It is with great sadness that I have to report that George Squance has Crossed the Bar in Canada on October 8th, just past his 95th birthday. George survived the sinking of Jupiter F85 in the Java Sea in 1942, made his way to Australia and then eventually back to the UK where he continued Service in the RN until 1953 when he transferred to the RCN, he eventually left the RCN in 1970. George attended our 2005 Reunion in Devonport and kept in contact over the subsequent years via letter and later via his Son. He had a book published recounting his life story called By Golly - By George, it is available to download.
SQUANCE, George Herbert - Obituary
Chief Warrant Officer,
Royal Canadian Navy (R’td)
September 24, 1920 - October 8, 2015
WWII Veteran
Royal Navy 1941-1953
Royal Canadian Navy 1954-1970
Life member Peterborough Naval Assn,
Submariners Assn. of Canada,
Atlantic Chief and Petty Officers Assn.,
Burma Star Assn,HMSJupiter Assn.,
Member Royal Canadian Legion
Peterborough (Br.52), Barrhaven (Br.641)
Retreads Motorcycle Club
Aged 95, George "crossed the bar" peacefully with family at his side.
Predeceased by his 4 sisters and 3 brothers, survived by son James (Dorothy), daughter Dianne, grandchildren Jennifer-Jill (Colin), Karen (Todd), Tom, Stephanie (Matt), Amanda and great-grandchildren Ellyott, Logan, Nolan, Harper, Justin and Finley.
Born in Hartland village, Devon, England he joined the war effort (Royal Navy) in 1941 at the age of 20. In February 1942, survived the sinking of HMS Jupiter in the Battle of the Java Sea. Clinging to a float, he beached on enemy territory two days later and with other allied survivors, commandeered a local boat and headed south. Ten days later, they landed in Australia. Interviewed in hospital, his story appeared on the front page of the Daily Telegraph in England on the same day that a memorial for George was to be held in his home village.
George obtained his first motorcycle at age 17 and drove until age 92. George was most happy driving his Honda Silverwing motorcycle on the Kawartha side roads with the Retreads.
Many thanks to the CCAC (Peterborough and Ottawa), staff at Jacksons Creek (P'boro), Court at Barrhaven (Ottawa) and Carleton Lodge Long Term Care (Ottawa), especially those on the W. Carleton wing. Your care and kindness is most appreciated.
Cremation has taken place. George will be buried at sea in the North Atlantic by the Royal Canadian Navy. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Royal Canadian Navy Benevolent Fund or the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy fund. A celebration of George's life will be held at Admiralty Hall - Peterborough Naval Association, 24 Whitlaw St., Peterborough, on Sunday, October 25, 2015 between 1:00 and 3:00p.m.
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