William H. Cummins of Peterborough, Ontario, a former sea cadet from RCSCC Haida Streetsville, Ontario  was christened aboard Nootka in September 1955.  As a result, he and anyone else who was christened aboard ship had  their names inscribed on the ship's bell. Bill tracked down the bell, confirmed that his name was on it and obtained photos of it via the CO of 56 RCSCC Nootka, Jason Finkbeiner (2011).

Chaplain  H. Ploughman proceeds with the christening.

Ldg. Seaman John “Jack” J. Cummins with son William and wife Shirley. John served aboard Nootka.

William with mother Shirley H. Cummins (nee Dowling).

The photos in this table were taken in September 1955. The name of Nootka's photographer is not known at this time.

Nootka's bell as seen at 56 RCSCC Nootka in Holden, Alberta (Photo by Jason Finkbeiner, CD Lt(N))

William Herbert Cummins is the 11th name from the top. (Photo by Jason Finkbeiner, CD Lt(N))

Now....let's  fast forward many years later.  Jason Finkbeiner, CO of the cadet corps in Holden Alberta shipped Nootka's bell to the Royal Canadian Legion in Sturgeon Falls Ontario so John Cummins (L) could pose with the bell along with his son. Together, they are holding Bill's christening photos which are the same ones shown at the top of this document. While away from Holden, the bell was under the watchful eye of cadet volunteers who were vacationing in Sturgeon Falls.

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Credits and Contributors:

1) Bill Cummins <mrbill1(at)cogeco.ca>
2) Jason Finkbeiner, CD Lt(N)  - CO of 56 RCSCC Nootka  (Apr 2011)

Aug 18/11