Summary information
| Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
| Title: | Jack Thorpe fonds |
| Reference code: | 0264 |
| Date: | [1942] (date of creation) |
| Physical description: | 12 photographs |
| Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Processed by Mary Nutting October 2006 Added to new database November 2025 – TD |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
Jack Thorpe was born on January 18, 1922 to Alonza and Annie Thorpe of Grande Prairie. He was living in Sexsmith at the time of his enlistment in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve near the end of 1941. He completed Basic Training on the Nonsuch, a drydocked ship in Edmonton, then went on to Esquimalt (Vancouver Island) for further training, and finally to the Stadacona Base in Halifax for Radar Training. He served aboard HMCS Bayfield, a minesweeper which patrolled the east coast from Boston to Halifax; HMCS Orangeville, a Castle Class Corvette in the North Atlantic; and HMCS Atholl, on convoy duty from St. John’s to Londonderry, Ireland. He made about twenty-four round trips on the Newfie-to-Derry convoy run across the North Atlantic.
Jack told the Daily Herald Tribune in an interview done in 2005 that he chose the Navy because he “didn’t fancy walking.” He recalled the horrid shipboard conditions: the seasickness, the constant wet, the moldy food. “The bread was no good, then the beef ran out and it would be nothing but kippers – ugh!” But on occasion they’d pop off a couple of depth charges and haul in the fresh fish killed or stunned by the explosions.
Jack married Dorothy Irene McKenzie. They had two daughters, Donna and Barbara.
Jack, who spent forty-four years with NAR/CN (railway), was twice president of the Grande Prairie Legion.
Jack died in the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Grande Prairie on November 11, 2008.
Custodial history
Photographs were borrowed from Jack Thorpe for a Remembrance Day display in 2006, when permission was given to copy the photographs for inclusion in the archives.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of 12 photographs detailing Jack Thorpe’s service with the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II. Photographs include Jack’s official Navy portrait, ships he served on and working on the ships.
Notes
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title of fonds based on contents.
Conditions governing use
These photographs were donated as part of a loan for copy and are not suitable for reproducing larger than 8×10 in.
Access points
- Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)
- Military (subject)
Series descriptions
| Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
| 0264.01 | Item – Jack Thorpe | [1942] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Formal portrait of Jack Thorpe in his Navy uniform. |
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| 0264.02 | Item – HMCS Bayfield | [1942] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
HMCS Bayfield was a minesweeper which patrolled the east coast from Boston to Halifax, dragging the ocean waters for mines planted by German U-boats. |
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| 0264.03 | Item – HMCS Orangeville | [1942] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
HMCS Orangeville was a castle class Corvette which operated in the North Atlantic. The role of the corvette was to keep convoy ships in line and fend off any subs that got inside the accompanying screen of destroyers and frigates. |
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| 0264.04 | Item – “Na Bother Ata” | [1942] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
“Nae Bother Ata” was the motto of the HMCS Orangeville. Here, Captain Pike, from Edmonton, sits underneath the motto. |
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| 0264.05 | Item – Leaving Harbour | [1942] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Corvette leaving harbour with seamen in formation on deck. |
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| 0264.06 | Item – Corvette in Convoy | [1942] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Castle class Corvette in a convoy on the North Atlantic. |
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| 0264.07 | Item – The Blue Ensign | [1942] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Jack Thorpe and three seamen under the Blue Ensign, the flag of the Royal Canadian Navy. |
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| 0264.08 | Item – Looking Out to Sea | [1942] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Navy Seaman Jack Thorpe looking out to sea from the captain’s bridge. |
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| 0264.09 | Item – Entering the Ship | [1942] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Navy Seaman at the top of the gangplank, the entrance to the ship. |
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| 0264.10 | Item – Jack & Friends | [1942] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Jack Thorpe and three friends on ship deck during World War II. |
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| 0264.11 | Item – Ships in Harbour | [1942] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Bird’s eye view of a corvette in harbour, with the crew unloading and working on deck. |
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| 0264.12 | Item – Service on Deck | [1942] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Navy Seamen in formation on the deck of a ship. Three officers are addressing the crew, perhaps for a religious service. |
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