royal navy

2 articles

Mar14

1938Who is the oldest sailor in any Allied Navies during the First World War?

Petty Officer James Dupen, originally from Bethnal Green, London, holds the remarkable distinction of being the oldest sailor to serve in any Allied Navy during the First World War, representing both the Royal British Navy and the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve. His story is significant as it spans over half a century of naval service, including a rare royal warrant granted by the Prince of Wales and notable encounters with three generations of British royalty. At the age of 68, Dupen re-enlisted during the war in Esquimalt, British Columbia, outpacing the next oldest Allied sailor by four years, and proudly displayed his royal warrant badge for nearly five decades. As of March 2026, it has been 88 years since his passing and more than 157 years since he first joined the Royal Navy, with efforts underway to finally mark his resting place at Ross Bay Cemetery in Victoria, British Columbia.

Mar29

1778Who is reputedly the first European to set foot in British Columbia, Canada?

Captain James Cook, the famed British explorer and navigator, became the first known European to set foot in what is now British Columbia when he anchored at Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island on 29 March 1778. His arrival marked a significant turning point in the region’s history, initiating direct contact between European explorers and the Indigenous peoples who had called the Pacific coast home for thousands of years. Cook’s visit is particularly notable because, despite prior Spanish voyages, he was the first to accurately map the northwest coastline and interact extensively with local First Nations communities. On the 248th anniversary of this event, Cook’s legacy is both commemorated and critically examined, especially in light of recent actions highlighting the enduring impact of colonialism on Indigenous peoples in British Columbia.