Death of Cdr Chris Deere RCN
25 Jan 2024 - I am sad to announce that Chris Deere, a keen supporter of the MCDOA, crossed the bar in Canada yesterday after suffering a massive stroke followed by several days in hospital during which complications arose. He was 65.
We last saw Chris in July 2022 at the Covid-delayed dedication of the Vernon Mine Warfare & Diving Monument at Gunwharf Quays, formerly HMS VERNON, in Portsmouth.
Chris had previously visited the UK in September 2021 when some of us gathered for lunch at the Old Customs House in Gunwharf Quays, formerly HMS VERNON. We also took the opportunity to pose with our Vernon Mine Warfare & Diving Monument.
Chris was born in England in 1958 and his father served in the RAF. His family emigrated to Canada in 1968 and he lived in Georgetown, Ontario for the rest of his youth. He joined the Canadian Navy as a Maritime Surface Officer in 1979 before sub-specialising in clearance diving and EOD in 1986. In December 1988, he was posted on exchange with the Royal Navy for 3½ years. After completing the MW module of LMCDO '88B at HMS VERNON, he served as the Operations Officer of Rosyth-based HMS BROCKLESBY, then for 18 months as the First Lieutenant of HMS DULVERTON (now the Lithuanian Naval Ship KURSIS) in which he deployed to the Arabian Gulf for mine clearance operations during and after the 1991 Gulf War.
Chris's range of appointments in the Royal Canadian Navy included Officer-in-Charge of the Fleet Attack Re-breather Diving Team, Staff Diving and MW Officer at Maritime Forces (Atlantic) Headquarters, Crew Combat Officer in HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN, MW Tactics Officer at the Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre (CFMWC) encompassing the role of Canadian Head of Delegation to the NATO MW Working Group, Diving and Salvage Advisor to the Admiral at MARLANT Headquarters during Operation PERSISTENCE (the recovery of Swissair Flight 111), Commanding Officer of the Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic), Commandant of the Canadian Forces Fleet School (Quebec) and Canadian Navy Director of Diving Safety. Not to be outdone, his younger brother David was an F-18 fighter pilot in the Gulf War and his older brother Michael flew C-130 Hercules from 1981 to 1990.
On 24 November 2009, Chris was appointed an Officer in the Canadian Order of Military Merit while working in Paris as the Liaison Officer in the French Navy’s Plans and Ops Centre. He was invested in the Order on 9 December 2010.
His Excellency David Lloyd Johnston, Governor General of Canada investing Chris as an Officer in the Order of Military Merit at National Defence Headquarters, Chief of the Maritime Staff in Ottawa, Ontario.
As well as serving in an RN Hunt class minehunter at war, Chris was encountered at many NATO and ABCANZ meetings. He also attended many MCDOA (Minewarfare & Clearance Diving Officers' Association) annual dinners over the years. Here are some photos in which he features.
I am sure all members of our close-knit community will join me in extending our heartfelt condolences to Chris’s wife Tina, Brendan and Marina plus all the Deere family.
A recent photo of Chris & Tina Deere
Update
A wake will be held for Chris on 17 February. It will be attended by MCDOA members Jon Chapple, Paul Jones and Bill Kerr plus ex-WE Dave Allen.
