Title and statement of responsibility area
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Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1967-1974, predominant 1973 (Creation)
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Photocopied [2001?] (Reproduction)
Physical description area
Physical description
3 cm of textual records
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Henry Allan Porter (1920- ) served with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War and retired in 1974 with the rank of Vice Admiral. Born in Chemainus, B.C, Porter joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) as an ordinary telegraphist in 1939. He was selected for officer candidate training and was promoted to sub-lieutenant in 1942. He served during the Second World War aboard the destroyer Kootenay, specializing in communications. In 1947 Porter was awarded his naval pilot's wings. He commanded the ocean escorts La Hulloise and Lauzon and was appointed officer in charge of the communications school on the East Coast. In 1955, he became director of naval communications at Naval Headquarters in Ottawa. Two years later, he was appointed to the staff of the Flag Officer Pacific Coast, initially as the Armed Forces co-ordinator of B.C. centennial activities, and subsequently as commander of the Fourth Canadian Escort Squadron and Commander, Cadet Training. He returned to Headquarters in 1960 as Director of Naval Training, and later was appointed assistant to the Chief of the Naval Staff. After the integration of Canadian Forces Headquarters, Porter served as naval advisor to the chief of personnel. In April 1965, he took command of the aircraft carrier Bonaventure at Halifax. He was appointed Director-General Maritime Forces at Canadian Forces Headquarters in August 1966. He became Director-General Equipment Requirements in April 1968. In September of the same year he was appointed senior Canadian Officer Afloat, Atlantic and one year later, in September, 1969, was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral and appointed commander, Maritime Command and in January 1971, was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral. Porter moved to Canadian Force Headquarters in November 1971 and was appointed comptroller-general. On September 1, 1972, he was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister (Evaluation). He retired from the navy in March 1974 to Chester, Nova Scotia.
Custodial history
Fonds was passed directly to Wilf Lund from Vice Admiral Harry Porter during his interview with him on 1 May 2000.
Scope and content
Fonds consists of photocopied documents regarding the changes of the Naval rank titles and designations to a unified system based on the Army system. Includes correspondence with high ranking officers and the Minister of National Defence, memoranda from the Chief of Defence Staff, drafts of the policy, and the results of a secret ballot that was held on the HMCS St-Laurent on the question of rank changes. It also includes correspondence with members of the public and partial transcripts from the House of Commons.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Fonds received from Wilf Lund in September 2001.
Arrangement
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Unclassified
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
None
Finding aids
Nonre
Associated materials
The following related material can be found in the Document Collection:
79-385 – [Reminiscences by Air Vice Marshal Leigh Forbes Stevenson 8 Jan 1970, and a speech on unification by Vice Admiral H.A. Porter 2 Apr 1970. 1 reel.]
90/439 – The strategic necessity of the shipyard in Halifax. Address to the Fort York Branch Royal Canadian Legion. 18 Jan 1989.
There is also a biographical file which includes a transcript of an interview with Vice Admiral H.A. Porter by Hal Lawrence, 1982.
Accruals
Further accruals are expected via Wilf Lund.