St. John's and the Battle of the Atlantic By Bill Rompkey

Format: Paperback, 266 pages, b&w photos Pub Date: June 2009 ISBN 10: 1-897317-39-5 ISBN 13: 978-1-897317-39-6 Price: CDN$19.95 Qty:

Book Description During World War II St. John’s, Newfoundland played a critical role in the fight against Nazi Germany. Seamen from all over the world sailed to and from the old seaport, chosen for duty because it was closest to Europe and because its people knew both the peril and glory of the North Atlantic. In his introduction in St. John's and the Battle of the Atlantic to this absorbing collection of stories, Bill Rompkey examines the city’s service to one of the most famous battles in military history and the effect it had on the people of St. John’s. The stories that follow provide an insider’s look at life in Newfoundland during this challenging time. About the Author Bill Rompkey was born in Belleoram, Fortune Bay, but he grew up in St. John’s where he later taught English before moving to Labrador in 1963. While a student at Memorial University, he joined the University Naval Training Divisions and later, as a commissioned officer, was stationed briefly at HMCS Cabot. In 1972, he was elected to the House of Commons where he served for twenty-three years before being appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1995. Throughout his parliamentary career, Senator Rompkey has been involved with issues of defence and security. He chaired the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs and in 1993 co-chaired the Special Joint Committee on Canada’s Defence Policy. Previously, he served as vice-chair of the North Atlantic Assembly, the international body for NATO parliamentarians. He is an active member of the Naval Officers Association of Canada and the Crow’s Nest, and he has been honoured for his work with the Navy League of Canada.