September 5, 1996
 

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Re: Kenneth Garrett
3179 Sunbury Road
RR#2
Inverary, Ontario
KOH 1XO

     It is my pleasure to write a letter of appreciation to the
above named gentleman concerning his service aboard H.M.C. S.
ALGONQUIN under my command during the Second World War at the time
of the Invasion of Normandy and subsequently on convoys to North
Russia.

     Mr. Garrett served as the Senior Radar Operator, affording me
frequent observation of his capabilities during the many enemy
actions from D Day onwards. He was highly regarded by the Radar
Officer and indeed by myself for the cheerful and efficient manner
in which he carried out his duties under the then existing wartime
conditions of battle experience. In recent years, during my efforts
to maintain touch with members of the wartime ship's company of
ALGONQUIN, Ken Garrett has been a tower of support and enthusiasm,
making expert use of his illustrated computer to get in touch with
old shipmates.

It has been a distinct help and great fun for me to continue my
association with Ken Garrett for the last 52 years.

(Signed)

Desmond W. Piers
Rear Admiral RCN Retired
DSC, CM, CD, D. Sc. MI., KCLJ

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Leading Seamen Ken Garrett (left) and Rear-Adm Desmond Piers at a navy reunion in Burlington, Ontario in 1997.

Ken's initial re-union with his former C.O. has an interesting background. One day after work in 1963,  Ken was picking up some groceries at an A& P store in Kingston, Ontario when he spotted a high ranking naval officer ahead of him in the checkout line. On sheer chance, Ken asked if the officer might know the whereabouts of Admiral Desmond Piers. Smiling,  the officer said, "I sure do. He was just promoted to Rear Admiral, Chief of Joint Staff in Washington DC". Quickly, Ken penned a note of congratulations and put a letter in the mail.  Admiral Piers replied by return mail and much to Ken's surprise he thanked him and also remembered his wartime service aboard ALGONQUIN as an LSR2. In 1989, Ken travelled to Chester, Nova Scotia and met the Admiral for the first time in 44 years.