The Government of Canada is committed to sharing the stories of the people, places, and events who have contributed to our country's rich and diverse heritage.
Today, Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, paid tribute to Commander (Ret'd) Rowland Marshall and Lieutenant-Commander (Ret'd) Sherry Richardson through Parks Canada's Hometown Heroes program on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada. The ceremony was held in Halifax, Nova Scotia at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in the presence of dignitaries and family members.
Commander (Ret'd) Rowland Marshall
Inspired by his father's service in the First World War and determined to follow in his footsteps, Rowland Marshall joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1944 at the age of 16. While on convoy duty on HMCS St. Pierre (K680) in May 1945, Marshall's squadron took the surrender of 15 German U-boats and escorted them to Northern Scotland. Following the war, he served on several ships and establishments in Canada and the United Kingdom, including HMC Ships Ontario, Magnificent, Toronto, Lauzon Athabasca and Saguenay. In 1962, he transferred to the Naval Reserve and joined HMCS Scotian. He remained in the Reserves and later the supplementary reserve list for a total of over 40 years. He holds a doctoral degree from the University of Ottawa and was an associate professor of philosophy at St. Mary's University, and twice served as chairman of the department.
Lieutenant-Commander (Ret'd) Sherry Richardson
With an eye for adventure on sea and land, Sherry Richardson has contributed to her country and community for decades. She first joined the Naval Reserve Division HMCS Donnacona in Montreal in 1954. She served the Royal Canadian Navy in VU 32 Air Squadron as an air electronics technician before being commissioned in the Canadian Intelligence Corps, with part of her training being a three-year Russian language course. She participated in Arctic operations as part of Bedford Institute of Oceanography, served at National Defence headquarters, and then returned to Halifax to MARCOM headquarters. From 1994 to 1999, Richardson served as the first female Commanding Officer of HMCS Sackville, Canada's naval memorial. Throughout her lifetime, she has been an active volunteer in the military and in her community.
To mark the 100th anniversary of the Naval Reserve in 2023, Parks Canada is honoured to add Commander (Ret'd) Rowland Marshall and Lieutenant-Commander (Ret'd) Sherry Richardson to the Hometown Heroes program. These individuals join a growing list of Canadians who have been recognized for their contributions as strong community leaders who are in alignment with the Parks Canada mandate and its priorities, and for their efforts to help protect and promote natural and cultural heritage in Canada as part of the Hometown Heroes program.
