The Value of Military Service

Heroes Remember

The Value of Military Service

I think it is an experience that everybody should go through whether it’s army, navy or air force. It’s an experience that young fellows should take to heart that that’s what life is. Life is to, there are rules and if you follow the rules you’ll get the breaks. If you don’t want to follow the rules, you won’t get any breaks, you know. And following the rules is what you do when you join the Armed Forces. You agree to follow the rules and they’re good for you, they’re good for your family, they’re good for mankind and that’s what I did.

Mr. Matheos discusses how his naval service shaped his sense of self-discipline.

James Matheos

James Matheos was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on September 9, 1924. He was one of three children. His father, a Greek immigrant, was a restaurateur. Mr. Matheos joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1942, with the intention of “seeing the world.” After training in Victoria, British Columbia he served aboard HMCS Sans Peur, a converted British Admiralty yacht, and spent the war in the dual role of patrolling for U-boats off Halifax, and training naval recruits.

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 0:48
Person Interviewed:: James Matheos
War, Conflict or Mission:: Second World War
Branch:: Navy
Units/Ship:: 415 Squadron
Rank:: Ordinary Seaman
Occupation:: Deck Crew

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Date modified:: 2024-12-30