Former wartime Reservist celebrates Centennial with Naval Reserve

Commodore Patrick Montgomery, Commander of the Naval Reserve, presents the Commander of the Naval Reserve Coin to Petty Officer First Class (ret’d) Jim Silvester at his 100th birthday celebration in Shawnigan Lake on Apr. 8. (Right) Petty Officer First Class (ret’d) Jim Silvester in uniform with medals: 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Burma Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, War Medal 1939-45, and Canadian Forces Decoration. Photos provided.

Lt(N) Donald Den, Senior Public Affairs Officer, HMCS Malahat — The year 2023 marks a significant milestone for the Canadian Naval Reserve, as all 24 divisions mark the Centennial of their service with various ceremonies and commemorative events.

But for one former Royal Canadian Naval Reservist, 2023 marks a centennial of a different kind.

On Apr. 7, Petty Officer First Class (ret’d) Jim Silvester celebrated his 100^th birthday, in the same year as the Naval Reserve. The following day, senior members of the Naval Reserve gathered in Shawnigan Lake to celebrate this centennial occasion with Silvester.

Commodore (Cmdre) Patrick Montgomery, Commander of the Naval Reserve, presented him with both the Commander of the Naval Reserve Coin and the Naval Reserve Coin.

“It is a pleasure to be here, to be able to thank Mr. Silvester in person at his birthday and acknowledge his years of service,” Cmdre Montgomery said while presenting the two coins.

Chief Petty Officer First Class Robert Campbell, incoming Fleet Chief of the Naval Reserve, also presented him with the Naval Reserve Centennial Coin, while Commander (Cdr) Cameron Miller, Commanding Officer of HMCS Malahat, Victoria’s Naval Reserve Division, presented him with the Ship’s Coin of HMCS Malahat.

“It was special to hear about Mr. Silvester joining HMCS Chippawa at 16, since, coincidentally, I would join the same unit at 18, albeit many years later,” Cdr Miller said. “The building had not really changed much between us joining, and it was absolutely an honour and a privilege to be there for his 100^th birthday.”

Silvester joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) at HMCS Chippawa, Winnipeg’s Naval Reserve Division, on Nov. 6, 1939, at the outbreak of the Second World War. He was initially classed under the Canadian Boys Seamen because he was underage at the time.

After training, he took part in the Battle of the Atlantic, protecting the convoys bringing supplies across the North Atlantic Ocean and serving aboard HMCS Malaspina, HMCS Quesnel, HMCS Inch Arran, and HMCS Aquitania. He was discharged from the RCNVR on Jan. 31, 1946.

Silvester then rejoined the Naval Reserve at HMCS Chippawa on Apr. 23, 1955. He served for an additional ten years, instructing recruits in rifle and parade ground drills and classroom instruction. During this time, he served aboard HMCS Assiniboine and HMCS Skeena for naval training before being honourably released from the Naval Reserve on Apr. 28, 1965.

Brenda, Jim’s daughter, said having the Navy be a part of the birthday celebrations meant a lot for her dad.

“He has done nothing but brag about naval officers presenting him with coins,” she said. “Your presence here is so special. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much.”