HONOURARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP TO PERCY WARRILOW

 In March of 2017, Mr. Percy Warrilow, age 92, was given an Honourary Life Membership with the International Shipmasters' Association.  Percy was a stoker on board the ship. Mr. Warrilow served aboard Canada's first aircraft carrier as an Engine Room stoker.  Percy’s Wife Betty Warrilow, authored a book:  Nabob - The First Canadian-Manned Aircraft Carrier, by Betty Warrilow.   The book is is a definitive history of a chapter of Canadian Naval History, and is a part of the ISMA archives. The Award was nominated by Captain Gord Mcneill of Lodge 15.  

HMS Nabob, Was apart of the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow, in the Orkney Islands.  Nabob participated in two operations off the Norwegian coast, including air strikes against the German battleship Tirpitz (Operation Goodwood).  While the main force attacking Tirpitz prepared for another strike, the escort carriers went to refuel the destroyers. During these operations, Nabob was torpedoed by the German submarine U-354 in the Barents Sea. The torpedo impact made a hole 32 sq ft (3.0 m2) below the waterline on the starboard side aft. The stern sank 15 feet (4.6 m) before flooding could be controlled. Eventually the damage control parties effected enough repairs that the ship could make 10 knots. Five days later she steamed into Scapa Flow under her own power but had lost 21 men.

The Home Fleet was the Royal Navy's main battle force in European waters during the Second World War. On 3 September 1939, under Admiral Forbes flying his flag in Nelson at Scapa Flow, it consisted of 2 Battle Cruiser Squadrons, a Cruiser Squadron,  Destroyers,  4 Submarines Flotillas 8 aircraft carriers, and the Orkney and Shetlands force.  Its chief responsibility was to keep Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine from breaking out of the North Sea, and the base at Scapa Flow was well placed for interceptions of ships trying to run the blockade.

ISMA LODGE 15,  OWEN SOUND INCORPORATED 1913- 1916 with 21 members.  By 1921 the Lodge has ceased to exist in ISMA records.

 LODGE 15 RE-OPENED,  IN TORONTO 1946.  BY 1952  THE LODGE HAD 99 MEMBERS.

 LODGE 15 RE-OPENED, OWEN SOUND 1985 AND PROVINCIALLY INCORPORATED 1986.