Biographical Data

Whelan, Geraldine Valerie

Personal Image

Photo Credit: Unknown

 
 
Title Sub-Lieutenant (NR) (CF)
Official Number (nk)
 
Birth (nk) Death (nk)
Place Bray Place (nk)
Area Co. Wicklow Area (nk)
Country Ireland Country (nk)
 
Titles
Honours
Awards
Qualifications
 
Biography
She emigrated, with her family, to Canada and settled in Toronto. She earned an MA in Medieval Irish literature from the University of Toronto. She is a writer (working under the name O.R. Melling) and is currently (2012) living in Ireland.
 
Military Service
In 1974 she was appointed as an Officer Cadet (NR) (ROUTP). In 1974-1975 she served in HMCS York for ROUTP. In 1975 she served in CFB Esquimalt for Officer Training (billeted in HMCS Cape Breton). In 1976 she served in CFB Halifax (billeted at St. Mary's University). She served in CFB Borden for Officer Training. In 1976 she was appointed as an A/Sub-Lieutenant (NR). (She was released.)
 
Vessels Owned
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Anecdotes
I was commissioned as a SLT (NR) in 1976. My unit was HMCS York on the Toronto harbourfront. The first summer of training was spent on board HMCS Cape Breton, permanently docked at CFB Esquimalt. The second summer was divided between CFB Halifax - we were billeted at St Mary's University - and CFB Borden where I was trained in Logistics. (Women could only choose between Logistics or Administration at that time. Otherwise, believe me, I would have chosen shipboard Marine training!) As the Forces were amalgamated at that time, we also did a bit of army training - obstacle course, three day survival training in BC forest, one day war games including night attack, rifle range etc - and took a flight in a Hercules for air force familiarisation. My favourite activities included fire-fighting training and warfare school at CFB Halifax.
 
References
Email Communication (Val Whelan to John MacFarlane 09/07/2012);
Last update
2016-07-10 00:00:00

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