The Canadian Submarine Force celebrated the renaming of one of the force's primary buildings for submariners at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt ahead of the service's 110th anniversary on August 5.
On Friday, Aug. 2, high-ranking members of the Royal Canadian Navy gathered at CFB Esquimalt to commemorate the naming of the former D85 building, now named after Duncan native William Maitland-Dougall, the youngest member of the navy to take control of a submarine, at 22 years old.
"Naming this building after Lieutenant Maitland-Dougall is a fitting tribute to a man who made the ultimate sacrifice and service to our country. This will ensure that his name and contributions are remembered and recognized over time," said Capt. Alex Kooiman, commander of the Canadian submarine force.
Maitland-Dougall, born on March 14, 1895, was commander of the HMS D3, a D-class British submarine that was bombed in error by a French airship in the English Channel during the First World War. He was 23 when he died. His brother died less than a year before at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
"We ensure that [Maitland-Dougall's] legacy lives on as a beacon of courage and dedication for generations to come," said Kooiman. "This building will not only stand as a testament to his service, but also as a reminder of the sacrifices made by all those who have served, and continue to serve our country."
The building, which was initially built as a warehouse in 1898, was dedicated as a submarine support facility in 2002.
Ann Nolte, a cousin of Maitland-Dougall, never knew him but she reflected on meeting his mother in the 1940s. Nolte said she was "distraught" after losing both of her sons in the war, but regardless, said she was "very excentric and really a wonderful lady."
"I felt sort of a nice touch to know we had met his mother, and that was a long time ago," said Nolte. "I think it's a wonderful honour."
