunity to make up for past insensitivities.

Serving member, PO 1st Class Tony Palmer provided a link to the 1990s in his very able comparison of submariners past and present. He explained how they came to their decisions to “go boats” in much the same way and how diesel boats were something of a shock, whatever one had served in previously. Tony also expressed his gratitude for those who had gone before and for the comradeship he had found as a member of the submarine community, both in Britain and Canada.

The Reverend “Paul” Gordon, ex-CPO2 SN, cousin and childhood pal, reminded the gathering of the events surrounding McLeod’s service career and of how Laverne had wanted to join submarines. He touched briefly on the events of 16 June 1955 and how they affected the members of the extended McLeod family. He also expressed the family’s gratitude with what was taking place and of the generosity they had experienced on their visit. He ended with the Prayer of Invocation.

Following directly on “Paul” Gordon’s “amen”, the piper began the plaintive notes of Amazing Grace holding the congregation spellbound. At the end, the “still” was piped and all rose for one-minute’s silence and reflection for Laverne McLeod and “those who go down to the sea in ships”.

Following the “carry-on” it began spitting rain as Lieutenant Pat Jessup, Roy Pepper and others began unveiling the memorial. It was a truly poignant moment as the family members gathered round to view the display for the first time.

Keeping just ahead of the worsening weather, Padre Fletcher ascended the podium and ended the dedication with a few brief observations and a short prayer. Right on cue, just as the congregation raised their heads following the “amen”, the noonday gun boomed out from the Citadel.

As the rain increased, the memorial was hastily struck and taken inboard where it was set-up again in the wardroom for all to admire. Refreshments were served and the assembly enjoyed a very convivial social hour.

Currently the McLeod Memorial display is making the rounds of principal buildings within the CFB Halifax complex. Eventually a permanent home will be found for it in a location where it will be accessible to serving submariners of all ranks as a reminder of the esteem in which their dedication to the Service is held by their predecessors.

This photograph, provided courtesy of the McLeod family, was taken on 2 June, 1951 shortly after his return from his first deployment in Korea. He was 20.
 

"At that very same moment (Sunday 1500GMT) while the ceremony was taking place in Halifax I was at the Submarine Old Comrades Association re-union in HMS Dolphin and I asked to make the public announcement to the attendeees (500 plus) that such an undertaking was underway in Halifax. Among the audience was one of Sidon's ERA's, an emotional 78 year old John Tonner, whom we all joined in a moment of silence for all 13 of those deceased. . .3000 miles away. Submarine camaraderie indeed. FOSM (Flag Officer Submarines), RAdm Stephens was quite taken." 

A lot of effort was involved in bringing this from an idea to the event which occurred in HMC Dockyard 27 September, 1998. Many people and organizations were involved and they achieved something which all submariners should be proud of.

S.O.C.A. (Submarine Old Comrades Association) Canadian Branch, now Submariner's Association (Canadian Branch) led the initiative behind this commendable effort with Rear Admiral "Dusty" Miller and his people in Maritime Command and Canadian Maritime Operational Group Five (CMOG 5) playing a major part in providing resources without which it would not have been possible.

To all concerned and to the SA (Canadian Branch), formerly SOCA, organization in particular,  a resounding.....
 

......Well Done
 

    On the morning of Thursday, 16 June 1955, HMS Sidon was preparing to sail from alongside the depot ship HMS Maidstone in Portland harbour. In all there were 56 crew on board. Earlier that morning she had embarked and loaded two experimental practice torpedoes which were to be fired on the torpedo range that day.

    At 0825, as Sidon’s crew was closing-up at Harbour Stations, the highly volatile fuel supply of one of the torpedoes exploded. The blast  wrecked the torpedo tube, damaged two watertight bulkheads, devastated the forward compartments and jammed debris against the forward control room bulkhead. Searing-hot flame, toxic gasses and smoke accompanied the blast. Twelve men in the forward compartments died in the explosion. Elsewhere in the boat seven were injured, several others concussed and all were affected by the smoke, gasses and shock. 
 

On the bridge shortly after the explosion, the First Lieutenant gives Surgeon Lt. Rhodes a quick lesson in the use of a DSEA set.

    The submarine started to settle by the bows with a list to starboard. The CO ordered the engine room and after escape hatches opened and all hands evacuated. With only emergency lighting to guide them the able bodied assisted the injured out of the boat through the conning tower and after hatches.
 
 

Trying to get a line under the stern to hold it up as long as possible, note the smoke pouring from the after escape hatch

   Despite the heroic efforts of the crew and a rescue party from the depot ship, it proved impossible to reach the victims in the forward compartments or to control the flooding. Two would-be rescuers actually made it through the debris but were forced back by the fumes. As the water reached the hatches the rescue party was evacuated. At approximately 0850 Sidon sank to the bottom of the harbour. 

    When the torpedo blew it is certain that five of the six Canadians in the crew were aboard. PO2 McLeod had joined the boat only hours before the explosion and was in the accommodation space. PO1 “Spud” Gregory had been forward but had gone aft to use the head leaving McLeod in the mess drinking a cup of tea. PO ERA Sam Jennings and LS Stoker “Frenchie” Gordeau were in the engine room and AB TD Ralph Romans was on the casing. 

    The whereabouts of the sixth, PO Stoker Ray Spencer, who had recently transferred from the RN to the RCN and returned to submarines, is uncertain. According to one account he was inside the conning tower from which he was blown by the blast like a cork from a bottle. Though badly shaken he was uninjured, but he appears to have landed on top of the Signalman who was blown into the air ahead of him. 

    When Sidon sank she took a thirteenth victim with her. The medical officer from the depot ship had gone aboard with the rescue party. He assisted several survivors out of the submarine and, un-noticed, collapsed in the control room after everyone else had evacuated. He died of asphyxiation before the boat sank. 

    Seven days later the wreck was raised and beached in Portland harbour allowing a party of volunteers to remove the bodies of their shipmates. A few days later they were buried with full military honours in the Portland Naval Cemetery on top of the cliffs overlooking the harbour. 

    A Court of Inquiry cleared anyone aboard Sidon of blame for the loss of the boat. The direct cause of the accident was determined to have been the malfunctioning of the safety features in the torpedo. The experimental torpedo program was terminated shortly afterwards. Two years later Sidon was scuttled as a sonar bottom target.